Wedding Preparations

Wedding Preparation Checklist for the Bride & Groom


  • Please share your wedding timeline with all vendors as early as possible to ensure everyone is coordinated and prepared for your special day.
  • To help your wedding day run smoothly, we kindly ask that everyone be ready in advance before the scheduled timeline. Even a small delay can affect the flow of the day and impact your guests, vendors, and special moments.
  • Should you have any special requests or personal preferences, please feel free to share them with our team so we can thoughtfully accommodate your needs.



Wedding Day Essentials

Bride Emergency Kit

  • Lipstick/lip gloss
  • Powder
  • Tissues
  • Bobby pins
  • Safety pins
  • Fashion tape
  • Deodorant
  • Pain reliever
  • Water bottle
  • Snacks

Groom Emergency Kit

  • Extra socks
  • Stain remover pen
  • Breath mints
  • Deodorant
  • Comb
  • Safety pins
  • Water bottle
  • Snacks


Don't Forget

✅ Marriage license

✅ Rings

✅ Vows

✅ Bouquet & boutonniere

✅ Wedding attire

✅ Relax and enjoy the day together!


BRIDAL PREPARATION

Recommended Details to Have Ready

  • Wedding dress on a beautiful hanger
  • Engagement ring and wedding bands
  • Veil
  • Shoes
  • Jewelry (earrings, necklace, bracelets)
  • Perfume
  • Invitation suite
  • Vows or handwritten letters
  • Bouquet and boutonniere
  • Family heirlooms or sentimental items


Bride Preparation Photography Coverage

  • Venue exterior and getting-ready location
  • Engagement ring and wedding bands (All together with bride)
  • Wedding dress on a beautiful hanger
  • Bridal details and flat lays
  • Hair and makeup moments
  • Bridesmaids helping the bride
  • Bride putting on dress
  • Mother or maid of honor buttoning/zipping the dress
  • Jewelry and accessories
  • First look with bridesmaids
  • First look with parents
  • Emotional candid moments
  • Bridal portraits



GROOM PREPARATION

Recommended Details to Have Ready

  • Suit or tuxedo
  • Tie, bow tie, cufflinks
  • Shoes and socks
  • Watch
  • Cologne
  • Vows or letters from the bride
  • Boutonniere


Groom Preparation Photography Coverage

  • Groom details and accessories
  • Groom getting dressed
  • Tie adjustment and jacket buttoning
  • Putting on watch and cufflinks
  • Reading letter from bride
  • Candid moments with groomsmen
  • Toasts or celebratory drinks
  • Groom portraits
  • Group photos with groomsmen



FIRST LOOK (Optional)

  • Groom waiting for bride
  • Bride approaching
  • Genuine reactions and emotions
  • Private moments together
  • Couple portraits immediately after



CEREMONY

Before Ceremony

  • Ceremony site wide shots
  • Floral arrangements and décor details
  • Guest arrivals
  • Candid interactions among family and guests


Processional

  • Wedding party walking down aisle
  • Officiant walking down aisle
  • Groom's walking down aisle and/or with parents
  • Groom's reaction
  • Bride walking down aisle and/or with parents
  • Guests' emotional reactions


During Ceremony

  • Wide establishing images
  • Exchange of vows
  • Ring exchange
  • Holding hands
  • Readings or special traditions
  • First kiss
  • Candid emotional moments


Recessional

  • Couple walking down aisle
  • Celebration and joyful reactions
  • Bride and groom kiss or dip down the aisle
  • Hugs and congratulations



FAMILY FORMAL PORTRAITS

Suggested Shot List, make sure to announce everyone to stay put

Immediate Family

  • Couple with officiant
  • Everyone
  • Couple with both families
  • Couple with bride's immediate family
  • Couple with groom's immediate family
  • Couple with parents
  • Couple with siblings
  • Couple with grandparents


Bride's Side

  • Bride with parents
  • Bride with mother
  • Bride with father
  • Bride with siblings
  • Bride with grandparents


Groom's Side

  • Groom with parents
  • Groom with mother
  • Groom with father
  • Groom with siblings
  • Groom with grandparents


Extended Family (Optional)

  • Aunts, uncles, cousins
  • Godparents
  • Special family combinations

Tip: Assign a family coordinator to help gather relatives quickly.



WEDDING PARTY PORTRAITS

Full Wedding Party

  • Entire wedding party
  • Bride with bridesmaids
  • Groom with groomsmen
  • Couple with entire wedding party

Individual Groups

  • Bride with each bridesmaid
  • Groom with each groomsman
  • Fun and candid group photos



COUPLE PORTRAITS

Essential Images

  • Romantic portraits
  • Walking together
  • Candid interactions
  • Close-up embraces
  • Forehead kisses
  • Veil shots
  • Scenic wide-angle portraits
  • Sunset or golden hour portraits
  • Editorial and luxury-inspired poses



RECEPTION

Reception Details Before Guests Enter

  • Reception room wide shots
  • Table settings
  • Floral arrangements
  • Centerpieces
  • Cake details
  • Stationery and signage
  • Guest favors
  • Overall décor

Reception Events Coverage

Grand Entrance

  • Couple entering reception
  • Guest reactions

First Dance

  • Full dance coverage
  • Emotional moments

Parent Dances

  • Father-daughter dance
  • Mother-son dance

Toasts & Speeches

  • Speakers
  • Couple reactions
  • Guest reactions

Dinner

  • Candid guest interactions
  • Table moments

Cake Cutting

  • Traditional cake cutting
  • Feeding each other cake
  • Champagne cheers and kiss

Bouquet & Garter Toss (if applicable)

  • Action shots
  • Guest reactions

Open Dancing

  • Dance floor energy
  • Candid guest moments
  • Fun celebrations

Special Traditions

  • Cultural ceremonies
  • Anniversary dance
  • Money dance
  • Sparkler exit or grand exit



GRAND EXIT

Popular Exit Options

  • Sparklers
  • Bubbles
  • Flower petals
  • Confetti
  • Vintage car departure

Photographer captures:

  • Guests lining up
  • Couple exiting
  • Final romantic portraits
  • Departure details
  • Celebration and farewell moments



For beach weddings in Hawaii, I also recommend:

  • Reef-safe sunscreen
  • Sunglasses
  • Sand-friendly footwear or barefoot
  • Small towel for touch-ups
  • Clear umbrella (just in case of light rain)


I'm looking forward to serving you! Mahalo!