Love, Ilderina
I'm so honored that you've trusted me with capturing your wedding day! I'm looking forward to celebrating with you and getting to know you better over the next several months.
In the meantime, this guide is designed to help you create a wedding day that lends itself to the best photos possible! This will walk you through everything from timelines to details to family photos.
Thank you again for choosing to work with me and feel free reach out at any point during the planning process!
A NOTE ABOUT THIS GUIDE
WELCOME
Below you'll find some handy tips for nailing down the perfect style.
Engagement sessions are a great way for us to connect and get to know each other before your big day arrives! You'll learn all about my posing flow and you'll be a pro by the end of your session! This will make your wedding day pictures a piece of cake!
& why I love them!
ENGAGEMENT PHOTOS
thank you, next
- Being "matchy-matchy"
- White socks that stick out
- Smart watches & hair ties
- Big logos and writing on shirts
- Small, intricate, busy patterns
- Something that just isn't YOU
- Something uncomfortable that needs constantly adjusted
- Professional hair and makeup
- Complementary color schemes
- Comfortable + easy to move in
- Flowy skirts or tops that show movement
- Something you feel AMAZING wearing - I want you to feel confident and look your best!
yes! yes! yes!
Engagement photo styling tips
Engagement sessions typically last 1.5 - 2 hours. I recommend you bring an extra outfit, as you may wish to have two different "looks". Below you'll find some general guidelines to narrow down your perfect outfit.
what to wear
Explore the Full engagement guide
FLORAL DESIGN
Wildflower DSM
Blushing Garden
Pretty Petunia Floral
Magnolia Floral
Evergreen & Lily
wedding planner
Honey & Joy Events
Cheers Events DSM
Yours Truly Weddings & Events
Ten Fifteen Events
VIDEOGRAPHY
Austin Goode Films
Sydney Kate Films
Ryan Parsons Media
Graphic Formation Films
WEDDING DRESS
Rosalie Bridal
Modern Dress
Schaffer's
Holland Bridal
RENTALS
The Good Co. DSM
Luxxor Limousines
The Wedding Trailer
stationary
Spray Tans by Megan
DJ DAS
JM3 DJ's
Clife DJ Co.
Marquee Events
Entertainment
CATERING
Gateway Market
Cyd's Catering
Tangerine Food Company
Doré Bakery
CLOSE
The Smile Co. Photo Booth
Hello Darling Glam
The Pretty Golden Co.
Lost Wax Band
Valor & Violet
All Dolled Up
Bronze 515
Uprooted Designs
Gates Paper Co
Line Ave Calligraphy
Papel & Co
Stamp Design Co
HMUA
Beauty by Briawna
Kelsey Klein Hair
Sydney Jayne MUA
LM Hair & Makeup
Tanique
Parinda Cupcakes
Coachlight Spa
Blush Parlour & Co
Keenly by Kiley
Kalon Bridal Studio
Bella Jean Films
Marc Stephens Salon
Kelly Kasper MUA
The Cake Stand
D. Barrett Studios
Skin
Salon
Tanned by Chloe
Salon Spa W
beauty
Noted Design
Chapter Aesthetic Studio
Saint Blonde
Milestone Event Rental
White Willow Events
DETAILS
BONUS: EXTRA FLOWERS
I love getting to capture all the special details you've curated for your wedding day.
Details are one of the first things I'll photograph when I arrive on your wedding day so it's great if you have all these items in once place that morning. The list below is a great starting point if you're not sure what to include!
Engagement + wedding bands (& if you have a pretty ring box!)
I once had a bride bring her grandmother's handkerchief. This is completely optional - but if you have something sentimental you'd like styled with your details, I love including family heirlooms in your detail shots.
groom detail checklist
SENTIMENTAL KEEPSAKES
2 FULL SETS WITH ENVELOPES + STAMPS & ANY OTHER PAPER STATIONARY YOU MAY HAVE (LIKE PROGRAM CARDS, ETC)
SHOES
VEIL
BOUQUET
HAIR PIECES
JEWELRY
VOW BOOK
His shoes
Socks
Cuff Links
Tie or Bow Tie
Pocket Square
Boutonnière
Vows Book
Rings
ANYTHING ELSE SPECIAL OR SENTIMENTAL.
I'd love to have a few cuts of the floral you'll be using on your wedding day. Ask your florist if they can supply a small bunch of extra pieces, it will seriously elevate your detail photos!
bride detail checklist
Dress & Hanger
Rings & Ring Box
(IF THEY'RE SPECIAL)
wedding day
INVITATION SUITE
PRINT THIS CHECKLIST!
