It’s Almost Here! Your Final Wedding Prep Guide — Mindset Shifts, Photo Tips, Checklists & More
PART 1: BEFORE THE WEDDING DAY
Planning a wedding is one thing—but preparing to experience it is a whole different ballgame. This section is meant to help you mentally, emotionally, and logistically set yourself up for a day that feels joyful, calm, and fully you. You don’t need to know anything about weddings to follow this—just take what speaks to you and let the rest go.
1. Finalizing Your Timeline
As the day gets closer, having a clear and realistic timeline is one of the best things you can do for your peace of mind. You’ll want a layout that includes everything from when hair and makeup begins to the very last dance. This gives all your vendors and VIPs a shared map to follow—and helps you avoid feeling like the one in charge on your actual wedding day.
Helpful reminders:
Schedule a time to review your full timeline with your planner, venue coordinator, or lead vendor around 4–6 weeks before the big day.
Once finalized, share the timeline with key players: wedding party, family, photographer/videographer, officiant, etc.
Print out or text copies of the timeline for those who need them most—especially your point people, coordinator, or bridal party.
Consider posting it in common areas like the getting-ready suites or behind the bar. That way, people know where they should be without asking you every five minutes.
2. Open & Honest Communication
It’s easy to assume that people know what you expect from them—especially close friends and family. But a little pre-wedding communication goes a long way. Whether it's letting your photographer know about tricky family dynamics or asking a cousin to help round up people for portraits, setting these expectations before the day will help everything flow more smoothly.
A few ways to make that happen:
Designate one person from each side of the family who can help during group photo time—they’ll know who’s who and make things run faster.
If there are any relationships that require sensitivity (divorced parents, estranged family, etc.), let your photographer and/or planner know ahead of time so they can plan accordingly.
Make sure everyone important (grandparents, siblings, readers, etc.) knows where they’re supposed to be and when—especially if they’re not in the wedding party.
3. Details You’ll Want to Set Aside
Before things get busy, take time to gather the small but meaningful pieces that tell your story. Your photographer will want to start the day by styling and photographing your details—think of this as a beautiful way to capture your wedding's vibe before it all unfolds.
Here’s what to include in your “detail box”:
All three rings (yes, even your partner’s)
Invitation suite (including envelopes and RSVP cards)
Save the date (if you love the design)
Shoes, jewelry, perfume/cologne, vow books
Watch, cufflinks, tie or bowtie
Any heirlooms or special trinkets you want captured
Loose floral pieces from your florist (ask them to include a few extras for styling)
You can pack all of these in a shoebox or small bin and hand it off to your photographer the morning of—it makes the start of the day smoother and more intentional.
4. Set Intentions & Talk Through the Day
Take a moment together—whether it's over coffee or during a final planning chat—to talk through how you want the day to feel. Setting expectations together now makes a big difference later, especially in the emotional rhythm of the day.
Things worth discussing:
What parts of the day are you most excited about? Are there any moments that feel overwhelming or nerve-wracking?
Are there traditions you want to skip—or private moments you want to create just for the two of you?
If something is really important to you (like a private vow reading, a toast with your parents, or a surprise moment), tell your planner or photographer so we can carve out space in the timeline.
5. The Practical Stuff (Don’t Skip This Part!)
The last few days before the wedding can feel like a blur—so a little preparation now can prevent a lot of stress later. Even the smallest things can make a big impact on how you feel that morning.
A few things to take care of ahead of time:
Make a checklist for everything you need to bring—wedding license, vow books, rings, perfume, cash tips, extra bobby pins, etc.
Pack snacks and drinks that are easy to eat and won’t stain anything—granola bars, fruit, crackers, protein packs.
If you're staying somewhere overnight, triple-check chargers, undergarments, socks, and the shoes you actually plan to wear.
6. Getting Ready Room Prep
You’ll likely spend several hours getting ready on your wedding day—and trust us, this space ends up in a lot of photos. With just a little prep, you can turn the morning into a peaceful, beautiful experience that photographs just as well as it feels.
Simple tips for a clean and photo-ready space:
Keep clutter out of the main area—designate one corner for bags, snacks, and supplies so it doesn’t end up in your photos.
Make a playlist and give yourselves a little buffer to tidy up 10 minutes before the photographer arrives (or designate a friend to handle it).
Try to keep at least one window space open and free of people or furniture for clean lighting and portrait opportunities.
If you’re into matching robes, coordinated pajamas, or just wearing something you love, now’s the time—it makes those candid “getting ready” shots feel extra cohesive and fun.
PART 2: WEDDING DAY
It’s finally here—and now it’s about soaking it all in. While you focus on being present, we’ll be behind the scenes capturing the big, small, and in-between moments. The goal? To keep things flowing naturally and let you feel everything without getting bogged down by logistics.
