-  Jayce & Brian

Thank you again for choosing to work with us and please don't hesitate to let us know if we can offer any additional guidance throughout the wedding planning process!

We’re so excited to be working with you and we can’t wait to get to know you better over the next several months! We know photography & videography is one of the larger investments you're making for your wedding day, and we're so honored you chose to work with us!

Even when you’re working alongside a wedding planner, there are still photo and video–specific questions that come up as you move through the planning process. From timelines and lighting considerations to how different moments flow on a wedding day, these details are where we come in — and where thoughtful planning makes all the difference.

Having photographed more than 130 weddings over the past few years, we tend to get asked the same questions by our couples, so we thought it would be beneficial if we put together a guide that walks you through everything from timelines to engagement sessions and inclement weather so you feel informed, prepared, and completely at ease as your wedding day approaches.

A NOTE ABOUT THIS GUIDE

Welcome

plan your session

We’re big fans of engagement sessions for a few reasons. Not only do they allow you to get comfortable in front of the camera, they also give you the opportunity to showcase your personalities in a more casual setting that is significant to the two of you. We've created an entire page dedicated to outfit tips, location ideas, timing considerations and more!

Engagement Session

Dress
Undergarments
Shoes
Veil
Bouquet
Ring
Hair pieces and jewelry

Session Checklist 

Wedding venues are usually a wonderful place to start - especially historic homes and resorts that have well manicured areas. We want to keep your dress as clean as possible and still get a lot of amazing images inside and outside.

When it comes to selecting a date for your bridal portrait session, another great thing to keep in mind is the weather. In order to avoid being too hot during the summer months or too cold during the winter months, we highly recommend Spring and Fall. However, we'll shoot anytime and anywhere there's great light!

Many venues charge a fee for portrait sessions. Although inconvenient, the fee is often worth it in order to have use of their getting ready room and other venue services. We typically have to work with the venues on times, but we love to shoot bridal portraits in the afternoon as late as we can to get that softer afternoon light. However, if your venue has strict hours, we are happy to work with their allotted times.

Make sure to bring your jewelry, your veil and your shoes to your bridal portrait session! 

There's a big difference between looking at yourself in the mirror at a hair and makeup trial and actually seeing how that hair holds up in the elements and how that makeup photographs. When it comes to being confident in your choices on your wedding day, photos are invaluable!

If you're considering a Bridal Portrait Session, we recommend a full trial run of hair, nails, makeup and your bouquet. We typically spend 2 hours shooting  bridal sessions and it's nice to have something to hold to make your hands, we do love props!

When it comes to choosing a location for your bridal portrait session, we recommend using locations that are well manicured, clean, and have great variety in indoor and outdoor locations.

Gorgeous Photos + practice run for the big day 

Bridal Portraits

That moment the Bride and Groom see each other for the first time on their wedding day is magical. And this is true whether the couple chooses to wait until the bride walks down the aisle or chooses to do a “first look’ prior to the ceremony.

First looks—a private moment couples choose to spend together prior to the wedding ceremony—have become more popular over the last few years. Over half of our couples this past year chose to do a first look.

While we consider ourselves people who value tradition, there are definitely a few good reasons to consider a first look. Here are 3 reasons to consider a ‘first look’:

IF YOU'RE WONDERING WHETHER A FIRST LOOK IS RIGHT FOR YOU, STOP HERE

First Looks

If you’re expecting poor weather on your wedding day, it might be best to plan on a first look because it gives you more options for pictures. If it’s pouring rain after the ceremony, you’ll be thankful you had pictures done in advance.

And reason 3b is for all you cryers out there. If you know the tears are going to fly the first time you see your other half the day of your wedding, a first look will give you time to freshen up before the ceremony.

First look or not, the first time you see each other on your wedding day will be special.

03

When there is no first look, the majority of the pictures have to be taken after the ceremony. Family pictures are generally done as soon as the ceremony ends because it’s the easiest time to round everyone up. Next up is full bridal party, and then bride and groom portraits. This generally runs into cocktail hour.

A first look opens up time prior to the ceremony for full bridal party pictures and, sometimes, for a few bride and groom portraits (although we prefer to do bride and groom portraits at sunset). This allows the couple to get the most out of cocktail hour, which makes the rest of the evening feel less rushed.

It makes more time for pictures without sacrificing cocktail hour  

02

Avoid possible bad weather and/or have time to freshen-up after the first look  

Once the ceremony begins, the day takes off quickly. A ‘first look’ is an opportunity to enjoy some quiet time alone, enjoy each other’s company, and reflect on all this day means before your day takes off.

