THE WEDDING GUIDE A A R O N M A L L O RY P H O T O G R A P H Y
TA B L E O F C O N T E N T S A W E L C O M E P G 3 Y O U R E N G A G E M E N T S E S S I O N
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Y O U R W E D D I N G D AY
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A S A M P L E T I M E L I N E
P G 1 6
G E T T I N G R E A D Y
P G 1 8
Y O U R D E T A I L S
P G 1 9
Y O U R F I R S T L O O K
P G 2 3
B R I D A L P A RT Y + F A M I L Y P H O T O S
PG 25
T H E C E R E M O N Y
P G 2 8
T H E R E C E P T I O N
P G 3 1
A D D I T I O N A L I N F O R M AT I O N
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A A RON M A LLORY PH OTOGRA PH Y | TH E WEDDING GUI DE | 0 2
A
W
W E L C O M E
e a re s o b l e s s e d t o b e i n t h i s
j oy t h e w h o l e ex p e r i e n c e t o t h e f u l l e s t !
u n i q u e s i t u at i o n . T h e ve r y f a c t
We a b s o l u t e l y l ove t h e ch a n c e t o p l ay
t h at yo u a r e re a d i n g t h e s e w o rd s s ay s
a ro l e i n b r i n g i n g yo u r v i s i o n f o r yo u r
t h at yo u w e r e w i l l i n g t o t a k e a l e a p. Ta k e
w e d d i n g t o l i f e. We j u s t w e n t t h ro u g h
a l e a p o n t h e p e r s o n o f yo u r d re a m s,
t h e w h o l e p ro c e s s a n d d e f i n i t e l y k n o w
t a k e a l e a p o n m a r r i a g e, a n d t a k e a l e a p
j u s t h o w f u n ( a n d h o w s t re s s f u l ) i t c a n
o n u s ! We c a n n o t b e g i n t o ex p re s s h o w
a l l b e ! S o p l e a s e a s k a s m a ny q u e s t i o n s
g r at e f u l w e a re t h a t yo u h ave a l l o w e d
a s yo u h ave ! U s e u s a s a re s o u rc e a n d
u s i n t o yo u r l i ve s t o c a p t u re yo u r l ove
let us know how we can make life easi-
s t o r y. We d o n o t t a k e t h i s o p p o r t u n i t y
e r b e f o re, d u r i n g, a n d a f t e r t h e b i g d ay !
l i g h t l y, bu t c o n s i d e r i t a n h o n o r t o b e
We a re b i g b e l i eve r s t h at yo u r w e d d i n g
ch o s e n t o p r e s e r ve t h i s s e a s o n . We c re -
d ay i s 1 . a ch a n c e f o r yo u t o c e l e b r at e
a t e d t h i s g u i d e b e c a u s e w e p l a c e s u ch
w i t h yo u r f r i e n d s a n d f a m i l y a n d 2 . n o t
g r e at i m p o r t a n c e o n t e l l i n g yo u r w e d -
t h e e n d , bu t t h e b e g i n n i n g o f t h i s b e a u -
d i n g s t o r y i n f u l l . We h o p e t h at i t g i ve s
t i f u l a d ve n t u re. We a re t h r i l l e d t o b e
yo u a n i d e a o f h o w t o b e s t p re p a re f o r
p a r t o f t h e j o u r n ey w i t h yo u a n d c a n’t
yo u r w e d d i n g d a y s o t h a t yo u c a n e n -
w a i t t o s e e w h at l i f e h a s i n s t o re f o r yo u !
“Falling
i n l ov e i s t o s ay , ‘ I a m e x c i t e d a b o u t yo u r
future and
I’m
I
wa n t t o b e pa rt o f g e t t i n g yo u t h e r e .
signing up for the journey with you.
sign
up
for
the
It’s going to be
journey
to
my
t ru e
self
I wa n t to
hard
but
0 3 | T HE W E D D I N G GU ID E | AARO N MALLO RY PHOTOGRA PH Y
Photo
Would with
-tim
Michael
me?
there.’”
