Hello love bird!

If you are here that means you have booked me for my wedding photography services! I can't wait to get to know you both and photograph one of the happiest days of your life. I created this wedding guide to answer some of my most frequently asked questions regarding timelines, vendor recommendations, and shot lists! I hope this guide helps you as you plan your special day.

Your details

The way I photograph this part of the day depends on your priorities and preferences!* If you are a detail oriented bride and hand selected your invitation suite with great care, I will take time at the start of the day by taking photos all the details in a flatlay. Having at least 30 minutes to do this is ideal!

* If you don’t care much about the flatlay photos and care more about the photos with your people, that’s totally okay! I’ll ask you about this in our pre-wedding call before the wedding.

Before I arrive, please have any following items of your choosing set aside for me to photograph.

Getting Ready

This part is mostly candids - but I usually try to make sure everyone is mostly ready before I take their photos - because you probably don’t want a photo of you with one eye of makeup on or hair half done :).

What to wear

Wear your comfy jammies, a vintage white robe, a white oversized button-up, satin matching sets… The possibilities are endless here! Sometimes having a visual helps. Here is some inspiration!

The First Look

One of the most common question I get as a photographer is - “should we do a first look?”

In the wedding planning world, it can be so easy to always ask “what are other people doing,” and forget that it’s your day and you can do whatever you want!

Have you always dreamed of seeing your groom for the first time as you walk down the aisle? Then don’t have a first look. Are you both introverted and want some moments alone together before the ceremony? Then I would advise a first look!

With that being said, there are a lot of benefits to a first look that I would love to share with you:

-Having a first look gives you a chance to have a private moment with your love, away from all the eyes on you at the ceremony. You get a few minutes away from the hustle and bustle, and spend a little time together, to soak up the love and excitement.

- With a first look, after you see each other you can hug, kiss, twirl, get a good look at each other without having to be on a time crunch and feeling like you need to move on with the ceremony to be done on time. This is one of the only times during the wedding that you’ll actually get to be alone, without keeping anyone waiting.

Needless to say, I love first looks. But this isn’t about me, so if you want to keep things traditional, that’s great! I’d never want my couples to feel like I’m pushing a first look on them, but I do want you to be informed!

The Portraits

After the first look, we’ll get some shots of just the two of you. I recommend asking your friends and family to give you space for this part (most people find it easier to relax when you don’t have an audience - but if you prefer having your personal hype people with you, absolutely go for it). If you don’t do a first look, we’ll do this part right after the ceremony! Either way, you’re bursting with love and excitement, and these photos will show it!

For the most part, I don’t do the super pose-y stuff, and I let the session flow naturally. If you’re feeling awkward, I’ll do something like ask you about your first date, or ask one of you to whisper something in the other’s ear - that way, we’re not just taking photos, we’re creating some moments, so that when you look back at each photo, you’ll be transported back to how you felt on the best day of your life.

The Bridal party

After your first look and couple’s photos, it’s time for the bridal party! I’ll get some photos of just the girls, just the guys, and some of everyone together. I’ll also make sure to get individual photos of the bride with each bridesmaid, and of the groom with each groomsman. And if you’re not doing a first look, I’ll do the girls’ and guys’ photos separately before the ceremony, and after the ceremony we’ll do a few of the whole party together!

I’ll make sure that the groomsmen arrive with boutonnières on, and the bridesmaids have their bouquets.

I know you want all of your best friends to have a blast at your wedding - so just like with the couple’s photos, I stay away from stiff poses. One of my favorite prompts for the bridal party is to have the couple kiss, and everyone else give a big cheer.

The Ceremony

This is it! The moment you’ve been waiting for. It’s easy to get lost in all the planning and stress, all the bells and whistles. But try to keep in mind the most important thing - which is the start of your lives together.

You’ll hear me say “lighting” a million times, but here it is again. Keeping lighting in mind, the best time to start your ceremony (photo-wise) is about 3 hours before the sunset. The lower the sun is, the better the lighting. The average ceremony is about 30 minutes long, but if you have special traditions that you want to incorporate, I’d allow an hour for the whole thing.

One important tip that I have is do not worry about asking your officiant to move out of the way before the first kiss. Usually the officiant is blocked when you two come close to kiss anyways.

All that to say, your wedding day is not about the photos, it’s about you and the start of your marriage!

Unplugged weddings

An unplugged wedding is when you invite your guests to be fully present in the celebrations and let your photographer be in charge of capturing the day. Though we completely understand that you want to document every moment and every angle of your wedding, you also want your guests to be present. Consider an unplugged wedding, or just ceremony, whatever makes sense for you! Let your guests be fully present and in front of the camera instead of behind.

The Family

You love your family, but if they’re anything like mine, they’re kinda nuts sometimes. And the excitement of the ceremony is so contagious. Understandably so, because you just got married! How could anyone not be stoked?