THE RINGS
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.
I love capturing the detail of your rings up close. If possible, try to have your engagement ring cleaned or clean it yourself.
To clean at home:
Must-Haves
Link to my Amazon list for all your day-of essentials + last minute items!
click here to shop
Getting ready
01. A FIRST LOOK GIVES YOU QUIET MOMENT ALONE
Wedding days go by in a blur. As soon as the day begins there is so much to do and so many people to see. Doing a first look will give the two of you a moment alone (with a camera shooting from afar) to soak it all in and think through what the day means to you.
02. MORE TIME FOR PICTURES & YOUR RECEPTION
When you have a first look, we can take pictures of the two of you, the bridal party, and some family pictures before the ceremony even begins. This makes the day less rushed and allows us to take more pictures too! Once you're married, we won't need as much time set aside for photos and you can get to your cocktail hour and reception sooner!
03. POSSIBLY AVOID bad WEATHER
If there's bad weather on the forecast, a first look gives you the option to get pictures done earlier in the day and possibly avoid being stuck in the rain!
First look
WONDERING IF A FIRST LOOK IS RIGHT FOR YOU?
First look or not, the first time you see each other on your wedding day will be so special.
04. get out all your tears without the audience
A first look give both of you a moment to cry without the audience of all your wedding guests. You can get all your tears out knowing you'll have time to freshen up before pictures too.
It's a special moment when you see your other half for the first time on your wedding day. It's a moment worth remembering whether you do a first look or wait for an epic reveal as you walk down the aisle.
If you're wondering whether or not to do a first look on your wedding day, here are some things to consider.
"Sometimes you will never know the value of a moment until it becomes a memory."
- Dr. seuss
WEDDING DAY TIMELINE
VIEW TIMELINE
VIEW TIMELINE
EXAMPLE TIMELINE
EXAMPLE TIMELINE
BUILDING THE PERFECT
with a
first look
no first look
traditional
Whether you choose to do a first look or the traditional (not seeing each other until the bride walks down the aisle), you should never feel rushed on your wedding day. We'll start working together around 2-4 months out to create the ideal schedule, tailored to you! Some of the customs listed below (like parent first looks, bouquet toss, etc.) are noted for your reference on how much time should be considered for those events. I recognize everyone has different traditions & backgrounds, so there is absolutely no pressure to include time for things that don't align with your values or style. Above all, your day should be centered around experiences & meaningful moments!
1:00 pm
Getting ready + Bridal DETAILs
1:45 pm
GROOM'S PREP & Reception Decor
2:00 pm
BRIDE GETS DRESSED + FIRST LOOK WITH PARENT(S)
2:30 pm
First look & Portraits
3:00 pm
Bridal Party Photos
3:30 PM
Immediate Family Photos
4:00 pm
Buffer + CEREMONY DETAILS
4:30 pm
CEREMONY BEGINS
5:00 PM
Extended family photos
5:20 PM
Cocktail Hour
5:30 PM
PHOTOGRAPH RECEPTION AREA + DETAILS
6:00 PM
Guests find their seat
6:05 pm
Grand Entrance + welcome Speech
6:15 pm
Dinner is served
6:45 pm
Toasts
7:00 pm
Cake cutting
7:05 pm
First Dance + Special Dances
7:15 pm
Open Dance Floor
7:45 pm
Sunset Photos
8:00 pm
exit photos + coverage ends
with a
first look timeline example
CLOSE TIMELINE
FIRST LOOK
1:00 PM
GETTING READY + Bridal DETAILS
1:45 PM
BRIDE GETS DRESSED + FIRST LOOK WITH parent(s)
2:00 PM
BRIDAL PORTRAITS + BRIDE AND BRIDESMAIDs PORTRAITS
2:30 PM
GROOM'S Prep & Reception Decor
3:00 PM
GROOM + GROOMSMEN PORTRAITS
4:00 pm
CEREMONY BEGINS
4:30 pm
Family photos
4:50 pm
full BRIDAL PARTY PHOTOS
5:10 PM
Bride + Groom portraits
5:30 pm
Cocktail Hour
6:00 pm
GUESTS FIND THEIR SEAT
6:05 PM
GRAND ENTRANCE + First Dance
6:15 PM
Dinner is served
6:45 pm
Sunset Photos
7:00 PM
Toasts
7:15 pm
Cake Cutting
7:20 PM
Special dances
without a first look
traditional timeline example
CLOSE TIMELINE
Traditional
3:30 PM
Buffer + CEREMONY Details
7:30 PM
Open Dance Floor
8:00 PM
exit photos + coverage ends
"You are the finest, loveliest, tenderest, and most beautiful person I have ever known - and even that is an understatement."
