top of page
THE
WEDDING
EXPERIENCE
A Guide for the Couples of These Forever Moments
WELCOME
My goal as your wedding photographer or videographer is to make this aspect of the planning process simple. Not only do you deserve a beautiful outcome, you also deserve an amazing experience. The goal of this guide is to help you plan your wedding day in a way that will allow me to provide you with the BEST experience possible. I’m beyond excited to be working with you and I cannot wait to get to know you two during this planning phase. From my family to yours, Welcome! It’s an honor to be your wedding photographer/videographer!
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Engagement Session
Weddings through the Seasons
Rainy Wedding Days
2nd Photographer/Videographer
Your Important People | VIPs
Preparing your Groom
Early Wedding Day Prep
Bridal Details & Timing Tips
The First Look
Couple's Session
Trust in the Portrait Locations
Ceremony Prep & Tips
Reception Planning + Tips
The Faux Exit
Sample Timeline
How to Make Meaningful Memories to Look Back On
Use Audio to Tell Your Story (Video)
Non Traditional Audio Options (Video)
The Videographer/Photographer Relationship
Engagemen Session
YOUR
ENGAGMENT SESSION
Now that you have picked a date, your venue and your photographer/videographer, you can celebrate! Those are some of the toughest decisions in wedding planning and you can cross them off your list! Now on to the fun stuff... like your Engagement (also referred to as a Save the Date or Adventure) Session! During your Engagement session, you’ll have the chance to get to know me, experience how I shoot and how I handle posing and lighting. It allows me to learn how you two interact, what your best poses are and how to capture you in a genuine way!
Your Engagement session can be scheduled anytime before your wedding day. I do suggest booking it at least 6 months in advance to avoid stress. Because my weekends are filled with weddings and family, I shoot Engagement Sessions on weekday evenings, normally from 5-7pm depending on the light and the time of the year. As you start to plan for your Engagement Session, you will need to start brainstorming about location ideas. I LOVE it when couples pick a location that is special or sentimental to them in some way! If you can’t think of anywhere specific that you would like to shoot, I can help you decide on a location. As long as the light is great, I can make just about any location look awesome! Do not shy away from crazy ideas! The more creative, the better!
If your package includes an Engagement Session you will also receive an extra guide regarding location suggestions and advanced tips on how to choose your attire!
TIMING TIPS FOR:
THE SEASONS
WINTER
Winter weddings are gorgeous! However, they do take some additional planning simply because of the sunset time. The hard part about a winter timeline is the fact that the sun sets around 4pm. This means that all of your portraits have to be done before then!
SPRING
Spring weddings are wonderful because they are the perfect temperature! However, I recommend having plenty of allergy meds on hand just in case allergies start to flare up during portrait time. Spring weddings normally mean the potential for some blooms! If we happen to find any type of blooming tree or plant, it will be worth it to give us a few minutes for some images with it! You’ll love the result!
SUMMER
Summer weddings are amazing! I love that there is so much daylight! In some months, the light will last until 8:30pm! So, if you’re having a summer wedding, you’ll need to plan on having a few minutes to slip out of the reception for your sunset session! You will NOT regret this! This is the absolute best light of the day and you’re going to want to have imagery during this time period. Usually this happens during dinner or open dancing so that no one even notices that you’re gone for a few minutes!
FALL
Fall weddings are my favorite! I love the temperature and the colors! Most of my fall brides worry about color, and I just want to encourage you that all I need is one tree with some color in order to make it look like fall! A little bit of color can go a long way!!
Your couples session time will vary depending on your wedding date. We’ll be sure to discuss this when we approve your final timeline!
Seasons
Rain
IN CASE OF A
RAINY
WEDDING DAY
One of the questions that I receive during wedding season is “Soooo, what do we do if it RAINS?!”. I want to reassure you that even if it rains, you will still have beautiful imagery! Overcast skies mean vibrant colors! I know that rain isn’t ideal, and no one would wish for rain on their big day, but if it happens, it happens..... and it’s going to be JUST fine!! I actually got married underneath the torrential rain of a Tropical Storm, and some of our best weddings moments were in the rain! Here are a few things to remember:
1. All I need to create natural light portraits on a rainy wedding day is a porch! Just one overhang!
2. Let me worry about the photos/video. You have enough to think about. If there is a chance of rain, I’ll be sure to do some extra scouting to find a covered location or two, for us to use for you first look and couples session.
