First off- CONGRATULATIONS ON BOOKING YOUR WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHY!

We’re popping’ bubbly here because we’re over the moon you’ve chosen Even Keel Weddings. We can’t wait to celebrate and document your love with intention and style! Please let us extend our sincere gratitude for entrusting us with telling the story of this special time in your life.

Some insights on this process…

1. Client Guide

This client guide is your hub and answers all the common questions and concerns. It also gives clarity to expectations and provides tips for making the most of your wedding photography experience and setting up the day to get the best photos possible.

2. Engagement session

Engagement sessions may not seem like a high priority but I want to give some perspective on why we highly encourage them! First, they are a great opportunity for us to get know each other and for you to get comfortable with your partner in front of the camera. Since most people are not accustom to being in front of a professional photographer- It lays essential for you that pays off on your wedding day. In addition, it can be an opportunity to showcase more of your love story, provides professional images that can make your wedding website pop, and they looks great on a save the date card. Not to mention, the planning process is filled with decision making and often stress- this is a rare moment to revel in this time of your life with your partner. That and, they’re just plain fun! I truly love shooting engagements and would love to get creative with you before the big day.

3. Questionnaire

After you read through this guide I’ll ask you to fill out a questionnaire so that all your important information is in once place. I promise it’s short and sweet. Fill it out the best you can now.

4. Final Check-in

Final Payment is due 1 month before wedding day. I do this so we don’t have to settle up while you’re enjoying your big day. If you have any questions or concerns about this let me know!

The wedding day timeline and your family photo list will be necessary for the day to run smoothly. Fill in what you can on your questionnaire and in our final consult 1 month before wedding day we’ll confirm and of course remain flexible for any necessary changes. For more insights and advice about the things, keep reading as we dig into:

Timeline Overview

Getting Ready & Details

First Look

Wedding Party Portraits

Family Portraits

Ceremony

Couple’s Portraits

Cocktail Hour

Reception Details

Tradtions: First Dance, Parent Dances, Hora, Etc…

Toasts

Dancing

Special Surprises

“Last Call”

insights & Tips for your wedding timeline…

Getting Ready & Personal Details

Lets start from the beginning: Typically when we arrive you’ll already have begun getting ready. For the sake of photography try to do so in a clean space that offers some natural light. Have your hair and make up team set up next to a window if possible. If this isn’t available to you, we may opt to move you outside or a more aesthetically pleasing place with better light to stage more dynamic photos.

When we arrive the first thing we'll photograph though are your personal details. It saves so much time to have everything in one place This includes your invitation suite (a couple copies are helpful), all rings, florals, dress, veil, shoes, suit, cuff links, heirloom jewelry, getting ready robes, wedding party gifts etc. This is a great thing to delegate to a bridesmaid, groomsman, or family member. 

First Look

While I respect whatever choice you make I also strongly encourage first looks for a few reasons:

• It’s a special moment that can be savored and documented for just the two of you

• A first look is a time to connect with your partner and calm your nerves on day that is filled with emotion and lots of moving parts. 

• It allows us to cover so many more "photography bases” before your ceremony, thus letting you be more present and have more time to party with your guests. ESPECIALLY if you have a wedding party. 

• It can help allow for coverage of your cocktail hour, your guests, and your reception details.

Wedding Party

First off let us in your questionnaire know if you’re having a wedding party or not!? If so how many are in your crew?

Once we decide on the timing of wedding party photos we encourage you tell your wedding party to be there 15-30 minutes before that time.

I do my best to be as efficient as possible so everyone can get to the bar ASAP. Typically the last photo they’ll have to participate in will be a formal photo at the beginning of the family photos portion of your day.

Family Portraits

Your biggest task with regard to photography is your family photo list. I’ve save this topic for its very own section at the end of this guide! You’ll find more on this there!

Ceremony

First off- big breaths! Find some presence as this is the culmination of all your hard work. This is the ritual that will confirm your union. Once you’ve walked down the aisle and meet your partner, hold hands and take a mental snapshot. Remembering to remember the moment will help solidify this amazing moment in your life.

Now for some more logistical tips- If you’re able to choose what time your ceremony will take place- please be intentional! Choosing a time that allows for portraits to happen afterwards is the best. High noon or after dark are not recommended.

Make sure that your planner has finished ceremony set up and allowed us time to take detail shots before any guests are allowed to enter.

Have your reserved parent/immediate family/ wedding party seating opposite of where you’ll stand so they can see you!

Give an opportunity for all your guests to look at you, take a photo, and then I highly recommend an unplugged ceremony!

Have your officiant do the following:

• Announce your first kiss is about to happen so all photography/videography are perfectly prepped

• Step to the side with any microphone stands just before the first kiss. (Task a wedding party person nudge them, if they forget.)

• Cue guests to throw rice, confetti, bubbles etc..

• And finally, make an announcements to family to stay for family photos if they immediately follow your ceremony.

