your wedding guide

Cheers to the soon to be NEWLYWEDS! 🍾

A huge “to-do” just got checked off your list, and I couldn’t be more excited to be a part of your big day! 🎉 From the moment you wake up to the last dance of the night, we are going to have SO much fun together. This guide is here to help you plan for every photo-worthy moment, so you can fully enjoy your day without any stress. 

Here. you’ll find everything from how to prepare for stunning getting-ready shots to tips on organizing family photos, creating the perfect wedding day timeline, and what to expect when it comes to the reception and those epic dance floor moves. It's packed with practical tips, timelines, and a few fun suggestions that will make your wedding photos absolutely unforgettable. This guide will give you the tools you need to feel organized and confident, so you can relax, enjoy the day, and trust me to capture all the moments that matter most. 

getting ready pics 🍾

The getting ready shots are a great way to start documenting your day! Here's how we can optimize the time spent:

Groom Preparation:

• About 45 minutes is ideal for the groom. I usually photograph the grooms getting ready images first.
• Ensure the groom and the rest of the crew have their shirt and pants on prior to my arrival. Shoes,
• Socks, ties, cufflinks, watches, rings, aftershave and any other sentimental items can all be popped aside in a box so I can get the detailed shots out of the way first.
• Have jackets hanging neatly on coat hangers.
• Parents of the groom should be dressed and ready.
• Keep the rooms decluttered.

What generally happens:

• I arrive and scope out the area and plan on locations to use for detail shots, getting ready shots and some fun beer photos with the crew. I love to photograph near large windows, or rooms that are generally very well-lit.
• We'll also take some nice portraits of groom, groomsmen and family. Men are pretty basic, so they get photographed quite quickly.

Bridal Preparation:

• About 1-1.5 hour is ideal for the gals. This will allow time for detail shots, dress shots. hair, makeup, candid moments, bride getting dressed, first look with the gals and/or parents.
• Talk to your Hair & Make Up artist for an approximate time they'll be finished. Ideally I'd love to arrive just as the brides finishing touches are being completed, so I can take some images.
• If the ladies have matching gowns and would love some fun images taken, please allow 15 minutes. Champagne welcomed! Otherwise make sure all the bridesmaids are dressed prior to my arrival.
• Parents of the groom should be dressed and ready.
• Have your shoes, veil, jewelry, perfume, rings, invitations and any sentimental items ready for detailed shots. Pop these aside in a shoe box or container.
• Have your wedding dress hanging up and out of the bag - makes things easier for me for relocation of the dress shot.
• Keep the rooms decluttered.

What generally happens:

• I arrive and scope out the area and plan on locations to use for detail shots, getting ready shots and some fun photos with the crew. I love to photograph near large windows, or rooms that are generally very well-lit. If you have any ideas or would love to incorporate anything into getting ready images, let me know and we can plan it out together.
• We'll also take some nice portraits of bride, bridesmaids and family.

first looks 👀👰🤵

First Look with Parents or Bridesmaids (usually done at Brides getting ready)

• Consider doing a first look with your parents or bridal party before the ceremony. It can be an emotional moment and adds another layer of memory to your day.

First Look with Your Partner

• A first look can be a beautiful way to share an intimate moment before the ceremony. If you decide to have one, we’ll find a quiet, private place for the two of you to meet, and I’ll be there to capture it. Don't stress - I'll position and tell you guys exactly what to do, and most importantly I WILL ALWAYS GIVE YOU TWO SPACE!
• It’s also a great time for portraits before the ceremony.
• Sometimes these are decided last minute incase the weather is forecasted to rain in the afternoon or specifically around ceremony time.

ceremony - tips for pics🍾

First Kiss

• Length of the First Kiss: The moment is brief but important. Be sure to savor it—don’t rush, and allow me to capture those authentic moments.
• If you’re planning on a dip kiss at the end of the aisle, practice beforehand so that it looks natural and not awkward. A strong dip should happen right as you’re at the end of the aisle. (give me the heads up if you plan on

Confetti

• Some venues may or may not allow confetti, so it’s worth confirming in advance. If it’s permitted, we’ll time it to make the moment as magical as possible!
• I will do my best to co-ordinate with the guests holding any confetti to throw it UP and not AT YOU.

timeline planning 🍾

If you’re unsure of how much time to allot for each section of your wedding day, I’m here to help! Many couples email me for timeline advice, and I’m happy to assist. I’ll also be available to help ensure that everything flows smoothly on the big day. One month before your wedding, I’ll send you a questionnaire to collect all the necessary details. We’ll also schedule a Zoom video chat 1-2 weeks prior to finalize the timeline and discuss any last-minute details.

But at the end of the day, I want you to know that you can have your day in ANY order!! Some couples decide to have a first look, some couples prefer to tie the knot first thing in the morning (and keep it a secret) and some couples want the A all the way to Z. Here's another example, a couple decided to do their first look in their backyard home in front of their immediate family members, photographed all their family combination photos afterwards, so by the time the ceremony came, we just went straight to bridal portraits. Literally whatever WORKS FOR YOU AND YOUR VISION!

