How to Plan a Wedding
This is your wedding guide with engagement session tips, timeline guidance, vendor recommendations & more!
Welcome
Planning a wedding can be a lot of fun, but it can also be overwhelming and stressful at times. That’s why I created this guide to help you with everything you need to know and do to make your wedding day a success. From choosing your vendors, to creating your timeline, to enjoying your big day, I’ve got you covered with tons of tips and advice. Let’s get started!
How it works
Once you’ve booked, it’s normal not to hear from me until much closer to your wedding day. I’m always here if you have questions or need help with the planning or timeline advice. Below is a rough timeline of what happens before and after your wedding with regards to photography:
Engagement Session
Engagement sessions are a great way to get to know each other, practice being in front of the camera, and have some fun! We have some tips on how to choose the best location, outfit, and time for your session, as well as some ideas on how to use your engagement photos for your wedding.
Groom Portraits
Groom portraits are a fun way to document the boys in the morning. You should allow 60mins for getting ready, this includes putting on the suit, tie or bow-tie and photos with your family and friends afterwards. There might even be time for a cheeky drink before the ceremony.
CHECKLISTSuit | Shoes | Tie or Bow-tie | Belt | Rings |Buttonhole flower| Rings | Watch | Stationary
Bridal Portraits
Bridal portraits are a beautiful way to showcase your wedding dress, hair, makeup, and bouquet before the ceremony. You should allow 60-90mins for getting ready, this includes putting on the dress, jewellery and photos with your family and friends afterwards.
CHECKLISTDress | Shoes | Veil | Bouquet | Rings | Hair pieces and jewellery | Stationary
Ceremony
Wedding ceremonies are a profound celebration of love, commitment, and the intertwining of two lives. They capture the raw emotion of two people promising to stand by each other through life’s challenges and joys, symbolized by the exchange of vows and rings. The atmosphere is often filled with joy, tears, and the shared warmth of family and friends, all witnessing a bond that transcends the individual and becomes a beautiful union.
The ceremony, whether intimate or grand, serves as a poignant reminder of the deep connection that love creates—a moment where time seems to stand still, and the world fades away, leaving only the couple and the love that has brought them together. It’s a celebration of not just a romantic journey, but the emotional and spiritual partnership they will continue to build in the years to come.
Aim to arrive 5-10mins early to your ceremony. It won’t start until you’re ready, but it allows the guests to be seated and the celebrant/priest to organise the wedding squad.
Hold your first kiss for around 3-5 seconds. It allows your photographer and videographers a little extra time to get some epic photos and footage.
Allow 15-20mins after your ceremony to see and hug your guests. It’s a great way to capture the emotion and love from your friends and family.
Wedding Timeline
One of the most important aspects of planning a wedding is creating a timeline that works for you and your vendors. A well-thought-out timeline can make your wedding day run smoothly and stress-free, and allow you to enjoy every moment. Below is a sample timeline for you to use as a reference. You can of course include a First Look, or only have one partner’s prep photographed, or have a shorter coverage for the reception. When you book with me, I can help you customize your timeline to fit your needs and preferences.
12pm – Partner 1 prep
1.30pm – Partner 2 prep
4pm – Ceremony
4.30pm – Congratulations & Family Photos
5pm – Wedding squad location photos
6pm – Reception start
9pm – Photography concludes
Wedding Day Checklist
We love capturing all the little details that make your wedding day personal and meaningful. From your rings, to your invitations, to your shoes, we want to document every element that you have carefully chosen. To help us do that, we have some suggestions on how to gather and organize your details, and how to choose a getting ready location that has natural light and minimal clutter.
Family Formals Checklist
Recommended Vendors
I have worked with many amazing vendors over the years, and I am happy to share my recommendations with you. Whether you need a videographer, a florist, makeup artist, or a celebrant, you know you’re in good hands with this lot. This is not a sponsored list – I just love working with these vendors and I think you will too!
For a more vendor recommendations, please contact me.
VIDEOGRAPHERS
Different SUNS
Chapman Films
Auburn Hour
ORRISS FILMS
LIFE ATLAS CO
STORY STORY
BEN AND EBONY
Little SISTER FILMS
CELEBRANTS
KISS ME YOU FOOL
LUKE FIRTH
KIRK SAMUEL
BELINDA CLINTON
TINA BURI
BETH PARKER
SEALED WITH A KRISSY
MARRY ME JOSH
MAKEUP & HAIR
The Pretty PARLOUR
PEARLIN MAKEUP ARTIST
CONNOR ADAMS
EMER ROSE
Gamine dynasty
MAKEUP BY MELANIE
Erin Elizabeth Artistry
Hadarah
FLORISTS
BOHEMIAN FLOWERS
SIGNATURE FLORAL DESIGN
FREAKHAUS
SIR BOTANICAL
Fox and rabbit
ROSE & BUD
The flower girl
Katie Cooper
Thank you so much for reading through my guide. I hope you found it helpful and informative, and I am always here to answer any questions or concerns you may have. If you haven’t scheduled your engagement session yet, let’s get that done soon. Feel free to email me anytime. I am so excited to be a part of your wedding day, and I can’t wait to see you soon!