Your wedding day is so much more than one day of your life

WEDDING Planning Guide

Tips & Resources

Wedding planning can be so overwhelming, and I want to do everything I can to make this experience so special for you. I have a more detailed, physical guide I’ll give you soon, but here are some online resources for now :)

Text me anytime! I mean it! 425-263-6928! And we can have as many planning calls as you want!

Schedule a Planning Call with me :)

Wedding Photography

Planning Document

This document has a family shot list template, timeline examples, and places to share all your dreams and visions with me.

Let me know if you need help finding yours! It’s either in the email with your contract or shared directly from Google Docs :)

Timeline

Planning extra time between events on your wedding day is truly the best thing you can do. Here’s a cheat sheet of how much time I recommend for photographing each part of your day.

  • Getting Ready: 20 minutes for details, 20 minutes for candids, 30 minutes to get dressed  

  • First Look: 15-20 minutes

  • Couples Portraits: 20-30 minutes

  • Group Photos: 30-45 minutes for family, 30-45 minutes for wedding party

  • 30 minutes of rest before ceremony

  • Ceremony: 20-30 minutes

  • Cocktail Hour: 30 for extra group photos & signing license, 30 for mingling with guests.

  • Reception: 2-3 hours

  • Sunset Photos: 10-20 minutes

  • Send-Off: 5-10 minutes before coverage ends

Walk through a wedding day

Family Photos

shotList Template:

  • Partner 1 & Partner 2 + 1’s Mom, Dad, Siblings, Grandparents (Start with the biggest grouping and then break it up from there!)

  • Partner 1 & Partner 2 + 1’s Parents, Siblings

  • 1 & 2 + 1’s Parents

  • 1 + both Parents

  • 1 + Mom

  • 1 + Dad

  • 1 & 2 + 1’s Siblings

  • 1+ 1’s Sibling

Family photo tips

Frequently asked questions

  • One of my favorite print shops is Mpix! They’re a premium print lab at an affordable price. 4×6 prints start at 36 cents (cheaper than Walgreens and better quality!!!). I order the E-surface option and they’re perfect.

    If you are on a time crunch and need same day prints from Walgreens, then order the matte option. The colors don’t print super accurately at drug stores, but the matte paper makes them look a little bit better. Photos you wanna frame and keep forever look better from Mpix, but I understand sometimes you need photos quick! I do love the custom photo puzzles at Walgreens and have gifted those to my family!

  • It really depends on what’s important to you! I usually arrive 30 minutes before you’re done getting ready. Here are a few examples of timing. I’d love to work through this together if you have any questions :)

    • getting ready moments: 12-8pm

    • a few getting ready moments, mostly reception/send off: 1-9pm

    • no getting ready, just portraits: 1-9 or 2-10pm

  • I like to have at least 30 minutes for both Wedding Party & Family photos, but having up to 45 doesn’t hurt if we have the time for it!

    Example:

    1:00 – First look & Portraits 

    1:45 - Wedding party photos 

    2:30 - Immediate family photos 

    3:00 – Couple is tucked away and guests arrive

    3:30 - Ceremony

  • Absolutely! Extra hours of wedding day coverage are $400/hour. Message me anytime throughout the planning process and we can easily update your contract!

Photo by Annie Ritter-Jones Photography

Text me anytime!! 425-263-6928
Or, we can Zoom whenever!! Here’s my calendar to schedule something!

Schedule a Planning Call with me :)