THE WEDDING GUIDE FOR

Zinette hopper COUPLES

Be sure to go ahead and bookmark this page now, because it's going to be your BEST friend as you plan and prepare for your big day!

hi there and welcome!

I am SO excited you're here! Being engaged is SUCH a special time in your lives and I'm so excited for what's to come. This guide will be your BEST FRIEND as you plan and prepare for your big day, and will allow you to know exactly what to expect during your wedding photography experience! I'm so EXCITED to pour into you and to help ease the stress of planning. As always, feel free to reach out at any time if you have any questions along the way!

This is such an exciting time for you! I’m sure your mind is racing with all that needs to be planned. It’s all very exciting , but it can also be somewhat overwhelming. You’re planning the day that you’ve been anticipating your whole life and yet you only get one shot at it! By the time you get the hang of it, the planning is over! My goal as a wedding photographer is to make this one aspect of the planning process simple. Photography is more than just images, it’s a real part of your day. Not only do you deserve beautiful images, you also deserve an amazing photographic experience. The goal of this guide is to help you plan your wedding day in a way that will allow me to provide you with the BEST experience possible. Since we’re official, the next step is to plan your engagement session and then start chatting about wedding day details as we get closer to your date! I’m beyond excited to be working with you!! I cannot wait to get to know you two better and capture memories that will last a lifetime.

Get to know Zinette & Thomas

My hubby, Thomas, is my best friend, biggest encourager, and the love of my life. We were married in May 2018 and it was the best day of our lives. We got married in South Africa at Oxbow Country Estate on a beautiful autumn day! I love life with him and having him by my side! Thomas is a computer & software engineer and I am a specialised cochlear implant audiologist. But our passion lies in the art of capturing weddings, so here we are! Our passion is driven by more than just creating stunning images. It’s about the relationships we build with couples, the energy of your day, and our commitment to storytelling. Every wedding is a blend of creativity, emotion, and the pure joy of seeing two people come together surrounded by those who matter most.

For us, wedding photography isn’t just about pictures; it’s about preserving the soul of your celebration, so that every time you look back at your album, you relive the magic, the love, and the story that’s uniquely yours.

Before we jump right in, here are a few things you NEED to know about us:

husband & Wife team

I love Chai Lattes

I confess, I love coffee... But chai lattes have my heart. They’re my go-to drink whenever I go out somewhere! I have one of my old co-workers to thank for introducing me to the insanely deliciousness of chai lattes.

We have 4 coffee machines in our house. No I am not joking FOUR. Two types of Nespresso machines, and two ground coffee machines. Thomas works remotely for a Tech company and needs a coffee every few hours. 

He is a Coffee lover

Why I love capturing memories

I love photographing weddings because it gives me the opportunity to serve and love on all of my couples. It’s such a joyful and EXCITING time in your life, but I totally understand how overwhelming the wedding process can be! I’m here to walk you through every step of your photography experience from making you feel confident in front of my camera with constant direction to helping you craft the perfect wedding timeline. At the end of the day, planning is so incredibly fun, but the really awesome part is that you’ll become husband and wife. I love celebrating that with you because marriage has been one of the biggest blessings in my life. I’m here to encourage you as you make your journey towards marriage and prepare for your big day!

MUSIC

florists

bridal gowns

INVITATIONS & calligraphy

cake

hair and makeup

planners & Event Management

Alinta Goldsmith (ACT)
Chris White celebrant (ACT)
Julie Rattenbury (ACT)
Stephanie Slater (ACT)
Megan Boyd (ACT)
Shoshanna Vernham (NSW)

celebrants

vendors you'll LOVE

Canberra Event Management & Styling (ACT)
Weddings with Lisa (ACT)
Show Pony Events (ACT)
Samantha Burke Events (NSW)
The Wedding and Event Creators (NSW)

 DJ Callum Gracie (ACT)
Ryan David Music (ACT)
Vintage Events (ACT)
Smooth Ops (ACT)

Peony n’ Pearl (ACT)
Melinda Sheffield Floral Stylist (ACT)
Alchemy Foliage (ACT)
Beks Bloomz  (ACT)
Poetry in Flowers (ACT)
LilygraceFlowers (ACT)

