THE WARMTH AROUND YOU
WEDDING GUIDE & VENDOR LIST
Alrighty, this is the holy grail of wedding guides. From timeline tips to recommended vendors, even ways to make changing your name easier and all the in-betweens we have taken all the knowledge we have learned over the years of weddings that we have photographed and broken it down into a nice, simple, manageable guide for our couples to use when they're working through planning their big day!
A lot of this stuff we like to talk over with our couples in person, but we also like to send this guide so that you can have it to refer back to and use throughout your wedding planning process!
TIPS, TRICKS, AND EVERYTHING IN BETWEEN
ENGAGEMENT PHOTOS
Our engagement sessions include two outfits and two locations! Pick outfits you feel comfortable in. Shoes you feel comfortable in.
As far as color schemes, we just suggest staying away from anything neon and bright. Neutral is always a safe bet, or if you want to go bold, we suggest red ;)
THE DAY OF:
GETTING READY
Getting ready photos always have anticipation hanging in the air and ahappy-nervousness of everyone preparing for the day!
These moments can be easily be overshadowed by a cluttered bridal suite and not-so-ideal lighting conditions.Here’s a few things to consider about your getting ready location on the day of!
Keep it tidy.
Let's not kid ourselves though, when you have 8 ladies all getting ready in one room, it's gonna look like a bomb went off. Just keep one corner of the room free of clutter and you are good to go!
Window light is the BEST light.
Choosing a location with lots of windows and natural light will make the biggest difference in your getting ready photos!
"How long should we plan for our getting ready photos?"
We’ll likely arrive when your hair and makeup artists are putting the finishing touches. We really only need about the last 15-20 minutes of you getting ready, the final touches of hair and make up, zipping into your dress, putting your jewelry on.
Details, details, details!
While most our my work emphasizes the moments on your wedding day, we don’t want to leave out all the pretty details that help tell your story. When we arrive, it would be great to have any little details that you would like photos of (jewelry, veil, shoes, invite, bouquet) ready in one spot will make getting those detail shots quick and easy!
FIRST LOOK
Many photographers will push first looks. While we suggest that our couples consider having a first look, We will NEVER force you if you feel strongly about seeing your soon-to-be spouse for the first time during the ceremony. But, as a professional and someone who attends and photographs over 40 weddings a year, it’s our job to make sure you have all the information and pros and cons to make your decision. We wrote up a whole blog post on First Looks!
You can look at it here.
Not feeling a first look? No worries!
Junebug Weddings wrote an awesome article for anyone that prefers to wait until the ceremony. It has tons of ideas of how to create sentimental moments between the two of you without actually seeing each other.
Check it out here!
FAMILY PORTRAITS
While the majority of the day is focused on capturing emotion and unplanned moments, family formal photos are VERY important.
We encourage you to go ahead and think about the groupings you want included in your family formals time.
In our pre-wedding questionnaire you will be getting, there will be a spot for you to list out all the groupings you want during family formals. This helps us keep them quick, easy, and make sure no one is missed.
We start with the big groups and then smaller groups.
It is a LOT easier to start with big groups and let people go ahead to the reception once they are done with photos.
We also have a strict no cell phone/camera policy for this part of the day.
When people want to snap a picture on their own cell phone or camera, it can cause everyone to look in 6 different directions, as well as making the process take longer and further delaying you getting to your reception.
We tell people to feel free to gather groups up for their own family photos during the reception, but during designated "family photo time", We need all eyes and ears on us so we can properly direct everyone.
Feel free to let family members know that they have access to the full gallery and can snag them from you after they are all delivered :)
Your style is super non traditional, do you still do the “smile at the camera” family photos?
Of course! Our style focuses a lot on candid, intimate moments and highlights the life and movement of your day, but we know family photos are JUST as important. It's not very often that you are able to gather everyone together, and making sure you have photos with all of your loved ones is just as important to us as the other aspects of your day.
CEREMONY
Sunset is best.
We recommend doing outdoor ceremonies about 2 hours prior to sunset.
If you get the chance, we recommend going to your ceremony spot around the time of day that you are planning to have your ceremony, during the same time of year that your wedding will be.
(because the sun sets at different times throughout the year!)
Consider an unplugged ceremony.
It's okay to tell your guests that you want an unplugged wedding.
And it most certainly isn't rude.
Not only are cell phones and ipads eyesores in photos, but it truly brings your guests out of the moment and puts them behind a screen. Encourage them to be in the moment, present with you as you celebrate and take your vows.
Want an unplugged ceremony, but unsure how to tell your guest?
We wrote a whole blog post on how to educate your guests that you want an unplugged wedding in a polite way. Check it out here!
COUPLES PORTRAITS
Let me steal you two right after the ceremony.
Even if you do a first look prior to the ceremony, We LOVE to have a few minutes with our couples after their ceremony. That's usually a little closer to sunset, and sunset is when the light is the prettiest, and it gives the two of you a chance to really relish in the moment and say, “HOLY CRAP. WE ARE MARRIED!”
Just the two of you, please!
While everyone is so excited to spend time with you after the ceremony, I ask that the time during your portraits is just between us. Having extra people hanging around while we do your couples portraits can leave you feeling rushed, distracted, and a little nervous to have people watching you.
RECEPTION
We recommend rolling straight into your first dances after being introduced into your ceremony.
Breaking away from all of your excited guests to go do your first dance, cut the cake, etc. can be draining. Being introduced and then immediately starting your first dance will ensure that you have your guests attention for your dances.
Speaking of first dances...
Let’s talk about party lights.
