My Wedding Photography Booking Process

 
Black and white photo of bride and groom kissing
 

With spring and summer just around the corner, there are so many couples jumping into the newness and excitement of the wedding planning process! This season of preparation can be so much fun, and can also come with a lot of questions and unknowns. There are so many times I’ve heard couples in this season ask “Where do we even begin with_____??” As your wedding photography gal, I thought it would be beneficial to offer some insight into my wedding photography booking process and answer some frequently asked questions regarding the tools and resources I offer. Hopefully, this post will give you a good idea of what to expect as you begin preparing for your big day – I absolutely love walking with my couples through this entire process with the goal of making wedding dreams a reality!

My wedding photography booking process

REACHING OUT

The first step in my wedding photography booking process is to fill out a contact form on my website! This form includes some important questions related to contact information, the kind of photography package you are interested in, your location, and your ideal budget goals. My baseline photography package cost is listed in this form to help give you an idea of what to expect from a budget standpoint. I’ve also included some questions to help me get to know you and your partner and get a glimpse into your vision for your wedding! The more information you provide on this form the better, as it helps me understand what you are hoping to achieve and how I can best serve you in this booking process!

 
Bride and her bridesmaids smiling in a forest
Black and white photo of bride with her bridesmaids in the forest laughing
 

GETTING TO KNOW EACH OTHER

Once you submit your inquiry, I will get back to you as soon as possible! You can expect a response from me within 72 business hours. After reviewing your contact form, I will be able to ask more specific questions about you and your partner as a couple, and your hopes and dreams for your wedding day. From here, we will schedule a phone call to dive in a little deeper! I love getting to connect on a more personal level and hear all of the details of your wedding day, and answer any questions you might have. This call is really helpful on a few different levels. It helps me get a more indepth view of the kind of wedding day you are hoping for, and any specific requests or needs you might have. This will allow me to recommend a good wedding photography package, and help you make the right decisions when selecting photography coverage. Plus I just love getting to know my couples!

PACKAGES

After our phone call I will send you an investment guide with the wedding packages I offer that will fit both your wedding vision and budget. Having been a part of so many weddings throughout my years as a wedding photographer, I am well acquainted with all of the costs that are involved in the wedding booking process! Being aware of this, I am very committed to collaborating with you for your wedding budget needs. In my investment guide, everything is laid out clearly and there are no hidden fees that will unexpectedly be added on later. You are always welcome to add more to your package if you choose, but I will absolutely not add anything you are not aware of. Whether you have a large or small budget for your wedding, I’m excited to make your wedding photography vision a reality! 

Along with the investment guide and packages, at this time in the booking process I will also send a few sample galleries of weddings I’ve photographed for you to take a look at. Based on our conversation, I try to send sample photographs of weddings that have similarities to what you’ve described for your day – i.e. location, venue, wedding size, decor/aesthetic. This will help give you a more specific idea of my photography style related to your wedding vision, and hopefully provide you with inspiration for the moments you hope to capture on your wedding day!

 
Groom adjusting boutonnière for groomsman in the forest
Groom with his groomsmen laughing in the forest
Black and white photo of groom with his groomsmen in the forest
Wedding party celebrating with bride and groom in the forest
Bride and groom standing under log alter at woodland outdoor wedding ceremony
Bride and groom with wedding officiant saying vows in outdoor woodland wedding ceremony
Bride and groom recessional at outdoor woodland wedding ceremony
Bride and groom standing in forest
Black and white photo of bride and groom kissing
 

BOOKING

Once you decide what package is best for you, I will send over a contract and invoice to get your wedding day all booked! Signing the contract and sending the initial payment will ensure that your wedding day is fully reserved, and I will not be booking any other work during your contracted time. The initial payment due (which will be included in the invoice) is 30% of the total cost – a retainer to book the day. For the rest of your payments, you may choose a custom payment plan, or pay the remaining 70% of the total cost one week before your wedding.

The contract itself ensures there we have a mutual understanding and agreement regarding details and process for your wedding day. These include wedding date, location, the time frame you are hiring me for, and amount and dates of payment. I have also included details related to my expectations as a photographer to help me capture the very best images I can throughout your wedding day! This contract protects both you and me, and provides clear expectations for us to work together creatively and effectively for your wedding day!

AFTER YOU’VE BOOKED

After you’ve booked, I am here for whatever you need throughout the wedding planning process! From an aesthetic perspective, I am available to offer input regarding colors and decor and make suggestions for what will photograph best. With my years of experience working with incredible local vendors and venues, I am so happy to provide recommendations in those categories as well! 

Another important part of the wedding planning process I can assist with is helping you create your wedding day timeline. This will ensure your wedding goes as smoothly as possible, and I can help make sure you have the very best lighting for your photographs throughout the day. Whatever you need, I’m here for it! No question is a dumb question – I absolutely LOVE talking with my clients every step of the way!

 
Bride and groom with their family at a woodland wedding
Bride and groom listening to wedding toasts at an outdoor woodland wedding
Bride and groom dancing at casual woodland wedding reception
Bride and groom sendoff at outdoor woodland wedding reception
 

I hope this glimpse into my wedding photography booking process has been helpful! This collaboration is such a true partnership towards making your wedding dreams a reality, and it is such a privilege to be a part of this beautiful process. If there are any other questions you have please don’t hesitate to reach out! I would love to connect as you begin to plan your special day!

Are you looking to begin planning your own wedding? I’d love to be a part of it and photograph your day for you! Get in touch now to check availability and for more information.