First and foremost, I just want to take a moment to thank you from the bottom of my heart. You’ve chosen to bring me along on this incredible journey, and I couldn’t be more honored. The trust you place in me is what inspires me every day, it pushes me to give my very best and allows me to create the most beautiful memories for you.
Rules
Don’t think of this guide as a rulebook.
Instead, see it as a collection of insights and suggestions that I’ve gathered over the years to help you make the most of your day.
My goal is for you to feel relaxed, enjoy time with your loved ones, sip champagne, and create incredible wedding photos, without any stress.
Timing
Good timing is key to keeping everything smooth on your wedding day, without unnecessary stress.
You should be able to enjoy every moment, because the day goes by really fast.
The best approach is to limit travel and keep the number of locations to one, or two at most. Things almost always take longer than expected, especially with a group, and small delays happen all the time. Leaving some extra time in your schedule will help you stay relaxed and actually enjoy it.
Working with a wedding planner or coordinator is also a great way to feel more at ease and avoid a timeline that’s too tight or unrealistic.
One thing that’s often overlooked : plan a few “empty” moments, with nothing scheduled. These are often when the most meaningful things happen, naturally, without being planned, because those pauses let emotions come through and make the photos feel even more real.
Advice : if something doesn’t go exactly as planned, or a detail isn’t quite how you imagined it, focus on what really matters : you, your loved ones, and what the day is about. Laugh, a lot, and take it all in. That’s what will stay with you, and what you’ll feel again when you look back at your photos, whether it’s 6 months or 6 years later.
Sample timeline
Here’s an example of how a wedding day can flow. Bridesmaids get ready earlier in the day, while the bride gets ready later, closer to late morning or early afternoon :
- 12:30 PM — Venue, ceremony setup, and details
- 1:30 PM — Bride getting ready
- 2:00 PM — Groom getting ready, groomsmen, and portraits
- 2:45 PM — Final touches, bride getting dressed, bridesmaids, and portraits
- 4:00 PM — First look and short couple session
- 4:30 PM — Ceremony
- 5:30 PM — Group photos after the ceremony
- 6:00 PM — Cocktail hour
- 7:30 PM — Couple session
- 8:00 PM — Reception entrance
- 8:30 PM — Dinner
- 10:30 PM — Outfit change and short night couple session
- 11:00 PM — First dance and cake
- 11:30 PM — Dance floor
Unplugged wedding
An unplugged wedding is not only a great way for your guests to disconnect and be fully present, it’s also the best way for me to give you really beautiful photos.
It completely changes the energy of the ceremony : more eye contact, more emotion, less distraction.
Missing a key moment because someone is on their phone, or having faces hidden behind screens in the aisle and in your photos… that’s something you really want to avoid.
I highly recommend asking your officiant or a trusted person to mention it at the very beginning of the ceremony. Invite your guests to put their phones away, be fully present, and just be there with you.
You can reassure them that they’ll receive a full professional gallery afterward, and that they’ll be able to download everything.
Getting ready
Getting ready is the behind-the-scenes of your wedding : your private, “just before” moment. It’s a time filled with emotion, excitement, nerves, laughter, sometimes tears, and it really shows the bond you share with your closest people.
- To create clean and timeless images, choose a space that is naturally bright, spacious, and tidy. Stay close to windows and settle in the most aesthetic part of the room.
- Try to keep your circle small and surround yourself only with your closest people, to keep this moment intimate and special.
- Make sure to gather your details in advance so I can take the time to photograph them nicely. Ideally, bring nice hangers for your outfits and set aside: your stationery, perfume, rings, cufflinks, jewelry, meaningful items, shoes, dress, suit, and bouquet.
- Before getting into your dress and during hair and makeup, you’ll be photographed. Choose a beautiful robe or something simple and elegant to wear, you can even match with your bridesmaids if you’d like.
- To start the day in the best way and keep things relaxed, go all in : open a bottle of champagne, play music, dance, enjoy the moment. These are often the moments that feel the most natural in your photos.
- Small gestures between you can also add something really special to your day. For example, writing a love note for your partner to read in private before your first look or ceremony is something you’ll always remember.
First look
The moment you see each other in your wedding outfits is one of the highlights of your day.
- If you’d like something very intimate, you can choose to see each other in private, just the two of you. It’s often the most emotional way to do it, as it allows you to fully feel the moment without anyone else around. It’s also a great opportunity for your first couple photos, with everything still fresh.
You can also plan a reveal with just your father, your mother, or your grandmother beforehand, and take a few photos together at that time.
- If you prefer a more traditional reveal during the ceremony, surrounded by your loved ones, take your time. Walk slowly and really enjoy the moment : it allows me to capture your expressions and emotions more naturally.
This doesn’t mean you can’t create a real moment together before the ceremony. You could hold hands around a door, exchange vows without seeing each other… choose whatever feels right for you.
Ceremony
The ceremony is the most anticipated part of your wedding, and for good reason. Whether you choose to follow traditions or add your own personal touches, do what feels right to you.
- Make sure to inform your officiants (civil or religious) of my presence and get their approval for photography in advance. Otherwise, it can cause issues on the day, as some officiants can be quite strict about where photographers can stand or move during the ceremony.
- Think about the light : for your comfort, your guests, and your photos. Avoid planning your ceremony in direct sunlight or too early or too late in the day. If the light is low, especially indoors or in a church, make sure using flash won’t be a problem for you or your officiant.
- Ask your guests to remain seated, avoid moving around, and put their phones away. A simple announcement from your officiant or a trusted person at the beginning usually works very well.
