HELL yeah!
We are so stoked that you've chosen us to document your special day. We try our best to only work with couples who are downright rad and who make us genuinely excited to work with them. That's YOU!!!!
This is gonna be fun.
As your wedding photographers and pals (paltographers? we’ll workshop it), we're here for you throughout this process. Planning a wedding is fun and exciting, but we know it can also get a bit hectic and confusing at times. And the way we see it, we're not just there to photograph the day as it unravels, we're also there to help ensure the day unravels the way you've dreamt. We want you to celebrate with joy and confidence (and awesome photos). So we've combined our personal experiences with weddings and a little bit of research to put together this wedding guide!
In addition to all of your Googling and Pinterest-ing, we would love for you to use this as a resource throughout your planning process. Not only do we think reading this guide can take away a bit of uncertainty and stress, but it'll also help us in our efforts to provide you with amazing photographs.
Take a scroll and check out some of the information we've put together to help you through this weird and wonderful stage of your life. And as always, feel free to reach out to us if you have any questions
(or just wanna chat/hang out:))
how to have a kick-ass engagement session
We know that getting your photo taken can feel a bit intimidating at first, but together we’ll make the best out of capturing you as you are! We want these photos to reflect who you are and for it to be fun for you! Take a look over these pieces of advice and try to keep them in mind for our shoot. We promise you'll slay it!
Don't hold back
We need to be invited into your intimacy to capture you authentically. Try your best to be true to who you are. Embrace the vulnerability of each moment and don't hide what makes you unique as a couple. Whether you're affectionate cuddle bugs, goofball besties, quiet types to turn inwards and toward each other, or outgoing chatterboxes - we want to see that. Let us experience your outtake moments that you usually only share alone. We're totally there to guide you through all of this during the shoot, but we'll need you to meet us halfway and let us in:)
Location, Location, Location
The setting and weather will affect how you interact with each other and your surroundings. They'll have a big impact on your mood and the vibe of your photos. Make sure to surround yourself with what you love. Whether that means we're wandering around your favourite neighbourhood, lazing around in your home, being in nature, or hanging at the arcade/bookstore/brewery - we just want you to fit into your environment naturally and for it to represent who you are!
Wear your threads
Wear clothing that you feel comfortable and confident in. You don't need to dress up or follow any sort of dress code (unless you want to!) Wear your fave sweater, dress, pair of jeans, sneakers, or try something new and fun. Don’t be afraid of being bold and experimental; adding a statement piece to your shoot can add a ton of personality and you don’t need to include every piece of every outfit in every shot.
Just remember the terrain we'll be in and the weather we may have when you're picking your clothing and footwear! If you need help picking an outfit, we're more than happy to give you our opinion - just send us photos or bring a couple options to the shoot and we'll help you decide.
Coordination is key
Instead of matching your outfits perfectly, focus on coordinating them a bit. Choose colours that compliment each other, pieces that are worn for the same season, outfits that belong in the same dress code.
Take time
It can be difficult to be your sweetest selves after a stressful day of running errands. On the day of our shoot or at least in the couple hours before it, spend some real time together. Relax, stay in bed to cuddle a bit longer than usual, go to your favourite bar to grab drinks. We don't want this to just be something you're crossing off the to-do list, we want you to have hearts in your eyes and be filled with excitement when your session comes around! Indulge in each other and help us to capture you on your best day.
Pack light
Minimalism is key. Spontaneous shooting is tough when you're lugging around bags, big keychains, and water bottles. We want you to be light on your feet so we can catch all the little in-between moments. In saying that, we totally welcome the idea of little props to make this session more you: some cans of your favourite beer, your polaroid camera, your skateboard, McDonald’s french fries... Luckily Adam also doubles as a packmule, so if there are items you need to bring along he’s happy to share the load:)
Come as you are
You don't need to act in any way you think you should. You're not here for us, we're here for you. Forget the photo shoot part. You’re just two best buds in love celebrating that you’re two best buds in love!
Liquid Courage
Beer, cannabis, whiskey whatever. If having a drink or smoke before we shoot will help you unwind and get you in the right state of mind, feel free to partake!
Okay. Now let's create something awesome together.
Wedding Day Timeline FAQ
How long do you need for getting ready photos?
