KATIE SLATER PHOTOGRAPHY
WEDDING
Guide
Engagement session tips, timeline guidance, vendor recommendations & more!
Welcome
A NOTE ABOUT THIS GUIDE
I am so excited to be working with you and can’t wait to get to know you better over the next several months! I know photography is one of the larger investments you’re making for your wedding day and I truly am so honored you chose to work with me!
Even if you’re working with a wedding planner or you’re planning a simple wedding, there are likely still a lot of moving pieces left leading up to your big day.
Having photographed close to 500 weddings over the past 15 years, I’ve learned the things you typically want to know. So I thought it would be beneficial to create a guide that walks you through everything from timelines to engagement sessions and inclement weather.
Thank you again for choosing to work with me and please don’t hesitate to let me know if I can offer any additional guidance throughout the wedding planning process!
- Katie
Engagement
Session
I always get asked if engagement shoots are necessary, and my answer is: no, they aren’t necessary but you will NEVER regret booking one and they are super helpful! I am a big fan of engagement sessions for a few reasons. Not only do they allow you to get comfortable in front of the camera and with me, they also give you the opportunity to showcase your personalities in a more casual setting special to you. I’ve created an entire document dedicated to outfit tips, location ideas, timing considerations and more!
VENDORS
MAKE YOUR DAY INCREDIBLE!
If there is anything I have learned over the years, it’s the role quality vendors play in creating a stress-free wedding day. I’ve worked with many of the vendors below and I can’t recommend them enough! This is not a paid list – I chose these vendors for both the quality of their work as well as their professionalism on the actual wedding day.
FIRST LOOK
Magic
IF YOU’RE WONDERING WHETHER A FIRST LOOK
IS RIGHT FOR YOU, STOP HERe.
The moment that you see each other for the first time on your wedding day is pure magic no matter which way you choose to do it. It’s true whether you choose to wait to walk down the aisle to see each other, or if you choose to do a ‘first look’ prior to the ceremony.
I can say that your first look is a really private moment on a very public day and I can literally see the stress melt off of you after it happens. First looks have become more popular over the last few years. About 80% of my couples chose them and they are beautiful every. single. time.
While I definitely value tradition or any other reason your choose to do something on your wedding day, there are definitely a few good reasons to consider a first look. Here are 3 reasons to consider a ‘first look’:
1. A FIRST LOOK CUTS THROUGH THE CHAOS OF THE DAY
2. RELAXED, EASY PHOTO TIMELINE AND YOU GET TO ENJOY YOUR COCKTAIL HOUR
When there is no first look, all of your photos have to be taken after the ceremony. Family pictures are generally done as soon as the ceremony ends because it’s the easiest time to round everyone up. Next up is full bridal party, and then bride and groom portraits. This will eat up your entire cocktail hour.
A first look opens up time prior to the ceremony for full bridal party pictures and, sometimes all of your couples portraits (although we love to shoot some of those at sunset too if that’s an option). This allows the couple to get the most out of cocktail hour (food! drink! seeing friends and family!), which makes the rest of the evening feel less rushed.
3. AVOID POSSIBLE BAD WEATHER AND/OR HAVE TIME TO FRESHEN-UP AFTER THE FIRST LOOK
If you’re expecting poor weather on your wedding day, it might be best to plan on a first look because it gives you more options for pictures. If it’s pouring rain after the ceremony, you’ll be thankful you had pictures done in advance.
And reason 3b is for all you criers out there (I’ll include myself in here!). If you know the tears are going to fly the first time you see your other half – a first look will give you time to be present with your emotions, and then freshen up before the ceremony.
First look or not, and no matter what, the first time you see each other on your wedding day will be incredibly special.
BUILDING THE PERFECT
WEDDING DAY
timeline
tips for a seamless wedding daY
Whether you choose to do a first look or not, I will work with you on making sure you have an efficient timeline and solid plan for making all the images you want! No first look means a truncated timeframe for family photos, wedding party photos and your couples photos – and these will need to begin immediately after your ceremony. Absolutely no one involved in these photos can head to cocktail hour until they have had their photos taken! (Sorry if this sounds direct or strict, but once someone goes into cocktail hour it’s literally impossible to get them out! I have definitely learned this the hard way!)
We can try to sneak in some group photos pre-ceremony depending on your venue. But, you’ll also need at least 15 minutes for wedding party portraits, 15-20 minutes for all family portraits and at least 30 -45 minutes for bride/groom portraits after the ceremony if you’re not doing a first look.
If you’re doing a first look, photos can be done all at one time, taking an average total of 1.5 hours pre-ceremony (although we also LOVE grabbing just the two of you for a few additional bride and groom photos at sunset!)
