The Wedding Guide by Angelita Esparar Photography

The

WEDDING BY ANGELITA ESPARAR

Guide

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WELCOME Hi and congratulations on your engagement! I am so excited for you, and I am sure you have so much on your mind that needs to be planned. The process can be very thrilling, but sometimes it can also be quite overwhelming. I know how much work planning a wedding is. You have vendors to coordinate, a guest list to draft, decorations to plan, and so much more. This is a day that you've been planning for years, or even since childhood. You deserve an amazing celebration, and beautiful images. These are not just pictures, but these are moments that will hopefully bring you back the memories of this special day. This is why I created this guide for you. I want your photography experience to be the most comfortable and easy process you have throughout your wedding. I hope you find this guide useful and informative. I am so thrilled for you and elated to be the one documenting and helping you never forget this time of your life! XOXO, Angel

TABLE OF

CONTENTS

Planning Process

Questions to Ask

Tips for your Engagement Shoot 9 What to Wear: Engagement 10 Choosing Colors 12 Outfit Inspirations 14 Your Wedding Day 16 Portrait Timing 18 Wedding Timeline 21

DO’s and DON’Ts

Getting Ready 30 Getting the Groom Ready

First Look: Explained

The Bridal Party

Ceremony

Family Formals

Tips for your Reception

FAQ

PLANNING PROCESS

INITIAL CONTACT Woohoo! You found me!

MEETING You have now read through the wedding packet and want to meet me in person/ facetime/ skype, yay! This is time for us to get to know each other, for me to answer any questions the guide didn't review, and talk more about your wedding day plans.

WEDDING DAY TIMELINE Coordinate wedding day timeline with all your vendors. Make sure everything lines up. Some vendors work several events a day, so it's important to have them there when you want them!

FINAL PAYMENT The final payment is due 30 days before your wedding date. This is just one less thing that you don't need to worry about come wedding day.

PRINTS, ALBUMS, AND MUCH MORE This is the time to go a little crazy and order all the decorative keepsakes for you and your loved ones.

Wedding Packet Use this packet to answer any questions you may have starting out

CONTRACT It's time to lock it down! Let's make this official by signing your wedding photography contract and paying a retainer fee of 30% of the complete package price. ENGAGEMENT SESSION Meet for your engagement session, have some fun, and get comfortable with being in front of the camera

FAMILY PHOTO LIST Create a family photo list to help keep family photos organized and less chaotic.

THE PHOTOS Four to six weeks after ( or sooner!) your wedding day you get to relive it over and over again with the images created.

FEEDBACK If we left a great impression, I love when brides/grooms leave feedback/reviews on google, weddingwire, the knot, and facebook. That's the best gratitude you can return to us. If you believe there are some aspects of the photography experience we could improve upon, please let us know so that we can improve our overall client experience. 5

QUESTIONS TO ASK HOW WOULD YOU DESCRIBE YOUR PHOTOGRAPHIC STYLE?

I would describe my style as versatile, creative, and classic. Every wedding is so different. Colors and themes define the overall look of your gallery. I absolutely enjoy capturing light and airy pictures during sunset. However, I also love capturing dark and moody images when the opportunity arises. Afterall, lighting conditions change throughout the day. It will become dark in the evening. I believe a real experienced wedding photographer knows how to handle each day and night conditions, approach it with knowledge, and decide which method would be best to shoot.

WHAT IS INCLUDED IN YOUR PACKAGES?

This is why I love build-your-own a la carte pricing. You get what you want. Period. Of course, it starts out with hiring me as your wedding photographer. So, I have created hourly or full day coverages.

WHERE ARE YOU LOCATED AND DO YOU TRAVEL?

I am based out of Jacksonville, FL. I consider St. Augustine and all the cities up to the northern border of Florida my "home-base". Do I travel? Yes I sure do! I am quite a jetsetter and travel somewhere at least once a month. I used to live in New York, Maryland, North Carolina, Georgia, and even Germany. I have immediate family members in Salt Lake City, Colorado, Washington DC, and southern California. My husband and I had our honeymoon in the islands of Hawaii-- I would love to go to any of these places for your wedding or engagement.

WHAT'S YOUR EDITING STYLE?

I want you to be able to see the natural beauty in the images. I tweak the photos so that the whole gallery is consistent-- all whites are whites and blacks are blacks. No funky filters, no "film" filters, no filters that will make your skin look like plastic. I do my best to capture you in the best lighting, and I want your images to look modern and up to date decades from today.

WHAT'S YOUR AVERAGE TURN AROUND TIME FOR IMAGES?

I try my hardest to not make my clients wait. My husband and I invest in other professional photographers during special occasions, and it always feels like it takes FOREVER to get my pictures back. I know how exciting it can be. In your contract, I will allow myself up to 6 weeks to deliver your images (you know, because sometimes, life happens), but based on past events between 2015-2017, I deliver the images between as little as 1-2 weeks.

WHAT EQUIPMENTS DO YOU USE?

I shoot with two professional grade cameras. I prefer not to list which model, because by the time you receive this magazine, I might have already upgraded to a new toy-- you know how technology changes every year. However, I do have a plethora of lenses, flashes, and light modifiers. Too many for my own good. Which model you say? I use Nikon-- but don't get me wrong-- I love Canon users as well! After all, it's not the camera that takes awesome art, it's the photographer.

WHEN DO CLIENTS GENERALLY BOOK?

Clients generally book me 12-18 months out. To make it official, they sign a contract and pay a 30% retainer.

CAN I PRINT OUT MY PHOTOS? Absolutely! Please print out your photos. The thought of your photos sitting in a memory storage device in the corner of your desk drawer makes me sad. You know what makes me even more sad? Your wedding photos on social media getting lost in your timeline because it was so long ago. Print them out, show them off, and hang them around your house. You are welcome to make print orders directly from your online gallery or I would be happy to give you a list of places to print them out, if you are a do-it-yourself kind of bride. Technology changes so much. Prints are timeless.