Angelic Inspirations (ACT)
Affordable Bridal (ACT)
Bella Notte Bridal (ACT)
Sposabella Bridal (NSW)
The Bridal Atelier (NSW)

Maeke
The Oberry stationery
Azalea Calligraphy & Design
Inkberry Calligraphy

Cakes of Your Dreams (ACT)
DecadenceBakery (ACT)
Canberra Cake Boutique (ACT)
Cake Atelier (NSW)
Celebration Cakes (NSW)

Cassandra Lee Hair and Makeup (ACT)
Jacklyne Leigh Makeup Artist (ACT) 
Natalia Michail Makeup Artist (ACT)
Missy’s Magic Styles (ACT)
SulianaHair (ACT)
LaBellaFayBeauty (ACT)
M&K Professional Makeup (ACT) 
Kathryn McDonnell kmmakeup_tan (ACT)
KMC Makeup (ACT)

It would be hard to single out the best vendors as there are so many in each category, that's why I have decided to share a few vendors I have worked with that stood out that go above and beyond for their couples which resonates with our vision. FOR EVEN MORE amazing vendors in your area head over to "The Brides Choice awards" webpage.

External Videographers

Forget Me Knot Films (ACT)
The Tale of Two (ACT)
Agape Studio(ACT)
Barn Owl Films (ACT)

engagement session

This is your FIRST step of your experience with me which also makes it SUPER exciting! There are two main goals of our time together (besides getting gorgeous photos, of course): 

1. Spend more time together and get to know each other better!
2. For me to teach you my posing so you're PROS when your wedding day comes!

Now that you have picked a date, a photographer and probably a venue as well, you can celebrate! Those are some of the toughest decisions in wedding planning and you can cross them off your list! Hooray!! Now on to the fun stuff.... such as your engagement session! I recommend including an engagement sessions in The Wedding Experience because I truly believe that they are a VITAL part of the entire process. During your engagement session, you’ll have the chance to get to know me, experience how I shoot and how I handle posing and lighting. This session will make impact how the wedding day flows. I’ll arrive on your wedding day already knowing how you two interact, what your best poses are and how to photograph you in a genuine way! What I will learn about you during your engagement session is invaluable! You will feel like such a pro on your big day because of the great practice you had during your engagement session, and that’s how it should be! Your engagement session can be scheduled anytime before your wedding day. I normally suggest booking it around 1-6 months in advance to avoid stress. Because the weekends quickly fills up with weddings, I offer engagements sessions on weekday evenings as well, normally from 4-8pm depending on the light and the time of the year. In the winter months, 3-5pm is a normal time for an engagement session! As you start to plan for your engagement shoot, you will need to start brainstorming about location ideas. I LOVE it when couples pick a location that is special or sentimental to them in some way! If you can’t think of anywhere specific that you would like to shoot, I can help you decide on a location! As long as the light is great, I can make ANY location look amazing! I shoot at farms, campuses, streets and even malls! I’m serious! Do not shy away from crazy ideas! The more creative, the better! Be sure to keep reading to find out more about outfit ideas and inspiration!

what's included

The session is 1-1.5 hours long, and includes two locations, and two outfits. You can do more locations and outfits. However, that also means you will get more variety with fewer images in your final gallery. I guarantee 100 images in your gallery from your engagement session!

WHAT TO WEAR

I recommend wearing two outfits: One dressy and one casual. Feel free to go all out for your dressy outfit, and think "date night" for your casual outfit! My advice is to wear outfits that COMPLIMENT each other, they do not necessarily have match. Keep reading for more tips and outfit ideas!

HOW TO BOOK

I will send out a calendar link for you to book in your engagement session. I do recommend having the pre-wedding photoshoot at least 30 days prior to your wedding. Travel for engagement session is included up to 200km from Canberra. 

WHAT TO EXPECT

If you're like every other couple, you're probably a little nervous thinking about being in front of the camera... I mean, you're not used to having a big lens pointed at you, am I right?! Even I get nervous when I'm having photos done!!

It's COMPLETELY normal to feel this way, but I want to encourage you to just relax and have a good time. I'm going to be giving you allllll the direction so you never feel like you don't know what your doing. We're going to capture those timeless photos that everyone loves, while getting a little goofy and having fun (don't be surprised if I pull out my speaker and turn on some music!!). Some prompts I give you both might seem a little silly at first, but TRUST ME, they create some real magic.