Wedding days can be a whirlwind and they tend to fly by. There’s much to do, and a lot of people to see and to catch up with. We always encourage our couples to take a few minutes every so often during their wedding to stop and soak in everything that’s happening.

A first look cuts through the chaos of the day

01

If you're doing a first look, we can capture all photos with bridal party, families and groom & bride portraits before the ceremony (we will still capture more husband & wife portraits after the ceremony, especially at sunset)

If you choose a traditional aisle reveal, all we ask is that you keep your ceremony time in mind when planning your wedding.

If you're planning a sunset ceremony or an evening ceremony, it's best to do all photos before the wedding, as daylight is crucial to getting amazing portraits for your families, bridal party and your couples portraits. Making sure we have enough time while the sun is up is a great way to make the traditional ceremony work.

Whether you choose to do a first look or the traditional "no see before the ceremony" we will work with you and your planner  on making sure you have the best timeline and plan for images.

If you're choosing to go traditional, you'll need to plan to do your bridal & bridemaids portraits before the ceremony along with the grooms & groomsmen portraits. It is important to take these portraits in two seperate locations so there is no risk of you seeing each other prior to the ceremony.

After the ceremony we will take family formal portraits along with full bridal party and husband and wife images.


tips for a seamless wedding day timeline

timeline

Wedding Day 

building the perfect

view the timeline

Wedding Timeline without a First Look

view the timeline

Wedding Timeline with a First Look

Example Timelines

view the timeline

Timeline Breakdown

Our timeline is carefully structured to give each part of the day the right amount of time so everything flows naturally and nothing feels rushed.

View Breakdown

This hour is dedicated to photographing and filming bridal details and final hair and makeup moments. We capture the dress, shoes, rings, jewelry, invitations, bouquet, and the atmosphere in the room as the morning comes together.
This time allows everything to be documented beautifully without rushing and keeps the day flowing smoothly.

Ideally, by the time we arrive, hair and makeup is already wrapping up as HAMU is most often what delays the start of the day, we recommend the bride not be last to receive services.

60 min

Final TOuches & Details 

Final Touches & Details 

This hour covers the bride getting into her dress, including special moments like mom or bridesmaids helping with final touches. Once dressed, we use this time for bridal portraits, capturing her beauty, excitement, and the calm before the day begins.
The full hour allows us to move between multiple locations on the property for a variety of portraits, ensuring we capture every angle, light, and detail beautifully without feeling rushed.
group photos. 

60 Min

Bride Getting Dressed & Portraits

Bride Getting Ready and Portraits

By this time, the groom is dressed and ready for portraits. We focus on clean, classic shots that highlight his style and confidence, keeping the morning relaxed and seamless.

15 MIN 

GROOM PORTRAITS

Groom Portraits

This time allows us to get the groom in place and ready for the first look. We then bring the bride to him, ensuring the moment is set up beautifully and captured from every angle without feeling rushed.

15 MIN

TRAVEL TO FIRST LOOK

Travel to First Look

15 MIN

This is the moment the bride and groom see each other for the first time. We capture genuine reactions, intimate details, and the emotions of the moment, creating images that feel natural, heartfelt, and full of joy.

FIRST LOOK 

First Look

30 MIN

This time is dedicated to capturing the couple together after the first look. We move through multiple locations on the property to create a variety of portraits, focusing on natural moments, connection, and the calm excitement of the day.

BRIDE & GROOM PORTRAITS

Bride & Groom Portraits

This time is dedicated to capturing the bridal party in a relaxed and fun way. We start with the bride and her bridesmaids, then the groom with his groomsmen, and finish with the full bridal party together.
Dividing the time this way allows us to get a variety of poses and candid moments while keeping the energy light, joyful, and natural.

30 MIN

BRIDAL PARTY

Bridal Party

This time is dedicated to capturing all formal family portraits in an organized and relaxed way. Make sure family members know when and where the portraits will be taken, and have a bridal party member nearby to help gather anyone who might be missing.
This approach keeps the process smooth, efficient, and stress-free, while ensuring every important group is captured beautifully.

30 MIN

FAMILY FORMAL

Family Formals

While the couple takes a few minutes to refresh before the ceremony, we capture the ceremony details and guests arriving. This ensures every element, from florals to seating, is beautifully documented without taking time away from the main events.

15 MIN

Couple Refresh

Couple Refresh

This time is dedicated to capturing the full ceremony—from the processional to the vows and the first kiss. We focus on both the big moments and the small details, ensuring the emotion, beauty, and energy of the day are fully documented.