3. Take it one step at a time. Don’t spend your day thinking about what will happen if it rains. That will only overwhelm you! Definitely have a rain plan for your venue, but then let your vendors do the work of handling the rest of the day if rain is in the forecast. TFM will bring camera rain gear and even an extra clear umbrella if you need it!
Don’t let the fear of rain steal your joy. You can’t control it, and I promise we will make the best of it!!!
2nd Shooter
2ND SHOOTER
If you added a 2nd photographer or videographer to your TFM package:
Awesome choice! This will allow us more flexibility, complexity, and creativity. I love being able to get 2nd angles, backups, and even more behind the scenes moments for you. My team will stick together throughout the day in order to achieve a more dynamic film for you for video and for photography it gives us secondary angles of important moments as well as additional opportunities to capture candids. When things are fast pace and only happening once, it is helpful to have 2 people covering the same events (giving us different angles/viewpoints which give us more editing options that elevate your imagery). Twice the creativity!
Important People
IMPORTANT PEOPLE
Your most important people, immediate family and friends, cannot be featured if they are not present during important moments. Please plan your timeline accordingly and notify your VIPs about the events you would like them to be present for, ahead of time. With so many moving parts on a wedding day, there is rarely extra time to track people down, but a wedding planner is a fantastic asset to have for this and so many other reasons! Additionally, if anyone is camera shy, they will not be followed or harassed in order to be captured. I do not want to make people feel uncomfortable, so I only capture those who are willing. The VIPs who are there during the more public parts of the day, are much more likely to be depicted in your imagery.
PREPARING YOUR GROOM
If you’re a bride that is a little anxious about how your groom is going to react to this whole “camera” thing, you’re not alone. One of the biggest worries for brides during our initial consult is the concern that their groom won’t be into it but I have great news for you... you are both are more camera ready than you think! I like discovering your hidden modeling skills and my most common response from my TFM Grooms is, “That wasn’t so bad!” I want you to have fun and be relaxed, not forced or awkward. As you prepare for your wedding day, there are a few things that you can do to help your groom know what to expect. First of all, I highly recommend sitting down with your guy and showing him 2-3 of your favorite videos/photos that I have created. This will allow him to gauge what his expectations should be. Next, remember to have patience with him. I think you’ll be surprised how much you will both enjoy this process if your intentions are genuine!
Groom
Early Day
PRECEREMONYLET THE DAY BEGIN!
This portion of The Wedding Experience really sets the stage for the entire wedding day. The next few sections will share tips and tricks that will ensure a seamless morning of preparation and beautiful imagery!
GETTING READY
It’s the morning of your wedding! Hopefully all of the little 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 of the to-do list, it’s time to hand them over to someone else. Delegation is a key part of a stress-free wedding day. I know it’s hard to hand over 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 person who plays a huge role in your life? Will you and your groom be exchanging notes during this time? Are there certain people in your life who would appreciate seeing you get into your gown? Some brides want very few people around for this moment; other brides love having aunts and grandmas present! It’s 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 of those final steps once you’re in your gown! Speaking of the gown, if your gown is on a plastic hanger, try to make a note to bring a wooden hanger along for video/photo sake.
Last, and perhaps the most important for videography, please have music turned off while this portion of your day is being fimed so that we can ensure that spontaneous audio moments can be captured.
WINDOW EFFECT
By having just a simple window in the bridal prep area, I am able to create beautiful video with soft light, crisp imagery, and accurate color. I prefer natural light so the more windows, the better! Too many warm incandescent lights will cast harsh yellow tones onto your skin and clothing so we always prefer real sunlight. It is helpful if you can sit near a window during hair and makeup preparations. too. Also, keep in mind that the tidier the room is, the cleaner and more elegant this segment of your film will feel.
*Bonus tip: make sure the space has ample room for everyone present (family, friends, makeup, hair, videa team, photo team)
RINGS, SHOES, JEWELS...