Folks getting hair and make-up done: Alex likes to meet up in the last 1.5-2 hours of getting ready. This gives her time to take detail shots (wedding outfit, shoes, invites), photos of you popping champs and hanging out with your wedding party, the final touches/touch-ups of hair and make-up, and putting on your threads.
If one of you isn’t getting hair and make-up done: Adam likes to meet up in the last hour of getting ready. Same timing goes for if both or neither of you are getting your hair/make-up done!
If both of you are getting ready together (which we love): We’ll arrive together and it’s best to plan for 1.5-2 hours before you leave for the ceremony.
What’s the deal with a first look?
A first look is when you and your partner share a private moment together before the ceremony (as opposed to seeing each other for the first time on the aisle). We personally love first looks for the following reasons: it adds another dimension to your wedding photos; it’s another opportunity for us to get candid, emotional shots of a very intimate moment; it gives you time to revel in the excitement together in a private setting (a bit nervous about being vulnerable in front of people during your ceremony? Let it all out during your first look instead); it takes away some of the nerves so you’re a bit more relaxed during the ceremony; lastly, it allows you the opportunity to plan your timeline so that your portraits and wedding party photos can all take place before the ceremony (this means that everyone can just start partying immediately after the ceremony – no waiting around)! To demonstrate this last point, take a look at the timeline examples below and compare how long your guests would have to wait between the ceremony and the wedding party arriving at the reception with and without a first look!
When and where do we schedule family photos?
Right after the ceremony (it’s easier to keep everyone together than to try to get everyone together) and a location at/around your ceremony site. It can be challenging enough to gather family members who just want to mingle and move onto the reception without having to transport them all to an entirely different location. When it comes to family photos, simple and efficient is the best way to go!
How long does it take to do family/wedding party/couple portraits?
On average, traditional family photos take about 15 minutes and wedding party photos take about 20 minutes (see below!!) This timeframe can change depending on group size and doesn’t include travel time for going offsite. We recommend scheduling about 45 minutes for photos if you want newlywed portraits – this can also be split into separate sections of the day (we love having the option to steal you away from the reception for a few minutes for sunset photos while the light is killer).
More and more of our couples have been opting for super short and sweet newlywed/wedding party portrait time (15 minutes tops) or forgoing posed portraits altogether, so they can instead just focus on enjoying and being present for the celebration they’ve planned with their friends and fam. We friggen love this.
NOTE: The best kind of weddings are ones planned around moments, not photos.
We’ll get posed group photos with your family and wedding party unless you mention otherwise but instead of thinking of “photo locations/timeblocks”, try thinking of experiences you want to have and memories you want to make. here’s something you could do that isn’t the traditional norm: set aside just 10 minutes to take a couple photos with your wedding party and then plan time to go grab some beers or coffee, hit the arcade, slay at karaoke, hang out in the park, head home for puppy cuddles, whatever you like to do with your pals.
we’d rather you think less about photo opportunities and more about spending meaningful and fun time with the people you love!
What does a wedding day timeline look like?
It varies depending on the kind of day you're planning, but here are two more traditional examples (with and without a first look)!
With first look:
12:30PM - Alex arrives for Partner A + wedding party
1:30PM - Adam arrives for Partner B + wedding party
2:30PM - Depart for first look
3PM - First Look and newlywed portraits
3:30PM - Wedding party photos
4PM - Wedding party arrives at ceremony site
4:30PM - Ceremony
5PM - Family photos and cocktail hour begins
6PM - Dinner begins
6:45PM - Speeches begin
8PM - First dance
9/9:30PM - Sneak away for sunset photos (summer)
Without first look:
12:30PM - Alex arrives for Partner A + wedding party
1:30PM - Adam arrives for Partner B + wedding party
2:30PM - Depart for ceremony site
3PM - Wedding party arrives at ceremony site
3:30PM - Ceremony
4PM - Family photos (guests depart for break/transport to reception venue OR join cocktail hour)
4:30PM - Wedding party photos
5PM - Newlywed photos
5:45PM - Wedding party arrives at/enters reception
6PM - Dinner begins
6:45PM - Speeches begin
8PM - First dance
9/9:30PM - Sneak away for sunset photos (summer)
Live a day you'll cherish
There are a ton of things going on throughout your wedding day. With that many moving parts, it can be easy to lose sight of what's most important. We've compiled this list to help keep your priorities in focus while creating beautiful moments and photographs you'll cherish.
