CONGRATULATIONS!
Your photographer is booked.
What's Next?
Now that you're officially booked, the countdown to your wedding day begins!! I know there's a LOT that goes into planning a wedding, so I want to give you a little idea of what you can expect from me over the coming months.
01. Let's Plan Your Engagement Session!
If your collection includes an engagement session, this is our chance to get to know each other before the wedding! We'll work together to choose a location, find a date that works for both of us, and plan a session that feels like you two. There's absolutely no rush to schedule this right away, especially if your wedding is still a ways out!
02. Wedding Planning & Staying in Touch
Throughout the planning process, I'm always just an email or text away! Reach out for any and everything, I am YOURS!
In case ya missed it: 203-500-4522 is the best way to reach me.
03. Let's Talk Timeline!
As your wedding gets closer and more details start falling into place, we'll work together to create a photography timeline! I'll help make sure we have enough time for everything that's important to you, from getting-ready details to family portraits and those just-married photos! If you're working with a wedding planner or coordinator, I'll also be in touch with them to make sure we're on the same page and everything is accounted for!
04. The Final Details
About a month or two before your wedding, I'll send over a questionnaire to gather all the important information, including your vendor team, family photo combinations, and any special moments you want me to know about. We'll also touch base to go through the final timeline and make sure we're all on the same page.
05. Your Wedding Day!!
When the day finally arrives, your only job is to enjoy it!! I'll be there capturing everything as it unfolds, from the big moments to all the little ones you might not even notice happening.
And don't worry, you won't have to wait long to relive it! You'll receive your wedding sneak peeks within 48 hours, with your full gallery delivered in approximately 4–6 weeks.
Engagement Session
Your engagement session is a chance for us to get to know each other before the wedding day and get you both comfortable in front of my camera!
Some New England Favs:
- Central Park, NYC, NY
- Harkness Memorial State Park, Waterford, CT
- Hammonasset Beach State Park, Madison, CT
- Wickham Park, Manchester, CT
- Topsmead State Forest, Litchfield, CT
- Elizabeth Park, West Hartford, CT
- Waveny Park, New Canaan, CT
- Block Island, New Shoreham, RI
- Downtown Newport, Newport, RI
- Downtown Mystic, Mystic CT
- Cliff Walk, Newport, RI
- Watch Hill, Westerly, RI
- Downtown Essex, Essex, CT
What Do I Wear?
One of the biggest questions I get before engagement sessions is what to wear!! Typically, my brides will bring two looks, one being a longer, flowy dress and the other a shorter mini dress! I love the variety this gives your gallery, especially if we're shooting at a location with a few different backdrops.
For the guys, I usually recommend a pair of dress pants or chinos, or linen, with a button-down or polo. You can always bring a blazer for a more dressed-up look!
I've also put together a Shop My Engagement Session Looks page with some of my favorite dresses and outfit inspiration if you need a little help deciding what to wear!
How Do I Book My Engagement Session?
Whenever you're ready to schedule your engagement session, just send me an email letting me know what month you're thinking and a few dates that work for you!
Please keep in mind that my weekend availability is limited since most of my weddings take place on weekends, so if you're able to do a weekday, that's always preferred!
All engagement sessions take place around sunrise or sunset for the best natural lighting. Once we have a date picked out, we'll finalize the location and time!
There's no rush to schedule right away, but I do recommend reaching out in advance so we have plenty of dates to choose from!
Let's Talk Wedding Day Details!
I know your wedding might still be months away, but there are a few things I always recommend keeping in mind as you start planning!
From deciding whether or not to do a first look to figuring out where you'll be getting ready, some of these decisions can make a big difference in your photography timeline.
You don't need to have everything figured out right now! As your wedding gets closer, we'll go through all the details together. In the meantime, I've included a few things below that are worth thinking about!
Getting Ready Location
Something I always recommend thinking about is where you'll be getting ready on your wedding morning! Natural light makes SUCH a difference in photos, so if possible, look for a space with large windows, neutral walls, and plenty of room for everyone.
I also recommend keeping one area of the room free of bags, food, and everyone's belongings. It doesn't need to be spotless, but having a little space to work with makes a huge difference when we're photographing those getting-ready moments!
First Look or No?
This is completely up to you two!! There are benefits to both, and I never want you to feel pressured into doing one over the other.
If you're considering a first look, it can give us more time for portraits before the ceremony and allow you to enjoy more of your cocktail hour. It's also a chance to have a few quiet minutes together before the day really gets going!
If you'd rather wait until you're walking down the aisle to see each other, I LOVE that too! We'll just plan your timeline accordingly and make sure we have enough time for portraits after the ceremony.
Ceremony Considerations
One thing I always recommend is checking with your ceremony location about any photography restrictions ahead of time, especially if you're getting married in a church!
Some churches have specific rules about where photographers can stand, whether flash is allowed, and how much movement is permitted during the ceremony.
For my Catholic couples, I also recommend letting me know whether you're having a full Nuptial Mass or a wedding ceremony outside of Mass, since that will affect the timing of your day.
Family Portraits
Family portraits are one of those parts of the wedding day that go SO much smoother with a little planning beforehand!
About a month before your wedding, I'll ask you to put together a list of the family photo combinations you'd like. I recommend keeping this to your immediate family and any other important groupings you'd love to have.
Please include everyone's first names rather than just writing "bride's family" or "groom's family." This makes it much easier for me and my second photographer to call people over and keep things moving!
If you're doing a first look, family portraits are also something we can potentially knock out before the ceremony! This is a great way to free up some time afterward so you can enjoy more of your cocktail hour.
I also recommend letting family members know ahead of time that they'll be needed for photos, so nobody disappears to cocktail hour before we're finished!
What Kind of Photos Do You Love?
Do you love more editorial, posed portraits? Fun photos with movement? Or those candid, in-between moments? Maybe a little bit of everything!
I always love when my couples share inspiration photos or Pinterest boards with me! Before your wedding, I like to put together a mood board so both my second photographer and I can get a better feel for your style and the overall vibe you're envisioning.
Of course, every wedding is different, and my goal is never to recreate someone else's photos, but to understand what you're drawn to and bring that into how we capture your day!
I Can't Wait for Your Day!!
I know there's a lot that goes into planning a wedding, and I hope this guide helps answer a few questions along the way!
Please never hesitate to reach out, whether it's a question about photos, a timeline concern, or you just want to share something you're excited about!
I'm so excited to be a part of your day, and I can't wait to see everything come together!!
With love,
Daniella