A WEDDING GUIDE for…
couples seeking an organic feel and flow to their wedding day. This guide focuses on photo related topics, but touches on many other facets of the day, with the ultimate goal to mitigate stress and maximize the experience.
EXPECTATIONS
I think it’s safe to say that frustration, anxiety, stress and panic are not emotions you want associated with your day, right? Being married myself, and having photographed countless weddings, I will tell you that the best way to avoid these feelings, and to get the most out of your day is to be present and in the moment, grateful to be marrying your best friend and surrounded by your favorite people. Leave everything else to the people you hired, and trust that everything unfolds the way it does for a reason and take comfort and joy in that.
Easier said than done? Absolutely. You put a lot of hard work into the planning! But the more you fixate on the negatives the more that will dictate the overall experience for not only you but your guests as well.
MENTALITY
Have you ever been part of a wedding and you took 1-2 hours of tedious portraits? Did you think to yourself “man I would so rather be back with a drink in hand and laughing with my friends and family”? I think it’s safe to say we’ve all been there and all had this thought.
So… why is this process a thing? Truth is - we’re not sure either. We would rather you be fully present on your wedding day, soaking up each moment and visiting with all your people, with us documenting the REAL moments as they happen.
These real moments are going to be so much more meaningful to you than the staged, overdone poses you will do during lengthy portrait sessions.
1. There’s more than one reason to carefully consider where you get ready. You want a place that will photograph well but you’ll also want a relaxing environment that can comfortably host a bridal party and family!
2. A WELL LIT PLACE IS A HAPPY PLACE. CHOOSE TO GET READY IN A SETTING THAT HAS LOTS OF NATURAL LIGHT. YOUR SKIN TONES WILL LOOK MORE FLATTERING AND THE OVERALL VIBES MORE CHEERFUL.
3. HOTEL ROOMS LACK CHARACTER, SPACE AND QUALITY LIGHT. LOOK INTO AIRBB OR VRBO (OR YOUR VERY OWN HOME) AS A ROOMY AND AESTHETIC ALTERNATIVE to match your wedding theme and give you some breathing room!
4. BE INTENTIONAL WITH YOUR GETTING READY SPACE. GETTING hair done IN the corner of a cramped space, crowded BY PEOPLE AND LUGGAGE IS A STRESSFUL AND OVER-STIMULATING ATMOSPHERe, and all of that comes through in your photos!
5. Don’t forget about the boys. we typically don’t spend as much time with the boys as the girls, but they still deserve a nice place, too. and for the love, please don’t put them in the basement!
6. Consider getting ready together! Tradition be gone, you’re here to celebrate together so why not spend the entire day together!
MUSIC! I’VE SHOWED UP TO PREPARATIONS BEFORE AND IT WAS DEAD SILENT WITH BRIDESMAIDS LITERALLY FALLING ASLEEP. WE DON’T WANT THAT. IT’S OKAY IF IT’S NOT YOUR THING TO BE BOUNCING OFF THE WALLS WITH ENERGY, BUT HAVING MUSIC PLAYING KEEPS GOOD VIBES GOING AND FILLS ANY UNCOMFORTABLE SILENCES. TAKE A FEW MINUTES IN THE MONTHS LEADING UP TO YOUR DAY TO CREATE A PLAYLIST, OR DESIGNATE A BRIDESMAID TO COME UP ONE!
something that really helps glue the whole gallery together is the details. your florals, jewelry, shoes, dress, invitations, perfumes/colognes, fabrics, etc… anything that pertains to the wedding is fair game. have all of this stuff set aside and ready for your photographer upon arrival. make sure to allot 15-20 minutes for your photographer to adequately stage and photograph everything.
