Before the Wedding
Here is a general breakdown of what the next steps are and what to expect leading up to the wedding day.
Plan Your Engagement Session
If you're doing an engagement session, that will likely be the first step in the photography process! I'll work with you to plan your session. In the meantime, check out the session planning guide!
Complete the Wedding Day Questionnaire
About 3 months out from your wedding date, I will send you a wedding day questionnaire. This questionnaire is super in-depth and will include everything I need to know about your wedding day. This questionnaire also asks for a draft of your timeline. I will need this questionnaire completed by 30 days before the wedding date. Really take some time to think about and answer the questions and be as open and honest as you can. Your answers will help me to capture your relationship the best I can! Feel free to send me inspiration images if you'd like too!
Things to do Before the Wedding
Discuss Final Logistics
About 2-3 weeks out, we will set up a final call to talk through final logistics and timeline for the wedding day.
Session Planning Guide
Create a Timeline
Creating a timeline is an important part of the planning process. When planning the timeline for your day, you'll want to think about things like what time do you want to start getting ready and where? Do you want to do a first look? When do you want to do family photos? I'll ask for a draft of your timeline 30 days out from the wedding date, and we'll talk through the timeline in our final call.
Timeline Planning Guide
Wedding Day!!
It's finally here!! Get excited, relax, and have fun. It's the start of your marriage and a day that you'll remember forever. Enjoy every minute.
Create a Family Photo List
A photo list outlines specific portraits (think smile at the camera photos) that you and your partner want to make sure are captured on the wedding day. This list will include the exact combinations of family members and/or friends that you want photos with, for example: Couple + both sets of parents, Partner 1 with siblings, Couple with Partner 1's grandparents. A photo list ensures that you get photos with everyone that you want to. Check out the link below for more info on creating a family photo list!
Family Photo List Guide
A few months out: Engagement Session (if applicable)
If you're doing an engagement session, we'll start by planning the session. Most couples schedule their engagement session to take place about 6-8 months before their wedding, but it's completely up to you when to schedule the session.
30 Days Out: Questionnaire Complete
I ask that you submit the questionnaire and a draft of your timeline by 30 days (about a month) before your wedding date. This gives me time to look through everything and plan accordingly. The final payment is also due 30 days before the wedding date.
90 Days Out: Questionnaire
About 90 days out from the wedding, I'll send you an in-depth wedding day questionnaire. This questionnaire will come to you via email.
Before the Wedding Timeline
We're Official
Once the contract is signed and the retainer is paid, we are official! I send you an email with planning resources and an outline of next steps.
2-3 Weeks Out
After you submit the questionnaire, I'll email you again with a Day of Doc filled with final details and logistics. You can also set up an optional final call. These calls usually last about 20-30 minutes. During the final call we will talk through your finalized timeline and go over the questionnaire. I'll ask you questions, you can ask me questions, and by the end, we'll both me on the same page for your wedding day!
Wedding Day!
Your wedding day is here! Relax and enjoy it.
After the Wedding
To see what to to expect after the wedding, check out this page!
Final Notes
I'm here to help! If you ever have a question or want to run an idea by me, feel free to email me anytime.
Copyright Abby Shepard Photography