That’s why having a list of family members that you need photos with is always helpful. I recommend including names, as well as their role. For example: “Mother of the bride (Gina).” Since this is likely my first time meeting your family, this will make it easier for me to go down the list and call out names, and I can keep track of who’s gotten their photo taken and who hasn’t.

Definitely make sure to let any family members who are part of these formals know that they have to be there! Tell them where to go right after the ceremony, so that they know where to be. People often tend to wander during this part - people who need to be in more than one photo try to leave after the first one. While I will of course keep an eye on everyone and do my best to let people know when they’re done, I find it helpful if you also send a list of the family shots to each member of the family - that way they’ll know exactly what’s going on.

During this time, I will be prioritizing the classic, smiling family portraits as well as the candid in-between moments as your family members greet you and congratulate you. SO many precious hugs, hand squeezes, kisses, and wedding band inspections happen at this time that I love to document, so my advice for this part of the day is not to rush it. Soak in all the love.

If you didn’t do a first look, after family portraits is when we’ll get some photos of just the two of you. While all this is going on, all of your guests will be at the cocktail hour.

The reception

You did it!! You got married, and now it's time to party! During the reception I'll take some candids and some group photos, so if there are any friends or extended family members that you need photos with, now's the time! A lot of stuff happens during the reception, and I'll take photos of all of it. You have the freedom to make your reception your own!

Here are some common reception events:

• Bridal party entrance

• First dance

• Parent dances

• Anniversary dance

• Toasts

• Bouquet/garter toss

• Cake cutting

• Grand exit

Golden Hour

I always recommend that my couples schedule 10-15 minutes during the sunset for a few more couple’s photos. You’ll get that gorgeous golden light, and maybe a new location so that you have some variety in your photos. The best time to start these is about 30 minutes before the sunset time - which you can find with a quick Google search of your wedding date. I’ll be observing the light and sneak you two away at the most opportune moment!

Remember, these photos are not for me, they are for you. In the moment, if you’d rather spend time with your guests than go out for more photos, that’s totally okay!

What if it rains?

I know rain can be an anxiety causer for a lot of brides, but I just want you to know that you don't have to worry! I have photographed many weddings days without sunshine and moodier weather can still create gorgeously bright images. Here are a few details that may help you plan and hopefully alleviate any stress if the forecast predicts rainy weather!

Umbrellas

I have 4 clear bubble umbrellas for wedding parties and portraits with just you two if it is raining. You are welcome to purchase your own umbrellas, but mine are always available for use in the trunk of my car.

Rain Plan

The best way we can ‘beat’ the rain on a wedding day is having great attitudes. If we are dealing with rain during portraits, we will either use umbrellas the entire time, or hold umbrellas until we are in place, and then throw them to the side so you won’t have umbrellas in all your portraits. This is totally up to you and something we can deal with in the moment!

when things go wrong

Your wedding day is going to be surreal. You're going to feel loved beyond measure, and you're going to think your heart will burst. But stuff is going to go wrong! I promise. So embrace that, it's part of your story, and enjoy it all. Let loose, don't worry about getting your dress dirty, and get down on the dance floor. And if your lover's toast turns you into a puddle, let all that emotion come. Embrace it all.  Not only will it make for the best memories, it will make for the best photos too.

You're getting married!

At the end of the day, that's what it's all about. Marrying your best friend and celebrating your love with those closest to you. I hope this guide was helpful for you as you plan your big day! My goal is to give you all you'll need to know to get your dream wedding pictures and have a valuable wedding photography experience.

Let me know if you have any questions about anything! I want to be your friend throughout the process and get to know your heart behind the wedding plans.

Thanks for everything! I look forward to celebrating with you.

Warmly,
Victoria

Venue

White Dove Barn
The Venue at Birchwood
The Barn at Sycamore Farms
The Monroe on 415th
Cedarmont Farms
Firefly Lane

VIDEOGRAPHER

Agape Films Co
Dogwood Films
Marvelous Light Media
John Meyers Videography
Wild Fern Weddings
Peerless Weddings

coordinator/ Planner

Mirwood Events
Violet and Vines
Weddings by Rachel
Elizabeth Events
Gathered Events

Content Creator

Cooks Bridal

Florist

Style by Tori
The Flower Chic
Kailey Lindsey Designs
Cali Roots Designs
Echoes of Eden

Catering

Wildberry Catering
Edley’s BBQ
Baja Burrito

H&MU

One10 Beauty
The Agency of Beauty
Amy Mac Makeup

DJ

Austin Tallant

SAMPLE TIMELINEs

Here are a variety of sample timelines with a *6 pm ceremony to get you thinking about how your day will unfold. Please keep in mind every wedding is unique and each timeline different! Please reach out to me with what you have in mind for your day and we can create a custom wedding photography timeline together. (:

* If your wedding is after daylight savings in late Autumn or Winter, remember to plan your ceremony time 1.5-2 hours before sunset. This way we’ll still have time for natural light photos during your cocktail hour.