Also, the one thing I always remind my couples - is the wedding timeline is going to change multiple times. If you're getting married 1-2 years out, your vision just might change as well.

But my most common question I get asked is 'Krystal, how long do I need for XYZ?' - Here's a EXAMPLE TIMELINE (this may alter depending on daylight savings)

WEDDING DAY TIMELINE EXAMPLE

11:00AM: Groom Getting Ready (45 minutes) + travel to brides location

12:00PM – Bride Getting Ready (1-1.5 hours) + travel to ceremony

2:30PM - Ceremony Detail Shots (15-30 minutes)

3:00PM: Guests Begin Arriving/Pre-Ceremony Photos

• The groom and guests will start arriving at the ceremony venue. A perfect way to photograph your guests arriving and settling in.

3:30PM: Ceremony (30 minutes)

• The ceremony typically lasts about 30 minutes. I’ll be there to capture all the important moments, including the vows, first kiss, and any special rituals you have planned.

4:00PM Congratulations, Group Photo & Family Photos (30 minutes - depending on the list of family combinations, more on this soon)

4:30PM: Bridal Party Portraits (30 - 45 minutes)

• We can either start bridal party portraits while your guests enjoy cocktail hour, OR you can get some food and a few drinks in to fill up and take the edge off, and then we can all sneak away for some bridal photos. I’ll capture candid moments of guests mingling and your beautiful decor. Some venues offer to drive the bridal party or couples around the property, so just communicate with them and I'll make sure we're on schedule. If you'd love some champagne poppers or coloured smoke bombs photos, organize that with either one of the bridal party members, or myself.

5:30PM: Reception

• Bridal Party Entrance
• First Dance
• Speeches You can allocate a specific time limit for your guest speakers.
• Dinner If it's a sit down meal, I normally don't like photographing while people are eating, so I'll use this chance to have a quick bite!
• Cake Cutting
• Any party games you plan to have

6:30 PM: Sunset Photos (30 minutes) - More on this down the page



7:00 PM Dancing, drinking & Candid Shots!

8:30 PM – 9:00 PM: Grand Exit

• The grand exit! Whether it’s sparklers, or confetti (depending on your venue), this moment is a fun way to close out the night. I’ll be there to capture you leaving in style. You can always have a 'fake exit' just for the gram, and then go back to PARTAYYYY!!!

KEY POINTS TO REMEMBER:

• The timeline can be adjusted to fit your wedding day specifics, especially if you have a longer reception or more time between events.
• Make sure to leave enough buffer time between each section. This helps account for any delays and ensures we don’t feel rushed.
• We can customize YOUR timeline TOGETHER! Either email me, or we can jump on a quick call.

GROUP PHOTO & portraits with the family!

Right after the bridal party walk back down the aisle and confetti is thrown, we're going to go straight into a GROUP PHOTO! Everyone is already at the ceremony, so it's much easier to organize then and there. Give me the Mic and I'll gladly co-ordinate the whole thing. A few snaps, and we're done! Everyone can start congratulating the newlyweds. I tend to communicate this with the Celebrant, it works really well!

Not going to lie, portraits with the fam should be a breeze, but I photographed some weddings where it was a nightmare. I REALLLLYYYY recommend photographing family combos right after the group photo.

So first thing is first, we have a few options for family photos: (YOU ARE GOING TO DO OPTION 1 and either OPTION 2 OR 3

1. Whoever is apart of your family list combinations, please send them a message to stick around for a family photo. Some guests are just VERY eager for a drink, so if they're prepared to wait a little longer, it'll help!
2. GIVE ME THE MIC & the family combo list, and I'll call out.
3. Organise someone who knows EVERYONE apart of your family photos (your sibling, aunty, mother) to help with the call out. Give them your list.

Family Photos

• Ideal Time: 30 minutes
• Family Combination List: In order to streamline family photos, it’s helpful to have a prepared list. Here’s a common list for reference:
• Bride & Groom with brides parents
• Bride & Groom with brides parents + siblings
• Bride & Groom with brides siblings
• Bride & Groom with brides grandparents
• Bride & Groom with brides aunts, uncles, cousins etc
• (we can also photograph bride with her mum and bride with her dad if we didn't get these images taken at 'getting ready')

• Bride & Groom with grooms parents
• Bride & Groom with grooms parents + siblings
• Bride & Groom with grooms siblings
• Bride & Groom with grooms grandparents
• Bride & Groom with grooms aunts, uncles, cousins etc
• (we can also photograph bride with her mum and bride with her dad if we didn't get these images taken at 'getting ready')

bridal party & couple portraits 🍾

Bride & Groom Portraits

• Ideal Time: 30-45 minutes for bridal portraits and couple shots.
• Location: We’ll find a quiet spot away from the hustle and bustle, ensuring a peaceful setting. Beautiful lighting is key—especially in the golden hour (the hour before sunset).
• I always recommend organizing with your catering to put aside a small box of food that we can take along with us to portraits (beers, champagne ARE ALWAYS WELCOMED) By the end of the ceremony and family photos, no doubt the whole crew will be hungry.

