Your Wedding Day Is Almost Here — Here’s What I Need From You
Your wedding day is getting closer!
Once your wedding photography and/or videography is booked, there are just a few things I need from you before the big day.
I normally ask for these details around two weeks before your wedding.
It helps me understand how your day is going to flow, where I need to be and who I’ll be photographing — so I can arrive prepared and focus on capturing the actual moments rather than chasing information on the day.
Here’s what I need from you.
1. Your photography and/or videography start and finish times
Please confirm the exact time you would like photography to start and finish.
If you’ve booked both photography and videography, please let me know the start and finish time for both.
This is important because the timing of your day may have changed since you first booked.
Once I know the final coverage times, I can make sure you have the most suitable photography package for what you actually need.
For example, you may initially wanted to select six hours coverage but later realise that you would like coverage from getting ready through to the reception.
In that case, we can look at extending the coverage.
The same applies if your plans have changed and you no longer need as many hours.
2. Your getting-ready location
Please send me the address where you will be getting ready on the morning of your wedding.
If you and your partner are getting ready at different locations, please send me both addresses and let me know who will be getting ready at each location.
This allows me to plan the start of the day properly, particularly if there is travel involved.
If you are getting ready at a hotel, apartment or venue, please also let me know the room or level if you already have that information.
3. The names of your bridal party
Please send me the names of your bridesmaids, groomsmen or other members of your wedding party.
I’ll try to remember everyone’s names before I arrive.
I photograph a lot of weddings, so having the names beforehand is surprisingly helpful. It means
I can walk into the room already knowing who’s who rather than spending the first part of the day trying to work it out.
It also helps when we move into family and bridal party photos later in the day.
4. Your other wedding suppliers
If possible, please send me a list of your other wedding suppliers.
This can include:
Wedding planner or coordinator
Celebrant
MC
Florist
Hair and makeup artist
Venue
DJ or band
Cake maker
Stylist
Photobooth
Content creator
Any other suppliers involved on the day
Knowing who else is working at your wedding helps me understand how the day will be coordinated.
It is also particularly useful if I am working alongside another photographer, videographer or content creator.
And if you have booked a videographer through my team, I’ll already be coordinating with them before your wedding day.
5. Your wedding day run sheet
This is probably the most important thing I need.
Please send me your latest wedding day run sheet or timeline once it is finalised. (Usually your venue will send you the draft 3-6 month prior, so please use that)
It doesn’t have to be perfect — wedding days rarely run exactly according to plan!
But having the latest version means I can see the overall flow of the day, including things like:
Getting ready
Ceremony
Family photos
Bridal party photos
Couple portraits
Travel between locations
Reception entrance
Speeches
First dance
Cake cutting
Other important events
I don’t need you to create a special photography timeline just for me. Your normal wedding run sheet is perfect.
I’ll look through it and work out where I need to be throughout the day.
6. Your Instagram accounts — if you're happy for me to tag you
If you use Instagram and you’re happy for me to tag you, please send me your Instagram account.
I sometimes share a few photos or short behind-the-scenes moments on my Instagram Stories during the wedding day.
I’ll only tag you if you’re comfortable with it.
If you prefer to keep your wedding private or don’t want to appear on my Instagram Stories, that’s completely fine too. Just let me know.
A few final things
You don’t need to send me a huge amount of information.
I’ve photographed weddings since 1996, so I’m very used to working with different venues, timelines, suppliers and the inevitable little changes that happen during a wedding day.
The main thing is that I have your latest timings, locations and run sheet before the wedding.
Once I have those details, I can prepare properly and arrive knowing what to expect.
Then, on the day, you can concentrate on getting married, enjoying yourselves and spending time with the people you love.
That’s what I’m there for — to quietly document the day as it naturally happens.
Your pre-wedding checklist
About two weeks before your wedding, please send me:
☐ Photography start and finish time
☐ Videography start and finish time, if applicable
☐ Getting-ready address(es)
☐ Bridal party names
☐ Wedding supplier details
☐ Latest wedding day run sheet
☐ Instagram account(s), if you’re happy for me to tag you
And that’s it.
I’ll take care of the photography side from there!
If you’re looking for a Sydney wedding photographer who takes a natural, candid and relaxed approach to wedding photography,
you can find more about my style, packages and availability on my website.