Don't get me wrong now, I LOVE party lights. But I hate them during first dances.
Let your DJ's know that you want to keep the party lights off until after the first dances, it makes it so much more romantic. Once your first dances are done, turn them bad boys on and lets party!!
PHOTOBOOTH!
If there is anything we’ve learned from working at weddings, it’s that people LOVE photobooths! And that’s why we decided to offer that to our couples.
If you book our photobooth, you get $100 off for also hiring us to photograph your wedding. Perks, amirite?
Click here for more information on photobooths!
EXIT
Good times to incorporate an exit (thats right! It doesn't have to be at the very end of the night!)
-When you and your new spouse are walking down the aisle together after the ceremony
(this is my favorite, because you don’t have to move everyone anywhere or set anything up…it’s already ready to roll and feels so natural!)
-Lining your wedding party up and using them as your exit tunnel
-as you are walking into your reception
-and, of course, the traditional, as you are leaving your reception
Ideas for exits:
-Bubbles
-dried flowers + Lavender
-Sparklers
(click here to see our post on how to make your sparkler exit go smoothly!)
-Confetti
-Pom Poms
-bouquet tunnel
-streamers
-one last toast/drink!
Each of these options have pros and cons, and ultimately depend on what you are wanting to do for your exit and what works best for you! We also recommend talking to your venue to make sure they are okay with whatever exit you are planning!
HERE IS OUR BIGGEST TIP FOR YOUR ENTIRE WEDDING:
Find some time, even if it's just 5 minutes out of the entire day, to just sit and be with your spouse. Seriously. Do it.
Whether it's a few minutes alone in the car from your ceremony to your reception, during your first look, slipping away to eat alone together at your reception, make a little time for just you and your spouse on this day.
We can promise on everything that you will not regret stepping away to have just a few private moments with the love of your life. They very well could be most important and memorable moments from your entire day to just sit and soak up the importance of the commitment and choice to spend the rest of your lives together.
WEDDING VENDORS THAT WE LOVE
Planners & Coordinators
-Amy Tyler Weddings
-Infinity Events
- Connor & Co.
-Wells Design Co.
-Betts Made
Videographers
-Deeply Rooted Wedding Films
-Josh Diliyok Productions
-Cinegarden
PHOTOBOOTHS
-Far Out Photobooths, duh
DJ's
Hair Stylists
- Wallis Ashley
-Erica Manshack
Make-Up Artists
-Leigh Downing
-Kimberly Yasmine
Wedding Dress Boutiques
-Nicole Barré Bridal Boutique
-Maggie Louise Bridal
-BHLDN
-Low's Bridal
-The Bridal Theory
Florists
Wedding Venues
Memphis Wedding Venues:
Top 25 Memphis Wedding Venues
-The Atrium at Overton Square
-409 South Main
-Woodruff Fontaine House & Museum
-Annesdale Mansion
-Wiseacre Brewing Co.
Mississippi Wedding Venues:
-Hedge Farm Events
-The Mill at Plein Air
-The Jefferson Oxford
-Green Gates Farmhouse
Chattanooga Wedding Venues:
-The Grandview
-Waterhouse Pavilion
New Orleans Wedding Venues:
-New Orleans Pharmacy Museum
-French Quarter Wedding Chapel
Asheville Wedding Venues:
-The Venue
Calligraphy and Signage
Catering
-A Moveable Feast
-Bella Caffe (Fine Coffee & Expresso Catering)
pro-tip for the post-wedding headache of changing your last name:
Not gonna lie- I put off changing my last name for MONTHS after our wedding because it was just so daunting. What forms do I need? Who do I contact? WELL.
HitchSwitch is a service that tells you everything you need (and even sends you auto filled out paper work in the mail!) to get your name changed without the headache.
FAQ:
What if our timeline for our wedding is not exactly like what is listed above?
Every wedding day is not the same and there’s different considerations depending on various factors. We have your BEST interest at heart, which is why we are sharing all this info! Every wedding is different and has its own needs. This is just a very basic guide to help people when making decisions or help them think of the little things that may not have crossed their mind!
Our outdoor reception is planned forsunset, but we don’t want a first look. Is that going to be a problem?
Without a first look, we still need 30 minutes for family photos, 15 minutes for full wedding party photos, and 30 minutes for bride and groom photos before the sun sets and we lose our light. We definitely recommend either doing a first look before your ceremony, or bumping up your ceremony time to 2 1/2 hours prior to sunset so we can fit all your photos in after the ceremony.
Do you offer wedding albums? Why are your wedding albums more expensive than shutterfly albums?
If you have seen our albums in person, you know their quality is incomparable to shutterfly albums. I also take time to hand design each individual album to tell your story perfectly. Our albums are heirlooms that you can have for decades and pass down to your children. Click here to see a little bit more about our albums.
Can we purchase an album later on down the line?
Absolutely! We also tell people if you are wanting an album but it doesn't fit into your wedding budget, it's a GREAT thing to ask a friend or family member to gift to your as your wedding gift! We also have a LOT of couples that come back to purchase them around their one year anniversary as an anniversary present!
What better wedding present than your own memories?
How long after the wedding until I receive my photos?!
Our turn around time on delivering wedding images is usually 6-8 weeks after the date of your wedding.
Once I'm finished editing your wedding, you will receive an email with a link to your online gallery that allows you to download all of your photos. You can also share this link with your family and friends so they can download them as well! You are also able to order prints through your online gallery, and prints ship straight to your house.
Questions?
If you have ANY questions at all feel free to shoot us an email I'd be happy to talk it out!