The whole day begins with the DETAILS! This is one of my favorite fun 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 love having ample time to stylize, and shoot everything from the dress, to the jewelry, to grandma’s handkerchief! To the right, you’ll find a list of the most common details to include. I ask brides to gather any details they have before I arrive so that I can walk in, say hello, give you a hug and then begin with all the goodies! For video: not all details will make it into your edited film, but this is still a great chance for everyone to start getting acclimated to the idea of cameras around.
WHAT TO BRING:
dress
veil | hair pieces
rings (all three)
shoes
bouquet
jewelry
perfume
invitation suite
borrowed & blue
unique items
spare floral
Details & Tips
DAY OF REMINDERS:
GATHER the goods.
If possible, collect all of your details before I arrive so that I can begin quickly and have more time for the getting ready shots of you and your girls! I will also use this time to capture some establishing shots when applicable.
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’re having a country themed wedding, you could include a piece of burlap or lace. If you’re having a rustic themed wedding that includes some wooden elements, maybe save a small piece of wood for me to use when I’m shooting your rings and jewelry.
KEEP all three rings.
The most common detail missing when I arrive are the rings! Moms, officiants and planners may tell you to hand over your wedding band to the best man before the day begins. How- ever, it’s actually better to hand it over during the bridal party portraits so that I can capture the ring shots in the earlier part of the day!
BRING the bouquet.
Don’t forget the Bouquet! Have the bouquets and bouts delivered to the bride before the first look so that she can have her bouquet in her images. No worries, if it’s hot, we’ll be sure to keep it in water as much as possible before the ceremony!
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 minutes because of a zipper 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, we 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 some tips for the preceremony 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 completely normal!
BOUQUETS AND BOUTS.
You will need your Bouquet & Bouts for your First Look! Have them delivered to the room where the bride is getting ready.
TRAVEL TIME.
Be sure to think about the travel time and TRAFFIC to and from your getting ready location and your venue!
HAIR & MAKEUP.
I encourage brides to have at least the majority of their makeup done before I arrive.
GROOMSMEN PREP.
Myself and my second shooter (if applicable) will capture the guys getting ready if they are getting ready in the same location or within a 5 minute drive.
GETTING IN THE DRESS.
I’ll instruct you to get into your dress near to a window. It would be fabulous to have your bridemaids already dressed when you’re getting in your gown!
CREATE A CUSHION.
A 10 minute cushion every now and then is a GREAT idea! It’s amazing how fast time slips away the day of!
YOUR FIRST LOOK
Your first look is an amazing part of your wedding day! If you aren’t sure about this tradition, the next section will explain why it could be a romantic addition to your wedding day celebration that not only adds to the experience but reduces stress. Please know that I would never want any of my couples to feel pressured to go with this option. However, I do want to make sure that I share all of the benefits of a first look, because there is a reason most of my couples choose this and LOVE it!
First Look
FIRST LOOK
explained
I have confessed my deep love for “First Looks” numerous times while talking with my couples. There is a reason for this. They’re AWESOME! However, not everyone is aware of how beneficial 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 my husband to be so surprised and overcome with joy when I walked down the aisle that he bawled at the first sight of me! Isn’t that EVERY girl’s dream? Who doesn’t want that reaction? Lucky for me, he was in tears and so was everyone who was watching him! Walking down the aisle on my wedding day was a moment that I will treasure for a lifetime! Yet... I still regret not having a private first look.
After experiencing my own wedding and capturing many many others... I’ve come to this conclusion: some brides love “traditions”... but what most brides REALLY want 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.
We all know 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 boutonniere is supposed to go on and little by little... the tension grows. It’s before the ceremony when the gravity of what is about to happen starts to sink in and 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 que from the coordinator. It seems like it’s taking FOREVER. Finally, the coordinator leans her head in and hurries the groom to get ready. With clammy hands, the groom enters the ceremony and what does he find? He finds anywhere from 80-300 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. I already mentioned that walking down the aisle was one of the BEST PARTS of my WHOLE wedding day! It’s magical! But when I walked down the aisle... I was actually the nervous one and when I saw him I wanted to hug and chat and giggle and ask questions, but during the ceremony wasn’t the time. Which is why I feel like I missed out on that first look embrace.
Had we done that, the nerves would’ve been gone and we would have had that bonus moment where true emotions were free to be expressed.
