Once we have established that I am available for your wedding date and we are a good fit for one another, I send over an online agreement for you to sign. Don't worry - you do not need to print anything out and scan it back in. All you need to do is sign electronically. 

Once that is done, you will be directed to a page for paying the deposit via credit card. If you have another preferred method of payment, no problem! Just let me know and we will skip this part. The deposit is half the total price of your wedding package. This ensures that we secure your date. If you prefer to do a payment plan, that is fine also. Some couples split up payments into 3 or 4 payments throughout the year. Any way you go about it will be fine with me as long as the total is paid by the date of your wedding. 

Booking me as your Austin documentary wedding photographer is super easy!

The Booking Process

I can't stress enough how important it is to have a sit-down meeting with me before your wedding. Whether we sneak this in before or after your engagement session, schedule one over video call, or meet up in a coffee shop, it is invaluable to making sure we both understand your timeline and how photography will fit into your schedule throughout the day. If any photography scheduling conflicts arise with your day-of schedule, I can always reach out to your wedding planner or day-of coordinator to get this resolved. 

Pre-consultation 

Create a family photo list for your photographer! This is extremely helpful in getting the special groupings you and your family want that you can enjoy for years to come. We always take the "standard" family grouping photos, but of course you will have special requests, including cousins, aunts, uncles, and grandmas. So make a list with all these special requests so that we can take care of it and you don't have to worry about remembering. 

family photos

Engagement sessions are the absolute best! We can get to know one another before your wedding day! You will also start to feel a little more comfortable in front of the camera. Even though most of your wedding day photos will be candid, there will be times when you'll be knowingly in front of the camera and you'll want to feel relaxed! An engagement session will really help with this. 

Austin Area Engagement Photos

Tips for your Special Day

12pm-1pm: Getting ready photos (includes candids of everyone getting ready, hair and makeup, detail shots of rings, invitations, the dress, and the bride and groom putting on their outfits). 

1:10pm-1:30pm: First Look! This is not a given for every couple, but many couples choose to do a "first look" before the ceremony, in which the couple meets up at a chosen location once they are dressed and ready and it can be quite intimate and sweet. 

1:30pm-2pm: Photos of the couple + photos of bridal party

2pm-2:45pm: Couple hides out while guests arrive and photographers get photos of guests 

3pm-3:30pm: Ceremony

3:30pm-4pm: Family Photos

4pm-5pm: Couple mingles with guests during cocktail hour and photographers capture candid interactions

5pm: Wedding party and bride and groom introductions

5:15pm-6:30pm: Dinner (photographers typically eat and take minimal photos during this time)

6:30pm-7pm: Speeches 

7pm-10pm: Cake cutting, first dances, open dance floor, bouquet and garter toss (photographers usually stay for at least 1 hour of open dancing)

Here is a sample photography timeline for a typical wedding day. Of course this will vary with every wedding to some degree, but hopefully it helps you to get a feel for how the day will flow! 

A Sample Timeline of your Austin Wedding Photography Experience .