TIPS FOR YOUR

SHOOT

PLANNING YOUR ENGAGEMENT SESSION Now that he proposed, you set a date and venue for your wedding, and hired me as your photographer, the next step is your engagement session! It's time to celebrate, capture the love, and creatively announce to your friends and family that you will soon be tying the knot. Woohoo!!! WHY THEY ARE IMPORTANT Well, the obvious, you'll need some pictures for your save the dates, wedding website, or even for display around your wedding and home. Never been in front of the camera? That's what I am here for! I do all the posing and directing. Being able to work with you and photograph you will make a huge impact on your wedding day. Not only do you get to practice posing, but you'll also learn my lingo, personality, and get comfortable with me. Come the wedding day, you know you will be able to trust that I can capture what is needed. This is one factor that you can cross off your stress-less check list.

THE FLOW OF A SHOOT Your engagement session is scheduled anytime before your wedding. I normally suggest booking an engagement session anywhere between 3-6 months prior. Because weekends are typically filled with weddings & events, I shoot engagement sessions during weekday evenings. Mini sessions last about 30-45 minutes and Full Sessions last anywhere between 1-2 hours. I typically photograph within 2 hours of sunset, and sometimes continue the shoot into the evening. For fall/winter, shoots will be somewhere between 3:00-5:30 pm and for Spring/Summer, they will fall somewhere between 6:00-8:30pm. The light (and temperature) will be the most pleasing during this time. For Full Sessions, you can plan 1-2 outfit changes. Feel free to browse my previous work, website, and social media for outfit inspirations. I also love it when clients send me pictures of their outfits so we can coordinate them with their respective locations.

ENGAGEMENT FAVORITES FURRY FAMILY MEMBERS

RING SHOTS

I LOVE animals! I love dogs and cats so much. I have a pup named Charlie and a cat named Niko. They both grew up together since they were little. I love it when couples incorporate their furry friend into their sessions! Bring them right along!!

I am sure your other half worked very hard in picking out the perfect ring for you. So, it is so important for me to capture a nice close up for you! I love finding creative places to take this picture. I typically photograph it while you two are changing, so no time is wasted. That way, it is a complete surprise when you see it. Also, quick tip: make sure it's nice, clean, and sparkly!

GENUINE LAUGHTER

LOCATION

When you browse through your photos, you'll notice that regardless of the location, the time of the day, the lighting, your outfits. The one aspect of an image that will stand out the most is your demeanor. A genuine laughter will make your photo stand out in your entire gallery. Have fun! This will be one of the happiest and most enjoyable days leading up to your wedding day. I'm quite a goof ball, so hopefully that will lead to some laughs as well.

Once we figure out a day for your engagement shoot, next is to figure out location. The start time of your session will be dependent upon your location. For instance, if we do your session in a forest, it will get dark faster as opposed to the beach. Also, let me know if you want to do an engagement session out-of-state. I love traveling to different locations and I am dreaming of doing some photos in the mountains or on the islands of Hawaii!

WHAT TO WEAR

Not too tight. Not too loose. Clothes that are too tight will make your skin pop out of places where it shouldn't. Clothes that are too loose will make you look heavier than your actual size. Find an outfit that is your size, well fitted, and comfortable for you to walk around in.

Patterns are great! Make sure to match patters with solids, and try to avoid clashing patterns/prints. Words, logos, and graphics are not recommended since they can be a distraction to the image.

Take things out of your pockets: Cell phone, keys, etc. Trust me, you will not need your phone during the shoot to take pictures. That's my job. One last thing you will want is objects bulging out of your pockets.

If you have a mini session, I would recommend to dress your best. Pick a classy "wow"- jaw dropping dress that will make you stand out and say "wow! that's me!" If you have a full session, you can select a dressy as well as a casual outfit. A general rule of thumb is the more locations and outfits, the less images but the more variety you'll have! Get your hair and make up done professionally. I would recommend to book your hair and make up trial the morning/early afternoon of your shoot. This will really make you pop in your photos-- and you will absolutely love the results.

Spray tans -- if you haven't done one in the past, this is not the time to do it. Your natural skin tone will be the most ideal for photos. Spray tans tend to make skin tones look orange-- I would not recommend going for the look of an oompa loompa

Clean the ring! I love to shoot a few ring shots while you change outfits. The cleaner the better! Also, make sure your nails are done LASTLY, Relax! Have fun! Enjoy each other! I will make your shoot as fun and laid back as possible. It will be a blast! Hopefully, you will go off smiling from ear to ear. You both are dressed your best and have beautiful hair and make up-- why not go out for dinner after your shoot and make it into a date?

Don't try to MATCH... try to pick outfits and accessories that coordinate instead. If everyone wore the same exact color at their e-shoot, how boring would those images be? 11

CHOOSING COLORS WHEN CHOOSING COLORS FOR YOUR OUTFITS I recommend selecting lighter tones and more muted shades. By avoiding ultra bright, bold colors, it will help bring all the attention to your faces and let the eye focus on the way you feel about each other. The camera loves shades of soft pink and muted blues, mixed with sophisticated light neutrals like heather gray, creams, leather brown, and white. That softer color palette fits beautifully into almost all natural outdoor environments.

What is your style? ROMANTIC soft, flowy, sexy and of course sparkles are always a good thing CLASSIC timeless, clean lines, pearls, olivia palermo and j. crew FUN AND FLIRTY flirty, relaxed, natural- NOT slouchy, ill fitting and grundgy URBAN HIPSTER rolled up skinny jeans, hats, high waisted shorts, chunky sweaters, flannel and booties BOHO CHIC flowy, accessories, hippie influence, knuckle rings, flower crowns and braids CITY CHIC carrie bradshaw, sleek and sexy

Outfit Inspiration

Engagement Session CHECKLIST

[ ] Set date, time, and location with Angel [ ] Review guide for style tips [ ] Schedule hair and make up appointments [ ] Choose your outfits [ ] Get your nails done [ ] Clean your Ring [ ] Pack a bag with: 1. Flats or flip flops for walking between photo spots 2. outfit two (for full session) 3. Touch up make up 4. Towels and Hankerchiefs 5.Water Bottle 6. Snacks 7.Coat or Cover Up (For cold seasons) 8. Comb or brush 9. Hair Spray 10. Bug Spray and Anti Itch Cream [ ] Pick a Fun Post Session Date Night.

