Engagement session tips, timeline guidance,
vendor recommendations & more!
Wedding Guide
CAPRIO CAPTURED
to THE MAIN WEBSITE
I’m so excited to be part of this amazing journey with you and can’t wait to get to know you better over the next few months! I know how important photography is for your wedding day, and it means so much to me that you’ve trusted me with such a special role.
Whether you’ve got a planner on board or you’re keeping things simple, wedding planning can feel like a lot sometimes—but don’t worry, I’ve got your back! Think of me as not just your photographer, but also your friend and helping hand throughout this whole process.
Over time, I’ve answered tons of questions from couples just like you, so I put together a little guide to make things easier. It’s full of helpful tips, from creating timelines to prepping for your engagement session, and even handling unexpected weather. We’re in this together, and I’m here to make sure everything feels as smooth and fun as possible. Let’s do this!
Welcome
view the details
I’m a huge fan of engagement sessions for so many reasons! First off, they’re the perfect way for you to get comfy in front of the camera before the big day. Plus, they’re such a fun opportunity to let your personalities shine in a relaxed, meaningful setting that’s special to you as a couple.
To make things super easy, I’ve put together a whole page with outfit tips, location ideas, timing suggestions, and more. It’s all there to help you feel confident and excited about your session. Let’s make this part of the journey uniquely yours!
Engagement Session
HAIR STYLISTS
Glam Done Wright
BMC Makeup
Faces by Clara
Makeup By Celena
MUA HaleySt.Louis
Here for the Glam
Beauty by Natalie
MAKEUP ARTISTS
CONTENT CREATORS
Adam Gorham Films
Back Story Wedding Films
Earth & Sun Co.
JB Horn Film
Will Tree Films
Vargas Videography
ViDEOGRAPHY
Botanica Wedding
Cherry Hill Flowers
Sarah's Floral Design
Floral Fixation
Stoneblossom Florals
A Bushel and a Peck
Haus of Blooms
FLORISTS
AMC Weddings
MK Your Dream Day
Sunday Social Events
Mavinhouse Events
Casey & Co Events
Carissa Corsi Events
An Intimate Event
WEDDING PLANNERS
Over time, I’ve seen just how important it is to have amazing vendors by your side to make your wedding day as smooth and stress-free as possible. Whether I’ve worked with them personally or seen their work in action, the vendors on this list are truly incredible! This isn’t a paid list—I’ve chosen them because of their talent, professionalism, and the way they consistently bring the magic on wedding days. You’re going to love them!
WHO WILL MAKE YOUR DAY INCREDIBLE
Vendors
STATIONARY
Perfectly Personalizd
Souly.Co
Still Waters Paperie
Signs by Viv
Bloom Press Design Co
Priscilla Basilio Design Studio
SIGNAGE/DESIGN
Start the day with breakfast
Relax & take time to enjoy
Keep everything organized
Think about your vision
Pre-steam your garments
Set times for hair & makeup
Think of who you want there
KEY TAKEAWAYS:
To be best prepared for your bridal portraits, it's important to keep everything organized and in one place. Make sure you have all your accessories, like your veil, shoes, jewelry, and any sentimental items, gathered together before the day begins. Having everything in one spot ensures we don’t waste time searching for missing pieces and lets us focus on getting those perfect shots. I also recommend keeping your bridal details tidy, like making sure your dress is hanging properly and your bouquet is ready to go. This helps create a smooth flow for the portrait session and ensures everything looks fresh and polished in your photos.
Another thing to consider is whether you’d like to include your bridal party in the portrait process. Some couples love having their bridal party involved in the getting-ready moments, while others prefer a more intimate session focusing on the bride. Think about what you envision for this part of the day—if you want your bridesmaids nearby for support or if you prefer some alone time to soak in the moment. Lastly, be sure to allow yourself some time to relax and enjoy the morning. I always recommend building enough time into your timeline for bridal portraits, so there’s no rush, and you can really savor the experience. When you give yourself space to breathe and enjoy, it will show in the photos and make the whole process that much more special!
The morning of your wedding day is such a special time, and it’s so important to make sure you’re well-prepared so you can truly enjoy it. A calm, un-rushed morning helps set the tone for the entire day and allows you to be present as everything unfolds. Start with a peaceful breakfast and some quiet moments to breathe before diving into the day’s excitement. Having a set timeline for your hair and makeup will ensure that everything runs smoothly and that you don’t feel rushed when it’s time for bridal portraits.