All you two have to do is show up and be an adorable couple in love... easy, right?! I'll take care of the rest and we're going to have a lot of FUN!

TIPS & TRICKS FOR SUCCESS

BE ON TIME: We typically plan your start time based on sunset time. If you are late, it cuts into the sunlight we have available and may make your feel more anxious. 

BRINGING THE PETS: I adore ALL the cute pups, so naturally, I LOVE it when you bring them along! The best way to include them is to have someone else bring your doggos during the last 15 minutes of your session, or choose a session location that is less than 10 minutes away from your home. Contact me so we can work out the details!

CLEAN THE RING: Your ring will be a focal point of your photos, and I'd love to grab a few up close shots of just your ring while you change outfits! Cleaning it will ensure it's nice and sparkly for photos!

EMPTY YOUR POCKETS: Especially for guys, make sure you don't have anything in your pockets! I am more than happy to store phones and keys in my bag, or ladies, you can bring along a little purse to keep everything in. 

RELAX! You don’t have to be a pro at this! I’m going to help you along the way and it’s going to be a blast! I don't expect anything from you. Enjoy this time together and make a date out of it! Plan dinner afterwards and celebrate!!

CLEAN NAILS: Make sure your nails are freshly painted, or spoil yourself with a trip to the salon! Chipped nails will be noticeable in your photos. 

BRING COMFY SHOES: If you're wearing heels, bring a pair of flip flops or comfortable shoes to walk from spot to spot. Your feet will thank me later!

THINK OUTSIDE THE BOX: The location of your photo session is up to you! The first thing to decide what you’d like to feature in your session. I encourage you to brainstorm unique locations that you might have special access to that most people don’t. Maybe you can secure permission to a location that would otherwise be off-limits, like a beautiful private estate, country club or even an airport. 

ONE OR TWO IT'S UP TO YOU: Most people who choose two outfits will dress in one “wow” dress, and then another shorter sun dress or cocktail dress for a more casual “date night” feel.  This will give your shoot two totally different “looks.” I recommend beginning with the dressy outfit first! I have several dresses in my collection that can be borrowed at no extra charge.

Have you thought about a romantic sequinned gown, tulle skirt or flower crown but just never had an occasion for it? This is your chance to do it up! There is no such thing as “too dressed up” when it comes to a photoshoot, that is why we include (at no extra cost) a variety of unique designer dresses for our clients. Just pop me an email to see the few dresses that we offer exclusively available to our clients. Long, flowy dresses and skirts look amazing on camera because they bring extra movement to the photos, and they really flatter the female body. If you don’t like one of our pieces and don’t want to add a new permanent piece to your collection, a lot of clients love to use GLAMCORNER, CANBERRA COUTURE, DRESS FOR A NIGHT to rent a special piece for their session. Three-quarter length sleeves create an awesome slimming effect on all arms, so be on the lookout for an option with a longer length sleeves if you are selfconscious about your arms. Try to avoid clothes that might show bra straps or tags.

STYLING

FOR YOUR ENGAGEMENT SESSION

As you’re coordinating your outfit with your partners’, keep in mind that your outfits will look the most cohesive on camera when the colour palettes coordinate, but don’t necessarily “match.” You should each aim to wear a different dominant colour, but stay within a similar colour palette family. So if you’re wearing a blush dress, soft blue earrings and nude heels (blush being your dominant colour), then he could wear a navy coat with gray pants, paired with brown leather shoes and maybe even a blush pocket square.

When choosing colours for your outfits, we recommend selecting lighter tones and more muted shades. The camera loves shades of soft pink and muted blues, mixed with sophisticated light neutrals like pastels, greys, creams, leather brown and white. That softer colour palette fits beautifully into almost all natural outdoor environments.

Heels elongate women’s legs making them look fabulous. If your toes are showing in a peep-toe heel, you might want to paint your toes before your session, so you don’t regret showing them off. These little things make all the difference!

