Weddings can be silly.
There, I said it.

Hear me out. Some of the traditions we *think* we need on our wedding day stem only from expectations and what people say we should do. I want you both to think hard about what this day should be about, how it can reflect you both wholeheartedly and how you can show up as your authentic selves through every part of it.

Once you have decided what actually matters to you, and WHY it matters, you can get into the knitty gritty of planning a day that celebrates you in the most YOU way possible.

ENGAGEMENT SESSIONS

No experience is necessary. I’ve got you.

Coming prepared and talking about your preferences and what to expect together will be the key to having a relaxed session that screams YOU.

My sessions are relaxed. We chat, we explore, I instruct you on some posing essentials then I get you interacting. That’s where the magic lies.

WHAT TO WEAR?
– Clean, wrinkle/pet hair free clothes.
– Avoid big logos, bold patterns or neon colours.
– Avoid baseball hats, they can cast dark shadows on the face
– Footwear that’s clean and matches your wardrobe.

I recommend picking a level of fancy (casual, biz casual, date night, formal) and tying your colours together so they don’t clash. When in doubt, jeans and neutrals work great.

Need advice? Just ask.

Engagement Photographer Couples Photography Victoria BC Proposals Session

WHAT TO EXPECT

You can expect to explore (bring shoes comfortable for off-roading), belly laugh, play silly little games to bring out your true personalities, and to talk to each other (sometimes serious sometimes playful)

I encourage intimacy. Sharing feelings. Showing the love.

Rain doesn’t bother me unless it’s pouring. Wind can be fun. If it’s looking miserable we can absolutely reschedule.

Sessions last about 45 mins depending on your session type (minis are less, extended sessions are more). Sometimes we go over this timeframe.

I recommend picking ONE favourite location for your session to maximize shooting time.

Schedule your engagement session 1-2 months in advance to ensure availability for your chosen date. Booking this can be done via e-mail.

Engagement Photographer Couples Photography Victoria BC Proposals Session

TIMELINE

13 years & 300+ weddings…

I have seen it all (almost!), and know what works best for most wedding days – regardless of size. My rule of thumb is to plan with wiggle room so the day is not stressful and not micro-timed. This gives time to take it all in. Trust me, you want time for mental memories, too!

Venues and planners may give you a great ‘logistical’ timeline, but it doesn’t always leave room for the organic stuff to happen.

Here’s what I find works best for my couples for a full-day wedding (for elopements, simply choose what parts are most important to you). Once you have an idea of your timeline, get in touch and we can work on solidifying it together.

Getting Ready: 60-90 minutes girls/those with hair and makeup, 45 minutes guys/those without hair and makeup, elaborate outfits.

First look/Private Vows: 20 minutes

Family Photos/Group Photos: 20-30 minutes

Wedding Party & Couple Photos: 1-1.5 hours (I always recommend doing some either right before or shortly after the ceremony, and then some after dinner if your timeline allows it)

Ceremony: 30 mins

Receiving Lines/Greeting Guests: 15-30 minutes (some couples do this at cocktail hour, while others will do it right after the ceremony in a more formal way, or leave time after dinner to walk around.

Cocktail Hour: 30-90 mins (can happen during family photos/group photos or couple’s photos)

Dinner: 60-90 mins (we usually eat when you do vs at the end of dinner service, to make sure we’re done when you are for sunset/dusk photos or speeches, please allow 30 mins for us to take a break during dinner for 5+ hour packages.

Speeches/Toasts: 30-45 mins

Cake/Dances: 15-20 mins

Party: 15-30 mins

Transportation time: varies

GETTING
READY

Some small things to consider if you’re opting for getting ready photos:

Tidiness: When it comes to making the most of your getting ready photos, it’s important that your getting ready location is as clean as possible when I arrive. This will translate to more photos (I’ll spend more time shooting than moving stuff around), and cleaner final images. Delegating someone to do a quick tidy helps tremendously.

Lighting: We prefer to use natural light whenever possible to maintain the natural feel of the day. It helps if you choose somewhere for prep with natural window lighting and open space if at all possible.

Hair/Makeup: I generally arrive at the very end of hair and makeup for those having it done. I’ll often take just a handful of these action shots. I can stage a couple of images of your finishing touches if needed. This ensures you are ready and looking fab prior to my arrival and to ensure if things run late, the most important person is ready to go on time.

Getting Dressed:You can wait until I arrive to get fully dressed. Shoes, accessories, etc. can be photographed before being put on, and then we usually capture the act of getting ready as it happens. NOTE: People love a good wedding party robe photo, consider the logistics of this when planning for this shot as it’s rare everyone is ready to go to capture it with ease. If both of your getting ready is requested, we will plan the logistics based on whether a second photographer has been contracted.

Quick Tips:
– Have a to go bag ready for departing the room/house with all of your ceremony/day of essentials
– Pack touchup makeup, bobby pins, and a tide to go pen for quick fixes.
– Have your details/accessories together for my arrival to save time hunting these items down.

TIMELINE: 45-90 minutes for ladies/those having hair and makeup done and 20-45 minutes for guys or those with simple attire and no hair or makeup.

