WEDDING GUIDE
engagement session tips, timeline guidance, and more!
Meet the Photographer
welcome
A note about this guide
I'm so honored that you've trusted me with capturing your wedding day! I'm looking forward to celebrating with you and getting to know you better over the next several months.
In the mean time, this guide is designed to help you create a wedding day full of joy and beautiful moments! This will walk you through everything from timelines to details to family photos and ideas to make your day even more special.
Thank you again for choosing to work with me and feel free reach out at any point during the planning process!
Love, Nicole
What happens after you book?
Your wedding is all booked! YAY!!
You might be asking your self what's next.
Review this wedding guide to help you plan for your big day. There are even time line examples that you can use to start to build your own.
Let me know if anything regarding timing of events update so that I can make sure I have that in your file. If you need additional help planning the timeline reach out and set up a phone call and we will go over everything you have so far.
The timeline does not need to be finalized until our pre wedding call about 2 weeks before your wedding day. You can set up phone calls using the phone call calendar link on our website. I will leave the link here as well.
https://bynicoleann.pixieset.com/booking/phone-consultation
Please be sure to make your payments on time so that I can continue to offer payment plans as a free service to all of my clients.
Many thanks,
Nicole
Engagement Photos
& why we love them
Engagement sessions are a great way for us to connect and get to know each other before your big day arrives! You'll learn all about our posing structure and you'll be a pro by the end of your session! This will make your wedding day pictures a piece of cake!
Below you'll find some handy tips for nailing down the perfect style.
what to wear
The Light-Heart Session includes 1 outfit but the Soul & Story as well as the Wonder & Whimsy Sessions Include multiple outfits so I recommend you bring an extra outfit, as you may wish to have two different "looks". Below you'll find some general guidelines to narrow down your perfect outfit.
Engagement photo styling tips
YES! YES! YES
- Professional Hair and Makeup
- Complementary color schemes
- Comfortable + easy to move in
- Flowy skirts or tops that show movement
- Something you feel AMAZING wearing - we want you to feel confident and look your best!
NO WAY, JOSE
- Being "matchy-matchy"
- White Socks That Stick Out
- Big Logos and Writing on Shirts
- Small, Intricate, Busy Patterns
- Something that just isn't YOU
- Something uncomfortable that needs constantly adjusted
Recommended
Vendors
Wedding Planner
Under the Sun
Central MN Wedding Guide
Bride Support
Abby Hanson
Floral Design
Forever Floral
Central MN Wedding Guide
Crow River Floral & Gifts
101 Market/Petals to Pines
Videography
Central MN Wedding Guide
Zandolee Media
Wedding Dress
Vow'd Minneapolis
David's Bridal Richfield MN
Bridal Accents Couture
Central MN Wedding Guide
more wonderful vendors
calligraphy
Plume Calligraphy
Calligraphy By Carole
Rentals
Central MN Wedding Guide
DJ & Bands
DJ Blakk
Frank the Tank
Music On Demand DJS
Midwest Sound DJ Entertainment
catering
RM BBQ Beast – St Cloud
Custom Catering by Short Stop
Lancer Catering
WEDDING dAY
DETAILS
I love getting to capture all the special details you've curated for your wedding day.
Details are one of the first things I'll photograph when I arrive on your wedding day so it's great if you have all these items in once place that morning. The list below is a great starting point if you're not sure what to include!
The Rings
I love capturing the detail of your rings up close. If possible, try to have your engagement ring cleaned or clean it yourself.
To clean at home:
Soak your ring in warm water with dishwashing soap for 20-40 minutes. Then gently brush and repeat if needed.
First Look
wondering if a first look is right for you?
It's a special moment when you see your other half for the first time on your wedding day. It's a moment worth remembering whether you do a first look or wait for an epic reveal as you walk down the aisle.
If you're wondering whether or not to do a first look on your wedding day, here are some ideas to consider
First look
How do I know If a first look is a good fit for me?
Wedding days go by in a blur. As soon as the day begins there is so much to do and so many people to see. Doing a first look will give the two of you a moment alone (with a camera shooting from afar) to soak it all in and revel in what this day means to you.
More time for portraits or time for a second location
When you have a first look, we can take pictures of the two of you, the bridal party, and some family pictures before the ceremony even begins. This makes the day less rushed and allows us to take more pictures too!
Once you're married, we won't need as much time set aside for photos and you can get to your cocktail hour and reception sooner!