If you choose a traditional aisle reveal, all we ask is that you keep your ceremony time in mind when planning your wedding so that we have enough light afterward to capture all the photos that you are hoping for! Additionally, you might consider the option of extending your cocktail hour to accommodate for photos and attending some of the cocktail party too!
If you’re planning a sunset ceremony or an evening ceremony, it’s best to do all photos before the ceremony, as daylight is crucial to getting amazing portraits for your families, bridal party and your couples portraits. Making sure we have enough time while the sun is up is a great way to make the traditional ceremony work.
Sample TIMELINES
Wedding Timeline
with a First Look
Rainy Day
Advice
If the forecast is calling for rain, fear not because rainy days can still be beautiful! Rain makes colors pop and just creates such a gorgeous atmosphere for dreamy, romantic photos. To be honest, I welcome a little rain (not too much!) on a wedding day!
If rain is in the forecast, we recommend ordering a few clear umbrellas on Amazon. Let’s also re-evaluate portrait locations to make sure we can still shoot in natural light – even if it means changing up plans a bit.
If you don’t own a cute pair of wellies, now may be a great time to order a pair – even if you’re just wearing them in between shooting locations.
If you’re not working with a planner, it might also be a good idea to check in with your vendor team to make sure they’re aware of the weather. Hair and makeup may need to be tweaked to withstand humidity and if your wedding is outdoors, DJs and bands may need to take extra precaution to protect their gear. A quality rental team can also minimize the amount of mud at outdoor events.
While we can’t guarantee that rain on your wedding day is good luck, we can put a plan in place to ensure a gorgeous day and pretty images. And know that I will do everything in my power to make beautiful images with you!
Rainy day weddings may require a little more flexibility and creativity, but there isn’t any reason why they can’t be as beautiful and as joyful as a sunny wedding!
WEDDING DAY
details
We love capturing all the little details you’ve carefully chosen to be a part of your wedding day! Once we arrive at your wedding, we need about 30 minutes to capture and style details. We recommend choosing a getting ready location filled with natural light and, if possible, please keep the space free from trash and clutter.
It would be wonderful if you could put all of your rings, jewelry, shoes, veil, purse, perfume, invitations and other keepsakes together in one spot for us (a shoebox works great!). Please unwrap your dress but don’t worry about styling it – we’ll hang it in a beautiful spot!
BRIDAL DETAILS
Checklist
- Dress
- Dress Hanger (a pretty one!)
- Rings (both engagement and wedding bands)
- Shoes
- Veil
- Bouquet
- Jewelry
- Invitation Suite (2 full sets with envelopes + stamps)
- Menu cards, program, etc.
- Vow Books
- Sentimental keepsakes: We once had a bride bring her grandmother’s hand mirror. This is completely optional – but if you have something sentimental you’d like styled with your details, we love including family heirlooms in our detail shots.
- Bonus: We’d love to have a few cuts of the florals you’ll be using throughout your wedding day. If your florist will supply us a small bucket of extra pieces we can incorporate those in your detail shots.
GROOM DETAILS
Checklist
- Shoes
- Socks (if they’re special)
- Cuff Links
- Watch
- Tie or Bow Tie
- Pocket Square
- Boutonnière
- Vow Book
- Sentimental keepsakes or special details
The
Rings
We like to photograph your rings throughout the day starting with the detail photos at the beginning of the day and sometimes featuring them in your portraits. To make it look pretty in photos, try to have your engagement ring cleaned or clean it yourself.
To clean at home, 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.
FAMILY Photos
we'll keep these short and sweet through efficient planning!
Let’s face it, family photos can be a pretty stressful part of your day! But by planning ahead with lists and educating your families in advance, these photos are going to go by quickly, efficiently and will hopefully, be entirely stress-free!
We’ll start with the largest groups of people and then break the groups down until we get to just you and your mom, you and your dad, you and your siblings, etc. Then we’ll repeat the process with your spouse’s family. The whole thing will go quicker and smoother if you let family know how the portrait process will work ahead of time.
When we send out our pre-wedding questionnaire, we’ll ask you for a list of specific groupings, special situations (such as divorces or family members with limited mobility & more), but if you want to start brainstorming photos in the meantime, you’ll find our typical list below.
FAMILY PHOTO
Checklist
- Couple + Grandparents
- Couple + Grandparents +Parents + Siblings
- Couple + Parents + Siblings
- Couple + Parents
- Couple + Siblings
- Partner 1 + Mom + Dad (together and separate)
- Partner 1 + Siblings
Repeat the List for Partner 2!
Please note that this list is just a starting point. Families are often complicated and dynamic. We’re happy to take any requested family portraits as long as time allows!
CONSIDER
unplugging
If you’ve been to a wedding recently, you may have seen a sign from the happy couple asking for their guests to remain “unplugged” during the ceremony.
