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Welcome, I’m so glad you’re here!
If you’re reading this, it means you’ve officially booked me for your wedding photographer—and that truly means so much to me!
Out of all the photographers you could have chosen, you chose me to step into one of the most meaningful days of your life. That’s not something I take lightly. Your wedding isn’t just another date on a calendar to me—it’s a story, a covenant, a beginning. And getting to document that is something I feel incredibly grateful for.
I want this experience to feel easy, peaceful, and deeply personal from start to finish. Not rushed, not overly posed, not stressful—but intentional, joyful, and true to who you are.
My heart behind what I do has always been simple: to create photographs that feel like you can step back into them years from now. The kind that feel warm and honest. The kind that remind you not just what your wedding day looked like—but what it felt like.
Throughout this guide, I’ll walk you through everything you need to know—timeline tips, what to wear, how to feel comfortable in front of the camera, and all the little details that make a big difference. My goal is to answer your questions before you even have to ask them, and to help you feel fully prepared and at peace going into your day.
At the end of it all, I hope this doesn’t just feel like information—but like having someone in your corner who genuinely cares about you, your story, and your marriage.
I’m so excited for what’s ahead for you two.
— Mallory
What its like to work together
From the very beginning, my goal is for this to feel easy.
I don’t expect you to show up knowing what to do or how to pose. That’s my job—to gently guide you when you need it, and step back when you don’t. Most of the time, I’m not going to have you standing there wondering where to put your hands. I’ll give you simple direction, movement, and prompts that help you interact with each other in a way that feels genuine.
Throughout your wedding day, I’ll be both present and unobtrusive. There when you need me, but never overwhelming the moment. I’ll help keep things on track, fix the little things you might not notice, and make sure you feel taken care of every step of the way.
You don’t have to perform.
You don’t have to get it “right.”
All you have to do is be fully present with each other.
You can expect a balance of both:
- Light guidance so you feel confident and comfortable
- Space for real, unscripted moments to naturally unfold
Planning a Day That feels Like You
When you start planning your wedding day, it’s so easy to feel pulled in a hundred different directions—timelines, traditions, expectations, opinions. And while all of those things can have their place, I want to gently bring you back to what matters most:
This day is about the two of you.
The most beautiful, meaningful wedding days are the ones that are planned with intention. Not rushed. Not overfilled. Not trying to fit into someone else’s version of what a wedding “should” be—but thoughtfully created around what actually matters to you.
As you plan, here are a few things I always encourage my couples to keep in mind:
Choose a space that allows you to be present.
Whether that’s a venue tucked into the mountains, a quiet countryside property, or somewhere close to home—what matters most is how it feels when you’re there. Look for places with natural light, room to breathe, and spaces where you won’t feel rushed from one moment to the next.
Give your day margin.
One of the biggest stressors I see is a timeline that’s packed too tightly. When every moment is scheduled back-to-back, there’s no room to slow down or actually experience what’s happening. Building in extra time—whether it’s during getting ready, portraits, or just a few quiet minutes together—makes all the difference.
Be intentional with what you include.
You don’t have to do everything. Truly. If something doesn’t feel like you, it’s okay to let it go. The best days are the ones where every part of it feels aligned with your relationship, your values, and what you care about most.
Think about light and movement.
This is where things start to really come to life visually. Soft, natural light and a little bit of space to move freely can completely change how your day feels—and how your photos turn out. We’ll plan around this together, but it’s something to keep in the back of your mind as you choose your location and build your timeline.
Create space for the moments that matter.
The quiet ones. The emotional ones. The in-between ones. Time with your people, a deep breath before you walk down the aisle, a few minutes alone together after the ceremony—these are the parts of the day that you’ll remember most.
Building a Timeline that lets your day breath
When a day is rushed, you feel it in everything—moments get cut short, emotions feel hurried, and it becomes harder to stay present. But when a timeline is built with intention and a little extra room to breathe, everything shifts. You’re able to slow down, take it in, and truly experience what’s happening.
My biggest goal when helping you plan your timeline is simple:
to create space for both beautiful photos and a peaceful, meaningful day.
I. Leave more time than you think you need
Almost every part of a wedding day takes a little longer than expected—and that’s okay. Adding buffer time throughout your day (especially during getting ready, travel, and portraits) keeps things from feeling stressful if something runs behind.
II. Consider a first look
A first look gives you the chance to see each other in a quiet, private moment before the ceremony. It often helps calm nerves, allows for more time together overall, and opens up your timeline so we’re not trying to fit everything in after the ceremony.
That said, if you’ve always dreamed of seeing each other for the first time down the aisle, that’s just as meaningful. There’s no “right” choice here—just what feels right for you.
III. Plan your ceremony with light in mind
Lighting plays a huge role in how your photos feel. If you’re planning an outdoor ceremony, I typically recommend aiming for later in the day when the light is softer and more flattering. Harsh midday sun can be tricky, while evening light tends to feel much more romantic and gentle.
IV. Protect your golden hour
This is one of the most beautiful parts of the day—the soft, glowing light just before sunset. I always recommend setting aside 10–20 minutes during this time for portraits. It’s not only incredible for photos, but also gives you a quiet moment together to step away and soak everything in.
V. Keep travel simple when possible
If your day involves multiple locations, building in plenty of travel time is key. The more streamlined your locations are, the more time you’ll have to actually enjoy your day instead of moving between places.
With a First Look:
Getting Ready
First Look
Wedding Party + Couple Portraits
Ceremony
Family Photos
Golden Hour
Reception
Without a First Look:
Getting Ready
Ceremony
Family Photos
Wedding Party + Couple Portraits
Golden Hour
Reception
What to Wear (and How to Feel Like Yourselves)
FOR YOUR ENGAGEMENT PHOTOS
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