From "Yes" to "I Do"- and everything in between
Hello, and congratulations on your engagement! I’m Adrien, a wedding photographer based in New England, and I’m so glad you’re here. I created this guide to help newly engaged couples navigate the wedding planning process, inspired by the questions my previous couples have asked along the way.
Planning a wedding might initially feel overwhelming, but before you know it, everything will start falling into place, and you'll feel great seeing your dream wedding come to life! In this guide, you'll find helpful tips on hiring vendors, sending save-the-dates, and (hopefully) some great ideas to make your big day even more special.
Where do I start?
Planning a wedding comes with a lot of decisions, and it’s completely normal to feel overwhelmed from the start. When should you send invitations? When is the right time to book vendors? How many guests should you invite? What’s the best day to tie the knot?
Take a deep breath and tackle one step at a time—trust the process, and everything will come together. To help you get started, here are some key recommendations:
First things first:
Secure your venue and get a date!
Securing your venue is the first and most important step in your wedding planning journey. Once you’ve found your dream location and locked in a date, your wedding day truly starts to feel real! More importantly, it sets the stage for booking the rest of your dream vendors, ensuring they’re available when you need them. With your date in place, you can start securing your photographer, videographer, DJ or band, day-of coordinator, hair and makeup artist, and any other amazing vendors you may want who will help bring your wedding day vision to life!
Lets talk Vendors!
Choosing your wedding vendors is an exciting part of the planning process, but it can also become overwhelming very quickly. My best advice? Choose vendors you genuinely connect with—people you’d feel comfortable being friends with. Your wedding day will run so much smoother when you’re surrounded by a team you trust and truly supports you and your vision.
In this section, I’ll go over some of the most common questions I get about vendors, along with tips and tricks to help you make the best choices before signing any contracts.
Which Vendors should I Book first?
Once you’ve secured your venue, the next vendors to book right away are your photographer, videographer, DJ, and hair and makeup artists. These vendors are often in high demand and can book out one to even three years in advance! So it’s best to start inquiring as early as possible to secure your date.
For my bookings, I require a signed contract and a 30% deposit to officially reserve your wedding date. Most other vendors follow a similar process, though policies may vary from company to company.
Pro Tip: If budget is a concern, don’t be afraid to discuss it with the vendor you’re inquiring about. The wedding industry isn’t one-size-fits-all, and many vendors are open to finding a solution that works for both of you—especially if it feels like the right fit!
Cheap can be expensive
Be wary of inexpensive vendors. It can cost you a lot more in the long run.
Lets talk about the elephant in the room. It's no secret that planning a wedding isn't cheap, and it's completely natural to look for ways to save money where you can. However, one area I strongly recommend not cutting corners on is your vendors. These are the professionals who will not only help ensure your day runs smoothly and as stress-free as possible, but they also play a huge role in how your wedding day is remembered. From capturing once-in-a-lifetime moments to keeping the celebration flowing, the right vendors are an investment in both your peace of mind and the memories you’ll treasure for years to come. While there are certainly talented and hungry newcomers in the industry (I was certainly one of them) that will work hard for you and give you the best product they can. The reality is that many lower-priced vendors have less experience and are not totally sure about what they might be getting into. A lot of times this can lead to major issues on your wedding day. In the world of wedding photography, there have been countless stories of new or ' budget' photographers who bailed on couples at the last minute, completely ghosted them on the weeks leading up to their event, or have even lost all their photos before delivering. Sure in some cases, you may be able to get your investment back but you'll never be able to recreate those moments again. Its important to ask yourself if that's something you're willing to gamble for your wedding.
This isn't meant to scare you or convince you to max out your budget, its just a simple fact of the industry you should know about. I'm not saying don't save money where you can! Absolutely shop around, ask for deals from the vendors your inquiring about, and ultimately find the best fit for you. What I am saying is your wedding is a once-in-a-lifetime event, and you deserve to work with vendors who have the skill, reliability, and experience to deliver. Seasoned professionals don’t just provide beautiful results, they also bring confidence, backup plans, and a deep understanding of how to navigate a wedding day seamlessly. Yes, pricing may be shocking at first, but keep in mind that weddings come with much higher pressure than other types of event work and that price reflects more than just the hours on your wedding day. The price also includes countless hours of preparation beforehand and hours of work after your wedding to make sure you get the best product possible. For many vendors this is their full time job how they support their families. Like any business, we also have backend expenses, taxes, and overhead to account for so our take home isn't what you might think. Most experienced vendors are not only incredibly talented but also hardworking professionals whose pricing reflects the time, care, and dedication they pour into making your day unforgettable. Feel good about your investment!
Will I regret not having a videographer?
My general rule of thumb is this: if you're asking yourself that question, the answer is probably yes. Videography has become increasingly popular in the wedding industry, and for good reason. Speaking from personal experience, my wife and I had a videographer at our wedding, and I’m so grateful we did. Every year on our anniversary, we get to relive those moments, hear our vows, and see the emotions of the day all over again. It was truly one of the best investments we made.
That said, not everyone has an unlimited budget, and it’s understandable that you may need to prioritize certain vendors. If a full wedding film isn’t within your budget, consider asking videographers about highlight film options—a short 2-3 minute reel capturing the best moments of your day. Another great alternative is hiring a Content Creator. These are vendors who create social media content for you to post after your wedding. While they aren’t a replacement for a full videography team, they can still certainly provide candid, behind-the-scenes video that helps fill the gap and gives you meaningful footage to look back on.
What questions should we ask our photographer?
When meeting with any potential vendor I believe your first priority should be making sure you have a great connection and they can see your wedding day vision. But here are a few other great questions to ask to make sure they are a good fit for you:
- Can we see a full wedding album? - Vendors only want to post their best work but that can look very different from a full album they have delivered to clients. Make sure you truly love their work! If they say no, in my opinion, that's a big red flag.