And while it might seem like a strange request to ask guests to put down their phones, there’s a pretty good reason for it! You made a big investment in photography and we’re sure one of the last things you want on your wedding day is for our photos of your ceremony to be filled with obtrusive iPhones, iPads and relatives standing in the aisle with their own cameras. In order to help us do the best possible job capturing your wedding, we recommend asking guests to unplug during the ceremony. This is always totally up to you though!
Additional
Tips
01
DON'T FORGET THE SNACKS
Snacks are imperative to keep the hanger away! Light, easy snacks like protein or granola bars, trail mix, pretzels or fruit are always a good idea for you and your bridal party to avoid hungry bellies and passing out! (I’ve seen it happen!)
02
PREP FOR THE HEAT
If it’s going to be hot, a cooler of cold waters and frozen washcloths can help keep a wedding party cool – especially if your men are wearing lots of layers. Portable, handheld rechargeable fans are great too!
03
EXTRA FLORALS
Make sure to have your bouquet delivered in time to make an appearance for the detail shots and for your first look. Often they are delivered in water and need to be dried off before use. Having towels handy can help.
04
FIRST LOOKS FOR PARENTS
First looks for your parents or bridal party are very sweet moments! The people involved in the first look are generally more comfortable being fully dressed in their wedding attire – let’s work that into the timeline!
05
Pillows of TIME
If your reception is at a separate venue, add a “pillow of time” – at least 20 minutes or so we can run over to the venue to capture it while it’s still “untouched” by guests. You hear me talk about ‘pillows of time’ throughout the planning process. Truly, it’s important to add them in all over your schedule. The less time spent running from one thing to the next, the more time you have to enjoy, breath and relax on one of the most special days of your life!
06
HIDE THE BRIDE
We always recommend the bride go into hiding 30 minutes before the ceremony. Guests typically arrive early to weddings and the last thing you want to do is see them right before your ceremony! While in hiding, enjoy a snack, drink some water, use the restroom, and freshen up if you’d like! This is a great time to catch your breath and take a moment to be present.
07
MAKE A LIST
Family portraits go smoother when both sides of the family have a chance to have their input on what portraits they’d like before the wedding. If you supply us with a list ahead of time, we can go over it and make sure we shoot things in an order that is efficient and won’t leave anyone out. I am always happy to walk you through this. Families can be complicated!
08
PHOTO ANYONE?
During the cocktail hour and the reception, we are out and about photographing candids, little groups of people and reception details. Anytime you’d like a photo with someone, grab our attention. We love being your personal paparazzi – thats what were here for!
09
WE'RE HERE TO HELP
We’d love to help you plan your timeline. We are happy to flesh out family drama that might occur during family photo time. We can lend advice, an ear, or just bounce an idea off us. If you’d like our input or thoughts, don’t hesitate to email, text or call!
Enjoy!
More than any list, any detail, any bit of family drama – this is your wedding day. This is really just a giant festival of love. A big, huge love party. Love for each other, love for your families and friends, and love for the big circle of guests who are all coming to celebrate you. My biggest wish is that you enjoy ALL the moments. May you be present, peaceful and happy on this most joyous, beautiful day!!
10
HANDCRAFTED albums
THE PERFECT WAY TO REMEMBER YOUR WEDDING DAY
We’re big believers that images aren’t meant to solely exist in a digital space. One day, most likely, Instagram will be gone, your phone will be replaced and images that you can physically hold in your hand will be the best way to remember those precious moments we captured.
Think about this fact: twenty years ago, if we had delivered you digital images, they would have been on a floppy disk. With the fast updates to technology, you would have a hard time accessing those images today. Even the online galleries we deliver will eventually fade away.
One of the best ways to make your wedding memories last is by ordering an album. These high quality professionally designed albums come in a variety of linen & leather colors. These aren’t the same albums your parents’ wedding photos came in. They’re modern, lay perfectly flat and look incredible on a coffee table.
After we deliver your gallery and if you have purchased an album, we’ll work with you to design a beautiful book that will become an heirloom for your family.
Albums must be prepaid before design begins and typically take between 4 to 8 weeks to complete (including revisions).
With the exception of printing errors, all albums are non-returnable. Albums may be ordered anytime before or after the wedding day. The holiday deadline for beginning an order is November 1st.
You will forever be grateful for this classic heirloom. And someday, maybe, so will your children and grandchildren.
THANK YOU!
We can’t wait to start planning with you and getting to know you! If you haven’t scheduled your engagement session yet, let’s get that in the books.
Feel free to email us any time at katie@katieslaterphotography.com.
If you have any questions or would just like to chat, we’re here for you. We hope this guide helps make the process of planning your wedding details much easier and less stressful. We can’t wait to see you soon! Thank you so much for taking the time to read through our guide!