M A K E  A  S T A T E M E N T

C O O R D I N A T I N G  L O O K S

CHOOSING COLOURS

SHOES

Pairing an accessory or two with your outfit can really help bring some extra dimension to your images. Big statement necklaces bring a lot of pop to the photos, while the smaller, delicate ones are not as noticeable on camera. Belts, bracelets and earrings bring great visual interest, so choose one or two that don’t compete for the attention. I love to take a few close-up shots of your jewellery so remember to clean them!

HAIR & MAKE-UP

Professional hair and makeup is on the top of most of our must do lists because it looks amazing and removes the stress of getting ready on your own. Professional hair and makeup will give you an extra boost of confidence in front of the camera, and it always photographs like a dream. I usually recommend doing your wedding make-up trial for the engagement session as this will give you and idea of how it will photograph in order to make any changes you may like before the wedding day.

I have had the opportunity to work with a few incredible wedding planners, from day of coordinators to full service planners! They can provide help for your wedding day in a way that no one else can. They also give me the opportunity to solely focus on taking your beautiful photos while they keep the timeline going throughout the day! 

STYLING SERVICES
Many planners also offer day-of styling services in addition to planning. This means they will be in charge of setting up your spaces and the design. They'll add a beautiful, creative touch and since they've worked alongside you up to your wedding day, they can carry out your vision perfectly. This also means mom won't be running around trying to set everything up! They have you covered!

BENEFITS OF AN ON-THE-DAY COORDINATOR
If nothing else, this is the BEST thing you can do for your wedding in this area!! It is so crucial to have a go-to person the day of that can take care of the logistics and answer questions. Otherwise, this burden typically falls on your mom, maid of honour, or photographer. They are there to run the day and make sure everything goes smoothly. This typically also includes planning the month before your wedding. Once that one month mark hits, they will take over and conquer the last minute planning details for you. What a stress reliever!

wedding planners

My biggest piece of advice in this area is to at the very least have a go-to person, ideally a day-of coordinator. If you don't have one appointed person, those responsibilities are going to fall on someone else (usually your mom, maid of honour, or photographer). It is really great when your venue provides a day-of coordinator, as they are there to actively help! They can to oversee things and help with the things that need to happen the day-of. If your venue does not provide a coordinator consider making your go-to person a family member or hire a professional planner.

sample timeline

The TIMELINE can be somewhat intimidating! I know this isn’t the most exciting aspect of the wedding day, but this is the one thing that can make or break your photography! These next two pages will outline an ideal wedding day working off of a 4pm ceremony timeframe. This ideal timeline is also based off of a wedding day that includes a first look. Some couples choose to do a first look, and you can read more about that option a few pages over! Remember that all wedding days are different, and your timeline may differ due to travel times and unique situations. 

BRIDE & GROOM DETAILS

Every bride loves having those beautiful shots of her bridal details. It’s an important part of the story and I love having some time to shoot the dress, shoes, jewelry, invitations, etc. These shots allow me to get warmed up for the rest of the big day. I normally like to allow at least 45 minutes for this part of the day. While I’m shooting details, I’m also capturing some shots of the bride and her girls getting ready!

RECEPTION DETAILS

If the reception is in the same location as the ceremony, I will use this time to shoot the reception decor UNTOUCHED. If the ceremony and reception are in different locations, I recommend having a cocktail hour outside of the main reception area if possible so that I can grab some great shots of your reception before the night begins.

GROOM GETTING READY

The groom should be fully dressed except for the tie & jacket. The groomsmen is also expected to be fully dressed for the portraits. While it doesn’t take the guys that long to get dressed, there are still tons of great moments during this time between the groom and his family and friends.

1 : 0 0 - 1 : 4 5

2 : 0 0 - 2 : 3 0

1 2 : 0 0 - 1 2 : 4 5

BRIDE GETTING READY

After the details and groom is photographed, it’s time for the bride to get into her dress! This is a big moment! I usually ask the mother of the bride and all of the bridesmaids to be dressed by the time the bride is ready to get into her dress. This ensures that everyone will look beautiful in those images. After the bride is in her gown, I will shoot some additional bridal portraits with the Bridesmaids!

CEREMONY

It’s time to get married!! Most ceremonies are 30 minutes long. If your ceremony is longer than 30 mins, we’ll make adjustments to the timeline! Cherish these moments! Your ceremony will pass by so quickly!

