phone calls

The primary videographer/photographer makes 2 phone calls for each wedding.  One within 2 weeks of booking and one 2 weeks before the wedding.  This is the minimum communication we require...feel free to text/call more if it works best for you.

Topics for call

• Introduce yourself.

• Ask about their love story.

• Schedule the engagement session (if there is one).  Send Alice a quick text letting her know when and where this will be.

• Find out what is most important to them.  What kind of style do they want (formal/stage, informal/reportage, or a mix of both)?

• Ask them how they would prefer you to move during the ceremony.  Some couples want you to keep your distance, and others say "come in closer!"

• Go over the shot list with them.  What do they for sure want photos and videos of?  

• What audio do they want to be recorded?  

• If they ask about songs, this page has all the info they need. You can refer them to Lindsey with any further questions about songs.

• Ask if there are any sensitive family situations you should be aware of.

• Please ask the couple what attire would be most appropriate.  Some weddings are very formal and others very casual.  If they do not specify, wear business casual.

• Timeline (see below)

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Create & plan the wedding-day timeline

• It is ultimately the responsibility of the photographer/videographer to discuss in detail the client's needs/wants & create the timeline around the information provided. Any additional information you find out will need to be added to the wedding details page. 

• Let Alice know if the client isn’t communicating so Lindsey can reach out and we have documented that we tried to get the information.​

• Work together with other IG team members to discuss wedding day flow. Videographers will need more time for equipment set up & special audio requests, such as letter readings. 

• If Carly or Lindsey has discussed a baseline timeline, it will be in the wedding details section. Always confirm with the couple this timeline & if it's the most recent. Carly & Lindsey are available to help build a timeline if needed. Sample timelines are linked below as a starting place, however, each wedding will have a unique flow to take into consideration. 

  • Example Timelines

• Things to consider

  • Golden hour - (2 hours preceding sunset) is the best time to take photos.  We recommend scheduling 30 minutes for couple portraits at some point during this timeframe.  Couples are often disappointed if they don't have any of these natural light photos.  If they haven't set a ceremony time yet, encourage them to set it so that there is time for all of the post-ceremony photos during golden hour.  Advise them on whether or not it's a good idea to do a first look based on the sunset time and the ceremony time.  In general, summer (later sunsets) is not a good time for a first look and winter (earlier sunsets) is. But it all depends on actual times.

  • Getting ready - If it is at the same location, usually an hour is enough for the girls and 30 minutes for the boys (as long as they are okay with us coming towards the end and getting the finishing touches.)  It's best if everyone is completely ready (except for the girls having their dresses on) before we arrive (we prefer telling everyone to be ready 30 minutes before our scheduled arrival time so if they are running late it doesn't throw the whole day behind schedule).

  • Detail shots - we typically snag these first and allow 30 minutes so we have time to arrange the items and take to natural light if necessary.  It's best if all items are gathered and ready to go before we arrive: wedding dress, shoes, rings, perfume, jewelry, bouquets (have the florist deliver before we arrive), two invitation suites, veil, lipstick, hairpiece

  • Transition/set-up for the ceremony - we like to plan on all photos/videos being done 30 minutes before the ceremony so there is time to set up for audio and get some detail shots of the ceremony before it begins

  • If the couple would like to do a first look and bridal party photos before the ceremony, we recommend starting this at least 1.5 hours before ceremony time.

  • Family photos after the ceremony typically last about 30 minutes. If they didn’t do a first look, allow an extra hour for bridal party and bride/groom portraits.

  • Reception - traditional receptions with the basic stuff: first dances, a few toasts, bouquet toss, cake cutting, I allow 3 hours (including a 30-60 minute break). We do not need to stay until the end of the reception UNLESS the couple wants exit photos (with sparklers generally).

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Invoicing

• ​When submitting your invoice after each call, if there are unknown Wedding Details, input TBD or Unknown.  

• You will receive a $50 deposit for the wedding after each call.  This is a deposit, not an additional $50. For example, if your pay is $600 for a wedding, we will pay you $50 when you complete the first phone call, $50 when you complete the second phone call, and then $500 upon completion of the wedding.  Your hourly rate of $100 for wedding day coverage hours covers all of the work outside of the wedding as well.  

• The "Notes" section is for communication with Alice.