Frequently ASked Questions
What time should Hair + Makeup be done?
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We recommend two things! Tip 1: That you give them a 30 minute hard stop time after we arrive. For example, if we have a 1pm start time, then their hard stop would be 1:30pm or earlier. Tip 2: That you are not last to go in the chair for your full services. Lip touchups at the end are totally fine, but if their services are running behind, then you could easily fall behind several hours. Same tip applies for the person helping you get you IN your dress. We can always move on without a bridesmaid, but we can’t move on without MVPs! Remember that hair and make up needs to be finished before we do any PJ pictures. And parents (or the person getting you in your dress) will need to be dressed and ready before you get in your dress, too!
What time should I get into my dress?
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If you are doing a First Look and a lot of your portraits pre-ceremony, then plan to get in your dress ~2-2.5hrs before the start of your ceremony. If you are not doing a First Look then plan to get in your dress around 1-1.15hrs before the ceremony. Also account for how difficult it is to get in your dress - you don’t want to rush this part so much that you don’t have time to feel how special this part of the day is, or miss taking a minute to look at yourself in the mirror!
How long should I plan for Portraits?
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We spend about 15-20 minutes with Family Pictures (assuming they’re told where to be and when!)
About 20-25 minutes with the Full Bridal Party (If you have more than 8 on each side, you may need more.)
Anywhere from 25-65 minutes with just the two of you! (Some couples want a lot, some want less!)
What time are sunset portraits?
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We'll sneak just the two of you away for about 10-15 minutes! These are best done sometime between 1hr-30 minutes before google suggests sunset that day. Unless sunset is at 4/5pm, then many times we sneak you out during dinner, or sometime when your guests are distracted by the open dance floor.
How long should my veil be to get those cool shots?
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You may be surprised to know that our favorite veils that Brides used were bought from Amazon or Etsy for $150 or less! The long, lightweight ones that are wide enough to cover around your body AND are super long (or at least long enough to touch the ground) are the most photogenic! Heavily embellished veils and short veils don’t float in the wind that well. Longer veils are flattering to every body type and are timeless, too.
How does working with a Videographer go?
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Video is great, but it does take a little extra planning regarding your timeline. They’ll be beside us the whole day and usually working from the photography timeline we build. Many times they can shoot over our shoulders while we direct you, but there will be specific shots they need to be up close to you for. Certain times we can’t photograph you while they’re doing their thing, so additional time may be needed for certain areas of your day such as reading letters aloud or specific posing/movements/drone shots during portrait times. While video is absolutely important and another keepsake, it’s wise to ask them about their setup for ceremonies. We’ve also seen couples walk away from their ceremony disappointed because they didn’t know that the video team would set up tripods blocking guests’ views or that they’d physically stand up at the altar the whole time. Sadly there’s not much that can be changed once it’s happening, but it can be quite distracting to the ceremony or interfere with pictures. We’d love to send you some names we’ve worked with and trust!
If we want group pictures with friends, when should we do that?
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It’s best to plan for those group pictures during cocktail hour or the reception. If you are attending cocktail hour, one of us will be shadowing you so you can just give us a wave when you want a group picture. The same goes for during the reception time, as well.
If you have larger group pictures it’s best to give us and the planner a list of those pictures (College friends, Work Friends, Highschool Friends…) so the DJ or Band can call out those during a break in the reception. This will ensure that all the people that are supposed to be in the picture are actually in it.
When should I plan my engagement session?
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If you’re trying to use these for your Save The Dates, then probably a month or two before you plan to send those out! If you’re not using an image from us for that, then you can take advantage of this complimentary session anytime before the big day! We only photograph Engagement sessions Monday-Thursday and aim for that golden hour window 1.5hrs before sunset when the light is the best! One of the first steps in our process together is that you’ll receive a Questionnaire that gathers information from you to help select a date and location based on what you’re looking for!
Where should my session be?
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That’s your preference! We include travel for up to 40 miles from Richmond, VA, and there’s a LOT of variety within that radius! We have plenty of recommendations to share. You can pay to reserve spots such as the Virginia House, or utilize free public places such as the VMFA or Maymont Park. If there’s somewhere specific and special to you, let us know and we can come up with a plan!
Can I add on Wedding Albums later?
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Yes! It’s in your benefit to buy them with the package upfront when they’re discounted, but you can buy Wedding Albums up to 3 years after your Wedding Day! These Albums are beautiful heirloom keepsakes and come in a variety of sizes as well as Linen, Leathers and Suede. Check out the different options here!
When should I plan on having my Bridal Session?
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To ensure that you have enough time for the photos to be edited and any prints purchased before the Wedding, then we suggest scheduling your Bridal Session around 2 months before your wedding. It’s also best to plan your hair + make-up trial for the same day so you can see the complete look. You can even have your florist make a bouquet for you, as well.