get
by
you
and
keller
Carina Photography
YO U R E N G AG E M E N T SESSION
W
e l i k e to say that your eng age -
We definitely under s tand that not al l o f
m en t session is your dress re -
our couples are going to feel comp l etel y
h ea r s a l fo r th e big day! You h ave the
comfortable in front of the camera s o al l
ch an c e to g et to kn ow us and th e way we
we as k is that you T RUST US! We p ro m -
work wh i l e we get to kn ow you, see how
is e to communicateclearly and not l eave
you i n ter a c t, and l ear n wh at poses mak e
you in the dark !We s ee eng agemen t s es -
you l o o k yo u r best. You get a tr ial run
s ions as a chance to hang out with n ew
befo re yo u r wedding day which w il l boos t
friends and mak e you guy s feel lik e a mi l -
you r c o n f i d enc e and m ake por tr ai ts on
lion buck s ! At the end of our time to geth-
you r b i g d ay feel l ike a piec e of cak e.
er, our hope is that you guy s feel cl o s -
E n g a g em en t s essions are typic al l y sched -
er, more in love, and more excited to get
uled b etween 5-7pm de pending o n the
MARRIED!
tim e o f yea r an d they l ast un til t h e light
their
i s g o n e. We l ove when our c oupl es choos e
the
a lo c ati o n th at is m eaningful to them, but
large framed prints on dis play at th e
we’re h a p py to hel p w ith sug gestio ns if
wedding, etc. Pleas e let us k now i f
you ’re h av i n g a tough tim e ch oosing. T he
we
m o re c reati ve and or iginal , th e b etter!
one
eng agement dates,
can of
“The best thing to hold onto in
0 5 | TH E W E D D I N G GUI D E | AARO N MALLO RY PHOTO GRA PH Y
We’ve
albums
help our
s een
couples
photos for
des ign
favorite
use
as
s ave
gues t
b o o k s,
any thingthings
to
i t’s do!
l i f e i s e a c h o t h e r . ”
-Audrey Hepburn
E-SHOOT TIPS
1 2 3 4
D on’t tr y to MATCH, but pick outfits that coordinate and com pliment one another instead. We are big fans of patter ns as long as they’re not too overwhelm ing- but steer clear of logos and g raphics. Be your self and choose clothes that really express your individu al per sona lities. Choose outfits you feel comfortable in. We want these portraits to feel like YOU and we want you to feel your best! Accessorize, accessorize, ACCESSORIZE! Fun and bold necklac es, scarves, jackets, shoes, etc. will make your photos one-of-a kind.
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5 6 7 8 9 10
We love when our couples choose two dif ferent outfits- a more casual and a dressier choice. T his gives you two completely dif ferent “looks”! Leave your cell phones and keys behind- we’d hate for lumpy pockets to show up in your beautiful images. If you are doing a makeup trial, consider scheduling it for the day of your eng agement session. It’ ll make this day extra fun and special. We like to get a few shots of your ring during our time together. If you can, tr y to get it cleaned before its close up. Please BE ON TIME. We want to take full advantage of the sun and once it’s gone, it’s gone. Take a look at our Pinterest boards for more inspiration and please don’t hesitate to ask for help! It’s what we’re here for!
A A RON M A LLORY PH OTOGRA PH Y | TH E WEDDING GUI DE | 0 8
“Where you go I will go, and where you stay I will stay. Your people will be my people and your God my God.” -Ruth 1:16-17
A A RON M A LLORY PH OTOGRA PH Y | TH E WEDDING GUI DE | 1 0
Y O U R W E D D I N G D AY
C
a n yo u b e l i e v e t h e b i g d a y i s f i -
s o f a s t , b u t o u r h o p e i s t h a t yo u w o u l d
n a l l y h e r e ? We w e r e j u s t i n yo u r
r e l a x a n d E N J OY t h e s e s w e e t m o m e n t s .
s h o e s s o w e k n o w h o w yo u ’ r e f e e l i n g.
Let us know if we can help in any way!
The butterf lies, the last minute to-
We ’ r e h e r e t o m a k e l i f e E A S I E R a n d
d o l i s t i n yo u r h e a d , t h e e x c i t e m e n t ,
to capture the big events as well as the
t h e J OY ! We w a n t yo u t o t a k e a d e e p
little
b r e a t h , l e t yo u r f r i e n d s , f a m i l y, a n d
b e r, yo u r w e d d i n g d a y i s m e a n t t o b e
p l a n n e r t a k e ov e r t h o s e l a s t m i n u t e
a d a y o f f u n , c e l e b r a t i o n , a n d l ov e !
t o - d o l i s t s , a n d e n j o y b e i n g w i t h yo u r
D o n’ t l e t s t r e s s o r l e t m i n o r d e t a i l s g e t
l ov e d o n e s . I t ’s h a r d t o d o , i t a l l g o e s by
i n t h e w a y o f t h e b e a u t y o f t h e d a y.