9 hours of coverage

WITHOUT First Look

1:00 pm Photography coverage begins w/ details, getting ready
2:00 pm Bride puts on gown
2:30 pm Optional - First looks w/ bridesmaids, FOB, anyone!
2:45 pm Bridesmaids group photos
3:00 pm Brides immediate family photos
3:15 pm Groomsmen group photos
3:45 pm Grooms immediate family photos
4:00 pm Venue detail photos
5:00 pm Ceremony
5:30 pm Full bridal party photos
5:40 pm Family photos
6:00 pm “Just married” portraits
6:20 pm Bustle dress and touch-ups
6:30 pm Reception begins - grand entrance
7:15 pm Sunset photos (This will take no longer than 15 mins!)
10:00 pm Send off! Photography coverage ends

6 hours of coverage

WITHOUT First Look

2:00 pm Photography coverage begins w/ details, getting ready
2:30 pm Bride puts on gown
3:00 pm Bridesmaids/ bride immediate family photos
3:30 pm Groomsmen/ groom immediate family photos
4:30 pm Bride tucked away for ceremony, venue detail photos
5:00 pm Ceremony
5:30 pm Full bridal party/ Family photos
6:00 pm “Just married” portraits
6:30 pm Reception begins - grand entrance
8:00 pm Photography coverage ends

My shot list

Hey friend!

If you are here, that means you are in the beginning stages of planning your engagement session! Yay!

Engagement sessions are one of my favorite parts of the process for so many reasons, but mostly because I have an excuse to hang out with you before the wedding day! I know how nerve-racking it can be to step in front of the camera, so I created this guide to give you an idea of what to expect and what you can do to prepare for your session. I'll be sharing all the tips and tricks I've picked up over the years that help things go seamlessly. Let's do this!

What can I use these photos for?

You can use your engagement session images for your wedding website, save the dates, guest book, to share on social media, display in your house… the options are limitless!

How long is a session?

My engagement sessions are usually 1-1.5 hours long! Golden hour (morning or evening) is my favorite time to shoot in, hands down. You just can't beat that creamy dreamy soft light. 1.5 hours before sunset, or 20 minutes before sunrise is a great time to get the session started. To find the sunset/sunrise time of the area on that date, you can just google the location + date sunrise/ sunset time so we can plan accordingly (hair & makeup, errands, etc.)

What should I wear?

Create visual interest.

The textures, patterns, and movement of your outfits work together to create visual interest. Incorporating fabrics like lace, fur, leather, etc. into your engagement sesh outfits can make a photo dynamic and interesting. These elements add a ton of visual texture, which in turn brings more warmth to your images. And they'll work well with whatever location you decide on. Don't be afraid to play around! And if you are unsure if something looks good, just ask and I'd be happy to help.

See how each of these couples are true to themselves?
Are you an adventurous couple? Modern? Edgy? Classic? Fun? Play off of those things and dress true to you!

When should I schedule my session?

If you are using the photos for save the dates and invitations, scheduling your engagement session 6-8 months before the wedding day should give you ample time to get them printed and sent out to guests. If not, a good rule of thumb is 3 months! My turnaround time for an engagement session is within 3 weeks

Where should we take them?

Think about all the things you and your fiancé love to do together and incorporate them into your session. Do you love hiking together? Let's go on a hike in one of Middle Tennessee's amazing scenic trails. Enjoy picnics and drinking wine together? Arrington Vineyards may be your best fit. Love exploring the city? Let's take on downtown Nash. Let's get ice cream, go longboarding, or chill in a coffee shop. You can bring a guitar, a special family heirloom, a blanket, love letters, or polaroids. The possibilities are endless! If you have any specific ideas in mind, bounce them off me and we can make a plan together.

LOCATIONs

• Centennial Park

• Sevier Park/ 12 South

• Long Hunter State Park

• Percy Warner Stairs

• War Memorial

• Cornelia Fort Airpark

• Narrows of the Harpeth

• Cedars of Lebanon State Park

• Downtown Franklin

• Pinkerton Park (Franklin)

• Harlinsdale Farm (Franklin)

What should I expect during my session?

When you two arrive, we'll walk and chat for about 10 minutes or so before we start shooting so we can get to know each other a bit better! Once we start shooting, I'll be directing you and helping you out with posing. It's going to be SUPER awkward (just kidding.) If you're nervous, no need to worry. I'm not expecting you to show up and model for me, I'll help you out!

What happens if it starts raining?

If it's lightly sprinkling on and off, we can still go for it! I have clear umbrellas we can use in between shots. We could also move the session to another time of the day if rain is on the forecast for the original time of our session. If it is raining or storming all day, we could pick an indoor location like a coffee shop or we can always reschedule if our calendars allow.
(TIP: Ellington Agricultural Center is one of my favorite locations for rainy sessions because of all the overhangs!)

Get excited!

I can't wait to hang out with you two! Please let me know if you have any questions. I am so happy to help!