The
EXPERIENCE
WELCOME Hello Bride-to-be and Welcome! This is an exciting time for you! I’m sure your mind is racing with all that needs to be planned. It’s all very exciting, but it can also be somewhat overwhelming. My goal as a wedding photographer is to make this one aspect of the planning process simple. Photography is more than just images; it’s a real part of your day. Not only do you deserve beautiful images, you also deserve an amazing photographic experience. The goal of the guide is to help you plan your wedding day in a way that will allow me to provide you with the BEST experience possible. Since we’re officially working together, the next step is to plan your engagement session and start chatting about wedding day details as we get closer to your date! I’m beyond excited to be working with you! Here’s to an amazing time of planning and excitement!
Your ENGAGEMENT SESSION Now on to the fun stuff … like your engagement session! I include engagement sessions in The Wedding Experience because I truly believe that they are a VITAL part of the entire process. During your engagement session, you’ll have the chance to get to know me, experience how I shoot, and how I handle posing & lighting. This session will make a HUGE impact on how the wedding day flows. I’ll arrive on your wedding day already knowing how you two interact, what your best poses are & how to photograph you in a genuine way! You will feel like such a pro on your big day because of all the great practice you had during your engagement session & that’s how it should feel! Your engagement session can be scheduled anytime before your wedding day. I normally suggest booking at least 3 to 5 months in advance to avoid stress. Because most of our weekends are filled with weddings, I normally shoot engagements on weekday evenings, normally from 5-7pm, depending on the light & time of year. In winter months, 3-5pm is a normal time frame for an e-session! As soon as you start to plan for your engagement shoot, you will need to start brainstorming ideas! I LOVE it when a couple picks a location that is special to them in some way! If you can’t think of anywhere specific, I can help you decide on a location! As long as the light is great, I can make ANY location look awesome! I have photographed on farms, downtown alleys, graffiti parks, busy intersections, and even in the water! I’m serious! Do not shy away from crazy ideas! The more creative the better!
WHAT TO WEAR? - Don’t try to MATCH…try to pick outfits & accessories that coordinate instead. - Don’t be afraid to be BOLD! Accessorize & make your outfits your own! Scarves, bold necklaces, cute earrings, and fun shoes are always welcome!
- Most PATTERNS are actually ok, however, graphics are not favorable for portraits. If you’re wearing a pattern, make sure it’s not too overwhelming and distracting.
- Empty your pockets! Literally. You don’t want to have key chains or cell phones showing through your pockets. (This is for the guys especially!) - Most often, couples like to have one casual, everyday outfit and then one outfit that is dressier! This will give your shoot two totally different “looks”. I recommend beginning with the dressy outfit first!
- Make sure you are comfortable in what you’re wearing. If what you are wearing, “isn’t you”, you will be able to tell through your photos.
- BE ON TIME! The sun is only out for so long! The later you arrive, the less time we have to shoot! & nobody wants to be in a rush.
- Don’t forget your engagement ring! I love to shoot a few ring shots while you change outfits! If you can have it cleaned, even better!
- Relax! You don’t have to be a pro at this! I’m going to help you along the way & it’s going to be a blast! Enjoy this time together & make a date out of it! Plan a dinner afterward & celebrate!
Outfit INSPIRATION
Your Bridal S E S S I O N Just your style!
When planning a wedding, you work with a hundred different puzzle pieces and have to wait until the day of the wedding to see how they perfectly fit together. The same is true with your wedding day style. You have the dress, the shoes, the accessories, the hair and the make up, but why wait until the day of the wedding to see how they all come together? When you decide to take bridal portraits, this gives you the opportunity to see exactly how you’ll look and allows you the opportunity to make desired changes prior to the big day. It’s a great time to work with your favorite make up artist, to figure out if you really are an “up-do” type of bride, heels or flats, pearls or diamonds. You really do have the opportunity to bring your entire look together.
Traditional? or MODERN?