1. The Night Before
This is your final evening as an engaged couple. Rather than filling it with last-minute to-dos or late-night chaos, give yourselves permission to slow down. The calmer your evening, the better your morning will feel.
Suggestions to set the tone:
Have a warm bath or shower, light a candle, journal, or stretch.
Lay out everything you’ll need for the next day so nothing gets forgotten in the morning.
Try to go to bed earlier than you think you’ll need—you’ll want all the energy you can get.
2. Morning of the Wedding
This is the moment the energy shifts. You’ll wake up with butterflies, music might be playing, and your people will slowly start filtering in. The morning sets the tone—so think of it as your personal warm-up to the main event.
Tips to start the day right:
Drink water before anything else—it makes a huge difference.
Eat a real breakfast, even if you're nervous. Think protein and carbs, not just coffee and nerves.
Wear something you feel good in for getting ready photos—whether that’s matching outfits or just a favorite oversized tee.
3. Hair, Makeup & Morning Prep
Hair and makeup is where the energy starts to build, and it's one of the only stretches of the day where you're mostly stationary—so it's a great time to eat, hydrate, and ease into things before the timeline really kicks in. Trust us: once we leave the getting ready space, the pace picks up fast, and many couples don’t get a chance to eat again until dinner. Having breakfast and snack trays (think fruit, granola bars, nuts, muffins) nearby is a lifesaver for you and your crew.
Give yourself plenty of buffer time in this part of the day. Hair and makeup often run a bit over (especially with multiple people getting styled), so we recommend overestimating how long it will take. If things finish early—great! You’ll have a few calm moments before everything picks up.
We also love to capture the final touch-ups if timing allows, let us know what time your makeup artist is scheduled to leave so we can check if it fits into the photo timeline.
This time is about soaking it all in—music, laughter, champagne (if that’s your vibe), and being surrounded by the people who love you most.
Keep the space tidy. Whether you're at a hotel, Airbnb, or bridal suite, try to designate a clean, well-lit area (preferably with natural light) for photos. A quick 10-minute clean-up dance party before we arrive goes a long way!
Gather your details. Have all the things you’d like photographed ready in one spot: invitation suite, rings, shoes, perfume, jewelry, vows, cufflinks, heirlooms, tie, watch, etc. Ask your florist for a few extra floral clippings too—those really elevate detail shots.
Expect a fly-on-the-wall vibe. We’ll be capturing all the in-between moments:
Candid interactions with your wedding party — laughs, nerves, hugs, and hype moments
Toasts, prayers, letter readings — perfect to do during this slower-paced window
Matching robes or outfits — we’ll capture the full cozy-glam vibe
Pre-dress/suit touch-ups — lip gloss, cufflinks, cologne, shoe lacing
Final moments of getting dressed —
For the bride: whoever is helping you zip, button, or tie your dress should be fully dressed and ready to be photographed beforehand
For the groom: the same goes for whoever is helping with your jacket, tie, or boutonnière
We'll move throughout the space quietly, documenting the natural flow—staying out of the way, but fully immersed in the moment so we can capture the genuine emotions that unfold.
4. First Look & Pre-Ceremony Photos (if you’re doing them)
Some couples choose to see each other before the ceremony for a “first look,” while others prefer to wait for that aisle moment. There’s no wrong choice—just what feels right to you.
Here’s how it usually plays out:
If you do a first look, it can be a private, emotional moment that calms nerves and gives you time together before the whirlwind begins.
We often use this time to take portraits of the two of you, wedding party photos, and even some family shots—freeing up more time after the ceremony.
If you choose not to do a first look, that’s totally okay! We’ll head straight into your ceremony coverage and save portraits for afterward. Just expect a longer photo block between ceremony and reception, especially if you're working with daylight.
5. Ceremony
Once it’s ceremony time, the best thing you can do is take a deep breath and let yourself be fully present. Let the build-up fade away and take it all in — the sounds, the scenery, the guests, and your partner waiting at the end of the aisle. Our biggest advice is to be in your moment. Smile when you feel like smiling, cry if you need to, laugh if something feels silly — let it be real. That’s the stuff the best memories (and photos) are made of.
Our approach during ceremonies is completely documentary. We try our best not to interrupt your guests’ experience or yours. That being said, we also follow the rules of the venue or church if there are any photo restrictions — so if there’s anything we should know about in advance, be sure to let us or your planner know!
A few quick things to keep in mind:
If you’re open to it, consider an unplugged ceremony — it ensures we can capture your guests’ faces and not just a sea of phones.
Try to stay a little “open” to your guests and not completely shoulder-to-shoulder facing each other the whole time (this helps them and the cameras catch your expressions).