“I
in-between!
Re m e m -
d r e a m e d o f a w e d d i n g o f e l a b o r at e e l e g a n c e , a c h u rc h f i l l e d
w i t h fa m i ly a n d f r i e n d s . he
moments
wished
for,
he
said
I
a s k e d h i m w h at k i n d o f a w e d d i n g
one
t h at
would
make
me
his
wife.”
-Author Unknown
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A SAMPLE TIMELINE (WITH FIRST LOOK)
2:30 Photog rapher s ar rive and coverage begins. Details + final pre paration of the bride and bridesmaids 3:00 Bride puts on her dress + accessories Bridesmaids and mother of the bride should be dressed; bridal portraits, individual and g roup shots with bridesmaids 3:30 Groom makes final touches (jackets, ties, + shoes) Groom details, g room portraits, individual and g roup shots with g roomsmen 4:00 Fir st l ook + bride & g room portraits 4:45 Bridal party portraits 5:30 Hide the bride away Photog raph the ceremony site + details Photog raph rece ption site + details if at the same location 6:00 Ceremony 6:30 Family portraits Cocktail hour begins 7:00 “Just mar ried� bride and g room portraits 7:30 Rece ption begins 7:45 Bridal party introductions, g rand entrance + fir st dances 10:30 Grand exit and photog raphy coverage ends We
l i k e t o i n c l u d e t e n - m i n u t e c u s h i o n s t h ro u g h o u t t h e day
w h e n w e p l a n yo u r t i m e l i n e .
This
way i f s o m e t h i n g ta k e s l o n g e r
t h a n w e e x p e c t w e h av e r o o m t o e n j o y i t i n s t e a d o f w o r ry i n g .
A A RON M A LLORY PH OTOGRA PH Y | TH E WEDDING GUI DE | 1 6
G E T T I N G R E A DY
T
h i s i s wh ere th in gs real l y start get -
have hair and mak e-up done befo re we
ti n g f u n and feel in g real ! You’ve
s tart portraits (no bride wants a to n o f
h a n d -p i c k ed ever y n ec kl ac e, sh oe, and
photos tak en without her mak e-up o n ! ) .
cuf f -l i n k ( n o t to m en tion the DRESS)
We
a n d i t’s f i n a l l y tim e for th eir big d ebut.
mother-of-the-bride get dres s ed b efo re
W h en yo u d ec ide where your wedding
they help you into your gown. We th i n k
pa r ty w i l l g et dressed, tr y to pic k loca -
the finis hing touches help tell th e s to -
ti o n s w i th a l o t of natur al l ight. Even one
r y of the day, s o be s ure to wait u n ti l
win d ow w i l l m ake a worl d of dif ference
you are fully dres s ed to put on you r j ew -
fo r i n d o o r p or tr aits! Som eth in g to think
elr y, s hoes, and other acces s ories. It’s
a bo u t- s o m e br ides w an t ver y few p eople
als o helpful to have all of the bou q u ets
in th e b r i d a l s uite as she gets ready, while
AND bouts delivered to the room wh ere
oth er s h ave a “the m ore, the m er rier”
the bride is getting ready. T his way we
men ta l i ty. T h i n k about th is ah ead of time
have them for your detail photos, b r i d al
so yo u r g r a n d m other s, aun ts, the moth -
portraits, and fir s t look . W hen thi n k i n g
er o f th e g ro o m , etc . c an have c l ear ex-
about the timing of the day, don’t fo r-
pec tati o n s. Wh il e you finish getting your
get to account for travel time and tr af -
h a i r a n d m a k e-up done, we w il l be shoot -
fic to and from your getting ready l o ca-
in g yo u r d eta il s ( m ore about that later).
tion and venue. We can build all o f th at
We en c o u r a g e br ide and br idesm ai ds to
into our timeline s o we don’t feel ru s h ed .