The tradition of displaying a bridal portrait at the wedding reception is still prevalent in weddings today and if you opt to display one, a bridal portrait shoot is necessary in order to do so. Even if you don’t want something that grand, a bridal portrait shoot gives you tangible pictures to have and hold on the wedding day. Why not give a framed picture of you in your gown to your parents or grandparents on the day of the wedding as a thank you? It’s a gift that they will remember & moment they will always remember.
No rules
There is no rule that says your bridal portrait needs to be at the same venue as your wedding. It doesn’t even have to fit within the same theme. You’ll get hundreds of pictures at your wedding venue on the wedding day so why not take the opportunity to explore a different location, style or season? You’ve invested a lot in your dress and should have pictures that showcase it.
Your Wedding Day
Your
TIMELINE
A wedding day timeline can be be intimidating. I know this isn’t the most exciting aspect of the wedding day, but this is the one thing that can make or break your photography. The next two pages will outline an ideal wedding day, working off a 6pm ceremony timeframe. The ideal timeline is also based off of a wedding day that includes a first look (more on that later)! Remember, all wedding days are different and your timeline may differ due to travel times & unique situations. Of course, like always, you can email me or call me anytime if you have any questions over your timeline.
details: 2:30-3:15
bridal prep: 3:15- 3:45
first look: 4:00
Every bride loves having those beautiful shots of her
After the details have been photographed, it’s time for
This is one of my favorite parts of a wedding day! I will find
bridal details! It’s an important part of the story & I
the bride to get into her dress! This is a big moment! I
the perfect location for my couple’s First Look prior to the
love having the time to shoot the dress, shoes,
usually ask the mother of the bride & all of the
getting ready portion of the day! Don’t stress about that
jewelry, etc. I normally like to allow at least 45
bridesmaids to be dressed by the time the bride is
one bit! I will make sure the location is private and as
minutes for this part of the day. While I’m shooting
ready to get into her dress. This ensures that everyone
secluded as possible.
details, I’m also capturing shots of the bride & her
will look nice in those images. After the bride is in her
girls getting ready.
gown, she can put on her jewelry, veil, shoes, etc., and I will shoot additional bridal portraits.
portraits: 4:15-4:45
bridal party portraits: 4:50-5:20
bride in hiding: 5:30-6:00
After the bride & groom take their time with the First
Now it’s time for bridal party shots! I squeeze in extra
After bridal party portraits are complete, the bride
Look, I will begin taking a few romantic portraits of the
time throughout the day just in case we have some
will go into hiding so that early guests don’t sneak
two of them, while the initial excitement is still present! I
unexpected things hold us up. One way to make sure
a peek and the ushers will begin their duties.
will find the locations for these shots as well! Remember,
we stay on schedule is to have someone put the
the LIGHT determines where we shoot, so I won’t be
boutonnieres on the guys BEFORE they arrive for
able to decide on portrait locations until the day of. As
portraits. We try to make sure to take great shots of the
we shoot these portraits, the bridal party can start
guys & girls separately AND together.
making their way to us, for bridal party portraits.
Your TIMELINE
Continued…
reception details: 5:30-5:50
ceremony: 6:00-6:30
family portraits: 6:40-7:10
If the reception is in the same location as the
It’s time to get married! Most ceremonies are 30 minutes
Family formals normally take place immediately following
ceremony, I will use this time to shoot the reception
long. If your ceremony is longer than 30 mins, we will make
the ceremony. It’s best to save all the family formals until
decor UNTOUCHED. If the ceremony & reception are
adjustments to the timeline! Cherish these moments. Your
after the ceremony because ALL the family members will be
in different locations, I recommend having a cocktail
ceremony will pass by so quickly!
present at that time. If you have family members who need
hour outside of the main reception area, so that I can
to rush to the reception, ask them to stay put, we’ll take
grab some great shots of your reception before the
photos of them first! We’ll need about 30 mins. for family
night begins and guests start laying purses and coats
formals. I recommend shooting portraits outdoors if
on their seats.
