WEDDING GUIDE
engagement session tips, timeline guidance, vendor recommendations & more!
WELCOME
A NOTE ABOUT THIS GUIDE
We’re so excited to be working with you and we can’t wait to get to know you better over the next several months! We know photography is one of the larger investments you're making for your wedding day and we're so honored you chose to work with us!
Even if you're working with a wedding planner or you're planning a simple wedding, there are likely still a lot of moving pieces left leading up to your big day.
Having photographed hundreds of weddings in our careers, we know the types of questions that couples generally have, so we put together a guide that walks you through everything from timelines to engagement sessions and inclement weather.
- THE PEARL & VEIL TEAM
Thank you again for choosing to work with us and please don't hesitate to let us know if we can offer any additional guidance throughout the wedding planning process!
We’re big fans of engagement sessions for a few reasons. Not only do they allow you to get comfortable in front of the camera, they also give you the opportunity to showcase your personalities in a more casual setting that is significant to the two of you. We've created an entire page dedicated to outfit tips, location ideas, timing considerations and more!
Engagement Session
plan your session
Preferred Vendors
A Curated List of Some of Our Favorite Wedding Professionals
Over the years, we've learned the important role quality vendors play in creating a stress-free wedding day. We've worked with all of the vendors below and we can't recommend them enough! This is not a paid list - we chose these vendors for both the quality of their work as well as their professionalism on the actual wedding day.
The Wedding Plan and Co.
I Do Planning
DeeKay Events
Petite Planning Company
Bogath Weddings
WEDDING PLANNERS
Laurelwood Designs
Pink Dahlia Vintage
Faye and Renee
Bespoke Floral
Blue Jasmine
Twisted Willow
FLORAL DESIGNERS
Pearl and Veil Studios offers videography. Inquire for more info!
ViDEOGRAPHY
Falco's Catering
Frungillo Caterers
Kate and Ally's
Merri-Makers
CATERING
Brian Kirk & The Jirks
Hank Lane Music
SCE Event Group
Elite Entertainment
This Is It
Posh DJs
DJ & BANDS
Make Me Up Eva
Unveiled by Anna
Sweet Hair Peace
Beauty on Location
My Beauty Makeup Artistry
Michelle Elise Artistry
HAIR & MAKEUP
Palermo's Bakery
Chocolate Carousel
My Daughter's Cakes
The Vintage Cake
CAKES
White House Bride
Castle Couture
I do… I do..
WEDDING DRESS
Rustic Drift
Dovetail Vintage
Faye and Renee
The Roving Bar
VW Booth Bus
RENTALS
Art Paper Scissors
Lace and Belle
Crisp by Britt
Little Black Dress Paperie
Invitations
Karson & Co.
The Jess Press
CALLIGRAPHY
Reverend Ben Hickey
Love & Light Officiants
OFFICIANT
That moment the Bride and Groom see each other for the first time on their wedding day is magical. And this is true whether the couple chooses to wait until the bride walks down the aisle or chooses to do a “first look’ prior to the ceremony.
First looks—a private moment couples choose to spend together prior to the wedding ceremony—have become more popular over the last few years, especially with so many couples opting to tie the knot at their venue instead of at a church.
While we consider ourselves people who value tradition, there are definitely a few good reasons to consider a first look. Here are 3 reasons to consider a ‘first look’:
Is a First Look Right for You?
If you're wondering whether a first look is right for you, stop here.
Once the ceremony begins, the day takes off quickly. A ‘first look’ is an opportunity to enjoy some quiet time alone, enjoy each other’s company, and reflect on all this day means before your day takes off.
Wedding days can be a whirlwind and they tend to fly by. There’s much to do, and a lot of people to see and to catch up with. We always encourage our couples to take a few minutes every so often during their wedding to stop and soak in everything that’s happening.
1. A first look cuts through the chaos of the day.
When there is no first look, the majority of the pictures have to be taken after the ceremony. Family pictures are generally done as soon as the ceremony ends because it’s the easiest time to round everyone up. Next up is full bridal party, and then bride and groom portraits. This generally runs into cocktail hour.
A first look opens up time prior to the ceremony for full bridal party pictures, bride/groom photos, and family photos too. This allows the couple to get the most out of cocktail hour, which makes the rest of the evening feel less rushed.
2. IT MakeS more time for Pictures without sacrificing cocktail hour.
If you’re expecting poor weather on your wedding day, it might be best to plan on a first look because it gives you more options for pictures. If it’s pouring rain after the ceremony, you’ll be thankful you had pictures done in advance.
And reason 3b is for all you cryers out there. If you know the tears are going to fly the first time you see your other half the day of your wedding, a first look will give you time to freshen up before the ceremony.
First look or not, the first time you see each other on your wedding day will be special.
3. Avoid possible bad weather and/or have time to freshen-up after crying
Wedding Day Timeline
building the perfect
Whether you choose to do a first look or the traditional "no see before the ceremony" we will work with you on making sure you have the best timeline and plan for images.