Victoria BC Wedding Photographer Victoria Gallery
Victoria BC Wedding Photographer Victoria Gallery

FIRST LOOK + PRIVATE VOWS

The intimacy and realness in the tiniest moments together, without people pulling you in 100 directions is worth 1000 first looks as you walk down the aisle (in my humble opinion!). If you aren’t set on tradition, here’s why I’d consider a first look or private vows…

Pressure is eliminated. Nerves are firing a mile a minute in anticipation, plus family and friends staring at you from the audience can really freak some couples out. Having the opportunity to say your own personal vows prior to the ceremony or to tell your significant other that you’ve both “got this” results in a much more relaxed couple come ceremony time. Nerves are replaced with excitement and a “let’s do this” mentality

You will end up with more emotional/intimate photos: The reaction shot when your person walks down the aisle is fantastic. But what is more fantastic is having you both in the photo together feeling all the feels openly. A first look is more intimate, allows us to control the location and lighting for the best images possible, and you both react naturally rather than looking like deer in the headlights.

Your timeline flows better for guests. A first look frees up the need to have a period of 2-3 hours between your ceremony and reception, where (let’s be honest), people do not have a clue what to do or where to go. The day is less disjointed, and you get to enjoy all of the events as they unfold without worrying about everyone waiting around for you. Instead of running away after the ceremony avoiding your guests to ensure enough photo time, you can have a glass of bubbly and catch up with aunt Vivian from two continents away.

Privacy. The moment you see your future spouse for the first time is an emotional and beautiful moment. Having it private keeps it sacred.

TIMELINE: 15-20 minutes plus photo time after, if desired

Victoria BC Wedding Photographer Victoria Gallery
Wedding Photographers Victoria BC Sea Cider Weddings BIPOC Wedding Photographer -1

PORTRAITS

My wedding couple portraits are lightly posed with an emphasis on natural interactions & your unique connection. This may involve going off the beaten path or doing an activity (walking, dancing, etc.).

These are the photos you will frame, put in albums, share with family and friends, and the ones you’ll show off, in addition to those emotive candids.

These are photos of you embraced in a moment, or goofing off in your special way, or whispering sweet nothings into each others ear (by sweet nothings we really mean what you ate for breakfast in a sexy voice).

These are the images you will cherish and hold close for a lifetime. These photos will remind you why you made this vow in the first place.

SOME POINTERS

Pre-ceremony: After the first look is usually the most common time for couples photos. You are still excited, looking fresh and neat, and your connection quite evident. The nerves have dissipated and the light is usually better earlier in the day than mid day. If we do a first look, we generally fit in couples photos and wedding party photos during this timeframe, allowing on average 1-2 hours for both if you have a large wedding party.

After-ceremony: While many couples do a first look, not all will be keen to break tradition. In this case, we would do prep photos prior to the ceremony, then head to the ceremony. Family photos would follow, then we would begin couples and wedding party photos.

After Dinner: This is my favourite time of day to do a few more photos. Planning 20-45 mins post dinner when you’re most relaxed can be a great way to capture you in the best light of the day and with you looking the most “you”. I usually suggest doing half your portraits earlier in the day, then sneaking away after/during dinner for these extras (they end up being most people’s faves).

Just the two of you, please! Intimacy is squashed by a peanut gallery. Your wedding party may be present but we will generally “steal you away” for those more romantic photos.

TIMELINE: 1-2 hours average (1 or 2 locations)

Victoria BC Wedding Photographer Victoria Gallery
Victoria BC Wedding Photographer Victoria Gallery

CEREMONY

Lighting: When planning your outdoor ceremony location, the lighting will play the biggest role in how your photos will turn out.

Backlight: The sun should be behind you whenever possible (your guests would be facing it). Visiting your ceremony site around the same time of day (and year) as the wedding will allow you to get a feel for how the sun will light up your scene.

Side Light: Side lighting for the ceremony can be tricky. You should try to avoid having one person lit up and one person in shadow (whoever is darker/wearing darker clothes should be facing the sun/lit up).

Indoor Lighting: Indoor lights give off a variety of colour tones and bands of light which we don’t usually notice with the naked eye. It is important to consider how the indoor lights illuminate the scene, cast shadows, and whether additional ambient light might be worth investing in (twinkle lights, chandeliers, candle light, dimmable lights, etc.). Have questions? Just ask!

Shadow and Light: If your ceremony will occur directly in front of a bright window, the window will likely end up very white in your photos with some haze. We adjust for this, but sometimes it is unavoidable. If you wanted that epic view out the window to show in your photos, depending on how bright the day is it may or may not be possible without using heavy flash, etc. Same goes for sunset out a window. Chances are, to have you looking normal, the sunset will still be too bright in camera to show it’s beautiful colours that our eyes naturally see.

Victoria BC Wedding Photographer Victoria Gallery

Location: Your ceremony itself should ideally be the most important choice you make for your wedding day. Will there be noise from other patrons? Will you have exclusive use of the area? Will there be wind or elements to worry about and do you have a backup plan in case of rain? What will the temperature be at that time of year for your guests? The location should suit your individual personalities, and reflect the mood you wish to achieve with your ceremony.