possible.
extra romantic portraits: 7:15-7:30
the party begins: 7:30-7:45
exit: 10:30
7:00 is the BEST time of day for portraits in the late spring,
This is when the bridal party lines up for introductions and
I include 8 hours of coverage so that I can be present for
summer, and very early fall. This is when the sun is golden. I
the party begins!
the main events of the reception and about an hour of
love having a few extra minutes with the bride & groom to
dancing! If you’re interested in having your exit
take a few “Just Married” portraits right after family formals.
photographed, there are several options for this! You can either add additional coverage or plan a faux exit with just your bridal party! We have had GREAT success with this and the party never stops! Let me know if you have any questions over this!
PRECEREMONY
let the day begin!
GETTING READY It's the morning
of your wedding!
Will you and your groom be
Hopefully all of the little details are
exchanging gifts during this time? If
taken care of & you’re relaxing with
so, who would you like to deliver
your best friends while your hair is
them? Are there certain women in
being done. If certain items haven’t
your life that would appreciate
been checked off your to-do list, it’s
seeing you get into your gown?
time to hand them over to someone
Some brides want very few people
else. Delegation is a key part of a
around for this moment. Other brides
stress-free wedding day. I know it’s
love having aunts & grandmas
hard to hand over the decoration
present! It’s totally up to you. Also,
duties and all of the last minute
try not put on any jewelry before
things that need to be done, but it is
putting on your dress. I love shooting
so important to relax on the morning
all of those final steps when you’re in
of your wedding. The rest of the day
your gown. Speaking of your gown, if
is going to be fast-paced and filled
your gown is on a plastic hanger, try
with a lot of emotions. Take
to make a note to bring a wooden
advantage of this down time! There
hanger along for photos. Keep
are a few things to consider about
reading along for more “getting
the “getting ready” portion of the
ready” tips to help you prepare.
day. Do you want to share a “first look” with your dad or any other man that plays a huge role in your life?
The Window Effect
By having just ONE simple window in the bridal prep area, I am able to create beautiful portraits with soft light. I prefer natural light, so the more windows, the better!
Details Details Details The whole day begins with the details! This is one of my favorite parts of the wedding day because it allows me to prepare and get my creative side warmed up for the rest of the day! I photograph a bride’s details in a way that matches the style of the entire wedding day. In some ways, the details set the stage for the look of the whole wedding, and I love having ample time to stylize and shoot everything from the dress to the jewelry to grandma’s handkerchief! Down below, you will find a list of the most common details that I shoot! I ask brides to gather any details they have before I arrive, so that way I can walk in, say hello, give you a huge hug and begin with all the goodies! Please ensure your mom that I will take GREAT care of the dress, I promise!
Detail TIPS gather the GOODS
If possible, collect all of your details before I arrive, so that I can begin quickly and have more time for some “getting ready” shots of you & your girls!
extra ELEMENTS
Sometimes, depending on the theme and “look” of the wedding day, there may be some extra elements that you could include when you gather your details. For example, if you are having a country themed wedding, you could include a piece of burlap or lace.
keep the RINGS
The most common detail missing when I arrive are the rings! Moms, officiants and planners will tell you to hand over the wedding bands to the best man before the day begins. However, it’s actually better to hand it over during the bridal party portraits, so that I can shoot some great ring shots before hand. If you forget, no worries, I can always shoot the ring shot at the reception if there is extra time.
bring the BOUQUET
Don’t forget your bouquet! Have the bouquet delivered to the bride before the first look, so that she can have her bouquet in her portraits! No worries, if it’s hot, we’ll be sure to keep it in water as much as possible before the ceremony.