If you're choosing to go traditional, you'll need two different sets of photo times: images taken before the ceremony and images taken after the ceremony.
You'll need to plan for about one hour of pre-ceremony bridal photos (bridesmaids and bride's family) and about one hour of pre-ceremony groom photos (groomsmen and groom's family) at separate times. You'll also need 15 minutes of combined bridal party portraits, 15 minutes of combined family portraits and at least 30 -45 minutes of couple's portraits after the ceremony if you're not doing any portraits together until after the ceremony.
Whether you're planning a first look or sticking with tradition and not seeing your groom until you walk down the aisle, we have tips to help make planning your timeline as easy as possible!
If you're doing a first look, photos can be done all at one time, taking an average total of 2 hours pre-ceremony (although we also LOVE grabbing just the two of you for a few additional bride and groom photos at sunset!)
If you choose a traditional aisle reveal, all we ask is that you keep your ceremony time in mind when planning your wedding.
If you're planning a sunset ceremony or an evening ceremony, it's best to do all photos before the wedding, as daylight is crucial to getting amazing portraits for your families, bridal party and your couples portraits. Making sure we have enough time while the sun is up is a great way to make the traditional ceremony work.
12pm - 2pm: Bride Prep
1pm - 2pm: Groom Prep
2pm - 2:15pm: Set up for first look
2:15pm: First Look
2:30pm - 3:30pm: Bride & Groom Photos
3:30pm - 4pm: Bridal Party Photos
4pm - 4:30pm: Family Photos
4:30pm: Bride hides; guests arrive
5:30pm - 6pm: Ceremony
6pm - 7pm: Cocktail Hour
7pm: Reception
sample timeline WITH a first look
venue ceremony
1:30pm - 3:30pm: Bride Prep
3pm - 4pm: Groom Prep
3:30pm - 4:15pm: Bride, bridesmaids, and bride + family photos
4:15pm: Bride hides
4:15pm - 5pm: Groom, groomsmen, and groom + family photos
5:30pm - 6pm: Ceremony
6pm - 6:10pm: Combined family photos
6:10pm - 6:20pm: Combined bridal party photos
6:20pm - 6:50pm: Bride & Groom Photos
7pm: Reception
sample timeline without a first look
venue ceremony
10am - 12pm: Bride Prep
11am - 12pm: Groom Prep
12pm: Groom leaves for portrait location
12:15pm: Bride leaves for portrait location
12:30pm: First look
12:45pm - 1:45pm: Bride and groom photos
1:45pm - 2:15pm: Bridal party photos
2:15: Leave for church
3pm - 4pm: Ceremony
4pm - 4:10pm: Church Exit
4:10pm - 4:30pm: Family photos indoors
4:30pm: Drive to venue
5pm - 6pm: Cocktail Hour
6pm: Reception
RECOMMENDED FOR LATE FALL AND WINTER WEDDINGS
CHURCH ceremony WITH A FIRST LOOK
11:30am - 1:30pm: Bride Prep
12pm - 1pm: Groom Prep
1:15pm: Groom leaves for church
1:45pm: Bride leaves for church
2:30pm - 3:15pm: Ceremony
3:15pm - 3:25pm: Church Exit
3:30pm - 4pm: Family photos
4pm: Drive to venue
4:30pm - 5pm: Bridal party photos
5pm - 6pm: Bride and groom photos
6pm - 7pm: Cocktail Hour
7pm: Reception
RECOMMENDED WHEN YOU HAVE A GAP BETWEEN EVENTS
CHURCH ceremony WITHOUT A FIRST LOOK
If the forecast is calling for rain, fear not because rainy days can still be beautiful! If you don't believe us, just take a look at Ashley and Derek's wedding. It rained the entire day and it was still beautiful!
If rain is in the forecast, we recommend ordering a few clear umbrellas on Amazon. It also might be good to re-evaluate portrait locations to make sure we can still shoot in natural light - even if it means heading offsite.
Rain Tips
If you don't own a pair of cute Wellies, now may be a great time to order a pair - even if you're just wearing them in between shooting locations.
If you're not working with a planner, it might also be a good idea to check in with your entire vendor team to make sure they're aware of the weather. Hair and makeup may need to be tweaked to withstand humidity and if your wedding is outdoors, DJs and bands may need to take extra precaution to protect their gear. A quality rental team can also minimize the amount of mud at outdoor events.
While we can't guarantee that rain on your wedding day is good luck, we can put a plan in place to ensure we can still create portraits for you!
Rainy day weddings may require a little more flexibility and creativity, but there isn't any reason why they can't be as beautiful and as joyful as sunny weddings!
Wedding Day Details
We love capturing all the little details you've carefully chosen to be a part of your wedding day! Once we arrive at your wedding, we need about 30 minutes to capture and style details. We recommend choosing a getting ready location filled with natural light and, if possible, please keep the space free from trash and clutter.
It would be wonderful if you could put all of your rings, jewelry, shoes, veil purse, perfume, invitations and other keepsakes together in one spot for us. Please unwrap your dress but don't worry about styling it - we'll find the best light to hang it!
