Welcome
A NOTE ABOUT THIS GUIDE
I'm so excited to be working with you and be the one to capture the beginning of a new journey! I know photography is one of the larger investments you’re making for your wedding day and I'm so honored you chose to work with Julia Stockton Photography!
Even if you’re working with a planner or you’re planning everything on your own, there are likely still a lot of moving pieces left leading up to your special day. That's why I made you this guide with the best tips and vendors in town. We'll cover everything from lighting to locations and so much more!
Thank you again for choosing to work with me and please don’t hesitate to let me know if I can offer any additional guidance throughout the wedding planning process!
Engagement Session
I'm a big fan of engagement sessions for a few reasons. Not only do they allow you to get comfortable in front of the camera, it also gives you the opportunity to showcase your personalities in a more casual setting that is significant to the two of you. I've created an entire page dedicated to outfit tips, location ideas, timing considerations and more!
Bridal Session
A Bridal session is a perfect way to do a hair and makeup trial and actually see how that hair holds up in the elements and how that makeup photographs. This can be done a couple of months/weeks before your wedding day. Plus you get to be a bride more than once and get those bridal shots you've always dreamed of!
Bachelorette Party
Your girls have been there for you through this whole process. Why not treat them to a fun photo session while you celebrate your Bachelorette Party? We would get a mix of posed and spontaneous shots as well as pictures with each girl individually.
Sample Gallery: juliastockton.pixieset.com/shantellandgirlfriends/
Is a First Look Right for You?
IF YOU’RE WONDERING WHETHER A FIRST LOOK IS RIGHT FOR YOU, STOP HERE.
That moment the Bride and Groom see each other for the first time on their wedding day is magical. And this is true whether the couple chooses to wait until the bride walks down the aisle or chooses to do a “first look’ prior to the ceremony. First looks—a private moment couples choose to spend together prior to the wedding ceremony—have become more popular over the last few years and I'm a huge fan of it! First look or not, the first time you see each other on your wedding day will be special.
3 reasons to consider a ‘first look’:
1. A FIRST LOOK CUTS THROUGH THE CHAOS OF THE DAY.
Once the ceremony begins, the day takes off quickly. A ‘first look’ is an opportunity to enjoy some quiet time alone, enjoy each other’s company, and reflect on all this day means before your day takes off. Wedding days can be a whirlwind and they tend to fly by. There’s much to do, and a lot of people to see and to catch up with. I like to encourage my couples to take a few minutes every so often during their wedding to stop and soak in everything that’s happening.
2. IT MAKES MORE TIME FOR PICTURES WITHOUT SACRIFICING COCKTAIL HOUR.
When there is no first look, the majority of the pictures have to be taken after the ceremony. Family pictures are generally done as soon as the ceremony ends because it’s the easiest time to round everyone up. Next up is full bridal party, and then bride and groom portraits. This generally runs into cocktail hour.
A first look opens up time prior to the ceremony for full bridal party pictures and, sometimes, for a few bride and groom portraits (although I prefer to do bride and groom portraits at sunset). This allows the couple to get the most out of the cocktail hour, which makes the rest of the evening feel less rushed.
3. AVOID POSSIBLE BAD WEATHER AND/OR HAVE TIME TO FRESHEN-UP AFTER CRYING
If you’re expecting poor weather on your wedding day, it might be best to plan on a first look because it gives you more options for pictures. If it’s pouring rain after the ceremony, you’ll be thankful you had pictures done in advance.
And reason 3b is for all you cryers out there. If you know the tears are going to fly the first time you see your other half the day of your wedding, a first look will give you time to freshen up before the ceremony.
Details are such an important part of documenting your wedding day. These elements, no matter how physically small, are a huge part of telling the story of your special day.
I like to start my time with the bride, specifically photographing the details. I photograph her dress alone, often taking it outside to hang in open shade if the bridal suite does not provide a naturally well-lit space to hang the gown. From there, I like to collect the bride and groom rings and shoes, invitation suite, vow books, veil, fragrances, tie, and I will head outside to find some open shade to use to photograph these details.
I want to provide you with tiny treasures of their wedding day… images that even if these details are no longer retained physically years after their wedding, they can still remember them through these photographs.
The Ring
*my precious*
When I can, we always try to take a photo of your rings while you’re getting ready. If possible, try to have your engagement ring cleaned or clean it yourself. To clean at home, soak your ring in warm water with dishwashing soap for 20 to 40 minutes. Then gently brush the stone with a soft toothbrush, rinse and repeat if needed.
Additional Tips
it's your day, there are no rules!
1. If you’re getting married in the summer months, a “not-so-heavy” snack or water break before portraits is always a good idea for you and your bridal party to avoid hungry bellies and passing out!
2. If it’s going to be hot, a cooler of cold waters can help keep a wedding party cool – especially if your men are wearing lots of layers.
3. 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.
4. 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.
5. 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.
6. To help make family portraits go smoother, it’s best to have a breakdown of what portraits you’d like and it’s really wonderful if both sides of the family have a chance to have their input on what portraits they’d like before the wedding. Supplying 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.
7. During the cocktail hour and the reception, I’ll be following you around. Anytime you’d like a photo with someone, just grab my attention. I love being your personal paparazzi!
Tangible Memories
THE PERFECT WAY TO REMEMBER YOUR WEDDING DAY
One of the best ways to make your wedding memories last is by ordering an album. These high quality professionally designed albums come in a variety of linen & leather colors. These aren’t the same albums your parents’ wedding photos came in. They’re modern, lay perfectly flat and look incredible on a coffee table.
THANK YOU!
Thank you so much for taking the time to read through this guide! I hope it helps make the process of planning your wedding details much easier and less stressful. If you have any questions or would just like to chat, I'm here for you! I can’t wait to see you soon!