PRIVATE FIRST LOOK:
 |  |  |
|---|
CEREMONY REACTION:
 |  |  |  |
|---|
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 your groom in a secluded space until his time to enter the ceremony, what if you took him to a private place... no people, no onlookers, no distractions... and you quietly call his name and have him turn around to see you for the first time. He would turn around and finally get his first look at the love of his life and not only would he get to see you... he could embrace you... cry with you.... kiss you... and ENJOY that moment with you for as LONG as you both wanted. As you show him your dress you twirl a few times and ask him what he thinks... his (and your) nerves start to diminish. After all, you're the one who can make him most comfortable anyway.
Because you aren’t on a time crunch... you casually move into your couple's session. No one is around, the coordinator isn’t announcing “15 minutes left”, and there is no pressure. It’s just the two of you with your videographer and photographer... capturing the excitement and the joy of their wedding day. This is your time to be TOGETHER...and to be ALONE. When does that happen on a wedding day? Without a First Look... it doesn’t. After your couple's session is done, your bridal party joins you and because you still have plenty of time to spare, the wedding party portraits begin and everyone gets to have fun together! There aren’t any guests waiting impatiently at the cocktail hour (because you're getting to do this ahead of time) and there isn’t a DJ coming to find the photographer/videographer to get a time check. It’s wonderful!
After portraits are done the girls and guys separate and prepare for the ceremony. The guests begin to arrive and the ushers are in place. Pretty soon it’s time for the processional music to begin and one by one, the bridesmaids make their way down to the front of the ceremony. As the groom clasps his hands... they aren’t clasped out of nervousness but excitement. The music builds, the mother of the bride stands and all of the guests follow her lead. The groom looks up, and here comes the BRIDE!!! His best friend, his companion, his sweetheart... she’s stunning.. ABSOLUTELY stunning. 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 who 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
MORE TIME FOR COUPLE'S SESSION
You’re investing a lot into your wedding videography and photography. With a first look, you’ll receive MORE video clips and portraits of the two of you. With a first look, you make the most out of this large investment and get the most for your money.
ENJOY THE SURPRISE FREELY
You actually get to have intimate time on your wedding day with your man. Most brides don’t realize that when you come down the aisle and totally SHOCK him with your gorgeousness... he can’t even tell you how amazing you look. He feels like 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.
EXTEND YOUR DAY BY 3 HOURS
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 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.
YOUR ONLY ALONE TIME
First Looks allow you to be TOGETHER and alone on your wedding day. It’s intimate and your only time to be alone the whole day! You can laugh and cry and cry some more... and it’ll put you in the PERFECT mood for your romantic couples session. Normally portraits are a little rushed after the family formals, and it can be hard to really get back into that “lovey dovey” 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 video memories during those moments!
DIMINISHES NERVES
You get rid of your nerves! I’d say, 1/2 of my couples who have decided to do a first look, the grooms were not fans of it at first. Because they have never experienced their wedding day before, they didn’t know how nerve racking it can be. After they do the first look, it’s easy to see that everyone is so much more relaxed and ready for the ceremony!
Timeline
SAMPLE TIMELINE
Here’s the part that can get somewhat intimidating! The schedule! I know this isn’t the most exciting aspect of planning the wedding day, but this is one of THE biggest things that can make or break your photos/video! This next section will outline an ideal wedding day working off of a 3pm ceremony time frame. This ideal timeline is also based off of a wedding day that does NOT require travel (everything/everyone is at one venue) and involves a first look. Many of my couples choose to do a first look, and you can read more about that option further down in this guide! Remember that all wedding days are different, and your timeline may differ due to travel times and unique situations.
HAIR | MAKEUP | DETAILS
10:15-11:15am
1 hour
This first hour of coverage allows your group to get assimilated to the cameras as I am warming up for the day. During this time, TFM will cover the bride’s final touches of the hair and makeup process as well as capturing details, interactions, and establishing shots. Hair and makeup sometimes takes a bit longer than scheduled and if it runs long, it will cause a snowball effect on the other events before your ceremony. For that reason, it’s a good practice to allow some buffer time to absorb any additional time that may be needed. Most of the hair and makeup will be completed before I arrive. I like to allow a minimum of an hour for capturing your hair, makeup, and details.