When
I
saw
you
I
fell
in
l ov e ,
as k
that
and
brides maids
you
smiled
and
th e
because
y o u k n e w .
-William Shakespeare
A A RON M A LLORY PH OTOGRA PH Y | TH E WEDDING GUI DE | 1 8
YO U R D E TA I L S
Y
ou have both worked so hard
a ro u n d yo u r b o u q u e t o r yo u r m o m ’s
t o m a k e t o d a y f e e l l i k e YO U.
v e i l ) . We l o v e u s i n g t h e s e l i t t l e d e -
Yo u s t a r t e d b y c h o o s i n g i n v i t a t i o n s
tails to help us tell the bigger story
that
yo u ’ve
o f y o u r d a y. P u t s o m e o n e ( p r o b a b l y
w e a r,
a maid-of-honor or wedding planner)
and some of your details even have
in charge of getting these elements
sweet little stories to tell (like grand-
in our hands first thing and we’ll get
m a ’s v i n t a g e h a n d k e rch i e f
them all back where they need to go.
would
handpicked
{
set
the
everything
stage, you’ ll
wrapped
W H AT TO G AT H E R
Dress
I n v i tat i o n s ( a n d
Veil/Hair Pieces
t i o n a ry )
Rings (all
Something Old,
three)
o t h e r s ta -
Shoes
Something
J e w e l ry
B o r ro w e d , S o m e t h i n g B l u e
1 9 | TH E W E D D I N G GUI D E | AARO N MALLO RY PHOTO GRA PH Y
New,
Something
“We loved with a love that was more than love.” -Edgar Allen Poe
A A RON M A LLORY PH OTOGRA PH Y | TH E WEDDING G UI DE | 2 2
YO U R F I R S T L O O K
W
e are big time advocates for the the aisle. We promise a reaction when you “Fir st Look” on your wedding day.
first look
meet up, just the two of you, without any-
YOUR
Such big fans, in fact, that we did one on one watching AND we promise it won’t our own big day. You have been planning take away from the moment he sees you this day for so long and now that it’s final- coming towards him down the aisle. You ly here it is easy for the nerves to sneak in.
get TWO reactions, SO many more photo-
Tradition says it’s “bad luck” for the g room
g raphs of the two of you, AND this quiet
to see the bride before she walks down the
time together before the celebration really
aisle- but we don’t believe in luck. We be- begins. T hese moments were magical on
lieve in love and joy and sweet intimate our wedding day and we wouldn’t trade moments between our couples to calm
them for anything. If you decide that you’d
nerves and remind you why you’re really
rather stick with tradition and forgo a
here. We know that as a bride, you want a “Fir st Look”, no problem!! Just let us know reaction from your man as you walk down and we’ ll plan your timeline according ly!
Be
sure
first
to
look
let is
a
e v e ry o n e p r i va t e
know time
2 3 | TH E W E D D I N G GUI D E | AARO N MALLO RY PHOTO GRA PH Y
ahead
just
of
for
time
the
t h at
two
of
yo u r yo u .
B R I D A L P A RT Y + FA M I LY P H O T O S
B
F
ridal party portraits are so much fun for us! You two chose to be
sur rounded by these friends and family
rom our experience, we know that family portraits can make you want
to pull your hair out, so we like to make
on this day for a reason. T hese are the
them quick and painless! Ask someone
people who have supported you, given
who knows both sides of your (new) fam-
you advice, and cheered you on and we
ily to act as a she pherd. T heir job will
need to celebrate them too! T hese pho-
be to herd people to the cor rect loca-
tos can be as serious or as light-hearted
tion, dif fuse confusion, and find Aunt
as you like! De pending on your time-
Sue when she’s wandered of f for an ear-
line, these photos will either take place
ly g lass of wine. T his per son is CRU-
right before the ceremony or right after.
CIAL to making this f low smoothly.
We
ta k e
ily will
ask
t h at
p o rt r a i t s .
time,
be
no
this
looking
and
one
also
in
else
ensures the
same
keeps
2 5 | TH E W E D D I N G GUI D E | AARO N MALLO RY PHOTO GRA PH Y
t h at
photos all
direction
things
quick
during
of
fa m -
your
eyes
the
same
at and
simple!