FAMILY PORTRAITS

Family formals normally take place immediately following the ceremony because ALL family members will be present at that time. We’ll need about 30 mintues for family formals and I will send a questionnaire before the wedding where you can list out the shots that you want. I recommend shooting portraits outdoors if possible so that they resemble more natural family portraits, especially if the ceremony location is dark!

4 : 0 0 - 4 : 3 0

4 : 4 5 - 5 : 1 5

2 : 0 0 - 3 : 4 5

BRIDAL PARTY

Now it’s time for Bridal Party shots! I buffer in extra time throughout the day just in case we have some unexpected things that hold us up! A variety of candid, fun, creative and classic portraits of the entire bridal party, the bride with the bridesmaids & the groom with the groomsmen.

COUPLE PORTRAITS

6-7:00pm is the BEST time of day for portraits in the late spring, summer and early fall! This is when the sun is glowy and golden. I love having a few extra minutes with the bride and groom to take a few “Just Married” portraits right after family formals!

RECEPTION BEGINS!

This is when the bridal party lines up for introductions and the party begins!! By this part of the day, my timeline isn’t as strict. I work off of the natural light and so after the sun is set, my portrait time is over and I begin focusing on the reception events!

6 : 0 0 - 7 : 0 0

7 : 0 0

5 : 3 0 - 6 : 0 0

group photo

4 : 3 0 - 4 : 4 5

The big group photo is optional. Straight after the ceremony when we all of your guests is in one place.

I prefer to be present for the main events of the reception and for a few hours of dancing! If you’re interested in having your exit photographed, there are several options for this! Perhaps plan a faux exit! We have had GREAT success with this and the party never has to stop!

1 0 : 3 0

THE EXIT

DETAILS & PREP : 1.5 HOURS
PORTRAITS : 45- 60 MINUTES
BRIDAL PARTY : 30 MINUTES
FAMILY FORMALS: 30-40 MINUTES
EXTRA PORTRAIT TIME : AS MUCH TIME AS YOU’LL GIVE ME!

approximate times

DON'T FORGET TO Download the timeline and planner below and plan your wedding day schedule perfectly. 

LET'S BEGIN the

planning

download Wedding Planner HERE

REQUEST INFORMATION

PREPARING THE GROOM

First of all, I highly recommend sitting down and showing him 10-30 of your favourite photo's. Spend some time together scrolling through a few Pinterest or blog posts, this will allow him to gauge what his expectations should be. 

THE LOCATION MATTERS
Often, the brides location is super planned and refined. If you’re thinking to book a crappy hotel room or your parents house to get ready in, think again! Local Airbnb listings can make for the perfect and unique spots to get ready in. They’re often decorated minimally, which is perfect for an uncluttered image! 

BE PREPARED
Before we arrive, cut off all tags from your clothes and cut open any pockets that are threaded shut.
If you’re having a summer wedding and you tend to perspirate a lot, consider packing a spare button-up shirt to change into halfway through the day to freshen up. 

TIDY THE ROOM
Please make sure the room is neat and tidy when we arrive and keep it tidy as we capture the getting ready photos. Be mindful of underwear and hangers lying around in the background.

DETAILS
I will make sure to remind you of this beforehand, but I want my second photographer to be able to  capture all the important details.  Here are some ideas of things to prepare, but please feel free to throw in anything you want documented: tie, shoes, socks, cufflinks, watch, cologne, boutonnieres, belt, letters/gifts.

RINGS
All rings should be with the bride in the morning, as I will be photographing those with the bridal details! So, PLEASE make sure your ring is with your sweet bride.

BUTTON ETIQUETTE
Always keep the bottom button of your jacket unbuttoned. If you’re wearing a suit with three buttons, only button the top two. If your suit has two buttons, only button the top one. The same “rule” also goes for vests.
Pro Tip: When taking photos with family members & friends, be sure to unbutton your jacket so it doesn’t create a crease when you put your arms around them. If you prefer not to unbutton your jacket, just keep your hands in your pocket(s).

PRACTICE FOLDING YOUR TIE
Learn exactly how to tie your tie or bowtie BEFORE the morning of your wedding! Thomas is a pro at helping groomsmen with boutonnieres but he still needs to master bowties.

