getting ready

Estimated time: 1-1.5 hours

Getting ready photos are some of my favourite moments of the entire day.

They’re quiet, emotional, and full of connection — the calm before everything unfolds. While some couples consider skipping this part to save time, it’s often where some of the most meaningful images are created. This is where nerves settle, laughter happens, and the people closest to you gather around you before the day truly begins.

A black and white photo collage shows people getting ready for a wedding celebration in various indoor settings.

the start of the day

Wedding days rarely begin perfectly on schedule — and that’s okay. The morning tends to unfold slowly, sometimes a little behind, sometimes exactly as planned. Allowing extra time here creates space for the day to start without pressure.

Whenever possible, I recommend having a clear plan for where everyone will be getting ready and when. Knowing who is where — and giving each group their own space — helps avoid unnecessary stress and allows the morning to feel calm and intentional.

A relaxed start sets the tone for everything that follows.

choosing a space

Your getting-ready space plays a bigger role than most people expect. Natural light, neutral tones, and a bit of breathing room go a long way in keeping photos feeling clean, timeless, and focused on you.

If you can, choose a space with windows, minimal clutter, and room to move comfortably. Bright, neutral walls photograph beautifully and allow skin tones, details, and emotions to stand out. I’ll always help guide positioning and light once I arrive — even small adjustments can make a big difference.

Think simple, calm, and uncluttered — it lets the moment shine.

The pre-first looks

Some of the most emotional moments of the morning happen before the ceremony ever begins.

Seeing your wedding party for the first time, or sharing a quiet reveal with a parent or someone especially meaningful to you, can be incredibly powerful. These moments don’t need to be big or staged — just intentional.

If there’s someone in your life whose reaction would mean the world to you, I highly recommend creating space for a pre-first look. I’ll guide it gently and keep it relaxed, allowing the moment to unfold naturally while I document it as it happens.

These are often the images that couples come back to again and again.

The wedding day | Every Angle, the Wedding guide

A series of candid wedding party photos showing bridesmaids in gray dresses preparing for the celebration.

A white wedding dress hangs by a window with a veil and shoes draped over an antique chair on hardwood floors.

details +

personal touches

Estimated time: 1-1.5 hours

When I arrive, one of the first things I’ll focus on are your details. These pieces help tell the full story of your day — the textures, the thought you put into things, and the little elements you chose with intention.

This part of the morning is never rushed. While these images may feel small in the moment, they become meaningful anchors in your gallery, helping tie the entire story together from beginning to end.

I’ll take care of styling and photographing everything thoughtfully, so you don’t have to think about it at all.

Wedding details flatlay with white invitation, perfume bottle, shoes and floral accents on light surface.

If you’re able, having your details gathered in one place before I arrive makes for a smooth, stress-free start to the day. It allows me to work efficiently while you stay present with the people around you.

Details you may want photographed include:

Both wedding bands and engagement ring
Jewelry
Perfume or cologne
Vow books or letters
Wedding bouquet
Invitation suite or stationery
Shoes
Tie, socks, belt, or other accessories
Dress and veil

Any personal items that feel meaningful to you

If you’re unsure whether something is worth including, set it aside anyway — I’ll help decide what works best once I’m there.

A person in a white wedding dress kneels down on wooden floorboards in a bright sunlit room.

The wedding day | Every Angle, the Wedding guide

Estimated time: 40- 60 minutes

A couple shares a joyful moment during their outdoor garden wedding ceremony.

A first look is a private moment where you see each other before the ceremony — just the two of you, with space to breathe it all in.

It’s something I often recommend because it takes the pressure off earlier in the day. You’re able to spend time together, create relaxed portraits without a clock ticking, and move into the ceremony feeling grounded and present.

If you choose a first look, we’ll naturally flow into your couple portraits afterward, keeping this part of the day calm and efficient. It also means you’re free to enjoy cocktail hour and spend more time with your guests later on.

