THE WEDDING EXPERIENCE
INQUIRE
You've done your research, scoped me out, seen the portfolio, and read about me. If you are interested in Liz Morales Photography being your photographer, please send me an email, and let's get started!
FREE CONSULTATION MEETING
You’ve seen the photos. Now let’s chat! We’ll set up a time to chat with you to get your questions answered and, of course, hear your proposal story!
SAVE YOUR DATE
If I'm the perfect fit, I'll be sending you everything you need to secure your date. Once your date is officially reserved, you’ll receive an email from me to prep you for the big day. During this time, I'm happy to serve as a resource for vendor recommendations, timeline guidance, and more!
GET COMFORTABLE IN FRONT OF THE CAMERA, YOU ARE FIANCES ONCE!
Whether you prefer to schedule your engagement session as we get closer to the day or immediately follow a proposal, this is the perfect time to get comfortable in front of the camera. This is your chance to have a fun date with your fiance & a great way for us to get to know your story as the day gets closer. Once you have booked me for your wedding photography, I will send you some information on what to wear for your engagement session.
PREP FOR THE BIG DAY
About one to two months before the wedding, we’ll start the conversation about timeline specifics, details, shot lists, traditions, and anything else we should know about your wedding day.
HAVE A GREAT EXPERIENCE & EVEN BETTER PHOTOGRAPHS
Just know we’re so excited to celebrate and capture your wedding day! Share your timeline with your photographer this will help plan your day so it can run as smoothly as possible. You can expect your photos to be delivered via an online gallery in the weeks after your wedding.
PRESERVE YOUR WEDDING PORTRAITS IN AN ALBUM
Once you’ve seen your wedding photos, we’ll get in touch about preserving your images through prints and albums. It’s the perfect way to relive your love story through a curated collection of your best photos.
WHAT IS THE BEST ADVICE FOR COUPLES?
- Based on many years of experience, the first and an important piece of advice I can give you and I say this wholeheartedly "PLEASE EAT" and stay full as long as possible. You will be hungry and grumpy and it will be shown in your photographs. So again, please make sure you are getting that belly full, it will be a while before your main meal.
- Now that we got that out of the way, I can't express enough for you both to relax and enjoy every minute of your wedding day. Don't get too consumed with the wedding day preparation or leading to your wedding day. This event should be bringing you together not apart. Give each other tasks that way one doesn't feel is taking on more of the responsibility than the other. Do your best to stay on schedule, and follow your timeline as close as possible. I know things might come unexpectedly but don't stress, have your maid of honor or wedding coordinator help you with those details it will help you stay on track. This will also help all vendors stay on track and organized. Your day will go by so quickly, so enjoy it!
- Be sure you have your hair and makeup trial at least 1-2 months before your wedding. Take advantage of your engagement session to get it done. This will help you have peace of mind to know exactly what you will look like and give you the opportunity to make changes in advance. Allow at least 50% of your originally anticipated time to be set for your hair and makeup for you and your bridesmaids. This will alleviate the number one reason why wedding schedules end up running late.
- Have your florist deliver your flowers/ boutonnieres to where you will be getting ready at. This also includes all your accessories like your wedding rings, heels, veil, garter, invitation, perfume/ cologne, champagne or tequila bottles, any gifts to your wedding party, and nice wooden hangers and plastic hangers. To ensure I have a chance to photograph details prior to the ceremony, make sure you have these with you before I arrive.
- Have an emergency kit with painkillers, makeup remover, sewing kit, bobby pins, deodorant, safety pins, small scissors, and bandaids.
- Don't have a friend photograph your wedding. Be cautious of these 'friend-with-cameras' and the just starting out 'wanna-be-wedding photographers'. Just remember, the flowers fade, the laughter and tears become sweet memories and the cake is eaten; but your wedding portraits last forever. When all is said and done, you will have each other and your wedding photography. Choose wisely.
- Make sure you let the photographer know any guidelines or restrictions from your venue and the location of your church. Sometimes they don't allow strobe lighting and require certain insurance information. It's good to know ahead of time to plan for that.
WEDDING DAY
What is the first look?
We definitely encourage clients to do what they desire especially if they are following a traditional wedding where they see each other while she's walking down the aisle. We do say, however, that photographing formal portraits before any ceremony is fun and romantic, with no time conflict or rush to get to the reception area. I have photographed a few weddings before the ceremony and based on this experience, couples shared that seeing each other prior to walking down the aisle allows them to have a private moment, get some jitters out, and ultimately have more romantic images in their final gallery. As explained earlier, getting some of the formal family images out of the way also allows you to attend a portion of the cocktail hour, should you choose to do so. We find that stress levels with brides, grooms, family members, and wedding parties are greatly reduced when the formals are taken care of and they can focus on just having fun and being with their guests. Also, depending on the time of day, we may have better light and access to better portrait locations before the ceremony. However, if you choose not to do a first look, don't worry we just work with you to create a photography timeline that fits your wedding day ideas.
