Wedding experience guide

First of all, thank you for trusting me to capture such a meaningful moment in your lives. Your wedding day is one of the most important days you’ll experience, and I treat it with the care it deserves.


Every time I pick up my camera, my goal is to create genuine, timeless, joy-filled images that tell your story—highlighting both your connection and the beauty around you. There’s something incredibly special about documenting the beginning of a marriage, and it’s an honor I don’t take lightly.


I created this guide to help you get the most out of your wedding photography experience. Inside, you’ll find planning tips, timeline guidance, getting-ready advice, and more to help everything flow smoothly.


Wedding planning can feel overwhelming, but you don’t have to do it alone. I’m here to support you every step of the way so you can truly soak in and enjoy this season!

LET THE COUNTDOWN BEGIN

If you’re reading this, that means your wedding is booked with O’Neal Photo Co! Yay! I'm so excited to be a part of your big day and can’t wait to capture every beautiful, candid, and heartfelt moment.

So, what’s next? Below, you’ll find the typical tasks we’ll work on together as we prepare for your wedding day. Each step is designed to ensure your photography experience is seamless, stress-free, and perfectly tailored to your unique love story.

1. Schedule your engagement session

An engagement session is a great way for us to get to know each other and get comfortable with posing for photos before the big day.

2. Complete your wedding day questionnaire

About 6 weeks before the wedding, I will send you a questionnaire relating to all of the final details. This will help me plan out my little personal game plan for that day to be able to serve you to the very best of my ability!

3. Get on a planning call

Once your questionnaire is filled out, let’s hop on a call and make sure everything looks perfect! We will go over your timeline and answer any last minute questions.

Beyond all of this, I’m here to serve you however I can. Need a hair and makeup recommendation? I’ve got you. Not sure how to build your timeline? Let’s chat! I truly love all things weddings, and I’m here to support you through every step of it.

Family portraits

Family portraits can be as simple or as detailed as you’d like, but the key to keeping them smooth and stress-free is having a list of the exact groupings you want. If possible, include first names next to the family member.


For example:

  • Bride + Groom + Groom’s parents (Tom and Diane)
  • Bride + Groom + Groom’s parents (Tom and Diane) + siblings (Alex and Ryan)
  • Bride + Groom + Groom’s parents (Tom and Diane) + siblings (Alex and Ryan) + grandparents (Debbie and Jim)


Choose a time and location ahead of time, and make sure everyone knows the plan. Once everyone is gathered, I’ll have you two stand in the center and call names to build each group.


If you have a larger family, it’s incredibly helpful to have a point person—like a sibling or cousin—who knows everyone and can help keep things organized.


 

My posing style

 

I try not to get caught up on the perfectly planted feet and cliche poses. What’s most important to me is documenting the raw emotions and organic connections between yourself and your loved ones. I also strive to let your personalities and relationship guide the way I photograph you. All couples are different and I want your photos to FEEL LIKE YOU! With that being said, I always love to hear any ideas my couples have! If you see an image that you would love to recreate, please send it my way.

 

Galleries and Keepsakes

 

I try to get some sneak peek photos sent to you within 48 hours after the wedding! The rest of the images are typically delivered within 6-8 weeks of the wedding date via an online gallery. This gallery will allow you to share your favorites with family, order prints and even download images to share on social media.


I love offering my clients a variety of ways to turn their images into cherished keepsakes. You can purchase wall-mounted canvases to decorate your home, professional prints and more directly through your gallery. I know Mom & Grandma want these photos in their hands and not just on Facebook, so I love making this process as simple and user-friendly as possible.


Interested in getting an album made? Let's talk about it! I am teamed up with some amazing album services that can help you encompass all of your favorite shots into one curated album.

 

Creating the perfect timeline

 

  • If possible, build in 10–15 minute buffer times throughout your day. This gives us breathing room if things run behind—and if we’re ahead of schedule, we can use that time for extra bride and groom portraits (a win!).



  • Try not to stress over the “what if” scenarios with weather. I’m used to adjusting timelines on the fly. Part of hiring a professional is knowing your day is planned with care, but handled with flexibility. You can trust me—I won’t be phased by a little rain!


  • I also recommend setting aside about 15 minutes before your ceremony to pause and breathe. The day moves fast, and this moment helps you reset before walking down the aisle. Whether you’re chatting with your bridal party, saying a prayer, or reading a letter from your partner, it’s the perfect way to soak it all in.

 

getting ready Tips and Tricks

Pick a location to get ready in that has plenty of space and natural lighting. This helps your getting ready photos look clean and decluttered! Not to mention, the natural lighting will ensure that your makeup application is flawless!


Right after getting ready is usually the perfect time to plan a first look with your bridesmaids or your dad!


Make sure you and your bridesmaids are wearing button-up shirts of any kind to get hair and makeup done in. This ensures a more seamless transition when changing into your dresses.


Does your dress require a quick zip, or will someone have to secure each button individually? Do you have multiple layers of the dress to put on? Don’t forget to consider these things in your getting ready schedule!


Make sure that whoever is helping you get your dress on is dressed and ready for the day when they help you to go put your dress on. I’m pretty sure every mom or maid of honor would agree that she would much rather be wearing make-up and in her stunning dress than in a t-shirt and jeans for those special photos!



This is when the mom in me comes out...EAT. SOME. FOOD. (and drink some water!) I know this sounds like common sense, but when you are in the middle of all of the excitement, it is SO easy to forget. The last thing you want is for your stomach to be rumbling in the middle of your ceremony, or to feel faint from dehydration. We want you feeling 100%!

 

Let's get hitched!

 

I am so excited to go on this journey with you! I hope this guide serves as a tool in planning out the best day of your life. And when you need more advice or professional input, I’m just a call away. As a OPC wedding couple, you have full access to my knowledge and experience. I’m an open book! My email and phone number are listed below. Please don’t ever hesitate to shoot me an email or text when you need help or advice. Planning a wedding is hard work and my goal is to relieve that stress for you and remind you that your special day is in great hands!