If you’d rather wait until the ceremony to see each other, that’s completely okay. We’ll simply plan portraits afterward instead. Either way, the goal is the same — a day that feels easy, unhurried, and true to you.

lighting simplified

Light plays a role in how photos feel — but it’s not something you need to worry about.

The softest, most flattering light tends to happen earlier in the day and again later in the afternoon. When the light is harsher, I’ll naturally look for shade or adjust positioning so everything still feels comfortable and natural.

You don’t need to plan your day around lighting. I’m always watching for it, adapting as we go, and making small adjustments when needed — so you can stay focused on enjoying your day.

The wedding day | Every Angle, the Wedding guide

A wedding party walks and poses together on a scenic beach with soft waves and sand in the background.

the wedding party

Estimated time: 20 - 30 minutes

Wedding party photos are meant to feel fun, relaxed, and celebratory — not like a long list of poses to get through.

This is one of the few moments when all of your favourite people are together, and my goal is to capture that energy in a way that feels natural and genuine. We’ll focus on a few key group photos, easy movement, and real interactions — the kind that reflect your relationships, not forced formality.

You don’t need individual portraits with every member of your wedding party unless it’s something that truly matters to you. Those extra groupings can add time quickly, and many couples prefer to spend that time enjoying the day instead.

If there are specific combinations you care about, we’ll absolutely plan for them. Otherwise, I’ll guide this portion of the day efficiently and keep things light, so you can move on and enjoy the moments that follow.

A wedding party poses for a group photo in front of a rustic white barn with flowers in the foreground.

estimate time : 30 minutes

Family photos are meaningful, but they don’t need to take over your wedding day.

I recommend keeping formal family photos focused on immediate family and the people who matter most to you. This allows us to move through this part of the day smoothly, without pulling you away from your guests for an extended period of time.

Before the wedding, I’ll ask for a short list of family groupings that are important to you — parents, siblings, and grandparents. Keeping this list simple helps everything feel calm and organized on the day of.

Photos with extended family and friends don’t need to happen all at once. Many of those moments happen naturally during cocktail hour, at the reception, or in between events. If there’s someone you’d love a photo with, just let me know — I’m always happy to grab it when the moment feels right.

The wedding day | Every Angle, the Wedding guide

Wedding ceremony taking place under a white draped canopy with greenery decorations in an outdoor setting.

estimated time: 230-45 minutes

This is where it all becomes real.

Before everything shifts into celebration mode, take a breath. Stay close to your favourite people, soak in the quiet, and let the day unfold — the party will be there when you’re ready.

before, during + after

I always recommend building in a little buffer before the ceremony — a short pocket of time where you’re not being photographed or needed anywhere. It gives you a chance to settle in, calm your nerves, and be fully present when the music starts and guests arrive.

Most ceremonies last around 30 minutes, though some traditions may take a little longer. We’ll make sure your timeline allows enough space so nothing feels rushed.

After the ceremony, I love when couples take a few minutes together before rejoining guests — whether that’s a quiet corner, a short walk, or a private space to take it all in. Those first moments as a married couple are incredibly meaningful, and they deserve a little room to breathe.

if your ceremony is outdoors

Outdoor ceremonies are beautiful and full of natural energy. If you’re planning to be outside, it’s always a good idea to have a simple backup plan in case of weather — even something as easy as umbrellas or a nearby covered space.

When it comes to light, I’ll guide positioning and timing so everyone looks their best. Shade and softer light make a big difference, and I’m always watching for ways to keep things comfortable and flattering without disrupting the moment.

if your ceremony is indoors

Indoor ceremonies can be just as beautiful, especially when there’s natural light in the space. Windows and open areas help create a softer, more natural feel in photos.

If lighting is more limited, I’ll work with what’s available and adapt as needed — my focus is always on capturing the emotion of the moment without distraction. You don’t need to worry about the technical side of things — I’ve got it handled.