WEDDING PARTY PJs/CHAMPAGNE POP
11:15-11:30pm
15 minutes
While you are still in your casual attire, you may choose to to a champagne pop will of your girls or just capture a casual photo of the group before the all of the fun begins.
BRIDE LETTER, CARDS, GIFT EXCHANGE
11:30-11:45am
15 minutes
It is important to give yourself time to settle into a relaxing environment to organically experience that sweet card from your soon-to-be spouse. For video: prior to the reading, audio will be discreetly placed. Additionally, the room will be cleared for your privacy, and the area quickly tidied. This is always such a special moment of the day where the exciting reality of your wedding fully kicks in! I usually ask the mother of the bride and all of the bridesmaids to get dressed during this time, if they have not already done so.
FINAL BRIDAL PREP
11:45-12:05pm
20 minutes
After your letter, it’s time to get into your dress! Timing really comes down to the complexity of your dress and accessories. It can include you admiring your dress for the cameras (video+photo) and “getting decent” before I start capturing the zipping/buttoning and fluffing. You will want to decide who your VIPs will be to help you with this important portion of your day. After you are in your gown you can put on jewelry, veil, shoes, etc. After that has been completed, you may choose to take some formal bridal photos (if that is important to you).
GROOM PREP | LETTER
12:05-12:35pm
30 minutes
If at all possible, I recommend that the guys and girls get ready at the same location (i.e. hotel or ceremony location) so that I spend less of my day traveling and more of my day focusing on capturing images for you. If the groom is getting ready nearby, I will get shots of the guys hanging out and getting ready. Afterwards, I will have the groom settle into a quiet environment to read his letter, just as we did with the bride.
FIRST LOOK
12:35-12:50pm
15 minutes
I will map out and set up the positions and then you will make that much anticipated walk! You meet, you hug, you kiss, you chat. You get the butterflies out before the ceremony and have an extra sweet memorable moment together. Note that multiple first looks (i.e. dad, bridesmaids) will require additional time.
COUPLES SESSION
12:50-1:20pm
30 minutes
After you take your time with the First Look, we will begin capturing some romantic moments of the two of you while the initial excitement is still present! The light will determine our best locations so the weather can play a factor in the locations on the day of. If hired for video, I will work in tandem with your photographer as well as occasionally requesting a few seconds here and there to capture what is specifically needed for video (if your photographer does a lot of staged posing, I prefer more casual natural movement).
WEDDING PARTY
1:20-1:50pm
30 minutes
For photo, I will capture group shots and individual portraits with your and your wedding party. Large wedding parties may require additional time. For video purposes, it’s the time with just the two of you (without the wedding party) that is of utmost importance in creating a dynamic film. If time permits, TFM will capture some of your bridal party session as well. If not, I will move straight into my ceremony setup.
CEREMONY SETUP | DETAILS
2-3pm
60 minutes
This time is crucial. I use this time to capture details of your ceremony space and some of your guests as they arrive (which is usually 30 minutes prior to your ceremony). Most importantly, especially if you hired me for video, I need this time to set up multiple camera angles, tripods, adjust camera settings, and the oh-so-important audio equipment. Video requirement: 60 minutes. Photo requirement: 30-45 minutes minimum.
CEREMONY
3:00-3:30pm
30 minutes
It’s time to get married! Short and to the point, or longer if steeped in tradition that is special to you. On average I find that most ceremonies last around 30 minutes.
FAMILY FORMALS
3:30-4pm
30 minutes
If you choose to have a receiving line (optional), you will need to schedule additional time (20+ min) for that prior to the family formals. Family formals usually take place immediately following the ceremony when everyone is present. How much time you spend in Family Formals depends upon how many groupings you wish to capture, how efficient the lineup is, and ensuring that people involved don’t wander off and need to be tracked down. For video, I must use this time to gather and pack my equipment. For photo, you will want to find someone close to you (or your coordinator) who knows a majority of the participants who will be captured during family formals. That person can help run through the list with us and ensure that that the next lineup is present and ready to be captured as well as to make sure no combinations on the list get missed.