This is also the time to savor all the little moments: the final touches on your dress, the laughter with your bridal party, and of course, the anticipation of stepping into your wedding look. Remember, bridal portraits are a chance to capture how stunning you feel and the beauty of the day. When you’re feeling relaxed and confident, it will absolutely shine through in your photos!
FEELING PREPARED FOR the big day
THE MORNING OF
That moment when I get to see the Bride and Groom share their first look on their wedding day is absolutely magical! Whether they choose to wait until the bride walks down the aisle or decide to do a “first look” before the ceremony, it’s always such a special moment.
Over the years, I’ve seen more and more couples opting for a first look—a private, intimate moment they share before the ceremony—and I totally get why! About half of my couples this year have chosen this option.
I’m all for tradition, but I also think there are some pretty great reasons to consider a first look. Here are 3 reasons to consider a ‘first look’:
IF YOU'RE WONDERING WHETHER A FIRST LOOK IS RIGHT FOR YOU, STOP HERE!
WHY OR WHY NOT: First Looks
If you're anticipating bad weather on your wedding day, it might be a good idea to plan for a first look. It gives you more options for photos, and if it’s pouring rain after the ceremony, you'll be so glad you got your pictures done ahead of time.
And for all you emotional folks out there—if you know you’ll be shedding tears the moment you see your other half, a first look gives you a chance to freshen up before the ceremony.
Don't worry, whether you opt for a first look or not, the moment you see each other on your wedding day will still be incredibly special!
First Look
03
Without a first look, most of the photos happen after the ceremony. Family pictures are usually taken right after the ceremony since it's the easiest time to gather everyone. Then we move on to the bridal party and finally bride and groom portraits, which often overlap with cocktail hour.
A first look gives us time before the ceremony for full bridal party portraits and usually plenty of time for bride and groom shots (although we still love doing some sunset portraits!). This extra time means you can enjoy more of cocktail hour and helps the rest of the evening feel a bit more relaxed and less rushed.
It makes more time for pictures without sacrificing cocktail hour
02
Avoid possible bad weather and/or have time to freshen-up after the first look
Once the ceremony starts, things tend to pick up quickly. A "first look" gives you a chance to steal a quiet moment together, enjoy each other’s company, and reflect on what this day truly means before the whirlwind begins.
Wedding days are such a blur and they always seem to fly by. There’s so much happening and so many people to see and catch up with. I always encourage my couples to take a few moments throughout the day to pause, take a deep breath, and really soak in everything happening around them.
A first look cuts through the chaos of the day
01
If you’re doing a first look, we can knock out all your photos in one go, typically taking around 1-2 hours pre-ceremony (though we love grabbing a few extra bride and groom shots at sunset!).
For a traditional aisle reveal, just keep your ceremony time in mind when planning the rest of the day.
If you’re having a sunset or evening ceremony, it’s best to do all photos before the ceremony. Daylight is key to getting those amazing portraits with your family, bridal party, and couple shots. Having enough time before the sun sets is the perfect way to make your traditional ceremony work while still getting those gorgeous photos!
Whether you go for a first look or the traditional "no seeing each other before the ceremony," I’ll help create the perfect timeline to maximize our photo time.
If you’re sticking to tradition, we’ll need two sets of photos: one before the ceremony and one after. We’ll schedule about an hour for getting ready photos and details. My second photographer will capture the groom’s getting-ready moments, so we can make the most of our time. After the ceremony, we’ll need 15-20 minutes for bridal party portraits, about 30 minutes for family portraits (depending on the size), and at least 30 minutes for couple’s portraits. It’s all about making sure we get those beautiful shots while allowing you to enjoy your day!
tips for a seamless wedding day timeline
timeline
Wedding Day
building the perfect
Note: Ideally by the time we arrive, hair and makeup is already wrapping up. If something is going to delay the beginning of the day, it’s often HAMU.
Alicia arrives at Bride’s getting ready location and 2nd Photographer arrives at Groom’s getting ready location.
12 p.m.
12:00pm
Groom + groomsmen depart for ceremony site.
1:15 p.m.
1:15pm
Bride and bridesmaids depart for ceremony location.
1:30 p.m.
1:30pm
Note: The First Look can take place at the getting ready location, ceremony, or reception location. It’s up to you! Although we’re happy to make recommendations.
The first look takes place.
1:45 p.m.
1:45PM
Bride & Groom + bridal party portraits.
2:00 p.m.
2:00pm
The ceremony takes place.
3:00 p.m.