TRAVEL LIGHT
Try to keep your phone, wallet, and keys in a bag with someone else or in a secure place instead of in your pockets! You spent a lot of money on your suit and attire for today, I’m sure you don’t want an outline of your phone in your pocket or to have to deal with continually taking things out of your pocket

getting ready

CHOOSE A SPACE WITH LOTS OF WINDOWS
If you're trying to decide where to get ready, this is HUGE! I always opt for spaces with lots of windows. When it's time to get into your dress, I will likely direct you to a clean area that has lots of window light coming in!

GATHER YOUR DETAILS
If you can, please have all of your details gathered before I arrive! My biggest recommendation is to put them all in one box or bag so they are all in one place. This includes:

All 3 rings  |  A copy of your invitation suite  |  Your jewellery  |  Shoes  |  Bridal dress
Veil   |  Hair pieces  |  Perfume  |  & anything else you want photographed!

HAVE YOUR BOUQUET ARRIVE BEFORE I START
If possible, have your florist deliver your bouquet and boutonnières BEFORE I am scheduled to arrive. This ensures they will be included with all of the other pretty details! 

RING BOX
When you are completing your pre-wedding questionnaire let me know your wedding colours, this help me personalise your details with some of my ring boxes and backdrops! 

GETTING IN YOUR DRESS
Make sure to have it in the timeline that your bridesmaids, mom, and anyone else you want to help you get into your dress AT LEAST 15 minutes before the scheduled time. This ensures they can be included in these special photos!

MAIL THE INVITATION
If you could mail me a copy of your wedding invitation with all of the others, that would be AMAZING!                                                      PO Box 38, Campbell, ACT, 2612

GROOMSMEN PREP
My second shooter will photograph the guys getting ready if they are getting ready in the same location or within 10-15 minutes drive from the brides location. If you want this photographed, ensure it is on the timeline or you have communicated it directly to me! My biggest tip here is try and book two rooms in the same hotel. This really makes the logistics of getting ready photos much easier and we will make sure you will not run into each other. 

HAIR & MAKEUP
I would encourage you to have hair and makeup scheduled to be done around 45 minutes before you're scheduled to get into your dress. This gives you some buffer time in case we run behind!

FIRST LOOKs

This is for all of the brides who have a sweet spot in their heart for their dad. I have to admit that Daddy/Mum and Daughter first looks make me a little teary. For a lot of dads, this is when everything feels real and it hits him... “My baby girl is getting MARRIED!” These are precious moments to photograph and I highly encourage any daddy’s girl to make time in their timeline for this moment. It doesn’t take long at all! If you want this in your timeline, let me know so we can add in an extra 10 minutes to make this happen!

A first look with bridesmaids has become one of my FAVORITE things on wedding days!! Especially if most of your girls haven't seen your dress yet, it's the perfect way to show it to them and to capture their priceless reactions at the same time. It typically only takes about 10 minutes during the getting ready portion of the day. The only challenge is making sure every- one is dressed and put together by the time you have your dress on, so good communication with your girlfriends is a must if you want to add this into your timeline!

PARENT/DAUGHTER FIRST LOOK

BRIDESMAIDS FIRST LOOK

Here it is! The moment everyone has been waiting for! The music is playing and the guests have been seated. Ushers make their way to the back of the church, and the coordinator is lining up the bridesmaids while giving the musicians a 5 minute warning. The bride is about to walk down the aisle to the love of her life..... and if she’s like most girls, she’s dreamed about this moment for a long time! Vows will be shared and promises will be made... this is what it’s all about!! In a world full of wedding blogs, Pinterest and bridal magazines, it’s easy to be overwhelmed and consumed by the “prettiness” of the event. While details do matter and planning is necessary, it’s important to never lose sight of the real purpose of this amazing day!

The biggest advice I have is consider and unplugged ceremony. If you’re not familiar with unplugged ceremonies, it is essentially when you request that your guests turn off all of their devices during the ceremony. This allows you photo and video team to work more freely with no worry of getting guests phones in their shots or have all guest trying to snap a confetti photo instead of throwing the confetti. As a photographer, it is disheartening trying to photograph the bride coming down the aisle and have someone stick their phone/ipad out in front of you (yes, it’s happened, more than once- it's a big moment so the family naturally gets excited). 

