CONTENTS
HELLO & THANK YOU
WHAT TO EXPECT
ENGAGEMENT PORTRAITS
GETTING READY PREP
CEREMONY & RECEPTION
ELOPEMENTS & INTIMATE WEDDINGS
TIMELINE ASSISTANCE
TIPS & MORE
TO THE ONES WRITING THEIR NEXT CHAPTER
Dear Beloved Couple,
I want to first start by saying, thank you. Thank you for trusting me, for allowing me to be part of this chapter in your lives, and for choosing me to document your wedding story. I know finding the right photographer, someone you connect with and can trust to capture one of the most important days of your life, is no small decision. It’s an honor I don’t take lightly.
Every single day, I choose this work because I believe there is power in loving people, and serving people that goes beyond our understanding. One that brings joy and so much peace and light, and it’s why I choose you too! My passion for photography aside lies in more than just taking photos; it’s in building our connection organically, preserving your joy, and ensuring that every couple I work with feels seen, valued, and cared for.
Your wedding day is so much more than a collection of moments I get to present to you, it’s the start of your families legacy, and that story and day that will be told for generations, and I’m thankful I get to help you preserve it beautifully. Know that I’m here to serve you, celebrate you, and to give you space to be fully present during these moments while capturing it all.
I’m truly honored to be your photographer.
So thank you, again and cheers to your love and union ahead!
With gratitude and excitement,
Nay M.
I’m beyond excited you’re here!
If you’re reading this, you’re in the middle of planning something big, exciting, emotional, and maybe a little overwhelming at times. How special is that?! This guide is here to make things feel easier, clearer, and honestly more fun.
My goal is simple, to be someone you trust through this process. I show up calm, present, and fully invested, documenting your day in a way that feels real to you. I take this work seriously, but never so seriously that we forget to enjoy it. So take your time here. Let this be a resource, a guide, and a little reassurance that you’re doing this your way. I’m in it with you, start to finish.
WHAT TO EXPECT
Engagements & The Complete Wedding Vision
Each and everyone of our connections is different and your photos should reflect who you guys are, not a template or poses list! The way I approach planning and guiding sessions with my couples is fluid and personalized. Ultimately I want those spontaneous emotions, moments where I leave you to embrace each other, and the little in-betweens you don’t always notice until you see them from my perspective and remember how it felt. My roots in photography also go into studio portraiture and my love for editorial, fashion-forward imagery. Which for me means, I’m also influenced also by light, composition, and styling in a very intentional way.
Some couples are playful, silly, romantic, or serious and
shy from displaying affection . Others want bold, editorial posing with statement looks. And many fall somewhere in between. Wherever you land, I’ll meet you there. What matters most is that you’re honest with me about what you’re drawn to. If you’re picturing a mix of moments and poses or a session that’s completely romantic or spontaneous, let me know. If you’re going full glam and want to serve some serious looks tell me that too. When we’re aligned, I can guide your portraits with clarity, and create images that feel like you. Share this in your engagement questionnaire with me, any visual inspiration, a mood boards, and just the feelings you guys want to evoke. I’ll learn so much from how you want to be seen, and even hear more about you guys through the questionnaire.
Nonetheless, expect gentle direction and organic flow. I’ll absolutely throw in traditional portraits and guide you throughout, but the energy you share together plays a huge role in what we create. The more open you are to trusting the process, stepping outside your comfort zone, and being present with each other, the more powerful and genuine your images will be.
I’ll bring the vision and direction you bring the energy and transparency. Together, we’ll make something unforgettable!
ENGAGEMENT PORTRAITS
Engagement sessions are one of the best ways to ease into being photographed together before the wedding day. It’s a chance for us to connect, move comfortably, and capture your chemistry without the pressure of a timeline or expectations. Think of it as a relaxed, intentional session, a moment to enjoy this season of engagement while creating images that feel natural and effortless.
This time is truly collaborative. We’re creating photographs that reflect who you are, your connection, and the story you’re building together as you head toward marriage. Below you’ll find thoughtful tips and inspiration to make the session feel seamless and comfortable.