3:00PM
Family portraits
Note: We do family portraits right after the ceremony because everyone you need will be easy to grab. If you can give your family notice that we’ll be taking pictures immediately after the ceremony, that will also ensure that no one wanders off. We’ll help you create a list of family portraits before the big day.
3:30 p.m.
3:30pm
Additional Bridal Party and Bride & Groom Portraits
Note: Depending on what was taken before the ceremony, we might grab 1 or 2 more full bridal party shots.
4:00 P.M.
4:00pm
Cocktail Hour
Note: The great thing about doing a First Look is that it gives you more time at cocktail hour. We’ll grab some pictures of your guests while you enjoy the hour.
4:30 p.M.
4:30pm
Introductions & First Dance
5:00 P.M.
5:00 PM
Welcome toasts & salads followed by speeches and entrees.
5:30 P.M.
5:30pm
Sunset Portraits
We’ll make sure to grab you two about 30 minutes before the sunsets. This is usually the best light of the day!
6:00 P.M.
6:00pm
6:30 P.M.
Dancing begins
6:30pm
Cake cutting followed by more dancing.
7:15 P.M.
7:15pm
Photographers Depart
8:00 P.M.
8:00pm
Alicia arrives at Bride’s getting ready location and 2nd Photographer arrives at Groom’s getting ready location.
Note: Ideally by the time we arrive, hair and makeup is already wrapping up. If something is going to delay the beginning of the day, it’s often HAMU.
1 p.m.
1:00pm
Groom + groomsmen depart for ceremony site & take pre-ceremony group photos.
2:00 p.m.
2:00pm
Bride and bridesmaids depart for ceremony location and take pre-ceremony group photos.
2:15 p.m.
2:15pm
The ceremony takes place.
3:00 p.m.
3:00PM
3:30 p.m.
Family portraits.
Note: We do family portraits right after the ceremony because everyone you need will be easy to grab. If you can give your family notice that we’ll be taking pictures immediately after the ceremony, that will also ensure that no one wanders off. I’ll help you create a list of family portraits before the big day.
3:30pm
4:00 P.M.
Bridal Party and Bride & Groom Portraits
Note: Depending on what was taken before the ceremony, this normally takes about 45 mins to an hour total.
4:00pm
Introductions & First Dance
5:30 P.M.
5:30pm
Welcome toasts & salads followed by speeches and entrees.
6:00 P.M.
6:00pm
Sunset Portraits
7:30 P.M.
We’ll make sure to grab you two about 30 minutes before the sunsets. This is usually the best light of the day!
7:30pm
Dancing begins
8:00 P.M.
8:00pm
Cake cutting followed by more dancing.
8:30 P.M.
8:30pm
Photographer’s Depart
9:00 P.M.
9:00pm
If you're not working with a planner, it might also be a good idea to check in with your entire vendor team to make sure they're aware of the weather. Hair and makeup may need to be tweaked to withstand humidity and if your wedding is outdoors, DJs and bands may need to take extra precaution to protect their gear. A quality rental team can also minimize the amount of mud at outdoor events.
While we can't guarantee that rain on your wedding day is good luck, we can put a plan in place to ensure a beautiful day and beautiful images.
Rainy day weddings may require a little more flexibility and creativity, but there isn't any reason why they can't be as beautiful and as joyful as sunny weddings!
If the forecast calls for rain, don’t worry—rainy days can still make for stunning photos!
In case of rain, I recommend grabbing a few clear umbrellas from Amazon. It might also be helpful to reconsider portrait locations to ensure we can still shoot in natural light, even if that means heading to a new spot.
No need to stress—whether it’s rain or shine, your day is going to be magical no matter what! Just embrace whatever comes your way and try not to stress over the things you can’t control.
Rain Tips
I absolutely love capturing all the little details you’ve carefully chosen for your wedding day! When I arrive at your wedding, I’ll need about 30 minutes to style and photograph those details. I recommend choosing a getting-ready location with plenty of natural light, and if possible, please keep the space clear of trash and clutter.
It would be so helpful if you could gather all your rings, jewelry, shoes, veil, purse, perfume, invitations, and other keepsakes in one spot for me. Feel free to unwrap your dress, but don’t worry about styling it—I’ll hang it in a beautiful spot for you!
Details
Wedding Day
Dress
Dress Hanger (a pretty one!)
Rings (both engagement and wedding bands)
Shoes
Veil
Bouquet
Ring
Hair pieces
Jewelry
Invitation Suite (2 full sets with envelopes + stamps)
Any other paper stationary you may have like program cards.
Vow Book
Any other sentimental keepsakes you would like to include
I love including family heirlooms in our detail shots.
