a wedding planning guide
what your photographer needs from your ceremony
by sophia + colby, chasing robins media · provo, utah
- do you need to plan for the camera: no, just share a few small things.
- the big three: where the officiant stands, a cue before the kiss, and any lighting issues.
- your job: be in it. we handle the rest.
the ceremony is the one part of your wedding day that cannot be redone, so a small heads up goes a long way. you do not need to plan it for the camera. here are the few things that help your photographer and videographer catch every moment without getting in anyone’s way.
where the officiant will stand
tell us where the officiant, the two of you, and any readers or musicians will be. that way we can pick spots that do not block anyone, including your guests.
a heads up before the kiss
ask your officiant to let us know before the kiss. a quick nod or a line like “you may now…” gives us time to be ready, so we do not miss it.
the lighting situation
a dark room, harsh midday sun, or a window behind you can all change how we shoot. tell us ahead of time so we can plan where to stand and what to bring. if you want to understand how light changes through the day, our golden hour guide breaks it down.
also worth sharing
- the order of the ceremony, including readings, rituals, and songs
- who is walking down the aisle, and in what order
- any moment you want us ready for, like a special hug or a family tradition
- whether your ceremony is unplugged, so we can plan around it
the free guide has all of this in one place, with a short section you can fill in and send to your team.
questions we get a lot
do we need to pose during the ceremony?
no. your job is to be in it. we move around, stay out of the way, and get the moment as it happens.
should we walk through the ceremony beforehand?
if your venue allows a rehearsal, it helps. even a quick chat about where everyone will stand does a lot.
what if the lighting is bad?
it is more common than you think. tell us in advance, and we will plan around it.
should our ceremony be unplugged?
many couples like it because photos have faces instead of screens. our unplugged ceremony guide has sign wording you can borrow.
if this sounds like the kind of wedding photos you have been looking for…
hi, we think we would get along. we do photo + video together, and we would love to hear about your day.
tell us about your day