Most couples these days request unplugged ceremonies and do them with amazing success! I also did it at my own wedding and am so glad I did! :) Guests are typically very respectful if you ask them to not take photos during the ceremony and it will reflect in your photos. This especially shows in the wider shots; you’ll either see a lot of guests holding their phones up for photos, or your guests sitting and enjoying the moment! Encourage your guests to unplug for a short amount of time to enjoy such a special moment with the two of you. The difference is demonstrated in the images below. Some couples don't mind the phones and that is also perfectly fine, it is just something to consider and think about in advance. 

To make this happen at your ceremony, I recommend first having a sign at the entrance of the ceremony that encourages guests to put away their devices! You can also include a short  line on your ceremony program that requests that no one has their devices out. The best and easiest way is to have your celebrant to announce it a few minutes before the ceremony starts.



UNPLUGGED CEREMONIES

ceremony

PLEASE REQUEST THAT YOUR CELEBRANT STEP OUT TO THE SIDE FOR THE FIRST KISS, AND LASTLy try to KISS A FOR A FEW SECONDS TO GIVE US ENOUGH TIME TO CAPTURE A LANDSCAPE AND PORTRAIT IMAGE.

FAMILY FORMALS

I absolutely love meeting the couple’s families on the wedding day! Family formals are normally the first interaction with them and so I love to have a game plan for this part of the day! We do have to limit the family formal time in order to ensure that we have plenty of daylight for your romantic portraits.

About 2-3 months out from your wedding, I will send you your online wedding questionnaire! This is where you can give me the exact shot list for your family formals. I do ask that the list is no longer than 20 groupings (anything past that we can grab at the reception!) Here is an example shot list for you to get started:

BRIDE’S SIDE
Large group photo (this is everyone: parents, step-parents, grandparents, siblings, aunts, cousins, uncles)
Bride & Groom with parents, step parents, grandparents, siblings Bride & Groom with parents, grandparents, siblings
Bride & Groom with each set of grandparents
Bride & Groom with parents, siblings
Bride & Groom with parents
Bride & Groom with siblings
Bride with mom
Bride with dad

BRIDE & GROOM’S SIDE
Bride & Groom with parents
Bride & Groom with parents & siblings

GROOM’S SIDE
Large group photo (this is everyone: parents, step-parents, grandparents, siblings, aunts, cousins, uncles)
Bride & Groom with parents, step parents, grandparents, siblings Bride & Groom with parents, grandparents, siblings
Bride & Groom with each set of grandparents
Bride & Groom with parents, siblings
Bride & Groom with parents
Bride & Groom with siblings
Groom with mom
Groom with dad

Sunset portraits are literally the BEST ten minutes of portraits you'll get on your wedding day. Typically we'll sneak out for 10 minutes during your reception (in-between events, of course). Trust me, they are WORTH IT and are those dreamy, swoon-worthy photos you see all over Pinterest with the glowy lighting.

They also give you another chance to slow down and connect with each other on your big day! 

Here are a few things to know:
- Bring the veil + bouquet! This looks DREAMY with sunset lighting!
- If it ends up being overcast, don't worry! I've had SO MANY overcast and rainy weddings end up having a beautiful sunset. If the sun isn't peaking out, we might still sneak out for some extra portraits for variety!

romantic portraits

RAINY WEDDING DAYS

One of the most frequently questions I get asked is, what happens if it RAINS on my wedding day? While this isn't always ideal and doesn't match the sunny day you imagine while planning, I want to encourage you that you can still have GORGEOUS photos, even if it's rainy! Here are a few quick tips to keep in mind: 

1. Overcast skies = mostly good lighting.  It also tends to make the skies look more vibrant. :)  Sunlight, especially mid-day, is actually very harsh.Don’t get me wrong, I love golden, sunlit photos… but an overcast has its advantages of being cooler and less harsh. Some rainy days can look gloomy and we will just embrace that if that's what we are dealt with and if it downpours harshly I will have a discussion with you both about options and possible using an hour of your photography time to do sunset portraits on a seperate occasion.