A A RON M A LLORY PH OTOGRA PH Y | TH E WEDDING GU I DE | 2 6
THE CEREMONY
I
t is finally here. T he moment when
r y!). Also, planning to have your cer-
you hold hands with the one you
emony in the late after noon (depend-
love and say “I do” (or in our case,
ing on the season), a few hours before
“ t h i s i s m y s o l e m n v o w ” ) . We l o v e w i t -
sunset is ideal! When thinking about
nessing promises sealed with a kiss.
the order of service, remember that
T h e r e a r e a c o u p l e o f t h i n g s w e ’d l o v e
i t ’s y o u r w e d d i n g ! M a k e i t y o u r o w n !
for you to consider when planning the
T his is your chance to tell your friends
t i m e a n d l o c a t i o n o f y o u r c e r e m o n y. I f
and family what your relationship is
at all possible, tr y to plan for the sun
a l l a b o u t . We l o v e g e t t i n g t o w a t c h
to be behind the officiant (this may be
the beginning of marriages even more
out of your hands, if so, don’t wor-
beautiful than the weddings we shoot.
Please
ask
your
restrictions.
ceremony
C h u rc h e s ,
venue
for
specifically,
any can
photography h av e
strict
p h o t o g r a p h y ru l e s t h a t w e n e e d t o p r e pa r e f o r a h e a d o f t i m e !
A A RON M A LLORY PH OTOGRA PH Y | TH E WEDDING GU I DE | 2 8
“Hold me tight and don’t let go. Sweet and soft no one will know. We can run away.” -Sarah Jarosz
A A RON M A LLORY PH OTOGRA PH Y | TH E WEDDING GU I DE | 3 0
THE RECEPTION
L
et
th e
par ty
are
good at s eeing things that could tur n i n to
m a r r i ed and now it is time to
a hiccup during the day. We are huge ad-
C E LE B R AT E ! We l ove to photog raph
vocates for k ee ping things s imple. So th e
you r
un -
more you can naturally f low into th e n ext
tou ch ed to c apture al l of those details
thing, the better. O nce dinner s tar ts, we
you ’ve wo rk ed so hard to per fec t. Let’s
will go ahead and tak e a breather an d
i n cl u d e a f ew m inutes in the tim el ine for
g rab a quick bite to eat, too! (Nobody l i k es
th at. W h en we are about 6 weeks away
hav ing their picture tak en while they are
fro m yo u r b i g day we’ l l send over a ques -
chowing down any way s !) W hen dinn er i s
tio n n a i re a n d star t workin g on a timeline
over feel free to g rab us for pictures wi th
w i th yo u . If yo u star t working on this be -
f r i e n d s a n d ex t e n d e d f a m i l y t h at w e re
fore th en , p l ease send us a c opy. We are
not included in the for mal portrait time!
rec e p ti o n
begin!!
spac e
You
c om pl etey
3 1 | TH E W E D D I N G GUI D E | AARO N MALLO RY PHOTO GRA PH Y
If
the
light
eve n
p a r t y o f f i c i a l l y e n d s, t h at ’s n o p ro b l e m !
w h i s k yo u a w ay f o r s o m e ro m a n t i c s u n -
We c a n s t a g e a s p e c i a l “ g r a n d ex i t ” w i t h
set portraits to cap off
yo u r p e r f e c t
the bridal party while the party still is
Once the party starts on the
h a p p e n i n g ! T h at w ay yo u g e t p i c t u r e s
d a n c e f l o o r, w e l ove g e t t i n g i n o n t h e
o f a “ g r a n d ex i t ” A N D yo u g e t t o e n -
a c t i o n t o c a p t u re t h e ex c i t e m e n t a n d t h e
j oy t h e p a r t y f o r a s l o n g a s yo u w a n t
e n e rg y o f t h e n i g h t ! We w i l l d e c i d e t o -
w i t h o u t t h e ex t r a c o s t ! Ju s t l e t u s k n o w
g e t h e r w h at t i m e o u r c ove r a g e i s g o i n g
a h e a d o f t i m e w h at w o rk s f o r yo u a n d
t o e n d s o t h a t w e c a n p l a n a c c o rd i n g l y.
yo u r bu d g e t s o w e c a n m a k e s u re t h e t i m e -
I f w e a r e s ch e d u l e d t o l e ave b e f o re t h e
l i n e f l o w s s m o o t hy f ro m s t a r t t o f i n i s h !
night!
