Frequently Asked Questions
When should we have our engagement session?
It’s entirely up to you, but we usually recommend 10 to 12 months before the wedding, particularly if you’re planning on using the photos for Save the Date cards. On average, it takes 2-3 weeks to receive the photos after the session, and another couple of weeks to make Save the Date cards. After you receive the cards, we recommend sending them out around 8 months before the wedding.
What does the typical wedding day timeline look like?
We have an entire page dedicated to just this topic! Click the button below to learn more.
Should I Send a Shot List?
Our photographers are very familiar with all of the important shots they need to get at a wedding (for a list of examples, click the button below this paragraph). If there is a particular vision you have for specific photos you want captured, by all means, let us know! A shot list can also be helpful if you have a more complicated family dynamic (ie: families with step parents and step siblings) or if there are additional people you would like to get photos with at some point (ie: aunts, uncles, cousins, etc). That said, try not to go overboard. We understand feeling the need to include everyone and everything, but the more detailed your shot list is, the more pressure you will feel to get everything on it, and the more time you will spend taking photos instead of spending the day creating memories with your friends and family. Furthermore, wedding days can be pretty fast-paced and chaotic, and it is easy to overestimate the amount of time you will have to take photos. Extensive shot lists can slow your photographer down and prevent them from being creative and getting the shots that you will cherish. You chose us for a reason, so trust us to capture your day how you want it to be captured!
What if it rains?
If rain is in the forecast for your engagement or outdoor portrait session, you have the option to reschedule and it won’t cost you anything. If it rains on the day of your wedding, the most important thing is to not stress over it! The weather is out of your control. What is in your control is how you react to it. If you’re stressed and miserable, it will show in the photos. We don’t want you to worry because regardless of rain, we will still get great photos! Cloud coverage is actually fantastic for portraits because it yields very soft, flattering light. Sometimes rain even makes for more interesting / romantic photos. If rain is in the forecast, we will usually plan to bring an umbrella or two so we are still able to take pictures outside as long as you’re up for it.
Will we meet again before the wedding?
We like to touch base with you around a month before the wedding to set up a time to go over all of the final details. By then, all of the planning should be done. This includes timeline information as well as any special requests you have for us on the day of the wedding. If you have a Pinterest Board with some must have photos going that you’d like to share with us, feel free to email that to our office.
When can we expect to receive our photos/video after the wedding?
On average, it takes anywhere from 12-16 weeks to edit every single photo, and put together a cinematic highlight video from the clips taken at the wedding. Depending on how many hours of coverage you had us for, the number of photos you receive could be anywhere from 500-1,200+ photos. Because the post-production process can be time consuming, we like to post sneak peaks on our social media sites 1-3 weeks after the wedding so that you are able to share something form the wedding with your friends and family. If you’d like to use any of the photos we post for thank you cards, feel free to reach out to our office. There is a small fee, but we’re happy to send you the photos we’ve already edited so you can use them. If you can’t wait to have all of your photos, we also offer a rapid turnaround time. There are additional fees for these two services. Call or email us to learn more.
Will we be able to choose the music for our wedding video?
In some cases, yes. However, due to licensing restrictions for copyrighted music, it isn’t always possible or practical. Our team is great at choosing songs that match the overall vibe of your wedding and help tell the story, but if there is a particular song that resonates with you, we are happy to check if it’s available. If we can’t license the song you wanted, we can try to find a song that is similar. Keep in mind that the music sets the pace and story for the entire video, so it is important for us to know if there is a particular song/style of music you have in mind before we start editing.
How do we go about choosing the photos for our wedding album?
After you receive your photos, you will want to pick 45-50 photos that tell the story of your day. If you purchased more spreads, you will be able to fit an additional 5-7 photos per spread. There are key moments you may want to include, such as details and getting ready, the bride walking down the aisle, the ring exchange, the kiss, family formals, wedding party, newlyweds, first dance, parent dances, speeches, and cake cutting (just to name a few). You can create a list of favorites in your online gallery by clicking the heart on your favorite photos. Then you can filter all of the images to see just the ones you clicked the heart on and narrow down your selection from there. Once you’re ready, you can share that with us. If you prefer, you can make your list by writing or typing the filenames and email that to our office (an example filename would be: MRL_1234). Click the button below to see some examples of wedding albums from the past to get some ideas.