POSSIBLY AVOID BAD WEATHER
If there's bad weather on the forecast, a first look gives you the option to get pictures done earlier in the day and possibly avoid being stuck in the rain!
GET OUT ALL YOUR TEARS WITHOUT THE AUDIENCE
A first look give both of you a moment to cry without the audience of all
your wedding guests. You can get all your tears out knowing you'll have
time to freshen up before pictures too.
Building the Perfect
wedding day timeline
Whether you choose to do a first look or the traditional (not seeing each other until the bride walks down the aisle), we'll work with you to create the perfect wedding day schedule. Take a look at the examples below to get a general idea of when to plan for photos on your wedding day.
Family Portraits
Crowd management
It's great if you can assign a friend or family
member to help make sure we have everyone we
need for family photos. This person should know
who everyone on the photo list is but not be in
too many photos themselves.
Keep your family in the loop
It makes the whole process of family photos faster
when everyone in them knows what to expect. Ask your family members (or anyone else who will be
in a photo) to stick around as soon as the
ceremony ends so that we don't have to take extra
time finding everyone who's walked away.
short + sweet
Family photos aren't anyone's favorite part of a wedding day and we try to take them as efficiently as possible. With that said, keep in mind that every grouping typically takes 2-3 minutes to pose. We want to make sure we get all the family photos that need to be taken without cutting into your cocktail hour or reception too much!
create a list
We'll ask you for a list of family picture
groupings a few weeks before the day of your
wedding. By taking the time to list everyone's
first name, as well as their designation, helps us know who to call for when we're grouping people together for a photo.
(There's a template below that's super easy to
customize!)
Reception + Grand exit
During your reception, I will be taking photos
of the speeches and dancing as well as
candid shots of your guests. I will always be
available to grab a photo of you with a
group of guests that may have not been in a
planned group photo. I love being your
personal paparazzi!
Grand exits are such a fun bookend to your day! They typically consist of a human tunnel along with sparklers, bubbles, glow sticks or something else to celebrate with!
It is helpful if you can designate a few people attending your reception to help organize people into two lines and distribute whatever they will holding.
If you're up for it, I like to have couples run through the tunnel twice to make sure we get that EPIC send off photo!
All the feels...
- A Private Vow Reading (Without Seeing Each Other)
Standing back-to-back or around a corner, sharing private vows before the ceremony helps calm nerves and creates deeply intimate photos.
2. A First Look With… Anyone Special
Beyond the partner:
Dad or mom
Siblings
Grandparents
Children (for blended families or couples with kids)
These moments are often the most emotional of the entire day.
3. A Private “Slow Morning” Moment
Before getting-ready chaos begins, share:
Coffee together
A short walk
A quiet toast
A handwritten letter
Many couples regret not doing this.
4. A “Just Married” Alone Time Right After the Ceremony
Stepping away for 3–5 minutes to breathe, hug, cry, or laugh together before joining guests. These are raw, emotional, unscripted moments.
5. A Parent Gift or Letter Exchange
A framed photo, handwritten note, or small keepsake given during getting-ready time — always produces heartfelt reactions.
7. A First Touch Instead of a First Look
Holding hands around a door frame to pray, breathe, or just connect.
8. A Family Prayer or Blessing Circle
Before the ceremony, with parents or the wedding party.
9. A Moment With Grandparents
These photos often become priceless heirlooms.
10. A Memory Table or Tribute Moment
Lighting a candle, placing a flower, or pausing to honor loved ones who’ve passed.
11. A Private Dance Before the Reception Opens
Just the two of them in the empty reception space — magical and calming.
12. A “Last Dance” Alone After Guests Leave
Also forgotten but incredibly emotional. Ends the night in a romantic, intimate way.
13. A Scent Memory
One partner gifts the other a new scent to wear only on the wedding day so the smell always brings back memories.
14. A Written List of Promises or Blessings for Stepchildren
A sweet way to include blended families.
15. Voice Memos to Each Other Throughout the Day
Short clips recorded separately to listen to later — surprisingly sentimental.
16. A Surprise Gift Exchange Between Partners
This doesn’t have to be big — even a small token with significance is powerful.
17. Involving Children in an Emotional Moment
Such as:
Helping button the dress
Carrying rings in a special way
Sharing a small promise or gift
18. A Wish Jar From Guests
Guests write one wish for the couple’s future. Opening these later is emotional and fun.
Get in Touch
Let's craft memories that last a lifetime