YOUR WEDDING DAY

PORTRAIT TIMING for Winter, Spring, Summer, and Fall Summer Summer weddings are awesome! I love that there is so much daylight. In some months, the light can last until 8:30pm. So, if you are having a summer wedding, you’ll need to plan on having a few minutes to slip out of the reception for a few sunset portraits.

Winter Winter weddings are gorgeous! However they do take additional planning simply because of the sunset time. The hard part about your wedding is the sun sets around 5:00pm. This means that all your portraits have to be done before then. This isn’t a problem if you’re having a late afternoon wedding. However, if you’re planning on a late evening wedding you may have a bit of downtime from 5:00pm until the start of the ceremony. You will also need more coverage as well.

Fall

Fall weddings are beautiful. The temparature is usually good! Your portrait time will vary depending on your wedding date. We’ll be chatting about this when we go over your timeline. Spring Spring weddings are awesome because they are usually a great temperature. Depending on the location, there are also flowers everywhere, which always makes beautiful backdrops. Portrait times will vary a bit, and are usually between 5:30-7:30pm.

PLANNING YOUR TIMELINE

The day you have spent so much time preparing for, dreaming of and investing in, will go by as one of the quickest days in your life. I guarantee it. That's one of the great reasons to invest in wedding photography that will tell the story of your day; giving you the opportunity to relive it! I know timeline planning isn't the most exciting aspect of the wedding day but this is the one thing that can make or break your photography. THE TIMELINE Your timeline is one of the most important parts of your wedding day! I will say it again: your timeline is one of the most important parts of your wedding day! Having a well planned timeline will allow you to really enjoy your day. Without one, wedding days can very quickly become stressful. Imagine the perfect morning of your wedding: maybe you are sipping on your coffee, chatting giddily with your bridesmaids, and finally its time to get in your dress. Your mom or maid of honor buttons up the back, you turn to look in the mirror and it hits you: you are getting MARRIED! Now imagine the same morning, but your hair took an hour longer than expected. Instead of chatting with your girls, you are glancing at your phone every minute to check what time it is. As soon as your hair and make up is done, you bolt out of your chair and rush to get your dress on. Suddenly, your relaxing and exciting morning just turned stressful.

The timeline affects your photos in a few different ways. First, there's the obvious one: the more time I have, the more photos you will receive and the more creative they will be. This applies to every part of the day! From getting an awesome dress shot in the morning that might take more time to set up, to the time I spend with you and your groom later in the day. We will get to do some awesome things! Secondly, photos of a stressed bride and groom look very different from photos of a relaxed bride and groom. If you are radiating happiness, that will show in your photos! Don't know where to start? The next few pages will outline an ideal wedding day working off of a 6pm ceremony time frame (additional time has been added to pad the schedule in case things take longer than expected.) This ideal timeline is also based off of a wedding that includes a first look. 90% of my couples choose to do a first look and you can read more about that option a few pages over. Remember that all weddings are different and your timeline may differ due to travel times and unique situations. We will talk about your specific timeline and create a sample just for you when your wedding day gets closer! 21

TIMELINE

Here's the page that can be somewhat intimidating! The Timeline! The next two pages will outline an ideal wedding day working off of a 6pm ceremony timeframe. This ideal timeline is also based off of a wedding day that includes a first look and you can read more about that option a few pages over. Remember that all wedding days are different and your timeline may differ due to travel times and unique situations.

Details 1:30-2:30

After the details have been photographed, it's time for the bride to get into her dress! I usually ask the mother of the bride and all of the other bridesmaids be dressed by the time the bride is getting ready to get into her dress. This ensures that everyone will look nice in those images. After the bride is in her gown, she can put on her jewelry, veil, shoes, etc. and I will Every bride loves having those shoot some additional bridal portraits! beautiful shots of her bridal details. It's an important part of the story and I love having some time to shoot the dress, shoes, jewelry, invitations, etc. These shots allow me to get warmed up for the rest of the big day. I normally allow at least 1 hour for this part of the day. While I'm shooting details, I'm also capturing some of the getting Bride and Groom Prep ready!

First Look 3:45

This is one of my favorite parts of the wedding day! I will find the perfect location for my couple's first look prior to getting ready portion of the day! Don't stress about that one bit! I will make sure the location is as private as possible.

2:30-3:30

Estimates Details & Prep: 1.5-2 Hours First Look and Portraits: 45 Minutes Bridal Party Portraits: 30-40 Minutes Family Formals: 20-30 Minutes Extra Portrait Time: As much time as you give me! Evening Portraits: 15-20 Minutes

After the bride and groom take their time with the First Look, I will begin taking a few romantic portraits of the two of them while the initial excitement is still present. I will find the locations of these shots as well. Remember, the LIGHT determines where we shoot and so I can't decide until the day-of. As we shoot these portraits, the bridal party can start making their way to us for the Bridal Party Portraits.

Bridal Party Portraits 4:30-5:00

Now it's time for Bridal Party Shots! I buffer in extra time throughout the day just in case we have some unexpected things that hold us up. One way to make sure we stay on schedule for bridal party portraits is to have someone put the boutonniĂ¨res on the guys BEFORE they arrive for portraits. During bridal party portraits, I take photos of the girls together, the guys together, and the full bridal party all together. I also take pictures of the groom with each groomsman and the bride with each bridesmaids

After bridal party portraits are complete, the bride will go into hiding so that early guests don't sneak a peek and the ushers will begin their duties

5:00-6:00 Bride in Hiding

Bride + Groom Portraits 4:00-4:30 23

TIMELINE CONTINUED Reception Details 5:00-5:30

It's time to get married! Most ceremonies are 30 minutes long. Family Portraits If your ceremony is longer than 6:40-7:10 30 minutes, we'll make adjustments to the timeline! Cherish these moments! Your ceremony will pass by so quickly!