Dress
Dress Hanger
Rings (both engagement and wedding bands)
Shoes
Veil
Bouquet
Ring
Hair pieces
Jewelry
Invitation Suite ( 2 full sets with envelopes + stamps)
Any other paper stationary you may have like program cards.
Bridal DETAILS Checklist
His shoes
Socks (if they're special)
Cuff Links
Tie or Bow Tie
Pocket Square
Boutonnière
Vows Book
Rings
Anything else he'll have that is special or sentimental.
Vow Book
Any other sentimental keepsakes you would like to include
We once had a bride bring her grandmother's hand mirror. This is completely optional - but if you have something sentimental you'd like styled with your details, we love including family heirlooms in our detail shots.
Bonus: We'd love to have a few cuts of the florals you'll be using throughout your wedding day. If your florist will supply us with a few extra blooms, we can incorporate those in your detail shots.
GROOM DETAILS Checklist
We always love to take a photo of your rings while you're getting ready. If possible, try to have your engagement ring cleaned or clean it yourself. To clean at home, soak your ring in warm water with dishwashing soap for 20 to 40 minutes. Then gently brush the stone with a soft toothbrush, rinse and repeat if needed.
The Rings
Family formals are so important to everyone involved, but no one wants to dedicate a lot of time to taking them. Therefore, we'll do our best to prepare a solid shot list that will allow for a smooth and efficient family formals session.
When we send out our pre-wedding questionnaire, we'll ask you for a list of specific groupings, special situations (such as divorces or handicapped family members & more), but if you want to start brainstorming photos in the meantime, you'll find our typical list below.
Please note that this will go quicker and smoother if you let family know how the portrait process will work ahead of time.
Family Formals
your entire family, dressed up and together
Bride + Groom + Bride's Extended Family
Bride + Groom + Bride's Parents + Bride's Siblings + Bride's Grandparents
Bride + Groom + Bride's Parents + Bride's Siblings
Bride + Groom + Bride's Parents
Bride + Groom + Bride's Siblings
Bride + Mom
Bride + Dad
Bride + Groom + Groom's Extended Family
Bride + Groom + Groom's Parents + Groom's Siblings + Groom's Grandparents
Bride + Groom + Groom's Parents + Groom's Siblings
Bride + Groom + Groom's Parents
Bride + Groom + Groom's Siblings
Groom + Mom
Groom + Dad
Bridal Portrait Session Checklist
Please note that this list is just a starting point and that we're happy to take any requested family portraits as long as time allows!
Consider Unplugging
If you've been to a wedding recently, you may have seen a sign from the happy couple asking for their guests to remain "unplugged" during the ceremony.
And while it might seem like a strange requests to ask guests to put down their phones, there's a pretty good reason for it! You made a big investment in photography and we're sure one of the last things you want on your wedding day is for our photos of your ceremony to be filled with obtrusive iPhones, iPads and relatives standing in the aisle with their own cameras. In order to help us do the best possible job capturing your wedding, we recommend asking guests to unplug during the ceremony.
1. If you're getting married in the summer months, a "not-so-heavy" snack or lunch time before portraits is always a good idea for you and your bridal party to avoid hungry bellies and passing out!
2. If it's going to be hot, a cooler of cold waters and frozen washcloths can help keep a wedding party cool - especially if your men are wearing lots of layers.
3. Make sure and have your bouquet delivered in time to make an appearance for the detail shots and for your first look. Often they are delivered in water and need to be dried off before use. Having towels handy can help.
4. If you're planning on having a first look with your bridal party or a parent, they often feel more comfortable being fully dressed in their wedding attire.
5. If you're exchanging vows or gifts, this is best done during prep in a location that is quiet and free from distractions.
Additional Tips
AFTER SHOOTING HUNDREDS OF WEDDINGS IN OUR CAREERS, we're happy to share a few additional tips
6. We always recommend the bride go into hiding 30 minutes before the ceremony at the absolute latest. Guests typically arrive early to weddings.
7. To help make family portraits go smoother, it's best to have a breakdown of what portraits you'd like and it's really wonderful if both sides of the family have a chance to have their input on what portraits they'd like before the wedding so that you as a couple can discuss what your priorities are in terms of formals.
8. Anytime you'd like a photo with someone, grab our attention. We love being your personal paparazzi!
9. We include a custom timeline with every collection. Just fill out the timeline questionnaire in your Client Portal to get started.
We include a wedding album in every collection. Once your images are ready, you'll have a pre-scheduled Reveal and Ordering Appointment to see your images for the first time and customize your album with the help of our design team. At that time you'll also be able to add on pages and/or parent albums.
Albums
the perfect way to remember your wedding day
We can't wait to start planning with you and getting to know you! If you haven't scheduled your engagement session yet, let's get that in the books. Feel free to email us any time at info@pearlandveilstudios.com.
If you have any questions or would just like to chat, we're here for you. We hope this guide helps make the process of planning your wedding details much easier and less stressful. We can't wait to see you soon! Thank you so much for taking the time to read through our guide!