Don’t forget… DRESS VEIL/HAIR PIECES RINGS (ALL THREE) SHOES JEWELRY PERFUME INVITATIONS YOUR SOMETHING BORROWED & BLUE BOUQUET
Timing Tips When you’re planning a wedding day timeline, the best advice I could give is to ADD CUSHION TIME! Sometimes, the most simple things can take an extra 20 minutes, and then all of a sudden, the whole morning is thrown off. I have seen “getting the bride in her dress” take almost 40 mins. because of a button malfunction. It’s a smart idea to add in an extra ten minutes here and there, so that we have some wiggle room to work with. This way, if one part of the day gets thrown off by 20 minutes, I can help you compensate that time in other areas. There are so many different things to think about when you’re planning a wedding day, and so here are a few tips for the pre ceremony timeline! I realize that every single wedding day is different and so not all of these tips will apply to every wedding day schedule. Something else to consider is that not EVERYTHING will go as planned, and I promise you, that is normal! (& it will be okay!! )
HAIR + MAKEUP
BRIDESMAID PREP
GROOMSMEN PREP
TRAVEL TIME
I encourage brides to have at least their hair done & their makeup process started before I begin, because who wants a ton of shots without their makeup on!? Didn’t think so.
If your bridesmaids can begin getting dressed while you are getting your makeup done, wonderful! This provides beautiful photographs of your maids dolled up, while helping you get ready. If you provided a gift to your girls, ask one of them to set that gift aside for me to photograph.
For some reason, guys take a long time to get ready on a wedding day. I think it’s because they have been relaxing the entire day (& possibly drinking!) & they think they have all the time in the world. Have the groomsmen on a schedule & their bouts delivered to their room before bridal party portraits. This will allow for them to put the bouts on, before beginning portraits & saving lots of time!
If your getting ready in a separate location from the ceremony, make sure to add in travel time. You never know when we will get a heavy load of traffic. Especially if you are getting married in highly populated areas or on a Friday afternoon.
Also, really think about finding someone who can travel to you for hair & makeup. It is so relaxing when you can be pampered all in one location. This goes for your bridesmaids too, if possible. This avoids stress & bridal party lateness.
FIRST LOOK: Why It’s Worth It You’re
investing a lot into your wedding photography.
With a first look, you’ll receive 40% MORE portraits of the two of you, and those are the images you will decorate your first home with! With a first look, you make the most out of this large investment and get the most for your money. Most brides don’t realize that when you come down the aisle and totally SHOCK him with your gorgeous-ness…he can’t even tell you how amazing you look. He can’t touch you or embrace you. You have to wait until 40 mins later when the ceremony is over for him to react and tell you how amazing you look. After 40 minutes of the ceremony, the reaction isn’t the same as the initial first glance. First looks allow you to extend your wedding day. Normally the wedding day would start when you come down the aisle, then the ceremony would end, you would rush through portrait so that you’re not late for the introductions and then it’s reception time. With a first look, your wedding day is extended by almost 3 hours! Instead of being rushed for your bridal party portraits, you actually get to enjoy them and have fun hanging out with your BEST friends on your wedding day. Not only is it intimate, but it is also
the only time to be
alone, pretty much the entire day! You cry, laugh,
embrace, that time is so romanic & wonderful. Normally portraits are a little rushed after the family formals and it can be hard to really get back into that romantic mode, especially with family around! When you have just shared your first look, you’re ready to love each other & I always capture some super sweet images during those moments.
The Ceremony
Outdoor Lighting
Indoor Lighting
Ceremony lighting is very important. If you get
If you are having an indoor ceremony, it
married outdoors at 12pm, the lighting will be
is always best to have EVEN lighting at
harsh and you will also be squinting. I suggest
the alter. If there are two spotlights on
planning an outdoor ceremony 2 hours before
the bride & groom, I will not be able to
sunset if you are having a FIRST LOOK. If you
expose the rest of the bridal party. It is
are not interested in sharing a first look, then I
better to have soft, even light across the
would suggest having your ceremony 3 hours
whole altar.
before sunset to ensure that you will have plenty of time for portraits afterwards. The lower the sun, the more romantic the lighting.