If the reception is in the same location as the ceremony, I will use this time to shoot the reception decor UNTOUCHED. If the ceremony and reception are in different locations, I would recommend having a cocktail hour outside of the main reception area if possible so that I can grab some great shots of Ceremony your reception before the night begins and guests start laying 6:00-6:30 down purses and coats on their seats. 7:00 is the BEST time of day for portraits in the late spring, summer, and early fall. This is when the sun is glowy and golden. I love having a few extra minutes with the bride and groom to take a few "Just Married" portraits right after family formals!

7:15-7:30 Extra Portraits 24

The Party! 7:30-7:45

Family formals normally take place immediately following the ceremony. It's best to save all of the family formals until after the ceremony because ALL family members will be present at that time.

This timeline is for 8 hours of coverage which allows me to be present for all the main events of the reception and about an hour of dancing. If you're interested in having your exit photographed there are several options for this! You can either add additional coverage or plan a faux exit with just your bridal party! I have had GREAT success with this and the party never stops!

This is when the bridal party lines up for introductions and the party begins! By this part of the day, my timeline isn't as strict. I work off of the natural light and so after the sun is set, my portrait time is over (unless you want to do evening portraits, which I LOVE). At this time, The End! my primary focus is the reception events. 10:00 PM

TIMELINE WITHOUT A FIRST LOOK

2:00-3:00 Detail Photos 3:00-4:00 Getting Dressed 4:00-4:30 Bride and Bridesmaids Portraits, then bride goes into hiding 4:40-5:10 Groom and Groomsmen Portraits 5:10-5:40 Reception Details 6:00-6:30 Ceremony 6:40-7:10 Family Photos 7:10-7:20 Full Bridal Party Photos 7:20-7:40 Bride and Groom Portraits 7:45 The Party! 10:30 The End!

In order to receive the best wedding photos possible, I always recommend checking in with me before you set your ceremony and reception time in stone! I'm always happy to help! Whenever I sit down and start working on your timeline, the first thing I do is check the sunset on your specific date and location. I usually recommend starting 1.5-2 hours prior to sunset for the best lighting. If your venue is in a location with a lot of trees, we may even recommend to start a little earlier. 25

Preceremony

Let the Day Begin! This portion of the wedding guide really sets the stage for the entire wedding day. The next few pages will share tips and tricks that will ensure a seamless morning of bridal preparation and beautiful portraits!

The DO'S and DON'TS when planning your

WEDDING DAY Do hire or ask someone to coordinate the day It may be hard letting go of control on one of the most important days of your life, but allowing someone else to take the reigns the day of makes a huge difference and really allows you to enjoy getting ready and preparing for your walk down the aisle. Let someone else experienced do all the legwork for you. I have never heard any bride say they regret hiring a wedding coordinator. Do Consider a Ceremony Exit Ceremony exits are awesome picture opportunities! Either with petals, ribbons, bubbles, or anything else you could creatively come up with. They are also a great alternative to reception exits if you have a late wedding or if you donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t plan on me staying til the end. Having an indoor ceremony? Once you go down the aisle for the recessional, go aside to a room, have the guests exit and line up outside. Once they are lined up outside, this is when the fun begins for a seamless, well-flowing post ceremony exit!

Do make time to chat with me about your day I can only know what is important to you if you tell me. Meeting and chatting over details, how the day will flow and important aspects of your day helps me capture your day in more detail. I am aware of the special things that make your day yours! Don’t forget to mention any special (“untraditional”) moments you want captured I naturally photograph all the main events throughout the day. If you want photographs taken of your cocktail hour, out of town or special guests, or if you have something Do Consider an Unplugged Wedding special happening during your ceremony or reception, these are things I do need to know I know, it’s hard to imagine asking ahead of time. people to put down their phones, ipads, and cameras, but sometimes your Do Remember to plan out your day from a beloved family and friends like to get in photography standpoint the way of me trying to capture all those You have me for 6, 8, or 10 hours on your special ceremony moments…ahem. wedding day, unless you decide you want to Uncle Bill standing in the aisle with an add extra hours. You will need to figure out ipad. Having friends and family upload how you want to use that time. Are the pictures to your instagram hashtag is getting ready pictures important? Do you awesome, and I will always do my best to want me with you and your maids the whole capture images without people in them. time or just when you put on your dress? Are But in an unplugged wedding, you will you having an exit at the end of the always have that chance of having an reception? These are just a few questions that uncle Bill stand up during your first kiss help figure this out. This is definitely as man and wife. Having your officiant something we can work out together! announce to put phones/cameras/ electronics away in a creative, friendly, and fashionable manner is the best way to go about it. Signs do help as well, but there is a tendency for guests to easily walk by and ignore it.

GETTING READY

It’s the morning of your wedding! Hopefully all the details are taken care of and you’re relaxing with your best friends while your hair is being done. If certain items haven’t been checked off the to do list (steaming your dress, sewing loose threads, etc.) it’s time to hand them over to someone else. Delegation is a key part of a stress free wedding day. I know its hard to hand over the decorating duties and all of the last minute things that need to be done, but it really is important to relax the morning of your wedding. The rest of the day is going to be fast paced and filled with a lot of emotions! Take advantage of this down time. There are a few things to consider about the “getting ready” portion of the day. Do you want to share a “first look” with your dad or any other man that plays a huge role in your life? Will you and your groom be exchanging gifts during this time? If so, who would you like to deliver them? Are there certain women in your life that would appreciate seeing you get ready into your gown? Some brides want very few people around them at this moment. Other brides love having aunts and grandmas present. It’s totally up to you! A few other things to consider: as you get ready to put your dress on, refrain from putting any jewelry on. I love shooting all those final steps when you’re in your gown. Keep reading along for more tips to help you prepare. 30

THE WINDOW EFFECT By having just ONE simple window in the bridal prep area, I am able to create beautiful portraits with soft or dramatic light. I prefer natural light so the more windows, the better.