Sunset Images

The golden hour is the perfect time for romantic, soft light portraits. Depending on your wedding time and location, we can take advantage of the sunset to capture these beautiful shots.

• Ideal Time: 20-30 minutes before the sun sets.
• I’ll guide you to a scenic area for these intimate portraits. Be sure to allow this time in your timeline, and I promise it will be worth it!
• I always recommend just sneaking off with the bride and groom and take advantage of the golden sun, it's also a nice way to just take a breather and catch up with each other.
• The time may differ depending on the weather forecast, daylight savings or the venue location (as in, mountains blocking the sun earlier)

visit your wedding venue in advance

I highly recommend visiting your wedding venue around the same time of year as your wedding, or at least during daylight savings time, if applicable. This allows you to get a better sense of the lighting and atmosphere during the time of day your wedding will take place. Here's why:

• Lighting: Knowing how much natural light your venue receives at your wedding time can help us plan for beautiful portraits, especially if your ceremony or reception is outdoors or in a space with large windows.
• Venue Layout: It’s important to get familiar with your venue’s layout, including where we can take your couple portraits, family photos, and any group shots.
• Logistics: This also helps in understanding the flow of the day, such as where everyone will be getting ready, the timing for transitions (especially if there’s travel between locations), and the overall vibe of the space.
• If your wedding falls within daylight savings time, visit the venue to see how the lighting changes during the day and plan accordingly for sunset shots or timing of key moments like the first kiss.

wet weather plan 🌧️☔

While we all hope for perfect weather on your wedding day, it’s always a good idea to have a wet weather plan in place, just in case! Here are some tips to ensure you’re prepared for unexpected weather:

• Outdoor Ceremonies: If you're planning an outdoor ceremony or reception, speak with your venue about alternative indoor locations in case of rain. Many venues have backup spaces or tents that can be used at the last minute.
• Umbrellas: Consider having some clear umbrellas on hand for your bridal party and guests. These can look stunning in photos while also keeping everyone dry.
• Plan for Indoor Photos: If your venue doesn’t have a large indoor space, think about some nearby places you can go for photos if the weather isn’t cooperating. I can help with this and suggest nearby spots that will provide a beautiful backdrop in case of rain.
• Having a back-up plan ensures that no matter what the weather brings, your wedding day can still be filled with stunning memories and photos. Don't stress if it rains—we’ll make it work beautifully!

recommended vendors

One of my favorite things to do as a photographer is to give credit where it’s due! All the amazing vendors who help bring your wedding day to life deserve a shout-out, and I love tagging them in photos whenever I can. To make sure we don’t miss anyone, I recommend keeping a list of all your wedding vendors in your phone’s notes. Here are my go-to local businesses.

i'm excited for my pics!! 🍾

• After the wedding, I’ll send you a sneak peek within a couple days so you can start reliving the magic and have something to post on socials.
• Your final gallery will be delivered in high resolution, and you’ll be able to download and share with family and friends.

album designs & print orders

When it comes to preserving your wedding memories, nothing compares to the quality of a professionally printed album or fine art print. While it might be tempting to order prints from a local store or online retailer, those prints often don’t do justice to the beauty of your photos. Professional labs use high-end materials, ensuring that every image is printed with stunning clarity and color accuracy that will last for generations. The albums I offer are crafted with premium quality paper, durable covers, and custom options that reflect the elegance of your day. These aren’t just photos—they’re heirlooms that will be passed down, telling the story of your wedding in the best possible way. Trust me, there’s no better way to showcase your memories than with beautifully printed products that stand the test of time.

I also offer 6x4 prints with a discount code, so you can easily create your own photo collection. Just keep in mind, this discount is exclusive to 6x4 prints—other sizes are available at regular prices. Trust me, there’s no better way to showcase your memories than with beautifully printed products that stand the test of time.

any other questions, please ask - this guide is forever getting updated

Your wedding day is going to be one of the most epic days of your life, and I’m beyond excited to be there to capture it all! From the big moments to the little ones, I’ll be by your side, ready to snap all the memories while also cheering you on like your bestie and third wheel for the day. You can count on me to be on the dance floor, dancing like nobody's watching and helping you celebrate in style!

And hey, the fun doesn’t stop when you tie the knot! If you choose to start a family (and I’m betting you’ll make some adorable little ones), I’m here for all the milestones—from engagement sessions to maternity shoots, newborn photos, and those fun family portraits as your crew grows. I’ll be there to document every precious moment as your love story continues.

So let’s get ready to make some memories that will last a lifetime. I can't wait to be part of your big day, and I promise we'll have a blast doing it!