Share your priorities
Before you really dig in to anything else, each of you should ask yourselves: what is most important to me on my wedding day? Share those things with each other. Keep those things in focus throughout your planning process. Make them a priority for each other and remember that big stuff especially when you're sweating the little stuff. It'll help put everything into perspective.
remember your grandparents/other family members
If you're close with your grandparent(s) (or other family members( and they're at your wedding, remember to share in moments with them as well. A lot of grandparents leave pretty early into the evening so try to talk with them after the ceremony and/or before the end of dinner.
talk before you walk
If you're being walked down the aisle by someone important, take a minute to give them a hug and tell them you love them. They're walking with you for a reason and it likely means a lot to them as well. It'll go by in the blink of an eye so try to be present and savour the moment with that person.
help to keep your guests present
Keeping your guests in the moment will help keep you in the moment. We highly recommend asking your guests to leave their DSLRs at home and iPhones in their pockets during the ceremony. Remind everyone that you've hired professionals to photograph the day, so you'd really appreciate if they unplugged during the ceremony + just stayed present in the moment with you. It can be helpful to make a note of it in your invite/website and ask your officiant to mention it before the ceremony:)
Don't sweat the small stuff
The little details are nice and add style, but don't forget that they're exactly that: little. On the day of, it's time to take a deep breath and stop stressing about the centre pieces and decor. When you look back on your wedding day, those are the last things that'll seem important. Everything will come together beautifully, even if it's not exactly how you planned.
take time for each other
This whole day is yours. When creating the schedule for your wedding, remember to pencil in enough time to breathe it all in. Have you scheduled in enough quality time with each other? It sounds too obvious, but the majority of your wedding day is actually spent being around others, socializing with guests. If it’s meaningful to you, we encourage you to plan some time for just the two of you. If possible, away from your wedding party so you don’t feel any extra pressure, need to rush, or extra resistance to being a bit intimate. If you decide you want documentation during this time, this not only gives us more freedom as photographers, but it also gives the two of you time to pay attention to each other amd really soak it all up. Another opportunity to spend time alone is a pre- or post-ceremony exchange (whether it's a song, letters, gifts, or just being together).
take time, period
Write out your day with start and end times of all events that are happening. Then go back to add at least a 15 minute buffer on everything, especially travel time. This will help to avoid situations like stressing out and rushing to the ceremony. We promise you won't regret having extra time to sit around with your wedding party, hang out with your new life partner, or just take a couple of deep breaths.
Location and light
You've hired us as photographers because your wedding photos are important to you. We consider ourselves storytellers and we want the story of your day to be told beautifully and under the best possible conditions. Some things on a wedding day are inevitably left up to fate, but there are some little things you have control over that will help us get the best possible photos of your day.
GETTING READY
The beginning of your wedding day story is so important. You've surrounded yourself with people who mean the most to you and you're preparing together for one of the most important days of your life. This time provides your photographers the opportunity to capture genuine, quiet moments in an intimate setting.
If you're not getting ready at home, consider exploring outside the realm of the standard hotel room. Hotel rooms often create distractions in your photos, like big air conditioning units and glowing exit signs. Instead, browse around online for a cool AirBnB or cabin. Unique locations can make all the difference and will inspire some beautiful shots. Interesting surroundings where you're getting ready can also help us to capture all the little details beautifully, like your outfit and printed invites.
Besides providing you with charming surroundings, a great location should also give us great natural light. We're talking big windows, balconies/decks, + neutral wall colours. We'll likely ask you to turn off the overhead lights in the room so make sure it's decently lit without them. We won't be the only people loving you for it - your make-up artist will too! Getting ready by a big window does wonders for photos, but it'll also ensure your make-up looks even and natural in the different lighting situations throughout the day.