THE DETAILS

Your pinterest board is probably filled with images for the most beautiful tablescapes, ceremony backdrops, special made signs, gorgeous flower bouquets with a piece of mom’s dress tied around the stems, grandma’s pearls, the names you sew into your wedding dress, the perfect favors to wow your guests, and the gifts you just have to give to your maids. All these perfect pictures make up the details of your wedding day. You spend countless hours planning and coordinating to make these details come to life. 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. Years from now, you’ll love looking at your album and seeing all the items you used and wore, and the details that were special to you. I ask brides to gather any details they have before I arrive so I can walk in, say hi, give you a big hug and then begin photographing all those special moments. Please know, I will take GOOD care of the dress!

Keep those details together Gathering all the items mentioned above and placing it in a tray or in a box before arrive is incredibly helpful. We’ll save time going through the room and it will help keep your important items together and organized.

What to Gather (BRIDE) Bride’s Dress Pretty Hanger Rings (All three) Veil, Hairpiece Shoes Extra shoes you can comfortably walk in Jewelry Perfume bottle Invitations and programs Your something borrowed & blue Bouquet 2 Sets of Wedding Invitations A few extra stems of your wedding flowers Garter

What to Gather (GROOM) Boutonnières Tie/bow tie Cuff links Watch Belt Shoes and Socks Anything personalized for the wedding OPTIONAL: Hand written letters from bride to groom and vice versa Heirlooms and keepsakes Clutch Bridesmaids dresses with pretty matching hangers 33

Getting the GROOM Ready

Whether I am taking photos of the groom getting ready or my second shooter is, here are a few suggestions for a fun and easy â&#x20AC;&#x153;prepâ&#x20AC;? time. - Keep the room clean - Have your undergarments, pants, and shirt on before we enter the room. - Keep all your detail items together (list in details page and below) - Have all your groomsmen 100% ready before we enter the room so that they are there to help you if needed. Most of the grooms I photograph want pictures to be done quickly and efficiently so that they can relax and have fun with their guys before the ceremony. So, our aim is to keep our time with you no more than 30 minutes for the details + getting dressed photos as well as 15-30 minutes for the formal portraits. After all, unlike the ladies, we are hoping that you do not need to get your hair and face done the day of.

Once I enter the room, I’ll start photographing your cuff links, tie, socks, shoes, watch, perfume bottle, and anything personalized. Afterwards, you’ll put on your suit and all the items listed above in that order. We’ll do a few dramatic – James Bond-like “groom portraits” next to a window and some other parts of your venue we might think will work well. It’s that simple! 35

FIRST LOOK EXPLAINED

I have confessed my deep love for “First Looks” numerous times. There is a reason for this. Well, they’re AWESOME! However, not everyone is aware of how awesome they are because they get caught up in how “non-traditional” it is and they immediately write it off. I can talk about those brides because I was one of them. I wanted a REACTION. I wanted Jerome to be so surprised [that I know how to clean up well] and overcome with joy that he cried at the first sight of me! Some brides love traditions, but what a bride REALLY wants when it comes to her groom seeing her for the first time is a REACTION. Those who are not interested in a First Look usually think that by seeing each other beforehand, they will lose part of that reaction. They also assume that it will not be as emotional or as intimate as it would be if they were coming down the aisle. What I have found (this is starting to sound like a research paper!) is so ironic! Everyone knows that wedding days are a bit stressful for the bride and groom. The whole day is focused on them, they need to look their best, they need to be on time, the groom has no idea what side the boutonnière is supposed to go on and little by little…the tension grows. It’s before the ceremony and the gravity of what is about to happen starts to sink in, the calm, collected groom who was playing golf just a few short hours ago is now starting to feel a little anxious. So what happens next? The groom waits in a little room somewhere for his queue from the coordinator. It seems like its taking FOREVER. Finally, the coordinator leans her head in and hurries the groom to get ready. 36

With clammy hands, the groom enters the ceremony and what does he find? He finds anywhere from 80-300 (or more) people and they’re all looking where? Right at his face… because everyone has expectations and anticipation about his first reaction. This is the farthest thing from a private, intimate moment. Sure, it’s SO powerful and SO wonderful…. So if I were to condense what I just wrote…. basically, Grooms normally become incredibly nervous on wedding days…even if they seem cool and collected. For most grooms, the nerves kick in before they see their bride because when they see her, everything becomes VERY real! So when the nerves start creeping up, instead of keeping the groom in a secluded space until his time to enters the ceremony, what if you took him to a private place…no people, no on-lookers, no distractions…and you let his beautiful bride, the love of his life, quietly call his name and have him turn around to see her for the first time. He would turn around and finally get his first look at his stunning bride and not only would he get to see her… he could embrace her, cry with her, kiss her, and ENJOY that moment with her for as long as they wanted. As she shows him her dress, twirls a few times and then asks him what he thinks…his nerves diminishes. After all, she’s the one who can make him most comfortable anyway. At the ceremony, when you walk down the aisle and groom sees you for the first time, the beautiful you, his jaw drops in his shock of how gorgeous you are. For the entire ceremony right up until the family portraits, he will have to wait to turn to you to tell you “you are so beautiful”. Imagine keeping your cool the entire ceremony, holding on to your reaction, holding in your words, until you get a moment after the ceremony. That is a LONG time.

Because they aren’t on a time crunch with a first look, they can casually move into their romantic portraits. No one is around, the coordinator isn’t announcing how many minutes you have left, and there is no pressure. It’s just the two of them and their photographer, capturing the excitement and the joy of their wedding day. This is their time to be together and to be alone for the entire day. When does that happen on a wedding day? Without a first look, you’ll have approximately 15 minutes alone together during the cocktail hour. After their romantic portraits are done, they meet up with their best friends. The bridal party joins them and the bridal party portraits begin. They’re fun because there is time to make them fun. There aren’t any guests waiting impatiently at the cocktail hour, and there isn’t a DJ coming to find the photographer to get a time check. It’s wonderful! After the portraits are done, the girls and guys separate and prepare for the ceremony. Typically, the girls go back into the bridal suite to touch up their hair and make up in preparation for the walk down the aisle.