15 min

Ceremony

Ceremony

During this hour, guests mingle and enjoy drinks while we capture candid moments, decor, and details—everything from signage and specialty drinks to the atmosphere of the celebration.
We also take time for relaxed husband & wife portraits and photograph the reception setup before guests enter. This ensures all the little details, intimate moments, and the energy of the day are beautifully documented without interrupting the flow of the celebration.

60 min

Cocktail Hour

Cocktail Hour

This time covers guests being invited to dinner, the couple taking a brief refresh, the grand entrance and introductions, the first dance, parent dances, and speeches or toasts.
We capture all these milestone moments seamlessly, ensuring every key interaction, reaction, and emotion is beautifully documented while keeping the evening flowing naturally.

120 min

Reception

Reception

This time captures the party in full swing—dancing, candid moments, and guests enjoying the celebration. We focus on the energy, laughter, and connection on the dance floor, documenting the night as it unfolds naturally while ensuring no moment is missed.
We capture all these milestone moments seamlessly, ensuring every key interaction, reaction, and emotion is beautifully documented while keeping the evening flowing naturally.

120 min

Party 

Party

view next

Make sure to work with your planner, to check in with your entire vendor team to make sure they're aware of the weather. Hair and makeup may need to be tweaked to withstand humidity and if your wedding is outdoors, DJs and bands may need to take extra precaution to protect their gear. A quality rental team can also minimize the amount of mud at outdoor events.

While we can't guarantee that rain on your wedding day is good luck, we can put a plan in place to ensure a beautiful day and beautiful imagery.

Rainy day weddings may require a little more flexibility and creativity, but there isn't any reason why they can't be as beautiful and as joyful as sunny weddings!

If the forecast is calling for rain, fear not because rainy days can still be beautiful! 

If rain is in the forecast, we recommend ordering a few clear umbrellas on Amazon. It also might be good to re-evaluate portrait locations to make sure we can still shoot in natural light - even if it means heading offsite. 

If you don't own a pair of cute Wellies, now may be a great time to order a pair - even if you're just wearing them in between shooting locations. 

Rain Tips

We love capturing all the little details you've carefully chosen to be a part of your wedding day! Once we arrive at your wedding, we need about 30 minutes to capture and style details. We recommend choosing a getting ready location filled with natural light and, if possible, please keep the space free from trash and clutter.

It would be wonderful if you could put all of your rings, jewelry, shoes, veil, purse, perfume, invitations and other keepsakes together in one spot for us. Please unwrap your dress but don't worry about styling it - we'll hang it in a beautiful spot! 

Details

Wedding Day 

Dress
Dress Hanger (a pretty one!)
Rings (both engagement and wedding bands)
Shoes
Veil
Bouquet
Ring
Hair pieces
Jewelry
Invitation Suite (2 full sets with envelopes + stamps)
Any other paper stationary you may have like program cards.
Vow Book
Any other sentimental keepsakes you would like to include
We once had a bride bring her grandmother's hand mirror. This is completely optional - but if you have something sentimental you'd like styled with your details, we love including family heirlooms in our detail shots.
Bonus: We'd love to have a few cuts of the florals you'll be using throughout your wedding day. If your florist will supply us a small bucket of extra pieces we can incorporate those in your detail shots.

print this checklist

BRIDAL DETAILS CHECKLIST 

print this checklist

His shoes
Socks (if they're special)
Cuff Links
Tie or Bow Tie
Pocket Square
Boutonnière
Vows Book
Rings
Anything else he'll have that is special or sentimental.

Groom DETAILS CHECKLIST 

When we can, we always try to take a photo of your rings while you're getting ready. If possible, try to have your engagement ring cleaned or clean it yourself.

To clean at home, soak your ring in warm water with dishwashing soap for 20 to 40 minutes. Then gently brush the stone with a soft toothbrush, rinse and repeat if needed.

The Rings

Please note that this list is just a starting point and that we're happy to take any requested family portraits as long as time allows!

print + adjust this checklist

Couple Alone
Couple with flower girl and ring bearer
Couple with Client #1’s parents
Couple with Client #1’s parents and siblings
Couple with Client #1’s parents, siblings, and spouses/kids
Couple with Client #1’s grandparent(s)
Couple’s parents together
Couple with Client #2’s parents
Couple with Client #2’s parents and siblings
Couple with Client #2’s parents, siblings, and spouses/kids
Couple with Client #2’s grandparent(s)
Couple’s parents together
Couple with both sets of parents Couple with both sets of families
Couple with any kids present
Couple with grandparents individually

Family Formals Checklist

For family portraits, we’ll place you in the center of a large group photo with all of your grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins, siblings, godparents, etc. And then we’ll remove the extended family so it’s just grandparents, parents and siblings.

