Now that you've had engagement pictures fast forward to your wedding day! Imagine that it's finally here! Photography coverage typically starts during the bridal preparations. I like to start by styling your details into "flat lay" designs like you see on the left. These are great for showcasing those essential accessories you thoughtfully chose to be part of your wedding. I love to include the wedding invitation suite, wedding rings, all of the bride and groom's accessories, all of the boutonnieres, vow books, and any other memorable items you have. 

Tip: be sure to let your florist know that I'll need an extra bucket of floras for the photographer to use for "flat lays." Timing-wise, it takes me about an hour to create these designs, plan your package time accordingly. If possible, it works best for me to do these before the actual wedding day. 

After the details are out of the way, I'll capture candids of you and your friends laughing and having fun while everyone is getting ready. I love to have the bridesmaids all share a favorite memory they've had with you. This produces a lot of natural, candid moments. I also like to have the groomsmen try to give marriage advice, which is hilarious because they don't have any clue what to say, especially the single ones. Lastly, I like to have someone important in your life, such as a mother or grandmother, to put on your wedding dress privately as the bridesmaids wait with anticipation outside. Then once you're ready, do a bridesmaid's first look reveal, which is one of my favorite moments too, as their expressions are priceless. 

THE Day Of

Philip Casey Photography

Now that everyone is ready, it's time to either do the first look reveal or wait until you're walking down the aisle to see each other for the first time. Some people think that doing a first look before the ceremony is less meaningful. I believe this moment can be just as powerful as when walking down the aisle like you see by this incredible moment of Anna & David during their first look (image right). David was ecstatic during the first look, and he even cried when we saw Anna walking down the aisle. 

The benefit of seeing each other before the ceremony is that we will have much more time for creative couple portraits, wedding party formals, and family portraits before the ceremony. It also allows for more time to enjoy the cocktail hour. If we don't do a first look beforehand, we can transition to capturing wedding party portraits, separately with each group and any family. Once we have those completed, it's time to freshen up and prepare for the actual ceremony.

Throughout the ceremony, I move around to get various angles (left, right, center, close, far). In addition to focusing on the main event, I am always watching for crowd reactions that are momentous in telling the overall story of the day: guests laughing, bridesmaids crying, parents holding hands (one of my personal favorites), and so forth. I like to get a combination of wide scenes and also zoom for those special moments. One of my favorite images is the overall scene during the ceremony from a broad perspective encompassing the ceremony location and the environment in which it is taking place.

"I now pronounce you husband and wife, you may kiss your bride!"

The moment you've been waiting for! You're married!!! Now rejoice with a cheer of celebration and run down the aisle as a new married couple!

It's time to celebrate with your friends and family and gather everyone together for pictures as a new family. I always get pictures with you and your parents, siblings, grandparents, and everyone together. Additionally, I love creating portraits of parents and grandparents by themselves, these pictures are priceless. If possible, I try to create individual portraits of them too. I believe these portraits are incredibly valuable, and they will be cherished for a lifetime.

Once all the family photos are completed, you can head over to enjoy the remainder of the cocktail hour with your friends. A little later, I'll pull you away for a few more romantic sunset portraits with the warm sunlight shining in. Sunset is my favorite time of day! 

At some point during the day, I need to photograph all of the reception details and decorations you worked hard to prepare. I like to do this as early as possible for me to have plenty of time for creativity. The more time I have, the better images I'll be able to create for you. 

I've taken multiple workshops teaching me how to photograph weddings from famous photographers like Charla Storey and Rebecca Yale. I have actually become good friends with these women too. They are masters of wedding photography, and I am so thankful to have their support and guidance along my journey of being the best photographer I can be. I do my best to capture as much of the wedding as possible, using everything I've learned. All of these images combine together to tell the complete story of your day. 

Now that the reception has begun, I love to step back to capture the overall look and feel of the event (image right). I then come back in close for all of the intimate moments with your new spouse and all of your friends. One of my favorite images I've created is the groom holding the bride during their toasts. I am a hopeless romantic and dearly love intimate moments like this. Fun fact about me: one of my favorite movies is The Notebook, I am a wedding photographer, so I guess that fits pretty well...plus, how much better is it knowing that the movie was filmed in Charleston! 

Another one of those priceless moments is the father-daughter dance. At the last wedding I photographed, the father of the bride danced with the bride, then handed her off to her grandfather, then to her brother, and then back to himself. He's crying, she's crying, her mom's crying, it was a powerful moment. I love that I was able to capture this special moment for them all to remember. 

Additionally, I always try to get lots of group candids of your friends and family during cocktail hour and reception. Throughout the entire day, it's your friends and family members that matter the most. I want to capture them for you and document your wedding day in the best way possible. Go enjoy your wedding, and be sure to take a moment to breathe it all in.