Wedding Planning Guide

FROM A PHOTOGRAPHER'S PERSPECTIVE

I'M HERE TO HELP BRING YOUR VISION TO LIFE!

This page is designed to help guide you through the wedding planning process with ease. You’ll find helpful timeline examples, trusted vendor recommendations, and a collection of current wedding trends I love seeing couples incorporate into their day.

Think of it as a simple reference to help you understand how your day can flow, what to expect, and ideas to make your wedding feel even more intentional, organized, and uniquely yours.

RECOMMENDED VENDORS

Catering - Living Skies Catering
Florists - Snapdragon Studio
Florists - Twig and Bloom
Florists - Jolene with Full Bloom Floral yxe - Faux florals
Hair & Make-up - The Bae Lab
Make-up - Kelsey Rae Make Up
Make-up - Make Up by Cass
DJ - Armed with Harmony
Event Planning - Inifinity Events & Decor

TRENDS I LOVE!

1. PRIVATE VOWS

Private vows are often one of the most emotional parts of a wedding day. From a photographer’s perspective, they create space for genuine connection — away from the crowd, the pressure, and the timeline.

The quiet moments, nervous smiles, tears, laughter, and reactions are completely natural and beautifully personal. It allows couples to slow down, be present with each other, and truly take in the moment.

And honestly, those authentic emotions always create some of the most meaningful photographs of the day.

2. FIRST LOOKS

A first look isn’t just about the photos — it’s about creating a moment to breathe together before the whirlwind of the day begins.

From a photographer’s perspective, it often helps couples feel more grounded and relaxed going into the ceremony. The nerves settle, the excitement kicks in, and the day becomes more about experiencing it together rather than waiting for that first moment down the aisle.

It also creates flexibility in the timeline, allowing for more portraits earlier in the day and a generally smoother, less rushed experience.

3. UNPLUGGED CEREMONY

An unplugged ceremony allows everyone to be fully present for one of the most meaningful parts of your wedding day — without phones, tablets, or cameras in the way.

From a photographer’s perspective, it leads to cleaner images, genuine reactions, and uninterrupted moments. No screens blocking faces, no guests stepping into the aisle, and no distractions during key moments.

Your photographer will capture it all — the emotions, reactions, and in-between moments — so your guests can simply be present and experience it as it happens.

6. MINI SUNSET/NIGHT PHOTO SESH

4. CEREMONY EXITS

I love a ceremony exit — it’s such a fun way to wrap up the “I do’s” and kick off the celebration.

Have fun with it and make it your own, but here are a few ideas to think about:

A simple kiss mid-way down the aisle
A fun dip or lift (I can help show you some moves!)
Bubble machine, confetti toss, or dried florals/petals (for outdoor ceremonies)
Ribbon wands
A big cheering tunnel from your guests

Make it personal too — I’ve even seen a light saber tunnel, which was incredible!

It’s the perfect way to end the ceremony on a high note and start the party right away.

5. INTIMATE HEAD TABLES

A trend I’m really loving right now is intimate head tables — just for the bride and groom.

From the photo side, it allows for a more intimate, emotional experience while listening to speeches and taking in all the love around you. There’s less distraction, more connection, and space to just be present with each other.

Another bonus I love — your wedding party gets to enjoy dinner with their significant others too, which makes the whole reception feel more relaxed and balanced for everyone.

Sneaking away from the chaos of the reception for a quiet moment is one of my favourite parts of the day.

It’s a chance to pause, breathe, and soak it all in together — just the two of you — while capturing some of the most unique sunset or nighttime portraits. The light is softer, the energy is calmer, and the images always feel more intentional and cinematic.

These little breaks often end up being some of the most memorable moments of the entire wedding day.

7. GUEST PHOTO DASH

The guest photo dash is such a fun way to add energy to your wedding day and capture photos with all the people who made the effort to celebrate with you.

It’s a quick, playful moment where guests come together for hugs, laughs, and group shots — all the in-between chaos that makes the day feel so real and full of life.

It’s fast-paced, candid, and full of personality, and it captures your favourite people in a way that feels spontaneous and joyful without turning into a long formal process.

MANAGING YOUR TIMELINE FROM A PHOTOGRAPHER'S PERSPECTIVE

We’ll sit down about a month before your wedding for a consultation. This is where we’ll finalize your timeline, locations, and any specific shots or moments you want captured.

Below is a general guide of how I typically see a wedding day flow. Every wedding is a little different depending on group size, locations, travel time, and whether family/formals happen before or after the ceremony.

THIS IS TYPICALLY WHAT'S ALLOTTED PER SECTION OF THE DAY FOR ME AS THE PHOTOGRAPHER:

Groom Getting Ready – 45 min–1 hr
I often start here with candid moments of the groomsmen getting ready, then give them time to relax while I head to the bride.
Bride Getting Ready – 1.5–2 hrs
I usually arrive near the end of hair and makeup for final prep, details, and candid moments.
Ceremony – 30–45 min
(Church ceremonies are often 1–1.5 hrs)
Receiving Line – 30–45 min (Optional, just some couples decide to do this)
A chance for guests to congratulate you right after the ceremony. Timing depends on guest count.
Family Photos – 30–45 min
Typically done at or near the ceremony site with immediate family (parents, grandparents, siblings and their families, if any, etc.). Extended family can be included but may require extra time.
Formal/Wedding Party Photos – 1.5–2 hrs
Includes 1–2 locations depending on travel time and group size.
Cocktail Hour – 1 hr
You can attend, take a break, or continue photos during this time.
Dinner & Speeches – 1.5–2 hrs
Dance Coverage – Up to 1 hr after first dances
Sunset / Night Photos – 15–30 min
Usually tucked in during downtime (after dinner or between events). For true sunset photos, we’ll time it based on sunset on your wedding day.

EARLY CEREMONY

This is the more traditional wedding day flow, with the ceremony taking place in the early afternoon around 1 or 2pm, followed by family and formal photos afterward.

In this timeline, the ceremony is typically the first time the groom sees his bride as she walks down the aisle, making it a really meaningful and emotional moment shared in front of all your guests.

LATE CEREMONY

This timeline is becoming increasingly popular, with ceremonies held later in the afternoon around 3 or 4pm. In this case, formal photos are typically done before the ceremony.

We often begin the formal session with a “first look” — a private moment between the bride and groom where the groom turns around to see his bride fully ready for the first time, before moving into the rest of the portraits.

With a mid-to-late afternoon ceremony, family photos are usually scheduled either right before the ceremony or immediately after during cocktail hour, depending on the flow of the day.

LOCATIONS

As a photographer, I am always thinking about sunlight and how I can best control the outcome of your images via, keeping in mind our location and the goal of the location (I want the arch in the background) and where the sun will be when we visit that location. Harsh full sun day light is typically the toughest to work with for a couple of reasons but mostly to control unflattering shadows. Typically I try to find more "sheltered locations" during those hours of the day. For example, somewhere with lots of big trees or shelter from buildings like the university are great for harsher daylight.

Below I have a link for you to browse some locations that I have shot at before in and around Saskatoon. If you have any questions about a particular location, I'm happy to chat more about it!

Locations

LIFE IS FULL OF SURPRISES. FOLLOW MINE.