COCKTAIL HOUR | SETUP | DETAILS
4-5pm
60 minutes
Grab a drink and enjoy some mingling with your guests! For your cocktail hour, I recommend selecting a location that is outside of the main reception space, if possible, to allow the opportunity to grab images of the details and ambiance before the guests arrive (usually 30 minutes prior to your entrance). Just as the DJ arrives early to unload and set up their equipment, I too have a lot of moving parts that must be ready prior to your reception introduction. During your cocktail hour, I prepare for your entrance by setting up cameras, tripods (video), adjusting camera settings, supplementary lighting, and audio (video). This is also the important moment where I capture the details of your untouched reception space (this also depends on if the venue has fully set up the space prior to guests arriving). If time allows, I will also capture some moments from your cocktail hour. Even if you do not do a cocktail hour, it is very important that we get this part of the day blocked out ahead of time, particularly for setup requirements.
RECEPTION
5-8:15pm
Once you’ve been introduced, you can arrange the rest of the evening in any manner you wish. Dances, speeches, entertainment, traditions...it’s up to what you want and when you want it (as long as I have a 30 min break during dinner service... which will be the first time I will be able to rest and grab a bite, since I started the day. :) You, too, should really take the time to sit, recharge, and have your meal. I see so many couples walk the tables and leave their dinners untouched. Some couples prefer scheduling the big events of the reception within the first hour or so - cake cutting, first dances, toasts etc. so that older guests, those with young children, and travelers are able to take part in the special events before they head out. A popular basic timeline is: introduction, cake cutting, welcome speech, sunset session (see below), dinner, 30+ minute break, toasts, first dances, open dance floor, faux exit (see below). TFM is typically onsite for about 30 minutes after the dance floor opens.
SUNSET SESSION
5:30-5:40pm
10 minutes
During sunset, we will experience the prettiest and most flattering light of the day. The couples who make time for it always tell me it was worth it! It’s helpful to find out when “golden hour” falls on your date before you plan your timeline.
THE EXIT
8-8:15pm
15 minutes
If you’re interested in having your exit covered by me, there are several options for this! You can either add additional coverage or plan a faux exit with just your bridal party! “Exits” are typically the last event I capture before fully packing up to leave. It’s time to get married!
NOTE: TRAVEL BETWEEN LOCATIONS
takes so much longer than it seems
If you have multiple locations, remember that for every change: I have to load in my gear, travel, find parking, load out and set up my equipment. My formula for travel is 10 minutes to pack the gear and load out + the actual estimated drive time + 10 minutes as a traffic buffer + X minutes for parking (if it’s a public space with limited and/or unknown parking) + 10 minutes to unload the vehicle and unpack the gear and get to the correct location. This does not even include the time it takes me to setup my correct settings for use. You can see that the more locations you have, the more time that must be factored into the schedule. Also please understand that if you are using a transportation service, they will usually be able to drop you off directly in front of your locations where as we (video+photo) will require finding a proper/legal parking spot to leave our car before we walk on foot to each location.
Memories
WHAT MAKES YOUR FILM & PHOTOS
MEANINGFUL
YOUR STORY | AUDIO (VIDEOGRAPHY)
What is a movie without sound? What is a video without words? A wedding film isn’t personal if you can’t hear your story. Let’s showcase what makes your relationship special. Let’s highlight your personalities using audio. Hearing both of your voices and the feelings you are experiencing adds depth and personalization to the story being told in your film. This is what can really set your wedding video apart from the rest. No matter what, your film is all about your story! So let’s tell it!
CANDID MOMENTS
Since you chose TFM to document your wedding, it is assumed that you love the idea of capturing candid real moments! To best represent these in your imaging, all you need to focus on is relaxing and really living in your wedding experience. You only get one chance to celebrate this fabulous day, so do your best to focus on the wonderfulness of it all! The more you naturally enjoy yourself and cherish your day, the better your imaging will be in representing the real you. Pure happiness and excitement isn’t something that can be posed or staged.
EMOTION
Emotion doesn’t always mean crying! It can be excitement, anticipation, or elation! Whatever the emotion you are feeling, take in that moment! Go ahead and feel it! As for being “emotional,” I have seen everything from misty eyes to all out sobbing, male and female. It is OK! The makeup can be retouched. Nothing is embarrassing about it. Don’t hold yourself back! I guarantee you won’t regret being able to relive the happiness later. What you might regret is if you see it later and wonder why you brushed off and rushed through something meaningful to prevent tears. Pretend I’m not there! It’s you two! It’s your one chance to have this moment. I don’t judge.