Finally as you recess down the aisle stop for one more smooch! The crowd loves it and its a great photo op!

Couple’s Portraits

First off this is a rare moment for you to connect with your partner. Lean into it and enjoy the private time together! Now for some tips:

Golden Hour is your other best friend! I want you to have the most epic and gorgeous portraits possible. The best light for this is going to be during golden hour- the hour before sun sets. I STRONGLY encourage letting me take you for a LEAST 15 minutes during this time. 

Depending on your specific wedding day timeline your portraits can be done in one slot of time or done in intervals throughout the day. I suggest at least a total of total of 30min-1hr for your portraits. Typically I like to wrap up our time with one night portrait so you get that variety.

I encourage you both to make sure you’re fed and hydrated throughout the day but especially before your portraits.

If you had your makeup done hours ago, keep back up makeup on hand for touch-ups especially if you expect to be emotional throughout the day. Include a handkerchief to remove kiss marks on your partner

Cocktail Hour

Photography coverage of cocktail hour will vary depending on your timeline. If coverage of this is important to you please consider adding an additional shooter to your wedding day. Consult us if you have questions on this!

Reception Details

Make sure that your timeline allows for ample coverage of your reception details. You’ve invested so much time money and energy in all the details- you’ll want them sufficiently documented. This is a must if you’re looking to have your wedding published!

We come prepared with lighting equipment to handle many scenarios but it would behoove you, your guests, and your photos to make sure there is a good amount of ambient light during your after dark reception. If your venue is outside or does not provide lighting we highly encourage renting bistro lights or hiring a lighting designer.

Traditions

If you’re not planning to do full choreography at least practice your first dance and parent dances. Pro tip- Parent dances do not need to be the full song. Your guests have short attention spans!

I’m seeing fewer bouquet/garter tosses these days but if you’re opting for them I highly recommend making them inclusive!

Doing a Hora?!? Designate safe chairs and strong folks to lift them.

Toasts

If sound equipment permits have the couple should be in close proximity to the person giving the speech so we can easily capture the reactions of all parties involved.

Advise those giving a toast to keep it under 5 minutes! This will help keep the attention of all your guests and keep the timeline flowing.

And finally, take a quick moment to hug the person giving the toast!

Dancing

Let loose! Your job here is to have the best time of your life surrounded by your loved ones. Want some wedding music inspiration? Check out our eclectic Even Keel Wedding Spotify Playlist!

Special Surprises

Let us know if there are any special performances, entertainment, dress changes, or surprises! Also if there are other religious/ cultural elements to your wedding— We want to document them and make sure they’re given ample attention in your timeline!

Last call

Doing a grand exit? A last dance? Let us know so we can game plan how to best capture it! About 15 minutes before the end of our contracted time I’ll approach you to see if there are any final photos you want. If I can find your parents I also like to try to check in with them as well. Once those are done we’ll say our goodbyes, head home, and immediately start to upload your photos so they’re kept safe and secure!

This *almost* concludes our in depth look at your wedding day timeline! Lets circle back to family photos before we wrap up this guide!

• Keep it simple.

You want your list to be as complete yet concise as possible as. Keep in mind the more people you include the longer the process will take.

• Get back up.

We highly suggest you delegate a family member or close friend who’s familiar with both sides of the family to be the “wrangler” in case we lost Granma Jen at the bar or your little sister is playing hide and seek. 

• A Sample to start.

To help get you started here’s a sample list.

*PLEASE NOTE: Only interpret this list as general starting point and modify it to your story. I’m very aware this is a heteronormative list and every family is different- blended, mixed, some have strained relationships and even absences. There is no judgement/exclusion of who you are, who you love, or who makes up your family.*

Ok I’d say Congrats are in order because You’re nearing the end of this guide!

Next step is to fill our your questionnaire and don’t forget to tell us what you’re most excited about. Submit any time, but it is due one month before wedding day.

As the timeline for your day evolves please let us know if there are any special moments, performances, people, details that are special to you that you do not want to go undocumented.  We love capturing the special nuances that are unique to your story. 

You can expect…

We’ll text you a sneak peek within 72 hour! All your beautifully edited images will arrive in 6 weeks in an online gallery. You can download and share images. We can also easily create gorgeous heirloom quality albums directly from your gallery. Don’t let these gorgeous photos live solely on a computer!

Friends and family can access and download web-size quality images from the gallery and for $50 they can access hi-res downloads.

We suggest saving the images in at least three different digital locations. (ie your computer, an external hard drive, and a cloud storage.)

After that we hope it’s not goodbye! We often form friendships with clients and love to keep in touch. even more we love continuing to tell your story- documenting other momentous life events!

Please let me know if you have further questions regarding your timeline, family photo list, or anything else! I’m so grateful and stoked to be on your team of support. Can’t wait to document your beautiful and memorable day!

XO Miriam