2. Let me worry about the photos. On your wedding, the only thing you should have to worry about is being the bride! :) 

3. Be willing to go outside! Most of the time when it’s raining, it’s a lot of light sprinkles and not long, huge downpours… going outside is still definitely doable! I typically will find areas that have large trees to cover my couple & bridal party, or overhangs on the side of buildings. I also bring along cute, clear umbrellas to a wedding day (enough for an ENTIRE bridal party) that keep you almost totally dry, even when you’re not under anything! :) And they look adorable! 

4. Have a rain plan. Especially if you are having an outdoor wedding, this is very important! Be sure to communicate to your vendors what they should do if it rains on your wedding day. That way, if the situation arises, they will already know what to do and you won’t have to worry about a thing.

RECEPTION EXIT OPTIONS

There are SO many options when it comes to exits. Sparklers, bubbles, smoke bombs, etc there's lots of great options! When buying sparklers make sure you get the longest ones available as it will allow for longer burn time and in turn allow more photo's and give videography time to capture longer shots. 

If your coverage ends before your exit, you can plan a faux exit. This allows us to have more control over these shots and the party never has to stop. This idea allows my couples to save money and still have all of the shots that they dreamed of. All of the photos in the gallery to the left were actually fake exits!

The party is here!! Receptions can be a blast! However, it’s important to make sure that you have your event well thought out. This is the job of your coordinator and your DJ/Band. Your caterer will also play a big role in the design and set up of your event. Every aspect of your reception affects the overall outline of the evening. For example, if you’re not having a plated meal, your reception will need to be set up in a way that allows movement. Guests will need to be able to find the food stations easily, and there will be a mixture of dinner tables and high top cocktail tables. This will encourage guests to mix and mingle. If you are having a plated dinner, you will more than likely need escort cards, full place settings and space for all of your guests to be seated comfortably. Whatever the style of your event, make sure that you plan out all of the aspects of the evening. Your coordinator and DJ can help you set up the evening so that guests won’t leave early or experience long periods of waiting for the next thing to happen.

Much like the ceremony, you have the freedom to make your reception your own! It’s your party, it should be exactly how you want it to be! Here is a list of some key events that happen often at receptions:

- Welcome by Father of the Bride
- Blessing
- Cake Cutting
- Toasts
- Bouquet and Garter Toss
- Large group portraits with friends
- The exit of the Bride and Groom

RECEPTION

- Bridal Party Introductions
- First Dance
- Daddy-Daughter Dance
- Mother-Son Dance
- Anniversary Dance
- Traditional Religious Dances

HEIRLOOM Albums

Heirloom albums are the perfect way to remember your big day. You can order one anytime before or after your wedding day! Reach out if you are interested in ordering one!

24 PAGE 30cm LINEN ALBUM: $700
• Custom Engraving: Included 
• Leather Cover Upgrade: $80
• Upgrade to a Large Album: $300
• Additional 4-page Spread: $75 

DUPLICATE PARENT ALBUMS: $350 each/ $700 for 2

ALBUM DESIGN

2-4 weeks after you receive your full wedding gallery, I'll send you instructions to select your favourite images to be included in your album. Thereafter I will send a link to your initial album design, depending on the time of year this can take up to 4 weeks. 

TWO REVISIONS

You get two revisions with your album design. It's all set up online so it's really easy to make changes! You have an unlimited amount of design changes + image swaps within each revision. The revisions are due within 4 weeks after receiving them.

ALBUM DELIVERY

Within 8 weeks of approving your album design, you'll receive your album on your doorstep!

Just a reminder that album design and approval needs to be finalised within 6 months after your wedding.

GETTING AN ALBUM? HERE'S WHAT TO EXPECT

Thank you for allowing us to capture your big day! We don't take it lightly and am SO excited for you. I want you to know that WE ARE HERE for you throughout wedding planning! If you have ANY questions at all along the way, feel free to reach out to me via email or text at any point. I hope this guide serves as an amazing resource for you as you plan and prepare for your big day! I'm not only here to help but I want to encourage you that marriage is WORTH IT. It is a blast and always keep that in mind! At the end of the day, no matter what happens, you'll be having great adventures with the love of you life and that's all that matters. Thank you again for choosing me as your photo and video team, and happy planning!

thank you!

Love
Zinette & the team

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