- F. SCOTT FITZGERALD
FAMILY PORTRAITS
A FEW HELPFUL TIPS + TRICKS
crowd management
It's great if you can assign a friend or family member to help make sure we have everyone we need for family photos. This person should know who everyone on the photo list is but not be in too many photos themselves.
KEEP YOUR FAMILY IN THE LOOP
It makes the whole process of family photos faster when everyone in them knows what to expect. Let your family members (or anyone else who will be in a photo) to stick around as soon as the ceremony ends so that we don't have to take extra time finding everyone who's walked away.
short + sweet
Family photos aren't anyone's favorite part of a wedding day and we try to take them as efficiently as possible. With that said, keep in mind that every grouping typically takes 2-3 minutes to pose. We want to make sure we get all the important family photos taken without cutting into your cocktail hour or reception too much!
create a list
I'll ask you for a list of family picture groupings a few weeks before the day of your wedding. Please make sure you list everyone's first name so that we know who to call for when we're grouping people together for a photo. (There's a template below that's super easy to customize!)
sample family photos list
BRIDE'S GRANDPARENTS
BRIDE'S IMMEDIATE FAMILY + GRANDPARENTS
BRIDE'S IMMEDIATE FAMILY
BRIDE'S SIBLINGS
BRIDE'S PARENTS
GROOM'S GRANDPARENTS
GROOM'S IMMEDIATE FAMILY + GRANDPARENTS
GROOM'S IMMEDIATE FAMILY
GROOM'S SIBLINGS
GROOM'S PARENTS
THE BRIDE + GROOM WITH...
PRINT & CUSTOMIZE THIS LIST!
RECEPTION + GRAND EXIT
RECEPTION
During your reception, I will be taking photos of the speeches and dancing as well as candid shots of your guests. I'm a big fan of direct flash + hype dance party photos, but I also love an opportunity to capture the ambiance & warmth of a candlelit reception at night. I will always be available to grab a photo of you with a group of guests that may have not been in a planned group photo. Consider me your personal paparazzi!
Grand exits
Grand exits are such a fun bookend to your day! They typically consist of a human tunnel along with sparklers, bubbles, glow sticks or something else to celebrate with. It's helpful if you can designate a few people to be in charge of organizing everyone into two lines & distributing whatever they will holding. After your exit, you may be leaving in a getaway car — or if you choose to do an earlier "faux" exit with just the bridal party & family, you'll simply run back to the party + dance floor afterwards!
"We long for things that hold story. Pieces that bear history, ripen with age, and last through thick and thin - then are all the more beautiful because of it."
- Liz bell young
IMAGE DELIVERY
IN A CURATED ONLINE GALLERY
view a sample gallery
Maddie + Tristan
HOW IT WORKS
One of my favorite parts of the wedding experience is delivering your beautiful gallery of images! When your photos are edited and ready, you'll receive a link to your online gallery. This is a custom website where you will have access to all of your images + a built-in professional print shop.
The gallery will be active through your first anniversary, so that you have plenty of time to enjoy & download your photos for safe-keeping. You'll also be able to share this link with friends and family so they can relive your best day with you!
THE HIGHEST QUALITY prints FOR YOUR MOST TREASURED MOMENTS. THESE priceless memories WILL LIVE ON FOR GENERATIONS.
Photo
Box
Heirloom
what's inside:
Pack of 25 prints with a white border, thoughtfully arranged in a custom engraved 4x6 keepsake box with your choice of color in velvet or linen. May also include Polaroids + other mementos from your wedding day!
selection guide
PICK YOUR Box
You'll be able to pick out the material, color, & font for your box. I have a page outlining all of the choices!
Choose your prints
I'll send a request in your gallery for you to let me know which 25 photos you'd like to have printed. There is always the option to purchase additional prints if desired!
Enjoy your gift
You can expect to receive your personalized photo box shipped to your doorstep, around 6 months after the wedding!
the design process
Feel free to shoot me an email with any questions!
©2022-2024 ilderina suljic photography
Thank you for trusting me to capture your special day! If you need to contact me at any point during the planning process, feel free to shoot me an email!