Your wedding invitations are the first impression your guests will see of your event. They reflect your style and include really great details like your names, wedding date, and location. I recommend bringing a self-addressed envelope and 2 invitations to be photographed (front and back).
In the sample photo below, you will see a cool custom invitation design styled with some rose petals, bringing a great pop of color and texture to balance out the graphic print. The second example on the bottom right showcases the front and back side of the custom wedding invitation made by the bride, save the dates, RSVP cards, food menus, and envelopes.
Custom anagram-style wedding invitation
Custom banner wedding invitation
2) The Rings
Have your engagement ring cleaned so it will be nice and sparkly! You can get your ring cleaned professionally at a jeweler or do it yourself with a jewelry cleaning solution. I like taking a detailed picture of the engagement ring and wedding bands together before the ceremony, but it can also be done at the wedding reception.
Below are a couple of examples of the "Ring Shot", done with a macro lens to show intricate details.
3) Well Dressed
The wedding dress alone is a classic picture. Make sure your dress is prepped for a close up with steaming out the wrinkles and removing all tags and extra padding (bring some scissors). Check out ETSY for beautiful custom wedding hangers. You can have personal details like your name or “Mrs.” added for a personal touch. If your wedding gown is one of the special ones that has a lot of hooked buttons in the back, get a small crochet needle from a craft store to help you get in and out of your dress faster.
Additional details for brides include jewelry, shoes, handbag, perfume, vows.
For groom details may include suit, belt, cologne, boutonniere, cufflinks, flask, socks, tie/ bowtie, shoes, vows, etc.
A candid bridal portrait with white bouquet.
Groom's details including camera cufflinks, big face watch, colorful boutonniere, black suit, and tie.
4) Florals
According to ChatGPT, the average cost of a bride’s bouquet can range from $100 to $350, depending on the size and types of flowers used. To get the most from your wedding flowers, ask your florist to deliver your bridal and bridesmaid bouquets to where you’re getting ready. Keep them in a cool spot and out of the sun, until needed for pictures. Your flowers should arrive in a vase with water, so also be prepared with a few small towels to wipe excess water off the stems when removed from the vases.
Bride in a tropical flower crown, getting ready with bridesmaids in pretty teal floral robes.
5) Hair and Makeup
One of the biggest things that can cause delay in the wedding day schedule, is hair and makeup running over on time. Make sure your hair and makeup artist is aware of how many people they are working with, and if anyone is getting an intricate updo.
All of the bridesmaids should be 100% ready with hair/makeup and completely dressed before the bride is finished getting ready.
Wear a robe or button up t-shirt during your hair and makeup application for an easy wardrobe change.
Ask for individual lashes if applying false eyelashes.
Bring some Visine for white eyes.
Do a trial run with your makeup artist before your wedding day to make sure you’ll love the colors and style.
Groom and Bride sharing an intimate moment during their "First Look"
6) The "Unplugged" Ceremony
Ask your wedding guests to put down their cell phones and be in the moment. Consider an “unplugged wedding” for during the ceremony. You can request your officiant to notify your guests at the start and have signs posted.
Bride and Groom pronounced husband and wife at Wayfarers Chapel, Palos Verdes. No phones in sight.
7) My storytelling approach to portraits
The more relaxed you are, the more your photos feel like you. When you’re not focused on posing or performing, your body softens, your expressions become genuine, and the story of your day will unfold! That’s where the magic is—those in-between moments, the laughter, the quiet glances—things that can’t be forced but are felt.
I promise to always guide you with direction for the best portraits, so you have those frame-worthy images, but I’m equally focused on capturing the storytelling moments happening all day long. The balance of both means your gallery won’t just look stunning—it will feel like your day, exactly as it unfolded.
Groom and Bride on the beach at sunset
8) Family Formals
The only list I require ahead of time are the family formals. Examples include bride and groom with bride's family, bride and groom with groom's family, bride and groom with siblings, bride and groom with bride's family and extended family, etc.
The recommended time for doing family formals is immediately following the ceremony and before cocktail hour.
Pictured above: a non-traditional, super-fun, family-formal picture of bride and groom with both sets of parents and siblings.
9) Trust me
Trust me when I say, I want to make sure we get EVERYTHING you wish for in regards to your wedding photos... so please avoid the “Shot List.” There’s nothing more disruptive to documenting the natural flow of your day than pulling out a detailed “shot list” with images you found on Pinterest. What works for me is knowing what’s important for you to remember. Do you want a lot of details? Lots of pictures of your guests? Extended family pictures? Romantics of the Bride and Groom? I got you. Let’s keep the day flexible and stress-free.
Groom and Bride fun portrait at Sunset with "Mr & Mrs" signage
10) Enjoy your day!
My last tip but the most important one is... enjoy the day you have planned! Your wedding day will be one of the best days of your life and it will go by too fast. Enjoy your day, every moment, and take it all in. The next chapter of your life is about to begin!
A candid moment of bride and groom during speeches at their reception
