It is that time of the year when wedding inquires are rolling in! It is so exciting to hear about proposal stories from over the holidays. In the spirit of the season, this blog post is to answer many of the common questions my brides have about their wedding days. Wedding photography has evolved so much in the past 10 years. It is an art form and a personal preference. Below are the top 5 questions my brides ask. Hopefully this will clear up some of your questions. Happy Planning!

What is a First Look? When a couple opts for a first look it is one of my favorite parts of a wedding day. When Nick and I were married in 2011, we did a first look. Nick was hesitant at first, but he is happy with our decision. It was the only time during our wedding day that it was just us. I believe it was the only time I was able to breath and relax prior to our ceremony. The nice part, after our ceremony we were able to go straight to our reception and greet our guests.

How much coverage do I need? This is somewhat based on your preference. I typically arrive at least 2 hours prior to the ceremony. If you opt for a first look to photograph all formals before the wedding, then I may want to get there 3-4 hours prior. I allow 2 hours to complete formals. Sometimes we are finished within an hour. There are several variables to consider such as the size of your wedding party, family, and if travel is involved. If you are having a ceremony earlier in the day with a gap between your reception and ceremony, you will want more coverage. You don’t want to miss events at the reception. In my experience, having your photographer at the reception for two hours is normally enough time to get in the main events.

What is a Second Shooter? A second shooter is a second photographer who shoots alongside the main photographer the day of the wedding. As a main shooter, I am focused predominately on my bride and groom. However, there are moments happening all around. My second shooter takes a documentary style approach to every wedding. They are there to catch moments like the flower girls giggling in the corner and grandpa telling stories. It is a second perspective on your wedding day.

Why an Engagement Session? Engagement sessions are just as much for you as they are for your photographer. During an engagement shoot, I learn how a couple interacts and poses together. Plus we get to know each other, by the time the wedding day rolls around I am like an old friend with a nice camera. Engagement sessions are a great way to ease any nerves you have about being photographed. I believe that I am always able to get more photos of a couple on their wedding day having worked with them prior. They are more relaxed and familiar with my style. Even though you will have gorgeous wedding photos, you will want some casual non-wedding images to decorate your home.

Do I need a Wedding Planner? YES, YES, YES! Maybe you have the planning taken care of prior to your wedding day, but who is going to be in charge that day? You and your close family members will be too busy. At minimal, hire someone to coordinate the day of your wedding. This way you are not bothered with the time schedule and coordinating vendors. Several venues offer a day of planner. Keep in mind the planner they have provided is working for the venue. Make sure you have someone that is working for you.