The groomsmen typically second as ushers and help guests to their seats in preparation for the ceremony. The groom takes his place at the altar and clasps his hands, which aren’t clasped out of nervousness but excitement. He is about to see his bride, his best friends, his sweetheart, and she is stunning. He watches her walk towards him, towards their future and the closer she gets, the bigger he smiles. Now let me put a disclaimer on here before we continue…my clients are not required to do a first look by any means! I used to feel bad for sharing this option with couples that were against it because I didn’t want to push anything on them. However, I’ve seen the benefits of a first look over and over again and so I only share this because I want the BEST for my couples!! It’s totally ok if couples choose not to share a first look! It’s just my preference to do one for many reasons…. Keep reading to find out more of the benefits of sharing your first look privately! For brides not interested in a First Look, let’s start chatting soon about how we’ll create a special timeline to fit everything in!

FIRST LOOK: WHY IT'S WORTH IT -You’re investing a lot into your wedding photography. With a first look, you’ll receive 50% MORE photos 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. -You actually get to have an immediate and full reaction. Most brides don’t realize that when you come down the aisle and totally SHOCK him with your georgeousness…he can’t even tell you how amazing you look, because he is trying to keep his “cool” in front of the 80-300 guests that are present. He can’t touch you, embrace you or even SPEAK to you. You have to wait until 30 minutes later when the ceremony is over for him to react and tell you how amazing you look. And after 30 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 portraits 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 2 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.

Practically the first half of my client’s wedding albums are filled with just images from this cherished time together before the ceremony. -If it rains after the ceremony, at least you’ll have all your portraits taken care of. -First Looks allow you to be alone with one another on your wedding day. Normally, portraits are a little rushed after the family formals and it can be hard to really get back into that loving mode…especially with family around. When you have just shared your first look, you’re READY to love on each other and I always capture some super sweet images during those moments. -You get rid of the nerves! I’d say, half of my couples who have done a first look, the grooms were not fans of it at first. However, because they have never experienced their wedding day before, they didn’t know how nerve racking it can be. Those grooms that initially weren’t a fan of the first look afterwards admitted to being SO much more relaxed and ready for the ceremony. SIDE NOTE: Brides, if you have never seen your man cry or get emotional, you can’t expect him to be overly emotional on your wedding day. Some guys just embrace their brides and never cry…and that’s OK. Some guys have their game face on and show very little emotion when his bride is coming down the aisle and that’s ok too. Just enjoy this amazing day and try not to put any expectations on him.

INTERESTING FACT: Did you know, the myth that it is bad luck for the bride to see the groom before the wedding day was created, because back in the day (100's of years ago), marriages were arranged between two people that have never met before. Parents were afraid that the groom would change his mind to get married if he saw the bride before the wedding and was not attracted to her. 38

Ultimately, it's up to you!

I'm not going to be upset if you go one way or the other. I'm just hoping to lay out all your options so that you can make an educated decision. Please just remember, that the more time I have with you, the more photos you will go home with. If you decide with going down the aisle, I would recommend to extend your cocktail hour beyond the "hour" so that you have time for the photos that are important to you.

FATHER/DAUGHTER "FIRST LOOK" This is for all the brides who have a sweet spot in their heart for their dad. I have to admit that Daddy/ Daughter first looks make me a little teary. For a lot of dads, this is when everything feels real and it hits him…”My baby girl is getting MARRIED!” These are precious moments to photograph and I highly encourage any daddy’s girl to make time in their timeline for this moment. It doesn’t take long at all! The hardest part is making sure dad shows up on time! If dad doesn’t show up on time, the whole timeline can get thrown off or we’ll have to skip the daddy/daughter first look. Another sweet idea is having the father of the bride escort the bride for her first look.

Letâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s chat about your bridal party! This is when the fun REALLY begins. I know from experience that all brides want their closest friends to have an AMAZING time during their big day and I will make sure that happens! Bridal party portraits should be a ton of FUN! After you share your first look, depending on the locations and the timing of the day, your bridal party will join us for portraits!

THE BRIDAL PARTY IF all goes well, we will be able to accomplish ALL of your bridal party portraits BEFORE the ceremony. This means that your guys and gals will be free to mingle at cocktail hour if they wish! If there are flower girls and ring bearers involved, they can either join us for the pre-ceremony portraits or we can take one final group photo after the ceremony, before family formals. Be sure your groomsmen arrive with boutonniĂ¨res and your bridesmaids arrive with bouquets!

Here it is! The moment everyone has been waiting for. The music is playing and the guests have been seated. Ushers make their way to the back of the church and the coordinator is lining up the bridesmaids while giving musicians a 5-minute warning. The bride is about to walk down the aisle to the love of her life, and if she’s like most girls, she’s dreamed about this moment for a long time! Vows will be shared and promises will be made…this is what it’s all about! In a world full of wedding blogs, Pinterest, and bridal magazines, it’s easy to be overwhelmed and consumed by the “prettiness” of the event. While details do matter and planning is necessary, it’s important to never lose sight of the real purpose of this amazing day!

THE CEREMONY

CEREMONY TIPS

LIGHTING

ORDER OF SERVICE

Ceremony lighting is really important. If you get married outdoors at 12pm, the lighting will be extremely harsh and not only will there be harsh lines on your faces, you will also be squinting. I suggest planning an outdoor ceremony about 1.5- 2 hours before sunset. The lower the sun, the more romantic the lighting. If you are having an indoor ceremony, it is always best to have EVEN lighting at the altar. If there are two spotlights on the bride and groom, I will not be able to expose the rest of the bridal party. It is better to have soft, even lighting across the whole altar.

I have seen so many couples do so many AMAZING things during their ceremony. I have photographed a wide range of culturally diverse ceremonies. Some couples share in communion while others light a candle. Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve photographed sand ceremonies, rope ceremonies, and military ceremonies. The options are limitless! As you plan your ceremony, make sure you design it to be exactly what the two of you envision it to be. This is your day! If you have the freedom to be creative, then by all means, be creative!

