If you’ve ever stayed up past midnight wondering whether you have checked off all the boxes for your wedding planning, you’re not the first. As a wedding photographer, some of the sweetest conversations I have are with couples who come to me with a list of questions a mile long, and I am here for it. Over the years, I’ve noticed the same wonderful questions popping up again and again, so I gathered all of my favorite wedding FAQ’s into one cozy little blog post. Whether you’re freshly engaged and still squealing with excitement, or you’re knee-deep in seating charts and vendor emails, I’ve got you covered. Grab your coffee and let’s dive in!

“What’s Involved with a Customized Wedding Timeline?”

A “customized wedding day timeline” is a timeline made by me, for YOU and YOUR wedding only. I don’t have a software or a program where I put in the variables and BAM it makes me a timeline. I do it using “photographer math”. About 3 months before the wedding, you will receive a questionnaire to fill out. All of the questions and answers will help me make your timeline. It’ll be questions like, “What time are you getting to the ceremony site?” “What time are the groomsmen getting there?” “What time is dinner being served?” “Are you doing a first look?”

After I get that questionnaire back from you, I will make your customized timeline. I start by planning out details for when the ceremony starts and when pre-ceremony photos must be done. Then I work backwards and figure out the timeline before the ceremony. After I know a rough start time for the beginning of the day, I work backwards and fill out the timeline after the ceremony.

My next steps include sending over the first draft via email and then coordinating with you on any changes or edits.

“When Will We Receive Our Final Wedding Gallery?”

As outlined in your contract, and my personal goal as a wedding photographer, I ALWAYS strive to deliver your final gallery within 40 days after the wedding. If I’m right at that 40-day mark and I know I’m close to finishing up your wedding, I will communicate with you! I always tell my clients that I’m EASY to contact, whether it’s by texting, calling, or emailing. I majored in Agricultural Communications, so you best believe I will over-communicate with you during the entire wedding process from start to finish. I love the saying, clear communication is the key to success.

“Is It Okay If We Don’t Want a First Look?”

Absolutely!! In my bridal guide, I talk about the benefits of doing a first look, but please DO NOT think I am pressuring you! That decision is completely up to you as the couple. I do believe there are benefits to including this in your timeline. However, I won’t be upset if you choose not to do one. I make sure my bride and groom consider my suggestions for “after-ceremony photos” since more photos will be taken after you’re officially married. I will give you tips and tricks along the way, and we can absolutely create your timeline without a first look. Sometimes my couples change their mind, and in that case, I send them a link on how to create a magical first look.

“Can You Design Our Wedding Invites?”

Yes! Aside from wedding photography, I LOVE graphic design! I have actually been a graphic designer (and photographer) for an agricultural company for ten years. I also design on the side for my photography business and have created many designs for past wedding couples. I love making wedding invites, save the dates, shower invites, etc., whatever the couple needs from me. If you haven’t yet, please check out my design page on my website!

“We’re Ready to Book! What is the Next Step?”

Yay, I’m so excited! The next steps are signing your contract and making the first deposit. **That first deposit and all payments after that are non-refundable and non-transferable.** After those things are completed, you are officially booked with me! 🥳 From there, your next payment is not due until six months out, and the next one is three months out. The last one is due 30 days out.

“When Should We Schedule Engagement Pictures?”

Most of my wedding couples schedule them around 10-12 months out from the wedding date, but that is really the couple’s preference! It honestly doesn’t really matter to me, as long as you get them back in time from me, fully edited for you to use them as you choose. Some people like to use the images for Save the Dates, which is great! After the engagement session is completed, I ask my couples to allow me two to three weeks to deliver the gallery. Most Save the Dates are sent out around six months before the wedding. Wedding invites are sent out six to eight weeks before the wedding.

“How Do I Make Payments on My Invoice?”

After you and your fiancé have officially booked your wedding with me, you will have access to your very own client portal. That portal is just a simple system where you have everything all in one place. Within this portal is a SEAMLESS way to make a payment, via your bank account or credit card. It’s very easy to do! Also in the portal is where you will find your questionnaire, a copy of your contract, all the invoices, and a few other things.

And if you’re wondering whether you can pay early, you absolutely have that option! When you look at your invoice, you will see a button that says “Pay Now.” Click on one of those, and within a few steps, you can easily make a small payment. Any dollar amount is fine.

“What Wedding Vendors Can You Recommend?”

I have been in the wedding industry for a while and have worked with some of the best vendors in the Tiffin, Fremont, and Sandusky, Ohio, area. There are so many great venues, florists, caterers, and bakers, and working with them professionally gives me the inside scoop on the best ones to use. To find the vendors that I personally recommend, visit my past blog!

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And there you have it, friend! All of your burning wedding photography questions answered in one place! I hope this post made you feel a little more at ease and a lot more excited about this whole process, because truly, it is so fun! ❤️ Planning a wedding can feel overwhelming at times, but when it comes to your photography, I want you to feel nothing but confident and taken care of from start to finish. If you still have a question that I didn’t cover here, my inbox is always open. 😉 Seriously, don’t be shy! I would love to hear from you, get to know you, and hopefully be the photographer that gets to tell your love story. Send me a message to start planning!