- For aesthetic reasons, try to place speakers carefully so they don’t take away from the setting. The same goes for microphones, stands, or even the design of your vow book or holder.
- Try to stand slightly turned toward each other during the ceremony : it allows me to capture your expressions and connection, not just your profiles.
- If the weather is uncertain, it’s important to have a backup plan in place, including the option to move the ceremony and cocktail indoors. Beautiful umbrellas are always a great idea, both for comfort and for the look.
- After the ceremony, don’t rush away. Take the time to enjoy your exit, whether it’s a petal toss or a guard of honor. Walk through your guests more than once, dance, kiss, and really take it in. That’s really when the celebration starts.
Group photos
Group photos are requested less and less these days, as they can take quite a bit of time and don’t always feel very modern.
In general, I focus on meaningful group photos with your closest family, especially older family members, and then use the cocktail hour to capture more natural, candid moments.
In any case, this session should take place right after the ceremony and before the cocktail starts, so everyone is present and available in the same place.
You can absolutely ask for more editorial group photos : for example, sitting together in a beautiful spot and having your family or friends join you one by one. It often turns into a really nice moment, with a lot of laughter, and results in more natural and harmonious images.
The smoother it is, the more enjoyable it will be for you and your guests. I recommend making a short list of the group photos you’d like in advance, and sharing it with your planner or a trusted person.
Couple photos
The couple session is your time to slow down, take a breath, and be just the two of you, fully present with each other. A quiet, intimate moment in the middle of the day.
You know my approach and chose me for my style : I’ll guide you to create modern, editorial, and aesthetic images, without anything feeling forced.
The moodboard we create together helps me understand what you’re drawn to, and I always take time when I arrive to explore the location and find the best spots.
I suggest dividing the couple session into several short moments, around 15 minutes each : during your private first look (if you have one), during the cocktail or while guests are being seated for dinner, and just before the cake.
This way, you can stay with your guests, take small breaks throughout the day, change outfits if you’d like, and most importantly, create a more varied gallery : from fresh, early moments to sunset light, and a more fashion, night-time session with flash, full of energy and movement.
Cocktail hour
After the ceremony and group photos, it’s time to relax, enjoy your loved ones, and raise a glass of champagne.
I’ll be there to focus on the most genuine moments, with a natural and spontaneous approach : laughter, congratulations, conversations, all the little interactions that make the moment feel real.
I recommend moving around and going to see your guests, rather than staying in one place. It’s when you move around that the best moments happen, and the most natural photos.
While your close circle is easy to identify, there are often more discreet guests who blend into the crowd but are just as important. That’s why I ask for a list of your VIPs or a small photo reference in the questionnaire.
I also use this time to photograph the dinner space, completely untouched, before the evening begins. To allow me the time to do this properly, please make sure the space isn’t accessible to guests beforehand, so no bags or personal items are left there. You can also ask your planner or catering team to wait before setting up drinks and bread until after I’ve photographed the space.
Dinner
To really celebrate your union and set the tone for the evening after the calm of the cocktail, a musical entrance is always a great idea. If you’re hoping for a fun, high-energy atmosphere, it often starts with you : a strong entrance followed by a few minutes on the dance floor is the perfect way to kick things off.
Dinner usually has a more intimate feel, whether it’s indoors or outdoors, with candles or fairy lights creating a softer and warmer atmosphere than DJ lighting.
I take fewer photos while dinner is being served and everyone is eating. Instead, I focus on the key moments : speeches, performances, meaningful exchanges between you, and the overall atmosphere as the evening begins.
It’s important that I’m served at the same time as you, and not too far from you, so I don’t miss anything, especially surprise speeches or moments. Please make sure to mention this to your catering team, as they usually organize this for all vendors.
Party night
To close the dinner, I recommend taking a short moment for yourselves : freshen up, change outfits if you’ve planned to, and take 10 minutes together. We can also do a quick couple session with flash before moving on to dessert.
For your first dance, whether it’s soft or more energetic, I suggest asking your DJ to use warm lighting, like soft white or golden tones. It gives a much nicer atmosphere and a more flattering look in photos.
Make the most of the last part of your day and really enjoy the dance floor. Before I leave, I’ll make sure to get all the best moments on the dance floor.
Welcome dinner & Brunch
Wedding weekends are a great way to create more memories, extend the celebration, and spend more time with the people you love.
A welcome dinner at sunset, a brunch by the pool, a spontaneous game of beach volleyball, or a boat ride : do whatever you feel like and enjoy it fully.
These real, relaxed moments, where the people who matter most to you are all together, are truly special. And they often end up being some of your favorite images.
Ready to celebrate your love and capture it with stunning images?
Reminders
- Plan a timeline that feels realistic and not too tight.
- Get ready in a space that feels aesthetic, bright enough, and with only your closest people around you.
- Bring your details for the getting ready: a robe or loungewear, nice hangers, stationery, perfume, rings, cufflinks, jewelry, meaningful items, shoes, dress, suit, and bouquet.
- Think about how you want to see each other and how you’d like to plan your couple sessions.
- Make sure your officiant (civil or religious) is aware of my presence and approves photography and flash. You can also ask them to mention phones and movement at the beginning of the ceremony.
- Have a backup plan in case of bad weather, and consider bringing beautiful umbrellas.
- Take your time during key moments (walking down the aisle, first look, ceremony).
- Prepare a short list of the group photos you’d like, and think about how you want this moment to flow.
- Make sure no one enters the dinner space before it’s ready.
- Let your catering team know that I should be served at the same time as you, and seated not too far from you.
- Trust the process : you don’t need to think about the camera.
