Step 1 planning

Planning Your wedding

Woman in a white dress walking in the shallow water at the beach under an overcast sky

Planning a wedding is so much fun, but also can be a tad bit overwhelming. What fun is planning without a tiny bit of stress? haha. It's all a part of the experience. But that is what your photographer is here for. This lounge is a fantastic starting point and heck, may just be fun to explore through.

I know there can be a lot of nerves when you’re planning a wedding. There’s so much to do and so many details, both large and small, to keep track of. There may be a lot to accomplish before your wedding day, but I promise you we’ll have time to get it all done – and we’ll do it in style. I’ll be with you every step of the way so that you can let go of the stress, take deep breaths, and just enjoy the ride as you prepare for one of the happiest days of your life.

HOW TO Start planning

your elopement

TABLE OF CONTENTS

  1. Vision Planning Questionnaire

  2. Choosing Your Location

  3. What to Expect in Your Location + Season

  4. Choosing Your Activities + Experiences

  5. Timeline Planning

Vision Planning Questionnaire

Vision planning is so fun because this is where I get to know the both of you more and what’s unique and special to the both of you.

48 hours after booking you will receive a Vision Planning Questionnaire. Don’t feel that you have jump right into it. Sift through your client lounge and get a little inspiration first.

It is okay if you don’t know all the details yet when you fill out the questionnaire.

Choosing Your Location

Below you will see interactive maps for various states! Check out your desired eloping state to see pin drops of various locations. Once you have a location in mind let me know and I will send a more detailed guide on that spot!


Wisconsin Elopement Locations


California Elopement Locations

Black and white photograph of a bride and groom standing together on a dirt path, holding hands, surrounded by trees, looking at each other.

What to expect with your

location and season

START PLANNING

If you haven’t already, now is the time to start planning all the aspects of the day including your timeline. Make sure you are keeping notes as you start to work with your vendors to prepare all of the details for your special day.

MAKE A LIST

There is so much to do, the last thing you want to do is forget a critical part in your planning process. A good way to prevent this is to start making lists to keep you on track. You’ll be glad you did!

COORDINATE WITH OTHERS

You don’t have to do this all yourself. Lean on your family and friends to help you with the planning process. Bounce ideas off of them and ask for their input or delegate some of your to-do list to someone you can count on.

TALK TO VENDORS

Start talking to vendors (florists, bakers, caterers etc.) to nail down the ones that will be able to effectively carryout your wedding day dreams. Don’t feel bad about keeping your options open until you find one that you are happy with.

Choosing your activities + experiences

What began as a passion project has evolved into something more. We’re proud of where we’ve been and even more excited for what’s ahead. What sets us apart isn’t just our process—it’s the intention behind it. We take time to understand, explore, and create with purpose at every turn.

- Morning Activities - Pick 1-2

- Day Activities - Pick 1-2

- Evening Activities - Pick 1-2

Timeline planning

A bride and groom holding hands during their wedding ceremony.

ADD A FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTION HERE.

Cupcake ipsum dolor sit amet marzipan. Jujubes tart marzipan toffee chupa chups gingerbread. Candy cheesecake croissant toffee gingerbread candy soufflé I love apple pie. Wafer I love cupcake I love brownie jelly beans.

ADD A FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTION HERE.

Cupcake ipsum dolor sit amet marzipan. Jujubes tart marzipan toffee chupa chups gingerbread. Candy cheesecake croissant toffee gingerbread candy soufflé I love apple pie. Wafer I love cupcake I love brownie jelly beans.

ADD A FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTION HERE.

Cupcake ipsum dolor sit amet marzipan. Jujubes tart marzipan toffee chupa chups gingerbread. Candy cheesecake croissant toffee gingerbread candy soufflé I love apple pie. Wafer I love cupcake I love brownie jelly beans.

ADD A FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTION HERE.

Cupcake ipsum dolor sit amet marzipan. Jujubes tart marzipan toffee chupa chups gingerbread. Candy cheesecake croissant toffee gingerbread candy soufflé I love apple pie. Wafer I love cupcake I love brownie jelly beans.

Didn’t find the answer to your question? Email me directly at hello@weddingphotographer.com

A bride and groom laugh and hold hands while cutting their wedding cake at a reception.

SAMPLE timelines

Spring- May Wedding (w/first look)

1:00 Detail Photos
1:30 Bride + Groom getting ready photos
2:15 First Look/s
2:45 Photos (Family + Bridals)
3:30 Ceremony
4:00 Family + Romantics
5:15 Grand Entrance + Dinner
6:15 Toasts
6:30 Cake Cut
6:45 Sunset Photos (Sunset 7:45)
7:15 Special Dances
7:30 Open dancing
9:00 Send off

Summer- June Wedding (w/out first look)

1:00 Detail Photos
1:45 Photos (B+G Getting Ready/Bridals)
4:30 Ceremony
5:00 Photos (Family/Bridals/Romantics)
6:15 Grand Entrance + Dinner
7:00 Toasts
7:30 Cake Cut
7:45 Sunset Photos (Sunset 8:30)
8:00 Special Dances
8:15 Open Dancing
9:00 End of Coverage

Fall- October Wedding (w/first look)

1:00 Detail Photos
1:30 Bride + Groom getting ready photos
2:30 First Look/s + Romantics
3:15 Photos (Bridals)
4:30 Ceremony
5:00 Photos(Family/Romantics/B+G Private Time) (Sunset 6:20)
6:15 Grand Entrance + First Dance
6:30 Dinner
7:00 Toasts
7:30 Cake Cut
7:45 Special Dances
8:00 Open dancing
9:00 Send off