Smile, laugh, cry, giggle — don’t hold back. This is your moment.
A longer first kiss gives us more time to catch the moment and get different angles!
Be ready — we may give a quick signal halfway down the aisle for a second kiss or fun celebration moment. Those "just married" shots with big emotion are gold.
6. Family Photos
Family photos are one of the most sentimental parts of the day — but also one of the most easily stressful if we don’t plan them out well. Our goal here is to make this part smooth, fast, and easy for everyone so you can get back to the fun.
These photos are usually taken either:
Before the ceremony (if you're doing a first look), or
Immediately after the ceremony (most common option).
No matter when we do them, the key is communication and simplicity. We highly suggest keeping this list focused on the most important family groupings that you know you want formal portraits with. You’ll have more time during cocktail hour or the reception for candid moments and group shots with extended family and friends — those just won’t be as formal or posed.
Here’s what helps:
Think through which family members are the most important to include in your formal list.
Decide if each of you want individual photos with your own families or if you prefer staying together in all groupings.
Solidify the list in advance and let those people know they’re included — and when and where to be ready.
If we’re doing some formals pre-ceremony, those people need to be fully dressed and ready by that time — make sure they know!
If family photos are post-ceremony, let included family members know to stay in the ceremony space (or go directly to the designated photo location).
Assign one person from each side of the family to help gather people. This is a HUGE time-saver and stress reliever, especially if we’re working with a large list or anyone tends to disappear.
7. Couple Portraits
This is your private moment… with me as your third-wheel. But seriously — your couple portraits are often the first quiet(ish) part of your wedding day, and we want it to feel special, fun, and like you two.
This time can happen at different points in the day depending on your timeline and preferences:
Before the ceremony if you're doing a first look
During cocktail hour
At golden hour for that romantic sunset glow
Or even spread across the day in small windows
We’ll go over this when planning your timeline, but whatever the case — this part of the day is about connection, not perfection.
To help make this time even better:
Think about spots around your venue that you love — we’ll prioritize those during portraits!
I’ll guide you through organic, natural movement — no stiff poses here.
Be open to walking a bit or sneaking away for a few quiet moments — even 10 minutes at sunset can be magic.
This is a time to breathe, laugh, hold hands, and soak each other in before the celebration kicks back up.
If you want champagne pops, private vows, or a quiet moment just the two of you — this is the time.
8. Cocktail Hour + Reception
Now it’s time to celebrate! We’ll go into full-on documentary mode again and basically become your personal paparazzi — capturing those real moments with your guests, details of your space, and the energy of the evening.
Here’s how we typically approach it:
We'll grab wide shots of the setup, tablescapes, signage, seating charts, and florals before guests enter the space.
We’ll roam during cocktail hour and reception to get candid moments, hugs, and laughter — and will stick close if there are any guests you want photos with.
When the food hits the table, we pause — we try not to photograph guests while they’re eating to avoid unflattering or awkward shots.
A few logistical tips to help this part run smoothly:
It’s best if we’re fed at the same time as you — this way, we’re done eating before major events (toasts, dances) begin.
If your planner or caterer is handling this, let them know to serve us early or at the same time as you.
If you're planning a grand entrance, special dances, surprise performances, or outfit changes — give us a heads up so we’re ready and in place.
If there’s a moment you want to sneak away for sunset portraits or a private last dance, let’s carve out time in the schedule.
Part 3: After the Wedding
Once the party’s over and you’ve soaked in your day — the fun part continues for me! I’ll be working through all your images and building a gallery that tells the full story of your wedding.
Here's what you can expect:
Sneak peeks come within a week — you'll get a curated handful of photos from each part of the day so you can relive the magic right away and share them with friends and family.
Your full gallery will be delivered based on your coverage time: typically about 2 weeks per hour of coverage. (If you booked 8 hours, expect the full gallery within 16 weeks or sooner — though I always aim to deliver ahead of schedule if possible.)
Your gallery will be delivered digitally, and you'll receive instructions to view, download, and share the images.
The online gallery will stay live for 6 months, so make sure to:
Download all your images to a safe place (ideally two different locations)
Share the gallery with loved ones — it’s super easy to access
Back up your favorites and create prints if you'd like!
💛 Final Thoughts
I’m truly so excited to be part of your wedding day. Being able to document this milestone for you is a huge honor, and I want the entire experience to feel seamless, fun, and true to you.
This guide is just a light overview to get your mind going — we’ll go much deeper once you’ve completed your final wedding questionnaire and we schedule our pre-wedding call. That’s when we’ll go through everything in detail, fine-tune the timeline, and make sure you both feel fully supported and confident heading into your day.
You’ve got this — and I’ve got you.
Let’s make some magic. 🖤