Programs & details
Coordination
The BEST advice I have for the
Hiring either a full event planner or just
program making process is to
a day-of coordinator is SO important!
remember that not EVERY guest
Brides realize very quickly that if they do
needs a program. Most families, will
not have someone in charge of the
only take one program, usually not
coordination of the day, that
taking one program for each
responsibility will automatically fall on
member of the family. Before
the mother of the bride, the
ordering your programs, have
photographer or the BRIDE! When a
SEVERAL people check it for spelling
photographer is in charge of the
& grammatical errors. Programs &
timeline AND the coordination of the
the ceremony decor is something
day, the images will suffer. All of my
that the bride can plan in advance,
most stressful wedding situations were
but then delegate the actual job of
caused by a lack of organization and
setting it up to a friend or
coordination. It’s so important to make
coordinator.
this a priority.
Destination WEDDINGS If you are planning a destination wedding, a lot of the details in this guide will not apply to you. Your details, your timeline, and even your preparation for the big day will be much simpler. However, it is a great idea to start thinking about a few key components of the day such as: ceremony time, ceremony/portrait locations. Be sure to check the sunset times in your wedding location before settling on your ceremony time. As your wedding day draws closer, we’ll begin to chat about the timeline of the day, and the travel arrangements.
Romantic PORTRAITS If we’re being honest, all of the wedding day images are important, but the real favorites are almost always from my time with the Bride & Groom. These romantic portraits of just the two of you, will be the images that you frame beside your bed, over your mantle, and they will also be the images that will fill your album for generations to enjoy. These images are always my favorite not only because of their beauty, but because this is such a sweet portion of the day. For this brief moment in time, you will be alone with your groom on your wedding day. You will have chance to love on each other and really connect. Romantic portraits are normally done before the ceremony (after the “first look”) or immediately, after family formals (if you choose not to do a “first look”). 2 hours before the sun sets is perfect for photographs, this is when the light is low and golden! It’s such a romantic time for bride & groom portraits!
“I honestly do not even know where to begin. Hands down the most wonderful part of my wedding planning process is how wonderful Abi of Cupcake Photography was. From when I first met with her at Whole Foods, I knew she was perfect!! On the day of she was so great, took wonderful shots, was able to handle my crazy, all over the place family! Just looking at all of the photos made me total relive the most wonderful day of my life!� - Liz K.
“I can’t say enough about Abi. Not only did she photograph all of our beautiful details, but she made sure we took plenty of bride & groom photos too! She was so creative with our photos, but was also open to ideas. She truly made us feel special that day. I’m blessed to not only call her my wedding photographer, but also, my friend!” -Alexa M.
“Working with Abi from Cupcake Photography was wonderful!! She did our engagement, bridal, and wedding pictures. My husband hates taking pictures, however, thanks to the fact that Abi is so friendly, patient, and creative everything came out great! All of our pictures turned out amazing!! I honestly don't think that we could have chosen a better photographer!� - Joanna R.
The Reception
The party is here! Receptions are a blast! However, it’s important to make sure that you have your event well thought out. This is the job of your coordinator & your DJ/Band. Your caterer will also play a big role in the design and set up of your event. Every aspect of your reception affects the overall outline of the evening. Guests will need to be able to find the food stations easily and there will be a mixture of dinner tables and perhaps, hightop cocktail tables. This will encourage guests to mix and mingle. If you are having a plated dinner, you will most likely need escort cards, full place settings and space for all your guests to be seated comfortably. Your coordinator and DJ can help you set up the evening so that guests won’t leave early or experience long periods of waiting for the next thing to happen.