USE AUDIO TO TELL
YOUR STORY
(VIDEOGRAPHY)
LETTERS
If you write letters, we definitely need to set aside some time in a quiet place to record the audio of you reading the letter you wrote. This personal addition to your video, and hearing from both of you adds depth to the story. One thing to note, make sure you keep the letter that you wrote with you as you are get ready in the morning. TFM or a member of your wedding party can then swap the letters for us to document those reaction readings after you read the letter you wrote for your soon-to-be spouse.
PERSONAL VOWS
We always love personal vows, but no matter if you choose traditional vows or if you have personalized the traditional vows, make sure when you’re saying them during the ceremony that you speak clearly and stand close together as I will have microphones to capture the audio from both of you. Sometimes couples will even opt to have a private vow exchange with their written vows (which works really well for venues who don’t allow personalization during the ceremony) prior to the ceremony. That option can be done right after the first look!
TOASTS | SPEECHES
I encourage you to have a few toasts during the reception from people who know you both well (best friends, parents, even you two!). If most of your toasts are being held during your rehearsal dinner, we can talk about TFM being there to film that as well so that we can include pieces of those speeches into your wedding film. Encourage your loved ones to write what comes naturally from the heart. It’s important that toasters not only talk about you both as individuals but that they also speak about you together as a couple. This will help with personalization and meaningfulness. I will coordinate with your DJ to setup a microphone and location for the toasts. Lighting will be setup for that specific location which is why we urge toasters not to carry the microphone away from the stand, as other locations may not have good lighting.
AMBIENT SOUNDS
It is highly recommended that music is turned off during morning pre-wedding prep so that ambient audio is able to be picked up and captured. These natural audio moments are sometimes fun to include and allow me to really personalize a film that takes you right back into the moment. These spontaneous events cannot be recreated so it is suggested that we prepare in advance by having all music turned off while getting ready. Note: natural conversation and noises cannot be used if there is music in the background!
Audio
Non Trad Audio
NON TRADITIONAL BONUS AUDIO OPTIONS
(VIDEOGRAPHY)
CASUAL INTERVIEW | CHAT
Do not let the word “interview” scare you away from this option! This can be as causal as a chat with your besties where you talk about how you and your fiance met, when your friends knew they were “the one,” funny stories, sentimental stories, or just subjects that mean something to you in your relationship. Can you talk straight to the camera? Sure. Do you have to? Absolutely not. There are many options on the spectrum between a full out interview to a group led conversation. Just remember that casual audio cannot be picked up if there is music playing in the background or extra heavy background noise. If you like this idea, please talk to me ahead of time so we can strategize a game plan.
VOICEMAILS
Minutes before you head down the aisle, call your parter and leave them a voicemail describing your thoughts and feelings! Your soon to be spouse will know ahead of time not to actually answer the phone so that your sweet message can be left and saved for later. After your wedding when all of the chaos has died down, you two can cuddle up to listen and reminisce on your day and all of the memories you had together. After you have listened, send the audio file to me so that we can include it in your film! What an amazing unique way to display the actual feelings you felt moments before your I do’s! Those words will be your last sweet recordings of you as a “single” person before being wed and you’ll have this as a bonus keepsake to save from your wedding day!
SECRET RECORDINGS
By the time you are ready to walk down the aisle, you will both be mic’d up so that I can capture the audio from your ceremony. Right before you head down the aisle, go to a quiet place and record a secret message to your partner. Much like the voicemail option, this audio will include all of the excitement, anticipation, and sentimental feelings you will experience seconds before your ceremony (it is truly an overwhelming and joyous moment!). If you do this, you MUST tell me about it afterwards. If I do not know about it, I will not be aware that the audio file exists and it will go unnoticed as I only listen to the audio that occured during your ceremony.
