Wedding tips

for the intentional couple

“I want to be more than just a photographer. I want to help you create a beautiful, stress free experience beyond the photos.”

— Kayla Law

Getting Ready

As an enneagram 4 I love to surround myself with beautiful things and I think of one the best decisions to make for your wedding day is choosing a beautiful environment to get ready in. Whether that means an all white, shiplap beach house or a cabin in the mountains, be intentional. It’s always fun when couples choose a house that their immediate family can share for a week leading up to the wedding.

Keep in mind that you’ll be moving a lot during your wedding, so a tight dress isn’t always a great idea. They can hinder movement and become uncomfortable, but it’s totally your choice. Some brides even get a second dress so they can dance at their reception.

Also, don’t forget about the groom! Most of the time the bride gets a gorgeous suite or room and the groom gets tucked away in a small dark room with hardly any light. Let's give him a nice room to get ready in too.

First Look

It's a thing couples do now, but is it for you? A first look is where the bride and groom get together before the ceremony to see each other.

I love it because it's just the two of you (and me) and you're able to really soak in the moment without all of your guests watching you during the ceremony with their cell phones and cameras out. It’s also a great opportunity to read each other personal vows, just for you two to hear.

Want to know why it’s a tradition to save the first look for the ceremony? Most marriages were arranged, so the groom didn’t see the bride for the first time until the ceremony. This ensured that he wouldn’t run away if she was ugly. You shouldn’t have that problem though.

Still not sold on the idea? Let’s talk about it! I’ve never met a couple who regretted seeing each other before the ceremony and they’ve all said the ceremony first look was still just as meaningful.

Ceremony

This is the time of the day where you publicly commit to being together for the rest of your lives. Before you put a time on your invites, let’s figure out what time is best together. There are a few factors to consider first like the sunset, first look, wedding party and family photos, etc. I’m more than happy to help you plan out your timeline and make that one less thing you have to worry about.

Unplug! An unplugged ceremony is when you ask your guests to turn off their cell phones and put away the camera, so that they can be present in the moment. It also keeps people from standing up and putting their cameras in front of mine. I don't want to miss a single moment just because "Uncle Bob” wants to take photos too.

Couples Portraits

I love stealing couples away from the wedding festivities to photograph just the two of them together. It’s a time for you to break away from your families and to love on each other. Whether that happens before the ceremony, after, or both, this is something we can discuss when planning your timeline.

If you want to spend more time with your family and friends, another option is taking a few couples portraits on your wedding day and scheduling a session during the following week.

The most important thing to ensure we get great photos though is trust. If you trust me to create the photos you’ll love, I’ll be able to do my thing and guide and direct you well. It’s all about collaboration and trust!

Reception

I am all about preserving the ambience and portraying the romantic atmosphere in my photos. This means I avoid the flash when possible. The photos might be a bit grainier, but you really get a sense of how it really looked. When the party gets started though, I bring out the flash to get those truly memorable moments of your mom killing it on the dance floor.

Some people like to partake in all the traditions, some party all night, some just want a quiet dinner with a few dances, etc. It’s good to evaluate what type of reception experience you want so we can best decide how much coverage you’ll need for it.

Grand exits can be soooo much fun, if done correctly. Click here for tips on grand exits and alternative ideas to sparkler exits.

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