Decor: More often than not, placement is not symmetrical. I recommend stressing this to your decorating team and your officiant. Putting markers where you should stand is also helpful and keeps you and your wedding party/officiant where you need to be. This is especially important when you have an arch or backdrop. Symmetry shows up in photos, while it may not be visible to the human eye at first glance.

TIMELINE: 30-45 minutes

GROUP PHOTOS
Wedding party + FAMILY

WEDDING PARTY

Wedding party photos usually take place following the first look or following the family photos after the ceremony.

I recommend educating your wedding party of your expectations of them for the wedding day to ensure they are mentally prepared for your timeline and know that they have to remain available for certain portions of the day. I’d also recommend delegating someone to make sure everything makes it into the vehicles if heading off-site for these photos (flowers, water, drinks, etc.)

If you plan to do 1+ hours of wedding party photos, I’d suggest packing drinks and snacks for your party to avoid “hangry-ness” and to keep the energy flowing. Wearing shoes that are appropriate for walking and off-roading are also ideal (flip flops work in a pinch).

I discourage drinking/smoking in excess until after wedding party photos are completed as faces will become flush and people will become less cooperative under the influence.

FAMILY

Family photos take place after the ceremony, usually at the same location to avoid losing people to the bathroom, bar, etc.

I ask for a detailed list of family photo groupings prior to your wedding. I highly recommend limiting family photos to 10-12 formal groupings or less. In my extensive experience I find that this part of the day causes the most anxiety and stress for the couple and everyone else involved. The more simplified the list, the more time you will have to enjoy your day with family and friends.

When it comes to family and group photos, a clean and simple background works best. Even lighting is our friend. I’ll usually scout an area very close to the ceremony location, if not the same spot. Although you may want to opt for a scenic background, the best options are usually the simplest with shade, and minimal distractions.

TIMELINE: 15-30 minutes (for 10 combos, 15-20 mins is fine, for more, you’ll likely need more time)

Sample Family Photo List (your individual family will differ)

  • Wedding Couple + Both Sides’ Parents
  • Wedding Couple + Both Sides’ Parents and Siblings and Spouses/kids
  • Wedding Couple + Spouse 1’s Parents and Siblings
  • Wedding Couple + Spouse 1’s Parents, Siblings, Spouses/kids and Grandparents
  • Wedding Couple + All Grandparents
  • Wedding Couple + Spouse 2’s Parents and Siblings
  • Wedding Couple + Spouse 2’s Parents, Siblings, Spouses, Kids and Grandparents
  • Wedding Couple + Non-Wedding Party Besties
Victoria BC Wedding Photographer Victoria Gallery
Victoria BC Wedding Photographer Oak Bay Beach Hotel Weddings
Victoria BC Wedding Photographer Victoria Gallery

RECEPTION

We photograph using natural light as much as possible (with exception to dancing/party photos and sometimes toasts/speeches). This gives the most authentic feel, and is the least distracting to you and your guests.

Adequate lighting: Reception lighting is often overlooked when planning weddings. Consider whether adding candlelight to the existing lighting would help illuminate your faces during the reception – even if just for the head table. String lights also work pretty well if your reception is outdoors or little light exists in your venue.

Table Placement: For lots of great candid reaction shots, consider leaving space between tables for the photographer(s) to walk between tables for more variety in shots. Leaving sight lines in front of the head table also aids this. Florals are also pretty on tables, but can hinder faces for reaction/candid photos, so keeping them low profile is ideal.

Dinner Time: Most wedding days are at least 6-8 hours long. We often plan to eat while you are both eating, that way we are not waiting for our salad to arrive when it’s time for toasts (you’d be shocked how many planners or caterers leave us until last without understanding the why). It is ideal for photographers and videographers to sit somewhere near the main seating area to ensure no impromptu moments are missed. Please also note that if the meal is plated, we may have dietary concerns (Heather for example, is pescatarian – no meat just fish/dairy/eggs. One of our Second-Shooters is vegan).

Speeches: For the best candid moments, speeches work best when they take place before or after dinner vs spread out in between. This also gives us a time to take a quick recharge break so we’re doing the best job we can for you on your day.

Dances: I usually request 5-10 mins to setup my first dance lighting if the dance is inside/after dark. After the first dance and any parent dances, party time begins. If you have us along past the first dance, I will let you both know when it’s time for my team to leave to ensure nothing else is desired before departure.

TIMELINE:

  • Dinner is generally 1-1.5 hours in duration
  • Sunset Photos are 10-20 mins
  • Speeches/Toasts are approx 45 minutes and can take place before or after dinner (if during dinner, please allow a 30 min interrupted period so we can refuel/eat/use the restroom).
  • Cake and Dances take 20+ minutes and we generally need 5-10 minutes prior to set up additional lighting as needed.
  • Party shots – 15-20 mins is plenty, and playing a few bangers to get everyone up during this time is amazing!