I'm having a religious wedding ceremony are you familiar with this type of ceremony?
Most of my weddings are religious wedding ceremonies where I've documented Catholic and non-denominational Christian weddings. We would love to learn about your customs and event and would love to discuss doing your wedding as well.
Can our guests take pictures during the ceremony?
But of course. However, one thing I strongly suggest is for your guest to get unplugged during the ceremony. You are asking "what is unplugged?" Let me explain, is simply asking your guest to put their phones away during your ceremony. Often you see everyone getting their phones and even ipads watching you going down the aisle through a screen and taking pictures. Not only is this taking away from connecting with you both and watching the most important moment of your life, it often happened that they have covered the photographer's view and missed some important shots. Remember you have dreamed of this all your life and I'm sure you want them to be present. I encourage you to request all electronic devices be silenced and put away during the ceremony. A quick address from the officiate or pastor or even having it printed in your program can help lessen the potential distraction. You can always google some ideas on what today but here's something that might help.
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“Please turn off all phones and cameras as we exchange our vows. Photos welcome at our plugged-in reception!”
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“We’re so glad you’re here! Please stow away your phones and cameras until the reception. We promise to share the beautiful pictures taken today.”
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“Please honor our wishes with no photos until we’re announced as Mr and Mrs!
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“Thank you for coming! We have but one plea. Please keep our ceremony camera-free. Though our I Do’s are unplugged, our reception is not. Once our vows are exchanged, you’re free to take a shot!”
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Welcome family and friends! We’ve hired a photographer to capture how this moment looks with their camera, so you can capture how it feels with your hearts.”
- “We’ve asked a professional photographer to capture this special moment so that you can sit back, relax and enjoy it with us. Our beautiful images will be available after the wedding.
- “There’s a pro here taking pictures – we asked them to come. Please rest your cameras as our ceremony only needs one!”
- “As we tie the knot, please be our guest. Our photographer will take care of the rest!”
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“Welcome to our unplugged wedding. We invite you to be fully present with us during our ceremony, so please turn off all phones and cameras. Thank you!”
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“The bride and groom kindly request an unplugged ceremony. Please turn off all devices and enjoy being fully present at this moment with us.”
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“The greatest gift you can give us today is to be truly present, so please turn off all phones and cameras and enjoy this special moment with us"
What happens after the ceremony?
Depending on your timeline and what time your dinner is starting, I always encourage you to have at least 1-2 hours blocked off to travel to a location and take additional portraits of you and your husband, family, bridesmaids, and groomsmen. Having this in your timeline will help you organize your day and get these important shots that you will definitely want in your wedding album.
Do you need a list of names of people so you know who to take pictures of?
No! I always suggest having your wedding coordinator or family member be in charge of those family members or friends you want me to do portraits of or not. Some brides don't want everyone in their gallery. But it's important you do communicate with me certain people you want to take pictures more than others. In general, I try to photograph everyone at your event as much as possible.
Do you recommend going to another location after the ceremony such as a park or beach?
Oh most definitely and if your timeline allows it. It just gives me the photographer to capture a different feel and more images with different angles and scenes. If you can, I strongly suggest you do. Closer to your wedding day we can work together on your timeline and looks at locations close to your venue that will allow us to shoot.
Based on your experience what do suggest my timeline should look like from start to finish?
We can always work on this together but to give you an idea typically begin organizing your timeline based on the number of hours hired. Here's just an idea every weddings and timelines are different:
10:00-12:00 Groom and details (one photographer)
10:00-12:00 Bride and details (one photographer)
Driving time to the ceremony
1:00-2:00 Ceremony (both photographers)
2:00-2:30 Pictures with family and party at church
3:00 Cocktail time for guests at the venue
Driving time to 2nd location for portraits
3:00-4:30 Pictures at another location
Driving to the venue
5:00-5:10 Arrive at the venue and allow photographers to get things ready to welcome Bride & Groom and party to do their first walk into the venue
5:30-6:30 Dinner
6:30-7:30 (First dance, dollar dance, speeches, toast, any custom traditions)
7:30-8:00 Sunset photos
8:00 cutting of the cake
8:15 Dance
Hope this helps!
Can we post our wedding portraits on social media?
Most definitely!!! I love it when we are trending and being tagged. I take pride in the images we have created for you, please give us credit in your post!
Instagram: @lizmoralesphotography
Facebook: @lzmphoto
Business Facebook: @lizmoralesphotography
Website: lizmoralesphotographer.com