WHAT TO WEAR
I say, wear something that feels like you! Whether that’s jeans and flats or something a little more elevated, comfort and confidence are key. If you’re tugging at a stiff outfit or wearing something that doesn’t feel right, it’ll show in the photos. Pick pieces you feel amazing in, and we’ll take care of the rest.
INTENTIONAL LOCATIONS
Still deciding a location? Think about places you love or things you enjoy doing together, going on picnics together, wandering through your neighborhood, dinner at home, or somewhere totally dreamy. When you’re in a place that feels true to you your story, all the more comfortable you’ll be. Nonetheless, no need to overthink about how your location will influence your session. Be yourselves, and I’ll take care of the optics!
USING PINTEREST
Pinterest can be a great tool for gathering ideas and images you’re drawn to. Feel free to share a board if
you’ve made one, it’s usually one of the first things I ask about. As it helps build a shared vision.
Just remember: your session + wedding doesn’t need to follow trends or recreate other people’s moments.
The goal is to capture your story in a way that feels timeless, not trendy.
WEDDING DAY: GETTING READY
The getting ready portion of your wedding day holds so much meaning, it’s where anticipation builds, emotions stir, and the energy of everything that’s about to unfold begins to take shape!
But what’s often overlooked is how quickly this part of the day can become chaotic. With bridesmaids, beauty teams, bags, curling irons, and wardrobe pieces all sharing one space, the room can start to feel overcrowded and that visual clutter will show in your photos unless we’re prepared for it. This goes for the mens getting ready space too! The room/space you choose to get ready in plays a big role in how your
photos will feel, alongside the atmosphere you guys create!
I always recommend thinking about it ahead of time not just defaulting to wherever is easiest. While hotels are common (and totally fine!), they’re not your only option. Airbnbs or rental homes often offer beautiful natural light, more breathing room, and visually interesting backdrops that elevate your images. If you are getting ready in a hotel, consider designating a “clean room/space” specifically for portraits and those final getting ready moments. One where personal items and bags are tucked away. That tidy, neutral space makes all the difference in how you’ll feel and the amount of room I have to move about.
Light is everything as your photographer in this moment. I’ll always seek out spaces with big windows and natural light for you to finish getting ready in, and I typically turning off overheads and lamps to avoid mixed lighting, which can lead to odd skin tones. At times I’ll also bring lighting for a loose editorial feel and balanced lighting.
Whether it’s helping you coordinating getting ready timing, or tidying up the space to make it photo-ready, know that I’ve done this many times and I’ll be there to make sure this part of the day feels calm, intentional, and beautifully captured.
TWO OF MY FAVORITE PARTS OF THE DAY?
When the dress and tux goes on, and that quiet moment right after hits. Then just before walking down. Seeing the excitement, the nerves, the energy it’s real, and it’s beautiful to witness.
CEREMONY & reception
Soak up the moments, I’ve got the memories covered!
These moments are where your day and story unfold. Once the ceremony begins, my role shifts fully into documentary mode, quietly observing, anticipating, and capturing the emotions and moments as they come. I won’t be directing or asking for your attention here. Your role is simply to be present and soak it all in! You’re marrying the love of your life with all your loved ones present! That’s already enough to think about!
During the reception, I move through the room intuitively capturing hugs, toasts, reactions, and all the moments that unfold. The cries, laughs, and spontaneous dance moves that follow. I’ll be there, camera in hand, documenting as your evening naturally evolves.
INTIMATE WEDDINGS & ELOPEMETS
Whether you're saying your vows with just a handful of your favorite people or you're planning a quiet, just-us-two kind of day, intimate weddings and elopements are just as important to plan with intention. These moments might be smaller in scale, but they carry just as much weight! The energy, the emotion, the meaning they deserve the same care when it comes to your timeline, portraits, and experience. Even if your day feels relaxed or flexible, having a simple timeline helps keep things smooth and ensures we don’t miss the moments that matter most to you. Think of it as a loose framework, one we can bend and flow with but still a helpful anchor to guide us.
WHAT TO CONSIDER
Getting Ready or Pre-Ceremony:
Do you want detail shots, getting ready, or a
first look? Let’s block off and add
time for that.
CEREMONY:
Even a 15-minute private vow exchange
deserves a set time so everything can revolve
around that anchor.
