Hey There Fellas!
Let the day begin!
Welcome. We are so excited that we get the privilege of being a part of this exciting season of your life!
Groom Details
At the beginning of the day, one of our photographers will be coming to hangout with you and your attendants while you’re getting ready. I’ll explain more about what you can expect during that part of the day as you keep scrolling. The first thing they will need to capture are your details. You may be thinking “Um, I don’t have any details...” but you do! This may seem pointless but let me explain what these details are for. When we design album spreads, the goal of each spread is to tell a visual story of each part of the day. I will use these details shots to break up some of your getting ready shots on your “pre-ceremony” spread.
These are common details that we shoot on a regular basis but they are by no means mandatory in any way! This checklist could also include heirloom items like a pocket-watch or something that was handed down to you and while you may not actually wear it on the wedding day, you would like a shot of it.
Details To Gather
Cuff-Links
Tie or Bow Tie
Shoes
Any Military Detail
Gifted Liquor
Watch
Belt
Socks (if specialty)
Custom Gifts
Boutonnières
First of all, we realize that you have never done this before and that you may have preconceived ideas about how the photography part of your wedding experience is going to feel. That’s very normal. Having your photos taken isn’t always natural and can sometimes be more stressful than fun. The good news is, we’re committed to making your time with us not only natural and genuine but also enjoyable! Photography is a huge part of the wedding process and we want our couples to think back to their time with us and say, “That was so much easier than I thought it would be...in fact, it was actually fun!” Our second shooter will be hanging out with you and your guys while you’re getting ready. Now, the thought of a photographer hanging out in the room with you and your best friends on your wedding day probably sounds less than ideal, but here’s the good news....We are PROS at capturing this part of your day without making it weird! We’ll get to know your friends in an easy-going, natural way that will allow them to feel comfortable with us throughout the rest of the day. we'll take a few pictures of your guys hanging out and then he will prompt you (the groom) to do a few staged “Getting Ready” shots and a couple of classic portraits. We have found that staging a few “getting ready” shots is the most efficient way to get the shots we need while not interfering with too much of your hangout time! These staged shots will take about 10-15 minutes and we'll give you clear and concise instructions every step of the way.
What To Expect
Boutonnières for the attendants are the number one detail that gets overlooked. I can’t tell you how many times we’re getting ready to do a first look or start wedding party portraits, and the guys don’t have their bouts on! This detail is actually the most time consuming details, especially if you have over 4 or 5 attendants because you can’t put your boutonnière on by yourself. You have to have help. If you have a planner, they will be in charge of remembering the boutonnières and putting them on. Sometimes, it’s a nice photo op to have a parent help with this!
The Forgotten Detail
the boutonnière
Now, I realize that this topic may not apply to every family. Each and every wedding day that we photograph is full of different family dynamics. It’s more than okay to not follow these suggestions if it’s not a great fit for your family. In many wedding day situations, we have found that there is very little direction for the Mother of the Groom. It’s easy for her to feel lost and not included in the day. As a mom of a little boy, I can’t imagine what it must feel like to know that your boy is getting married and will be starting a new life with his new wife. The Mother of the Groom often wants to be included but doesn’t want to overstep in any way. One very sweet and thoughtful way to include the Mother of the Groom is to invite her into the getting ready space and allow her to take a few pictures straightening her son’s tie or putting on his boutonnière.
Obviously, we want to take amazing photos of your day but we also know that the wedding day is not about photos, it’s about a lifelong commitment, being with family and friends and celebrating your new marriage! The party is a very important part! We realize that most fellas are not pumped about picture time and we get it. That’s why our goal, throughout the entire portrait process, is to have fun and get you to your party!! Rowdy groomsmen are a part of every wedding day and we actually find them to be hilarious and fun to work with! However, you can actually help us get you to your party faster by doing a few things!
PARTY
our goal:
get you to your
Encourage your guys to pay attention.
If you trust us, they will too.
Reassure them that the more they listen, the quicker they’ll be done.
Our goal is to take your photos quickly and efficiently so that you can spend as much time as possible with your friends and family! We love hanging out with your friends but we make it a top priority to make their experience with us fun, fast and enjoyable!!
Even if you’re getting married to the most relaxed partner on the planet, there will still be moments throughout this process where they will feel stressed. Planning a wedding isn’t for the faint of heart. There is a lot to be done, it’s expensive, and there can sometimes be unspoken expectations and lingering tension during the planning process. She may say it’s not stressful and that she’s fine, and even if that’s true, it will speak volumes to her if you do a few of the following:
Check on them: Ask her how planning is going and how they're feeling about it. When they share concerns, just let them be frustrated and don’t try to fix it!
Take on some tasks: You may already have a “honey-do” list for the wedding but if you haven’t already asked about helping them with some of their list, that would mean a lot to them!
Encourage Date Nights: It’s easy to spend all of your free time working on wedding stuff, but date nights are important too. Don’t neglect each other in the midst of the busyness of your engagement.
Be There For Your
Partner
You are her greatest source of encouragement! Through this entire engagement season, you two have a choice. This can either be stressful or it can actually be the most amazing season you have ever had in your relationship! Sure, there is a lot to do and a lot to plan, but these next few months will give you an opportunity to love each other in a new way, support each other in a new way, figure out new ways of solving problems, communicate more effectively and learn how to be on each other’s team. When you choose to view this season in that light, it changes everything. The season of engagement is supposed to be a time that prepares you for marriage and not a time that you can’t wait to get through! If there is anything we have learned over the last ten years of being married, it’s that every season of our life together presents us with an opportunity to either grow closer or distance ourselves from one another. We want you both to draw closer and feel more connected than ever when your wedding day arrives. My encouragement and challenge to you is to fight to make this season a healthy one!