THE CEREMONY
Again, we're obsessed with natural light and will always root for venues that will provide us with lots of it. If you're planning to have it outdoors, we highly recommend finding a shaded location. On a sunny day, you'll be grateful for the shade as it'll save you from squinting through your vows and guests from melting away in their suits. Whether or not shade is an option, our most important piece of advice for outdoor ceremonies is to ensure the couple (and guests, if possible) are all subject to the same light (either all in shade or all in the sun). That helps us to provide you with balanced images.
Remember to think about the time of day when planning your outdoor ceremony. We're totally prepared to work under any conditions, but consider the following: the sun's placement in the sky will affect where/when you'll find shade and the time of day will also affect what kind of light you have, period. Afternoon light is typically harsh and creates uneven conditions, while the final hours of daylight are much softer and flattering for skin tones.
You'll want to consider what's behind the altar for outdoor ceremonies as well. We'll try our best to keep distractions out of the frame, but it's worth it to ensure it's not a spot where cars are parked or construction is being done in the distance.
If you're planning an indoor ceremony in a mosque/church/community hall/etc., make sure to inquire about their photography policies. Some venues restrict movement and have only a few specific spots we can shoot from. It's important for you and for us to know what we'll be able to do during your service. Lastly, space is key and you'll want to ensure there's room for us to move freely so we can capture everything from different angles without disturbing your guests.
PORTRAITS
Consider natural light availability, crowds, and driving distances when considering your location(s) for portraits. And remember to plan for moments, not photos! If you don't have anywhere specific in mind, we'd love to do some scouting to find areas nearby. We'll send you some ideas and together we'll find the perfect fit. As for when to do portraits: sometimes they just have to be taken mid-afternoon and that's okay, but it's worthwhile to plan an additional, shorter newlywed session later in the evening. If it's possible to sneak away from your reception for just 15 minutes, we can take advantage of the soft, dreamy, end of daylight. It'll add some dimension to your set of portraits, but our favourite part? It provides you with another opportunity to take a break from being surrounded by other people (as much as you may love them) and spend some quiet time alone together (ft. your personal paparazzi).
RECEPTION
This is the part of your wedding day where you probably have the most control over your lighting. The sun has set and taken its unpredictability with it. Whether you're indoor or outdoors, the lighting you've decided to use sets the mood. And we're working with the energy of the room and playing with the light to create your final photos of the evening.
We favour warm, romantic lighting and lots of it. String lights and candles sprinkled around your venue, highlighting your decor and covering the wall behind the head table. Edison bulb string lights providing overhead lighting that's both dreamy and flattering.
If you're having an indoor reception, pay attention to the details. Try your best to also avoid, remove, or hide big distractions around your venue that don't tie in with your decor for the evening (venue name on podiums, wall/ceiling hangings with logos, etc.)
If you're having a summer wedding, dancing under the stars is always unforgettable. Amazing atmosphere can be created using the right lights and nature can also be utilized for your decor in the coolest ways.
Dolla Dolla Bills Ya'll
Setting and staying within your wedding budget can be one of the most challenging aspects of planning your big day. It’s tough to find the balance between wanting the very best for this once-in-a-lifetime day and remembering the importance of managing your finances responsibly. Here are a couple tips we’ve picked up along the way that’ll potentially save you some dough and provide you with a little extra wiggle room for unexpected expenses.
DIY
Crafting up decor is budget-friendly and a pretty great opportunity to personalize your wedding. DIY can also be an excuse to have some (purposeful) fun with your friends. Grab some dranks, throw on Always Be My Maybe, and have your wedding party over to help you out. The most important part of DIYing a wedding is to not leave it for the last minute. Give yourself plenty of time to shop for cheaper materials online and allow extra time for potential mistakes/do overs. Make crafting everything together something you'll enjoy doing, not a rush project the night before.
GROUPS ON (UGH) FACEBOOK
Hear us out! There are local wedding buy and sell groups on Facebook that are ripe with good advice, recommendations, and secondhand, more affordable things you could potentially use on your wedding day! We’ve seen folks slinging wedding and bridal party dresses, lights/vases/signs, individuals renting out yard games, and even people who want to share florals/greenery if you’re getting married around the same time. After the wedding, you can also utilize these groups to sell or rent out items from your day!