Portraits:
Couple portraits, portraits with family or close
friends who’ve joined and witnessed, let’s make
note to include them for a few formal photos.
The Rest of The Day:
Whether it’s an epic sunset shots or quiet
portraits somewhere close by, let’s make space
for something that reflects you and the day.
Create a Photo LisT
Just because your guest count is smaller doesn’t mean formal images should be skipped. If anything, these moments feel even more intimate and personal. A short list of must-have family or group shots helps us move quickly and stay focused so everyone can get back to celebrating. Keep it short and sweet, think 5–10 groupings I’ll walk you through it and help you create one to keep this part seamless.
CELEBRATE YOUR WAY
The beauty of an elopement or intimate wedding is that there are truly no rules, as with all weddings! But it doesn’t mean we show up and wing it. The more we talk through what you want, the moments that matter to you the more we can capture a story that feels like you. Whether a day after session, or a trash the dress session, reading family letters, vow exchange or 1 st looks. We’ll build your plan together. Keep the focus on what feels right for your day. I’ll be there to guide, direct when needed, and make sure you feel taken care of, start to finish.
TIMELINE ASSISTANCE,
WHERE TO START THE TIMELINE
Why the Ceremony is the anchor! The ceremony is typically the most fixed & public part of the day.. Everything else, like getting ready, portraits, cocktail hour, and dinner just flows around it. Outdoor or indoor (sunset matters!)? Based on that time, you can plan.
- Getting ready time
- First look or pre-ceremony portraits
- Family + wedding party photos
- Buffer time to breathe, eat, + reset
- Sunset or evening portraits?
NEXT THING: GETTING READY
Always pad your prep time. Hair and makeup almost always run over just a bit, and that’s totally normal. Build in extra time so you're not rushing, and we can slow down to capture those quiet, beautiful pre-ceremony moments. It also gives us time for individual portraits before things really get going.
INTO THE MOMENT: CEREMONY FLOW
By the time your wedding day approaches, you have your ceremony time locked in. Most ceremonies tend to be between 15 - 30 minutes on average. From there, building the rest of your timeline depends on the moments you want to include, from first looks, private vows, prayers, a first touch, or anything else personal to your story. These intentional moments shape the structure of the day and allow us to build in the portrait time and space for connection, without ever making it feel like a photoshoot.
WHAT'S TO COME AFTER THE CEREMONY
Once you’ve sealed the deal, we’ll move into either formal portraits ( 20–40 minutes) or your cocktail hour, this is dependent on if we’ve done a first look earlier in the day and carved out for couples/family portraits. From there after, we’ll move into celebrating and enjoying the rest of your evening! No two timelines look exactly the same because no two couples desires are. I’d love to hear your priorities and make sure the timeline reflects the energy and experience you want to have.
YOUR LEADING MOMENTS
GETTING READY & GROUP PHOTOS
(Fully dressed at least one hour to 30 minutes before you leave for the ceremony or our portrait time starts)
I’m photographing a 2-3hr Average moment here —
- Bride & Groom Getting Ready Moments: 15 - 30 minutes (happening within an hour of one other)
- First Look & Short Portraits: 30 minutes (average)
- Bridal Party: 10 minutes - 20 minutes (depending on size)
Always plan 15-20 minutes before the ceremony begins to freshen up, grab your vows & reset if needed.
CONSIDERATIONS & POSSIBILITIES
First look: Block for an average of 2hrs before the ceremony begins, allowing for also family photos, your couples photos, and/or wedding party photos!
Family Photos (before or after ceremony): This takes an average of 15-30mins to complete and capture depending on family size and planned ideas.
Couples Portraits Idea: sneak off 5 minutes before reception starts (while everyone’s getting seated, drinks in hand, you're married getting ready to celebrate, these can be fun!! especially if we’ve already capture some earlier portraits).
Sunset Portraits: 5-8 minutes (love to keep these minimal so you can enjoy your reception).
Couples Portraits (after ceremony): This approach often is a 25-35 minute session for your couples photos, with an added 15 minutes of immediate family formals to allow couple to join the end of cocktail hour.
