A smooth, joyful wedding day starts long before the actual date. Thoughtful planning ahead of time allows my team and me to focus on what we do best — capturing real moments, genuine emotion, and the in-between magic that makes your day uniquely yours.

Here are some key things to plan for before your wedding day when working with me.

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1. Make Sure You Fill Out the Questionnaire

This one is big.

Your questionnaire gives me insight into:

• Your story
• What matters most to you
• Your priorities, people, and moments
• Any special traditions or surprises

The more thoughtfully it’s filled out, the better I can plan my approach to your day. This isn’t just paperwork — it’s how I get to know you and make sure your photos and film reflect who you are.

If you haven’t filled it out yet, this should be one of your top planning priorities.

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2. Plan a Complimentary Engagement Session

If you haven’t already, let’s schedule your complimentary engagement shoot!

Engagement sessions aren’t just about photos — they’re about connection. It gives us the chance to:

• Get comfortable working together
• Learn how you move and interact naturally
• Shake off any camera nerves
• Build trust before the wedding day

By the time your wedding arrives, we won’t feel like strangers — we’ll feel like a team.

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3. Plan Vendor Meals Into Your Catering & Timeline

When planning your catering and timeline, be sure to include meals for your photographer and videographer!

My team and I typically eat at the beginning of service when you eat, which allows us to stay close and not miss important moments like:

• Toasts
• First dances
• Surprise speeches
• Unplanned, emotional moments

Planning this ahead of time keeps the day flowing smoothly and ensures we’re always ready when something special happens.

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4. Build Your Timeline With Photo + Video in Mind

A realistic timeline makes all the difference.

As you plan:

• Build in buffer time throughout the day
• Avoid stacking events too tightly
• Allow time for transitions, travel, and breathing room. I always tell couples, give yourself more time then you think you need. Most likely, you will need it, and if you don’t then you’ll have a few minutes to relax and enjoy your wedding day.

A relaxed timeline helps your day feel calm — and allows us to capture moments naturally instead of rushing through them.

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5. Coordinate Hair & Makeup Timing Early

One of the most important planning details is hair and makeup timing, and creating a realistic timeline.

When creating your schedule:

• Plan for hair and makeup to be nearly finished when we arrive
• Leave time for final touches to happen on camera
• Avoid being fully dressed before coverage begins

These finishing moments are some of the most beautiful to capture and help set the tone for the rest of the day.

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6. Think Through Your Getting-Ready Location

Before the wedding, decide:

• Where you’ll be getting ready
• Which space has the best natural light
• Who will be present in that room

A calm, light-filled environment creates a more relaxed atmosphere and results in cleaner, more timeless photos and film. You’ll also want to make sure the room is generally tidy.

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7. Gather Important Details Ahead of Time

Planning ahead for your details saves time on the wedding day.

Decide where you’ll keep items like:

• Rings
• Invitation suite
• Jewelry
• Shoes
• Vows or letters
• Sentimental or heirloom pieces

Having these ready allows us to capture them efficiently without pulling you away from your morning.

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9. Wedding Planners are Helpful!

Hiring a wedding planner (or even a day-of coordinator) can make a world of difference — not just for you, but for your entire vendor team.

Wedding planners help:

• Keep your timeline on track
• Manage logistics behind the scenes
• Answer questions so you don’t have to
• Solve small problems before you even notice them

From a photo and video perspective, having a planner allows us to focus fully on capturing moments instead of tracking schedules or coordinating moving pieces. When everyone is aligned, the day flows more smoothly and feels far less stressful.

Even if a full-service planner isn’t in your budget, a day-of or month-of coordinator is one of the best investments you can make for a calm, well-organized wedding day.

10. Trust the Planning You’ve Done

Once everything is planned, your only job on the wedding day is to be present.

You don’t need to worry about posing, timing, or logistics — that’s what we’re here for. Thoughtful planning ahead allows you to relax and truly enjoy your day.

A calm, joyful wedding day starts with intentional planning. When we’re aligned ahead of time — through questionnaires, engagement sessions, timelines, and communication — it allows your wedding day to unfold naturally and beautifully.

If you ever have questions while planning, I’m always happy to help guide you.