TOAST FROM THE COUPLE
During the reception toasts, you will get the unique opportunity to address all of your guests at once. This is an amazing moment where you can show gratitude to your loved ones for attending and also speak about your relationship together. You can talk about what you love and admire about one another, what made you realize you wanted to spend your life together, or what the union means to you and your family. Afterall, your guests came to celebrate the two of you together so it’s a fantastic option to allow friends and family to hear what this moment means to you two. Typically your toast will be the final toast of the evening and will segway into the evenings next events.
AFTER- WEDDING THOUGHTS | INTERVIEW
After your wedding, decompress by sharing your feelings about the day. This audio can also be used to narrate what happened, what meant the most, what surprised you, what stood out. Talk out your feelings together and relive the moments. Please reach out to plan this option! It can also be combined with a post-wedding adventure session.
A PERSONAL NOTE FROM KRISTEN
Your experiences hold value and natural moments always take precedence. Scripting perfect moments for the wrong reasons will not tell your genuine story. Include these extra memories because you want to enjoy and cherish the unique moments that your wedding day will bring! Please do not choose something just “for show.” Your day is about you two and the significance of committing yourself to one another. Choose experiences on your wedding day that would mean something to you - now and forever.
VIDEOGRAPHY & PHOTOGRAPHY
A Collaborative Relationship
There should never a competition between a photographer and videographer. In fact, in my eyes, they are both equally important on a wedding day, and each serve a similar yet different purpose in how you will remember your day. I always strive to have a fantastic collaborative relationship with your other hired team. It is very important to me that you get the opportunity to capture both incredible photos and video from your once in a lifetime day! I want you to know that I will make every effort to work in tandem with your other team throughout the day to maximize your schedule. It is no coincidence that our best films are done alongside welcoming photographers! That said, there may be a second (for video) here and there that I ask you to quickly do something for the purposes of the video (Example: If you are holding a long posed kiss for a photo, I may ask that you kiss “normally” for the purposes of capturing a non robotic kiss for video). For photo, I will also check in with your videographer to make sure they are getting what they need as well. I want everyone to capture stellar wedding shots for you!
Photo Video Relationship
SIMILAR BUT NOT IDENTICAL
VIDEOGRAPHY & PHOTOGRAPHY REQUIRE A DIFFERENT PLAN OF ACTION.
MOVEMENT
When I’m hired for video, I love when photographers use movement while capturing photos of you! Sometimes though, other photographers use more rigid posing which can be OK for photos but not so ideal in your wedding film. In that case when I am hired for your video, I may ask for a few extra moments here and there to get shots of you in more natural positions so that you don’t look stiff and uncomfortable in your video.
SET UP
Extra equipment is required for videography and the setup is much different than what a photographer will require. Please consider this when you are deciding on your timeline. For video: 60 minutes of setup time prior to the start of the ceremony and reception is requested to ensure proper camera setup, lighting placement (for reception), and audio connections. If less time is given, some equipment may not be used. Without my full setup, your video might look and sound different than my standard films. If the floorplan and space allows, it is my goal to be as discreet and inconspicuous as possible BUT this also requires ample time to design a plan based on the venue and room design. It is also during these 60 minutes that I also plan to get your venue shots. Please refer to the sample timeline for more tips on how to achieve a balanced and relaxed wedding schedule! For photo: less time is required.
TIME
Similarly, with video I need to get longer moments than a photographer usually requires. With photo we are able to grab a snapshot in time but for video I need an entire flawless moment. For both photo and video, my goal is to capture the natural spontaneous moments whenever possible. So lock eyes with each other or whatever the moment calls for and don’t feel pressured to look into my camera. The more lovey dovey and in the moment you are, the easier it is for me to capture those seamless moments. All it requires is you two just naturally enjoying the moments!
LIGHTING
TFM will use continuous lighting during portions of your reception for video. Photographers typically appreciate this too because they are able to use my lights to create crisp and creative images for their own work. We have photographers tell us all the time how much they love that we use them! You’ll love them too because it’ll create a higher end film for you. When I am hired for photo, I will use flash periodically throughout the day depending on lighting conditions.
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 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. As you continue to plan, please feel free to contact me with ANY questions you may have along the way! I will be in touch as we get closer to you wedding to learn all I need to know for your big day!! I hope this guide has been helpful as you continue to plan and prepare for your wedding day! Love, Kristen
bottom of page