It’s more than just a time saver
a first look is an opportunity to be intentional and provides you the chance to take a step back from the hubub and slow down. you can cry, laugh or kiss as much as you want without a bunch of guests gawking. there’s zero pressure to “perform”. it’s just the two of you and you can take all the time you need to soak in the moment.
a first look can also be with more than just the person you’re about to marry like bridal party, Parents and Grandparents.
a first look often gives you more flexibility with your schedule. By taking bride and groom photos before the ceremony, you'll have more time to spend with guests afterward. Another common reason for doing a first look is to calm nerves and reduce the pressure of being in front of a large crowd. It also gives you a chance to have a stress-free moment alone with your partner before the craziness begins. Some couples even use this time to privately exchange vows, adding a special touch to the day.
If you're not set on seeing each other for the first time at the ceremony, there aren't many downsides to a first look. However, depending on the time of the wedding, if the space has little shade, taking photos before the ceremony could be very hot and bright, creating harsh light and unflattering skin tones. For instance, if you're getting married in an open field with no trees for shade, you might want to think carefully about whether a first look is the best option to ensure good portrait time.
Little things make a big difference
You may still be searching for the perfect spot to say your vows, or you’ve long since decided where that’s going to be. Either way, there are things you may not have considered that can negatively or positively effect how you, and your guests enjoy the ceremony. time of day, type and direction of light, seating logistics, vendor communication and simple aesthetic choices are all components that, and if done well, will go a long ways in getting the most out of your ceremony.
How to use different types of space and light
HARSH LIGHT:
typically during high noon or early afternoon. This is the trickiest light to work with. if shade isn’t an option, try to at least position the sun behind the altar. This will mitigate inconsistent shadows and unflattering contrast.
GOLDEN LIGHT:
The lower the sun is in the sky, the softer and warmer the light will be. It doesn’t always make logistical sense to have your ceremony at 8pm/AM, but the later/earlier in the day you have your ceremony the prettier the light can be. Backlight if possible.
SOFT LIGHT:
when light is DIFFUSED, soft and predictable (achieved with overcast skies or shade). THIS IS ONE OF our FAVORITE TYPES OF LIGHTING FOR CEREMONIES and YOUR SKIN TONES WILL THANK YOU for it! we can’t always predict overcast skies though, so try for dappled light/shade from trees or the north sides of tall buildings.
AMBIENT LIGHT:
if you’re choosing to have your ceremony after dark, or inside with no natural light, Bistro lights and candles will be your best friends. the more ambient light you can provide the less intrusive I’ll have to be with flash and off camera lights (I try not to use my own lights ever if possible). oh, and Avoid harsh spotlights!
MIC STANDS.
Avoid using mic stands if you can. They tend to be distracting and aesthetically displeasing. Opt for lapel mics if that’s an option for.
GO Unplugged.
Encourage your guests live in the moment without the distractions of phones, ipads, and cameras. You want engaged guests in your photos and not arms overhead or leaning into the isle getting the “perfect” photo. Trust us to document, and let your guests be present for you.
standing markers.
Tape or mark where you (bride and groom) will stand. If you’re not paying attention (you probably won’t be), standing off center from the isle/arbor looks VERY funny. Just have visual indicators to help keep you where you should be.
*also - some officiants will try to move out of the way for the first kiss. To me, this often is even more distracting to the kiss than if they were to just stay put!
use ushers!
Ushers ensure all the right seats get filled. Without them, guests will just default to sitting in the back and on the ends, leaving many unused seats creating an awkward and incomplete visual.
Keep it short and sweet
FAMILY PHOTOS
The most common time and place couples get stressed out and frustrated is always Family photos. emotions are high, there are a million distractions and time is of the essence, so it’s easy to lose your mind when uncle joe is constantly running to the bar or aunt patty is in a mood.
family photos are important to get, so let’s just come into it with the right mindset, attitude and having made appropriate preparations.
Family photo checklist:
have your officiant make an announcement that all family to remain in the vicinity (otherwise all of them will make a bee-line for the bar)
allot 15-20 minutes for family photos, immediately, or shortly after the ceremony. once this time is up, we move on. any family photos yet to be taken can be done at the reception.