Consider tioning
a l l o w s,
we
might
h i r i n g a p ro f e s s i o na l d j - t h e y ’ r e g r e at at t r a n s i -
you
and
your
guests
t h ro u g h
the
night
(and
they
c a n b e p i vota l i n g e t t i n g t h e c row d o u t o n t h e da n c e f l o o r ! )
A A RON M A LLORY PH OTOGRA PH Y | TH E WEDDING GUI DE | 3 2
ADDITIONAL INFO W HAT KIND OF TIM E LIN E C A N W E E XPE C T A F T E R T H E W E D D ING? We k now that af ter th e b i g d ay yo u w i l l be s o a nx i o us to s ee a l l o f yo ur butiful pic tu res (s o are we! ), so to resp ec t that we tr y to g et them ba c k to yo u a s s oon as we p os sibly c an ! G en erally i t ta k es us a bo ut s i x week s to g et ever y thi ng s ort ed through, ed i ted , an d u p lo ad ed to yo ur per s o na l g a l l er y. D o n’t fret thoug h, before that si x weeks i s u p we w i l l defi ni tel y s ha re a c o upl e o f o ur favorites ! WH AT E QUI PM E N T D O YO U USE ? We shoot with Can o n f u ll f ram e c a m er a s, na m el y the 5 D M a rk I I I a nd the 6D, a nd
Can o n len ses. On o c c a s i o n we l i k e to brea k o ut a ha ndful of a n -
tique 35mm f i lm c am eras! We a l s o us e to p o f the l i ne f l a s hes, v i deo lig hts, and prof es sio n al CF m em o r y c ards to ens ure yo u a re g etti ng the bes t product. DO YOU OF F E R RE H E R SA L D I N N E R C OV E R AGE ? I f you would li ke u s to b e at th e reher s a l di nner a nd we do n’t have a ny thing a lready pla nned , j u st let u s kn ow ! We w i l l defi ni tel y br i ng o ur c a m er a s to ta k e a few p ictu res, bu t o u r m ai n p u r p o s e wo ul d be to s ee how the c erem o ny i s g o ing to f l ow. If you a re m o re th an a h alf -ho ur dr i ve fro m Way nes bo ro, we a s k that you cover a hotel ro o m fo r u s (ti red p h o to g r a pher s a re N O g o o d o n a weddi ng day ). D O YO U T R AV E L ? Ab solutely ! We love to travel fo r weddi ng s a nd even fo r eng a g em ent s es s i o ns! O ur cur rent packages include travel anywhere in Virginia but we’re available (and excited) to travel wherever you’re getting hitched! Just let us know what you have in mind!! Facebook: Facebook.com/aaronmalloryphotography Instagram: @aaronmalloryphoto Email: Aaronmalloryphotography@gmail.com Website: Aaronmalloryphotography.com Blog: Aaronmalloryblog.com Phone: 540.421.8010 3 3 | TH E W E D D I N G GUI D E | AARO N MALLO RY PHOTO GRA PH Y
W
e h o p e that reading through this
few months. You are helping us real i ze
g u i d e has given you new per s pec -
our dreams and expres s our God-gi ven
tives a n d n ew foun d exc item en t for plan -
creativ ity and for that, we cannot th an k
n i n g yo u r wed ding!! We kn ow pl anning
you enough. If you have any ques ti o n s
a wed d i n g i s n’t al l r ainbow s an d dais ies,
throughout the entire proces s plea s e d o
but we a re o n your team an d here to help!
not hes itate to as k - pleas e, pleas e, PL E ASE
We l ove th e ro l e we get to pl ay an d can’t
us e us as a res ource. We cannot wai t fo r
w a i t to wo rk with you guys over the next
your big day ! Until then, happy plan n i n g! best,
A A RO N + B E T H A N Y
Photo
by
Michael
and
Carina Photography
T H A N K YO U ! A A RON M A LLORY PH OTOGRA PH Y | TH E WEDDING GU I DE | 3 4
A l l photog r aphs and content in this guide are c opyr igh t of Aaron Mallor y Photog raphy