COORDINATION

FIRST KISS

Hiring either a full event planner or just a day of coordinator is SO important! Brides realize very quickly that if they do not have someone in charge of the coordination on the wedding day, that responsibility automatically falls on the mother of the bride, the photographer or the BRIDE! When a photographer is in charge of the coordination, the images end up suffering. And as the bride, you do not need to be worrying about the details while you should be relaxing and getting ready! The most stressful wedding situations I have witnessed were caused by a lack of organization and coordination. It’s so important to make this a priority. If you need any recommendations, I would love to share some of my favorite vendors with you. Also, please note that there is a difference between a wedding coordinator and a venue coordinator. If you are relying heavily on a venue coordinator, make sure to ask what they do throughout the day.

You might want to ask your officiant to step back during your first kiss so that only you two are in the frame. And don’t be afraid to smooch! Kisses that last longer than a peck allow my assistant and I to get a few different photos. If it’s possible, it’s always fun to get a shot from behind you so that your guests are in the background. During the recessional make sure you and your groom stop halfway down the aisle and kiss. It makes for an incredible photo, as your guests will be standing, clapping, and possibly throwing petals, confetti, etc.! CENTERING THE VIEW Nothing bugs me more than an off-center bride and groom at the altar. It's as easy as placing a piece of tape for you, the groom, and the officiant. That way you'll know exactly where to stand when you walk up.

LOCATION If you are getting married in a church and do not have your heart set on the church altar for family photos, I strongly recommend heading outside to a location with beautiful, flattering natural light. We have found that outdoor photos are much more relaxed, natural, and fun. TIMING Family photos add up quickly because we need to set aside about 3 minutes per group, and the more time we spend on family photos, the less time you will have for Bride + Groom photos, which is what most couples will want for the next 60 years! We politely ask that you limit your family photos time to your immediate family, grandparents, and any other extremely important people, and save the rest of your group photos for the reception. The reception is great for those group photos of your coworkers, cousins, sorority sisters, and high school friends! Make sure to tell everyone that is expected for family photos to stay immediately following the ceremony. 46

Having to wait for family members is the number one reason your family photos take more time than is scheduled in the timeline. A great tip is to appoint someone from each of your families to assist us in making sure everyone is present for your family photos. I might not realize that Aunt Sally is missing, but your point person will be able to make sure your family photos have everyone that is supposed to be in them actually in them. And the point person can help us get the next group on deck. CREATING YOUR LIST When creating your family photo list, it would be helpful if you would break them into the following four categories: must have during family photo time, must have some point in the day, would be nice to have, and only if time allows. Since I don't know everyone's names, it's also helpful to let me know their relation to you. The questionnaire I send over will prompt you for this info so once I have the list, I will put it in the order that makes the most sense.

Sample List of FAMILY FORMALS

We absolutely love meeting our couple’s families on the wedding day! Family formals are normally our first interaction with them so we love to have a game plan for this part of the day. Upon booking, you will receive a questionnaire from me that will ask you to list out the family formals you want us to capture. Here is a sample family formal list to help you start preparing what shots you need. We do have to limit the family formal time in order to ensure that we have plenty of daylight for your romantic portraits. However, any large family group shots that we don’t accomplish during family formals, we can be sure to capture at the reception! B& G with bride’s immediate family (parents, siblings, grandparents, nieces, nephews) B& G with bride’s parents B& G with bride’s siblings Bride with her parents Bride with mom, Bride with dad B& G with bride’s grandparents B& G with groom’s immediate family (parents, siblings, grandparents, nieces, nephews) B & G with groom’s grandparents B& G with groom’s siblings B& G with groom’s parents Groom with his parents Groom with mom, Groom with dad Bride and Groom with bride and groom’s parents

ROMANTIC Portraits

We understand that all wedding images are important, but the real favorites are from our time with the bride and groom. These romantic portraits of just the two of you will be the images that you frame beside your bed or over your mantle and they will also be the images that will fill your album for generations to come. 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 a chance to love on each other and really connect before the craziness begins. Romantic portraits are normally done before the ceremony (after the first look) and then I love shooting just a few “just married” portraits after the ceremony as well. There is always such giddiness and joy after you have said I do! This is also when the light is low and golden. It’s such a romantic time for bride and groom portraits. If you’re not interested in a first look, make sure to include a lot of time after the ceremony for these portraits!

TIPS FOR YOUR

Reception

The fun has begun! Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s time to relax, dance and celebrate! Your reception should be a blast. The last thing you need to be worrying about is your timeline. Your coordinator and DJ should take care of making sure that everything stays on schedule so that you can enjoy your night. Here are some helpful tips that will help your reception flow smoothly. Much like the ceremony, you have the freedom to make your reception its own. Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s your party, it should be exactly how you want it to be.

Here is a list of some key events that happen often at receptions: Bridal Party Introductions First Dance Father-Daughter Dance Mother Son dance Anniversary Dance Money Dance Traditional Religious Dances Welcome by the Father of the Bride Blessing Cake Cutting Toasts by Best Man and Maid of Honor Bouquet and Garter Toss Large group portraits with friends The exit of the Bride and Groom

1. 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 a relatively early time so that they can be a part of it. Grandma’s love seeing this sweet tradition! 2. 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. The most annoying factor that can leave a bad impression on your party is that it is dragging. 3. Make it your own. If you want to have a special dance with your grandparents, do it. Make your reception a reflection of who you are and don’t feel tied to traditions. Also, make sure you give your DJ or Band a “Do not play” list if there are some songs you really don’t want to hear during your reception.

4. Don’t get too caught up in the formalities and 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 your coordinator or family friend how to set them up so that you aren’t even thinking about those things the day of! 5. If you haven’t purchased enough time for your photography to last until the exit, that’s ok! We have several options. I recommend planning your timeline so that you can have at least one hour of dancing photographed. The guests’ dance during the first hour will still be dancing in the third. One hour of dancing will be enough time to really capture the joy of your reception. 6. Evening photos. If you would like to have evening photos, I will grab you away from your reception for about 10-15 minutes MAX. We don’t want your guests to be waiting for you too long! This usually happens right after you eat your dinner while guests are still eating, or after the cake cutting. I would ideally recommend having these pictures within the half hour after reception, but if that’s not possible, it’s not a deal breaker! It will still be dark for the rest of the evening, and we can still grab some amazing evening photos. 51

EXITS

If your coverage ends before you 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 and 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 even notices that the bride and groom are missing for a few minutes. Another option is to have a special exit planned for the ceremony. Ribbon wands, confetti, or even bubbles make beautiful pictures. I have had some brides in the past even do a â&#x20AC;&#x153;reception entranceâ&#x20AC;?. Upon their introductions into the reception hall, two attendants blast the confetti over the bride and groom. The bride and groom usually enter in with a lot of energy, and this picture can be so much fun!