VENUE
Shop til you drop and think outside of the box. If you're able to utilize a venue that isn't usually rented for weddings, it'll provide you with unique photos and typically be more affordable than a traditional venue. Consider AirBnBs just outside of the city, conservatories, family or a friend's property, etc.* Also consider having your wedding in the off-season and/or not on a Saturday. Lots of venues have a cheaper rental fee for off-season and non-Saturday weddings.
*In saying this, remember to crunch the numbers and factor in things that traditional venues have that non-traditional venues may not (i.e. tables, chairs, onsite staff/bartender, etc.)
TRANSPORTATION
Being picked up and driving to the venues in a limo or classic car is fun, but not a necessity. Have a family member or friend be your chauffeur for the day – they’ll appreciate the opportunity to hang out with you and it’s an easy way to save. Driving together in your own vehicle is also another excuse to get some alone time.
REWARDS
If you have a rewards credit card, use it! Do some research to ensure you have one that offers the most beneficial rewards for you (travel vs. moneyback) and use it strategically. Don't let using credit let you lose sight of your budget - transfer funds from your wedding savings to pay off those credit card purchases right away. The key here is to take advantage of the rewards and get something back for the money that you'd be spending anyway. Who knows, the funds you spend on your wedding can actually pay for your honeymoon too!
DRINKS
Costco! Who doesn’t like to hear the word “bulk” when discussing liquor? Other tips: consider simplifying your bar by just offering one or two beer and wine options and/or concoct a signature wedding drink as the evening's beverage.
FLOWERS
Do your research for florists who limit their imports, source locally, and don’t require a minimum order. Substitute expensive flowers for their more affordable lookalikes. Remember that bigger blooms pack a bigger punch so you’ll likely need less of them and lots of greenery will fill your arrangements while adding a ton of style. Also consider limiting the amount of fresh flowers you use outside of your bouquet. Pinterest has lots of inspiration for floral-free centre pieces/decor, but if you still want some floral accents, keep it simple, pretty, + budget-friendly with something like native wildflowers (or even dried arrangements!)
Take care
We're sure you want to look like the most beautiful version of yourself on your wedding day, but we also want you to feel like it too. Starting early, planning ahead, and making positive choices will ensure you feel beautiful from the inside out.
Touch-up kit
If you don't own the same shades of eyeshadow, lip stick, etc., most make-up artists will send you along with sample sizes for the day. If not, make sure to ask in case you need a touch up.
Prepare for the waterworks
Even if you don't think you'll cry, always go for the waterproof mascara.
Practice Self Care
Whether it's regular massages or just taking relaxing baths, make time for regimens that are personal to you leading up to the wedding.
Drink so much water
Well, you should do this all the time. But especially in the months leading up to your wedding and on the day of. Drinking loads of water will do wonders for skin and you'll quickly notice the changes in how you feel. Limit your intake of sugary pops/juices and keep a water bottle with you as often as possible. It's easy to forget things like staying hydrated on your wedding day, but plan ahead to have water readily available to you at all times.
Book in advance
Make-up and hair trials, brow shaping, mani/pedi, hair removal, hair cut + colour. Schedule your appointments well in advance and pick dates strategically. Take advantage of when the treatment will look best and leave time to correct any potential mishaps. e.g. your nails should be scheduled for just a couple days prior (before they chip and grow out), but your make-up and hair trials should be several months before the big day.
Pro Tips
Just some additional miscellaneous tips and tricks for planning your day for optimal fun (for you and for your guests).
Maybe you hadn't thought of them and we hope they help! A lot of them are things we've heard from previous couples after their weddings, things that came up from planning our own, and things we've noticed from the many different experiences we've had.
First kiss
Often times, the officiant will remain in the same position throughout the whole ceremony and their face will end up in the photos of your first kiss (their eyes peeking behind your shoulders or in between your foreheads). Ask your officiant beforehand to take a couple steps aside at that time. We’ll also try to sneak in a conversation with them prior to the ceremony and request it as well.
First dance
We love first dances, but we’ve had a lot of feedback from couples that suggests they exist in a vacuum where songs last much longer than what 4 minutes should feel like. If you’re having more than one first dance (e.g. parent dances) and/or if you’re hesitant of being in the spotlight too long, consider working with your DJ to have the song(s) fade out at about 2 minutes. Alternatively, for the married couple’s first dance, you can have the DJ/MC ask the crowd to participate about 2 minutes into the song by lighting sparklers, joining the dancefloor, blowing bubbles, etc. It’ll renew your guests’ attention and make for some sweet photos.