Bonus: I'd LOVE to have a few cuts of the florals you'll be using throughout your wedding day. If your florist will supply a small bucket of extra pieces I can incorporate those in your detail shots.
print this checklist
BRIDAL DETAILS CHECKLIST
print this checklist
His shoes
Socks (if they're special)
Cuff Links
Tie or Bow Tie
Pocket Square
Boutonnière
Vows Book
Rings
Anything else he'll have that is special or sentimental.
Groom DETAILS CHECKLIST
Whenever I can, I love taking a photo of your rings while you’re getting ready! If possible, try to have your engagement ring cleaned beforehand or give it a quick clean yourself.
To clean it at home, simply soak your ring in warm water with dish soap for about 20 to 40 minutes. Then, gently brush the stone with a soft toothbrush, rinse, and repeat if needed until it shines!
The Rings
Please note that this list is just a starting point and that I'm happy to take any requested family portraits as long as time allows!
print + adjust this checklist
Bride + Groom + Bride's Extended Family
Bride + Groom + Bride's Parents + Siblings + Grandparents
Bride + Groom + Bride's Parents + Bride's Siblings
Bride + Groom + Bride's Parents
Bride + Groom + Bride's Siblings
Bride + Mom
Bride + Dad
Bride + Groom + Groom's Extended Family
Bride + Groom + Groom's Parents + Siblings + Grandparents
Bride + Groom + Groom's Parents + Groom's Siblings
Bride + Groom + Groom's Parents
Bride + Groom + Groom's Siblings
Groom + Mom
Groom + Dad
Family Formals Checklist
For family portraits, I’ll start by placing you in the center and start with immediate family members. After that, we’ll gradually add the extended family, and other important people you want included.
From there, we’ll keep making adjustments by swapping in and out. This process will go a lot smoother and quicker if you can let your family know ahead of time how the portrait session will flow.
When I send out the pre-wedding questionnaire, I’ll ask for a list of specific groupings and any special situations (like divorces or family members who need extra assistance). But feel free to start brainstorming your photo ideas in the meantime—I’ll also share our typical list below to get you started!
your entire family, dressed up and together
Family Formals
If you've been to a wedding recently, you may have seen a sign from the happy couple asking for their guests to remain "unplugged" during the ceremony.
And while it might seem like a strange requests to ask guests to put down their phones, there's a pretty good reason for it! You made a big investment in photography and I'm sure one of the last things you want on your wedding day is for the photos of your ceremony to be filled with obtrusive iPhones, iPads and relatives standing in the aisle with their own cameras. In order to help me do the best possible job capturing your wedding, I recommend asking guests to unplug during the ceremony.
CONSIDER UNPLUGGING
If your reception is at a separate venue, add some "fluff time" so that we can run over to the venue to capture it while it's still "untouched" by guests.
Fluff Time
05
If you're planning on having a first look with your bridal party or a parent, they often feel more comfortable being fully dressed in their wedding attire.
First looks for parents
04
Make sure and have your bouquet delivered in time to make an appearance for the detail shots and for your first look. Often they are delivered in water and need to be dried off before use. Having towels handy can help.
Extra Florals
03
If it's going to be hot, a cooler of cold waters and frozen washcloths can help keep a wedding party cool - especially if your men are wearing lots of layers.
Prep for the heat
02
If you're getting married in the summer months, a "not-so-heavy" snack or lunch time before portraits is always a good idea for you and your bridal party to avoid hungry bellies and passing out!
Don't forget the snacks
01
tips
Additional
3 months before your wedding, we'll start working through your shot list and timeline. I'll be there to help every step of the way!
here to help
09
During the cocktail hour and the reception, we'll follow you around. Anytime you'd like a photo with someone, grab our attention. We love being your personal paparazzi!
Photo anyone?
08
Family portraits go smoother when both sides of the family have a chance to have their input on what portraits they'd like before the wedding. If you supply me with a list ahead of time, we can go over it and make sure we shoot things in an order that is efficient and won't leave anyone out.
Make a list
07
I always recommend the bride go into hiding 20 minutes before the ceremony at the absolute latest. Guests typically arrive early to weddings.
Hide the bride
06
I can't wait to start planning with you and get to know you better! If you haven’t scheduled your engagement session yet, let’s get that on the calendar. Feel free to email me anytime at capriocaptured@gmail.com
If you have any questions or just want to chat, I’m here for you! I hope this guide helps make the process of planning your wedding details a little easier and less stressful. I’m looking forward to seeing you soon—thank you so much for taking the time to read through everything!