Sparkler EXIT

The sparklers you use make all the difference! When my husband and I planned our sparkler exit, we did so much research, and hopefully this information will help. If your sparklers are too short, it will go out before you even make it outside. If you get the wrong kind of sparklers, you will get lost in all the smoke. With that being said, I recommend buying 36 inch sparklers that are advertised as “smokeless”. Although no sparklers are truly smokeless, the ones that are advertised as such produce much less smoke than others. Too much smoke, well, we won’t be able to see you and the overall awesomeness of this picture opportunity will disappear. When you walk down, make sure you are holding nothing in your hands (purses, gifts, drinks, etc.). Hold each other’s hands, walk through the crowd next to each other, stop half way, and enjoy a nice long kiss! Shooting at night requires a little more technical instructions, and walking down together at an average pace can make a huge difference in the results.

The Case of a Rainy Day

Let’s be real. If you are a Floridian, you know there is a chance that it might rain regardless of what the forecast says. One of the most frequent asked questions that we receive during wedding season is “Sooooo, what do you do if it rains?”. I want to reassure you that even if it rains, you will still have beautiful portraits and colors in your images. Overcast skies mean vibrant colors and even lighting. I know that rain isn’t ideal and no bride would wish for rain on her big day, but if it happens…it happens. And it’s going to be JUST fine! Here are a few things to remember: All I need to create natural light portraits on a rainy wedding day is a porch! Just one porch! Or umbrella(s)! Take it one step at a time. Don’t think about your entire day and what will happen if it rains. That will only overwhelm you! Definitely have a rain plan for your venue, but then let the vendors do the work of handling the rest of the day if rain is in the forecast. If it’s a light drizzle—remember, it’s just WATER. Look what a little bit of drizzle can do at night!

The Veil

Love the veil shots I meticulously show off on social media, my website, and your friends' wedding? I love shooting the veil during the day, sunset, and even at night for some dramatic photos. One key element to getting those "under the veil photos" is that your veil needs to be at least below the tip of your fingers. The longer the better! If you decide to only bring it for the photos-- that's completely OK!

AFTER "I DO"

One of the most common thoughts after a wedding is “I can’t wait to see the pictures!” Though it does take me a few weeks to send all your photos to you, I try to get them into your hands as quickly as possible! Here are a few common questions: WILL I GET TO SEE A PREVIEW? That’s completely up to you! I love sharing teasers on Facebook and Instagram, but I always make it point for the both of you to see them first. Whichever your preference is, we can discuss this during your consultation. YOUR ONLINE GALLERY Years ago you had to order prints of the images that you wanted to have forever. That isn’t how we work around here! We want you to have ALL of your memories in your possessions forever and ever! I also want you to share your images freely and without any hesitation. This is why I deliver your images as quickly as possible via an online gallery! This means that you don’t have to wait on a package in the mail and you’ll have access to them wherever you are. I’ve listed some important information that will help you understand your online gallery and all that it can do on the next page. Enjoy! DOWNLOADING PHOTOS You will be able to download your edited images directly from your online gallery and they will be in high resolution. This process is very simple! All you have to do is click the “downward arrow icon” and you will be prompted to enter in your email and password (if a password is desired for your pictures). Your photos will download directly to your “Downloads” folder. If you opt to download the entire gallery, you will be notified via email when your entire download is ready. It takes a few minutes to prepare for hundreds of images to be downloaded. ORDERING PRINTS You can actually order professional and affordable prints directly from your online gallery. You are more than welcome to print images on your own. However, I would want you to avoid WalMart, Target, or any small kiosks. I cannot promise that your colors will be true-to-life if you choose to print at those stores.

GALLERY EXPIRATION I have great news! Your galleries will not expire for 2 years! Isn’t that amazing? However, even though you will have access to your images for a long time, I would still recommend downloading them and saving them in multiple places for safe keeping. SHARING, WATERMARKING, AND EDITING You have the freedom to share your images in any way that you choose! These are your images and I want you to love them so much that you can’t help but share them! I don’t believe that it is necessary to watermark my images. All I ask for is some type of credit whenever you use an image on social media. I only have ONE rule when it comes to what you can and cannot do with our work. I always encourage our clients not to re-edit their images. Let me do that hard work! However, if you have an image or two that you want to print at a very large size and you find an imperfection, I will gladly perfect it! HEIRLOOM ALBUMS Having digital images is wonderful, but having a printed keepsake that tells a visual story of your wedding day is priceless! If you haven’t already invested in an Heirloom Album of your own, you can always come back to us at any tie and order one. We aren’t a photography business that pushes product sales at all. However, these albums are important not just for our couples to have, but for their grandchildren to enjoy as well. To order an album, you may either select about 100 of your favorite images. Remember, the less photos there are, the BIGGER they will be printed in your album. If you prefer for me to do most of the legwork, I’d be happy to create an album draft for you. I will then send you the draft to review and after I will make any changes you requested. You will have one final check before it goes to printing. Once the album is ordered, it will take approximately 4 weeks for delivery. SAY THANK YOU WITH A PARENT ALBUM: After the wedding chaos is over and life returns to normal, or if you want to surprise your parents with their very own album(s) from your wedding, such as for Christmas, let me know before November 1st so I can get them ordered! If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to ask!

Thank You!

Last, but certainly not least, THANK YOU for trusting me with your special day. I am so honored to be the one capturing your memories and I cannot WAIT to celebrate along side 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. As you continue to plan, please feel free to contact me with ANY questions you may have along the way! I hope this guide has been helpful as you continue to plan and prepare for your wedding day! Hugs, Angel