Much like the ceremony, you have the freedom to make your reception your own! It’s your party, it should be exactly how you want it! Here is a list of some key events that happen
WELCOME BY FATHER OF THE BRIDE PRAYER/GRACE/BLESSING OVER MEAL DINNER SERVED CAKE CUTTING TOASTS/SPEECHES THANK YOU SPEECH FIRST DANCES DADDY-DAUGHTER DANCE/MOTHERDAUGHTER DANCE MOTHER-SON DANCE ANNIVERSARY DANCE MONEY DANCE/DOLLAR DANCE TRADITIONAL RELIGIOUS DANCES BOUQUET & GARTER DANCE GROUP PORTRAITS WITH FRIENDS GROUP PORTRAITS WITH FAMILY EXIT OF THE BRIDE & GROOM
Reception TIPS Time to have FUN!
The fun has begun! It’s time to relax, dance and celebrate! Your reception should be a BLAST! The last thing you need to worry about is your timeline. Your coordinator and DJ should take care of
Details & formalities
making sure that everything stays on schedule, so
Don’t get too caught up in the formalities and the details. Sure, details are pretty and fun to photograph, but they can steal the joy of the day if you get too caught up in them. Plan your centerpieces, welcome table, etc. well before the wedding date and teach
that you can enjoy your night.
your coordinator or family friend how to set them up, so that you aren’t even thinking about those things the day of.
A considerate bride
Take your guests into consideration when planning your timeline. If you have a lot of elderly guests that will not be staying until the very end, make sure you schedule the cake cutting at an early time, so that they can be a part of it! Grandma’s love seeing this sweet tradition!
It’s your day!
Make it your own! If you want to have a special dance with your grandparents, do it! Make your reception of who you are & don’t feel tied to traditions!
What’s next?
Keep it moving! Chat with your coordinator about how you can plan your reception in a way that will keep guests engaged and moving all night! If there is proper coordination and timeline prepping, there is no need for a wedding reception to pause for long periods of time, leaving your guests confused (& bored).
Bride & Groom EXIT If you haven’t purchased enough coverage time for your photography to last until the exit, that’s ok! I recommend planning your timeline so that you can have at least one hour of dancing photographed. The guests that dance during the first hour will still be dancing in the third hour! One hour of dancing really will be enough time to really capture the joy of your reception. An experienced DJ will also know exactly what songs to play to get the party started & keep your guests on the dance floor! If your coverage ends before your exit, you have the option of planning a faux exit with your bridal party! This is more common than you may think. Instead of saving your exit until the very end, you can plan a faux exit with just the members of your bridal party & a few family members instead! This allows us to have more control over these shots and the party NEVER has to stop! In most cases, no one notices that the bride & groom are missing for a few minutes! Also, it’s almost impossible to tell that the whole wedding party isn’t there waving sparklers and sending off the happy couples! Keep in mind that weddings held on Sunday evenings, tend to end earlier then planned. I have had couples that plan their sparkler exit at midnight, to later be disappointed that many have left by 10:30pm, especially if they are unaware of a sparkler exit.
Ideas…
Sparklers Silly String Petals Bubbles Ribbon Wands Confetti Balloons Glow Sticks
Thank you! Last, but not least, THANK YOU for trusting me with your special day. I am so honored to be the one to capture your memories & we cannot wait to celebrate alongside of you! Enjoy this season of planning, but also remember that your MARRIAGE is more important than the wedding. The wedding will come and go in a matter of hours, but your marriage needs to stand the test of time. Continue to make time for one another, even with all that needs to get done. I have had brides ask me, why I love shooting weddings so much. The reason why, is because I love being married & I believe in love. Real love. True love. Unconditional love. There is nothing more that makes me happier, then seeing two people who are in love, begin their family. I’m not only photographing your wedding, I am photographing the union of two different families, becoming one. That is so very special to me. As you continue to plan, please feel free to contact me with ANY questions you may have along the way. Depending on your date, our next step would be to finalize an engagement session date! If you are interested in taking bridal portraits, taking them 8 to 10 weeks before your wedding date is best. Also, about 3 weeks before the wedding, I will be asking for your wedding day timeline. I hope this guide has been helpful as you continue to plan and prepare for your wedding day!
Abi :)