- How do you back up your photos? - Technology isn’t foolproof—cameras can fail, memory cards can get lost, and hard drives can crash. That’s why it’s crucial to hire a photographer who has multiple backups in place, ensuring your wedding photos are protected at every stage. The more safeguards they have, the better the chance that your memories will never be lost.
- What's your approach to a wedding day? - Photographers definitely have different styles. Some are candid, some are documentary, some go for a mix of both, and some lean more editorial. Make sure their style and how they go about getting their photos on your wedding day match your vision!
- Are you insured and how much are you insured for? - This question will help you determine who are the real photographers and who are not. In the wedding photography world, there are lots of new comers who will think of themselves as a professional solely because they purchased an expensive camera. There is much more to wedding photography than just taking photos and I believe this question will help you identify who those people are vs a real professional running a a business.
Do I need a second Photographer?
Personally, I don't think having a second photographer is necessary for every wedding but there are definitely situations where they can be a huge asset. When I get to work with one, it's always a bonus, and couples often appreciate the added coverage and variety that comes with it.
Pre-Ceremony Coverage:
One of the biggest advantages of having a second shooter is being able to capture both sides of the getting-ready process at the same time. If you're getting ready in different locations or want full coverage of both partners before the ceremony, a second photographer ensures that nothing important gets missed. While I can often move between spaces when time and location allow, it’s not always realistic depending on the timeline or distance between my couples.
Family Photos and Group Coverage:
Second shooters are also incredibly helpful during family portraits—especially if you have a larger guest list or a more complex shot list. While I’m directing the main group photos, my second can be capturing candids, helping organize the next group, or photographing details that might otherwise go unnoticed.
Ceremony and Reception Moments:
During the ceremony, a second shooter allows for dual perspectives. For example, one focused on your walk down the aisle, and the other capturing your partner’s reaction. Also since those 'must have' shots are primarily my focus, second photographers have much more freedom to roam and be creative which can lead to incredible images for your gallery. At the reception, while I’m documenting key moments like speeches or the first dance, my second can roam and catch spontaneous moments happening elsewhere.
Pricing:
A second photographer's job is only to take photos and directions from the main photographer. There is no prep before or after the wedding day needed. Typically, I charge $100/hr for a 2nd photographer and usually only need them for about 5 hours. ( up until dinner ). Other photographers may have different pricing so be sure to ask but it will be in that ballpark.
Wedding Day Tips!
Should we do a first look?
A first look is a private moment where the couple sees each other for the first time before the ceremony. It’s often one of the only quiet, intimate moments you'll get together during the day—just the two of you, soaking it all in before things really get going.
My take as a wedding photographer:
I love first looks for the emotional moments they create and the flexibility they offer when it comes to your timeline. If your priority is being present with your guests and enjoying cocktail hour, a first look is usually the best move. It allows us to get most of the portraits—bridal party, couple photos, and often family photos—done before the ceremony. That way, once you're officially married, you can head straight to celebrating.
If you decide to go the more traditional route and wait to see each other down the aisle (which is also incredibly special), just keep in mind that the hour after your ceremony will likely be filled with all those formal photos. There is no right or wrong answer here but just good to know before you make that decision!
Give each other a gift
A thoughtful gift can go a long way in heightening the emotions on your wedding day. It’s a beautiful reminder that, above all else, the most important part of the day is the two of you and the commitment you're making to each other.Plus they make great photos! Gifts are especially impactful before your first look or before you see each other at the alter
Plan Your Family Photos
Without a doubt, family photos can eat up a surprising amount of time on your wedding day if they’re not planned properly. I always recommend that my couples create a formal family photo list of six groupings or fewer to be taken right after the ceremony. Anyone else can be photographed more casually during the reception. This is where having the right vendors makes a huge difference in keeping things running smoothly. Trust me—you don’t want to wing this part!
When should we send our invitations / Save the dates?
Save-the-Dates:
A good rule of thumb is to send your save-the-dates 6-8 months before your wedding. If you're planning a destination wedding or getting married during a busy season, aim for the earlier end of that window—or even up to nine months in advance. This gives guests enough time to arrange travel, request time off work, and make any necessary accommodations.
Wedding Invitations:
Your formal invitations should go out about six to eight weeks before the wedding date. This gives guests plenty of time to respond, while still keeping the details fresh in their minds. For destination weddings or events with more complex logistics, it’s a good idea to send them around ten to twelve weeks ahead of time..
Do we need an Engagement Session?
Engagement sessions really vary from couple to couple. Some people know right away they want one, while others aren’t sure if it’s necessary. Personally, I think they’re incredibly valuable for a few reasons.
Of course, the photos are great for things like save-the-dates, invitations, and even your wedding website. But even more importantly (in my opinion), it’s a chance for you to get to know your photographer before the wedding day. You’ll get a feel for how they direct, how you interact in front of the camera, and what kinds of poses or prompts feel natural to you—and which ones don’t. That kind of insight can go a long way toward making your wedding day feel more relaxed and comfortable.
That’s why I always allow about two hours for engagement sessions. It’s not about rushing through a checklist of poses—it’s about hanging out, getting to know each other, and having a good time while capturing some meaningful moments.
If you're still on the fence, I have another blog post dedicated entirely to engagement sessions that I recommend checking out for a deeper dive.
I Hoped this helped!
I hope this guide helped answer some of your early wedding planning questions and made things feel a little less overwhelming. At the end of the day, the most important thing is that your wedding feels true to you.
If you're looking for a photographer who values candid moments, calm energy, and a stress-free experience, I’d love to connect. Click the link below to learn more about my services or to reach out—I’d be honored to hear about your plans.
Happy planning!
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