We generally like to start with the biggest groupings and widdle it down from there. This method usually lessens the amount of up and down your family has to do, but also allows the distant family members to be done sooner and go enjoy cocktail hour.
Designate a coordinator or bridesmaid to bark orders and reference any photo lists. your photographer will handle composition and directing, but you need someone (besides yourself) that knows names to faces to take the reins.
Your photographer may have an alternative location for family photos in mind, other than the ceremony arbor. if lighting is a concern, we might suggest a backdrop that’s more suited for formal portraits.
don’t stress yourself out. Trust that your photographer is aware of the time and will help keep things moving along as they should. enjoy every minute of your day and keep everything light hearted and fun, no matter how much Uncle Joe drives you nuts.
BRIDAL PARTY PHOTOS
Bring the energy! Little to no formalities. Let’s pump the music, have fun and photograph you and your people in their natural element.
EVERY PHOTOGRAPHER HAS HIS/HER OWN APPROACH TO BRIDAL PARTY PHOTOS, SO IT’S IMPORTANT HAVE APPROPRIATE EXPECTATIONS GOING IN IN ORDER TO GET THE MOST OUT OF THEM. THE BEANART APPROACH IS 100% ABOUT MAKING THIS SEGMENT OF THE DAY AS ENERGETIC AND exciting AS POSSIBLE (WITH NO SHORTAGE OF DANCING, TACKLING, CHAMPAIGN POPPING, MUSIC BLASTING AND GROOM (or bride) LIFTING). by INCORPORATING THESE ELEMENTS INTO THE ATMOSPHERE I’M ABLE TO DOCUMENT everyone OUT OF THEIR SHELLS, CANDIDLY INTERACTING WITH ONE ANOTHER - as it should be.
BRIDE & GROOM PHOTOS
CONTINUING the THEME APPLIED TO THE BRIDAL PARTY - IT’S ABOUT CREATING AN ATMOSPHERE. TO GET REAL LIFE MOMENTS CAPTURED, IT TAKES A COMBINATION OF VULNERABILITY, TRUST and SPONTANEITY.
To familiarize yourself with our process, refer to our portrait guide!
We’re here to help you arrive at a well-structured timeline - one that considers your guests, available day-of light and most importantly your vision. We want to share our expertise in both weddings and photos to help you enjoy your day to the maximum!
This is a guide that outlines, generally speaking, how long we need for each segment on a wedding day and hopefully helps you understand our flow and needs as photographers and videographers.
*these are ball park estimates and averages. We need to talk in person to determine length of coverages.
Details and scene setting - 15-45 MINUTES
Getting into dress + bride portraits -15-30 MINUTES
First look with parents - 10 MINUTES
First look with each other - 10-20 MINUTES
Family photos - 10-30 minutes
Bridal party photos - 20-40 MINUTES
Bride + groom photos - 20-30 MINUTES
Sunset photos - 10-20 MINUTES
Dance floor - 1-2 HOURS
Let’s party!
NOTES
Request that the DJ kills the dance lights for the special dances (very difficult to photograph and also not the mood you’re usually wanting for your first dance.
If you have uplighting, keep it white! Colorful (especially greens and purples) really mess with skin tones in a bad way.
Your photographer and videographer work on their feet for 7-10 hours straight, expending physical and mental energy the entire time. Make sure your vendors are fed adequately and given the time to recoup at dinner or Your photo quality will suffer (because we will be exhausted and not 100%).
Candles or twinkle or bistro lights - it doesn’t matter. If it creates mood lighting and ambient light then I’m all for it! We also like to use little lights like that to “drag” for an energetic vibe on the dance floor (refer to example images).
It’s safe to allot 1-2 hours of open dance floor coverage for your photographer and videographer. Anymore than this isn’t a bad thing, but it can get redundant and the time can usually be used better earlier in the day.