If you don't want children at your wedding
It's totally okay if you want to have a child-free day or a child-free reception. We've been seeing an increase of this request recently. Whether it's because you just want to have an uninhibited celebration with friends (some of whom are parents), it's due to budget constraints, or you're just not planning a wedding that would be age appropriate - it's your day. Let your guests know by saying something like, “please note that invitations are directly addressed to invited guests. While we wish we could extend an invitation to everyone's children, we kindly ask that they celebrate from home.”
Late night surprises
Guests can get tuckered out after a long day of celebrations and this is particularly true for those who don't dance at the reception. If you want to have your guests engaged and enjoying themselves late into the evening, late night surprises are perfect for re-energizing! They can take the form of a performance, game, or activity, but usually comes as a snack - which we are so into. The best part is that you can be more casual if you want to. Think about your favourite things to eat when you've been drinking and dancing all night. Pizza, McDonald’s fries, ice cream bars. Get creative and have fun with it.
Transportation
Even if you're nixing the limo, consider if it's within your budget to rent a shuttle for group transportation. This may be particularly helpful if you're having a wedding in a remote location. You can arrange for a shuttle to pick guests up from a central location (or the hotel most people are staying at) and have the shuttle come back to the reception at one or two times later in the evening to bring them back. This could eliminate or lessen the fees of cab rides, but our favourite part is that it can prevent irresponsible driving and gives freedom to the usual designated drivers. All your guests can drink, be merry, and get home safely!
Keep the kids happy
If there will be children at your wedding, there are some little things you can do to keep them engaged. Sit them together if possible and set up activities at their tables, like colouring pages. You can also put together some kid-friendly games close to their table for after dinner as well, like ring toss, spike ball, a disposable camera scavenger hunt, candy piñata. Keeping the kids busy allows parents more freedom to celebrate with you - everyone will be happy if they kiddos are too!
We'll tell you what we want, what we really really want
Our final, most important pieces of advice for you.
You do you
Plan a unique day that represents who you are as a couple. Gone are the days of needing to follow any sort of tradition. If you’ve always wanted a traditional wedding, go for it. But either way, take some time to question if that’s what YOU really want or if it’s just all that’s ever been presented to you. Ask yourself if the different wedding traditions actually mean anything to you personally. Rings, first dances, giving away, tosses, cake cutting. These are all lovely traditions but are ultimately unimportant to the day if they’re unimportant to you. Celebrating this time in your lives in a way that’s meaningful to you will ensure you live a day that is uniquely you and that you’ll remember fondly. We will also love you for it because we want to see you happy on your own terms! AND it’s also so fun and inspiring for us to capture unique, personal weddings!
Be(esly) happy
Remember the Niagara episode of The Office? Channel your inner Jim and Pam. Don’t let a veil tear ruin your day – cut the groom’s tie and take all hiccups together, in stride. And this fun, hectic, beautiful day will go by in the blink of an eye. Remember to stop every once in a while to breathe it all in and take those mental snapshots.
Click:)
Our rsvp deets
We’re happy to submit an RSVP to your wedding, just send us the link! If you want to submit it on our behalf, just need our info for seating chart, meals, etc. here it is:
ALEX LEUNG
Meal Choice/dietary restrictions: Vegetarian
Song: Wannabe by Spice Girls
ADAM LEUNG
Meal choice/dietary restrictions: Chicken/anything
Song: Shut Up and Dance by Walk The Moon
We don’t have a preference for who we sit with or where, as long as it’s in the same room as you! And please note for buffets and plated meals that we appreciate being among the first tables who are called to serve themselves/be served. Not just because we’re hangry and high maintenance (altho...) Both of these things are so we can be prepared to capture speeches and other special moments!
We'll be asking you to fill out the following two forms in the couple of months before your wedding day. You'll get an email from us requesting the information and we try to give you plenty of time, so don't worry about having to remember on your own! But if you're the type to pre-pre-plan and want to know ahead of time about the details we'll need, take a peak!