We’ll keep removing family members and switch a few closer family members in and out so we get photos of you and your parents, you and your siblings, some with the groom and your family, etc. Then we’ll repeat the process with your spouse's family. The whole thing will go quicker and smoother if you let family know how the portrait process will work ahead of time.

When we send out our pre-wedding questionnaire, we'll ask you for a list of specific groupings, special situations (such as divorces or family members with disabilities & more), but if you want to start brainstorming photos in the meantime, you'll find our typical list below. 

your entire family, dressed up and together 

Family Formals

If you've been to a wedding recently, you may have seen a sign from the happy couple asking for their guests to remain "unplugged" during the ceremony. 

And while it might seem like a strange requests to ask guests to put down their phones, there's a pretty good reason for it! You made a big investment in photography & or videography and we're sure one of the last things you want on your wedding day is for our photos of your ceremony to be filled with obtrusive iPhones, iPads and relatives standing in the aisle with their own cameras. In order to help us do the best possible job capturing your wedding, we recommend asking guests to unplug during the ceremony.

CONSIDER UNPLUGGING

If your reception is at a separate venue, add some "fluff time" so that we can run over to the venue to capture it while it's still "untouched" by guests.

Fluff Time

05

If you're planning on having a first look with your bridal party or a parent, they often feel more comfortable being fully dressed in their wedding attire. 

First looks for parents

04

Make sure and have your bouquet delivered in time to make an appearance for the detail shots and for your first look. Often they are delivered in water and need to be dried off before use. Having towels handy can help.

Extra Florals

03

If it's going to be hot, a cooler of cold waters and frozen washcloths can help keep a wedding party cool.

Prep for the heat

02

If you're getting married in the summer months, a "not-so-heavy" snack or lunch time before portraits is always a good idea for you and your bridal party to avoid hungry bellies and the possibility of fainting!

Don't forget the snacks

01

tips

Additional

We'd love to help you plan your timeline. If you'd like our input, don't hesitate to email or call!

We're here to help

09

During the cocktail hour and the reception, we'll follow you around. Anytime you'd like a photo with someone, grab our attention. We love being your personal paparazzi!

Photo anyone?

08

Family portraits go smoother when both sides of the family have a chance to have their input on what portraits they'd like before the wedding. If you supply us with a list ahead of time, we can go over it and make sure we shoot things in an order that is efficient and won't leave anyone out.

Make a list

07

We always recommend the bride go into hiding 30 minutes before the ceremony at the absolute latest. Guests typically arrive early to weddings.

Hide the bride

06

We’re big believers that images aren’t meant to solely exist in a digital space. One day, most likely, Instagram will be gone, your phone will be replaced and images that you can physically hold in your hand will be the best way to remember those precious moments we captured.

Think about this fact: twenty years ago, if we had delivered you digital images, they would have been on a floppy disk. With the fast updates to technology, you would have no way to access those images today. Even the online galleries we deliver will eventually fade away.

One of the best ways to make your wedding memories last is by ordering an album. These high quality professionally designed albums come in a variety of linen & leather colors. These aren’t the same albums your parents' wedding photos came in. They’re modern, lay perfectly flat and look incredible on a coffee table.



THE PERFECT WAY TO REMEMBER YOUR WEDDING DAY

Handcrafted Albums

After we deliver your gallery, we'll work with you to order prints and design an album that will become an heirloom for your family. 

Albums must be prepaid before design begins and typically take between 6 to 8 weeks to complete (including revisions). 

With the exception of printing errors, all albums are non-returnable. Albums may be ordered anytime before or after the wedding day. The holiday deadline for beginning an order is November 1st.

(8x8, 20 pages) 

Linen: $450 each for Linen
Leather: $700 each
Additional 2-page Spread: $40 each

DUPLICATE PARENT ALBUMS

Linen: $950 for Linen
Leather: $1150
Additional 2-page Spread: $50

20 page 10x10 album


PRICING

Wedding albums are available a la carte or as part of your wedding collection. 

We can't wait to start planning with you and getting to know you! If you haven't scheduled your engagement session yet, let's get that in the books. Feel free to email us any time at jaycekeil@gmail.com.

If you have any questions or would just like to chat, we're here for you. We hope this guide helps make the process of planning your wedding details much easier and less stressful. We can't wait to see you soon! Thank you so much for taking the time to read through our guide!

Thank you!