There’s no right way to plan your couples portrait time, we'll tailor the flow based on what matters most to you. Some couples prefer to do the majority of portraits before the ceremony and have a first look, including family and wedding party formals, so they can head straight to cocktail hour and enjoy more time with their loved ones. Others opt for a shorter post-ceremony session (20–15 minutes) and save a second round of portraits for golden hour, when the light is soft and cinematic or reserve a full 40-50mins for portraits and or family formals.
Both options work beautifully. Spacing portraits throughout the day has easily become a favorite approach. It’s helped my couples avoid photo fatigue, giving them breathing room, and makes sure I’m never pulling you away for too long. Alongside seeing their difference in energy throughout the day with 2-3 quick portraits reflects beautifully, it really is all about balance in the end. Capturing images you’ll love while making sure you’re present and soaking it all up.
FULL TIMELINE EXAMPLE
BASED ON 11 HOUR PHOTOGRAPHY COVERAGE
11:00AM flat lay & details
12:00PM start getting ready photos
1:45PM first look & couple’s portraits
2:45PM bridal party photos
3:15PM family portraits
4:00PM guests arrive
4:30PM ceremony starts
5:00PM end of ceremony - cocktail hour
5:50PM couple sneaks off for sunset photos
6:00PM reception
6:10PM wedding party enters
6:15PM first dances
dinner
speeches
unannounced cake cutting
dancing
10:00PM end of photography
QUESTIONS TO CONSIDER:
+ Any cultural or religious moments we need to include?
+ Are there any special surprises or planned moments?
+ How important is time with guests vs portraits?
Of course this timeline is dependent on the time of year, please refer to a sunset calendar to better plan for sunset photos if desired. Typically I love doing sunsets an hour before the sun truly sets for that ‘golden hour’ feel. If you’re getting married in the winter or somewhere where the sun is setting before dinner, let’s chat about splitting your portrait time differently if outdoor portraits are important.
Family Formals
This is often where couples feel the most fatigue. Being in front of the camera for 20+ minutes doesn’t always feel natural and I get that. However, it can be so much fun during this portion of photos!! Where I think the thought “ I don’t want my wedding day to feel like one big photoshoot” stems from, especially leading into portraits.
My approach:
- Plan formals with your immediate family list, the chosen family.
- With your groups list, message your people the day before the time and general area they need to be at for these to start ASAP so no one’s missing out!
- I’ll choose a location on site that’s beautiful and accessible to capture these.
- I’ll position you where you need to be, and your family will rotate in and around you.
- We move swiftly and intentionally aiming for timeless, classic & consistent portraits.
FOR THE SPONTANEOUS SOULS
If you're the kind of couple who wants to go with the flow, embrace surprises, and not feel like you’re performing all day. Consider a simplified timeline of where you need to be and when and let the day flow from there! I’m a firm believer timelines can be simple and a perfect way to truly soak in every moment.
shift the focus:
Let the day flow. Once the essentials are planned, the rest can unfold naturally. No need for a curated hour by hour schedule, we’ll focus on being present and enjoying the day.
Keep all portrait moments under 25 minutes, intentional, and lively allowing you to stay present and truly enjoy the day without sacrificing beautiful documentation. When couples stick together and spend the day together with an approach like this, you live the moments together and I get to capture you enjoying them together.
Before the Story Unfolds
The Beauty Is in the Preparation
By now, you can probably tell there’s a lot that goes into making sure your day feels seamless and well-covered. Weddings are full- on and with coordinating those moving parts, it’s easy to get swept up in it all. Over time, I’ve learned a few things that not only make your day smoother but also help you stay present and actually enjoy the day you’ve been planning for so long.
A Final Note,
If you’ve made it this far, thank you, truly. Thank you for trusting me, for inviting me into such a meaningful chapter of your lives, and for allowing me to document your story. Your wedding day isn’t about perfection or performance. It’s about presence. The emotions and the moments that happen in between the timeline. Those are the memories that matter most, and those are the ones I’m here to preserve.
Know that on your wedding day, you can let go. I’ll be there to guide when needed, step back when it matters, and capture everything honestly and intentionally. My hope is that years from now, your photos don’t just show you how the day looked, but exactly how it felt.
I’m so grateful to be part of your journey, and I can’t wait to tell your story.
© 2 0 2 5 . N M P H O T O G R A P H Y L . L . C .
A L L R I G H T S R E S E R V E D .