Wedding Day Guide 2020

W E D D I N G
G U I D E
2 0 2 0
© SERGIO AGUAYO PHOTOGRAPHY

G L A D T O
M E E T Y O U !
Let’s be honest, you basically had an unlimited amount
of choices when it came to choosing your photographer.
You had different price points to look at, different styles,
and even different personalities before you narrowed
down and made your choice. This is why I am incredibly
grateful you have chosen me to capture your special day!
Photography means so much more to me than just
another business transaction. My favorite thing about
doing what I do, is the interactions and connections I get
to make with such a beautiful variety of people. Whether
it’s me capturing that connection you have between each
other, or getting that connection with my clients. My
job is such an important one in so many ways - It is the
reason you will be able to look back on these precious
moments for years to come and even pass them down to
future generations. It will allow you to truly be able to
tell and show your story forever!
I wrote this guide, in order to give you a little bit of a
helping hand with planning your big day. This will also
help me in making sure I am able to capture all of the
amazing things in the best way possible!

E N G A G E M E N T
S E S S I O N S
I have always loved it when couples add an Engagement Session to
their wedding package. It is so much more relaxed than the actual
wedding day itself and it gives you the perfect opportunity to get
comfortable in front of a camera - as well as gives me the chance to
find the best way to capture your story in a stress free enviornment.
There is absolutely no rush, no pressure, and no timeline to follow.
If you are like me, than you propbably haven’t gotten professional
photos taken of you since your senior year of high school. Getting
a camera pointed in your direction can be pretty intimidating and
often gives people some anxiety. This is perfectly normal and is
commonly the case for a lot of people - even me.
This is why getting the chance to get a session in prior to the actual
day can be helpful. It can aid in easing some of that worry and help
you get first hand experience to how I usually direct and pose my
couples, as well as gives me the moment to learn more about you guys
and all your little quirks. Whether you are serious and artsy or more
laidback and playful, I will already know which angles you prefer and
how to capture your unique personalities to best tell your story!

K E Y E L E M E N T S
for a successful
Engagement Session
I. L O C A T I O N II. O U T F I T S
I’m sure by now if you know one thing about me, it’s
that nature is a key factor in all of my photos. I love
the beautiful scenery - mountains, oceans, trees, it’s
all photogenic and breathtaking. So of course, my
reccomendation will always be to choose an outdoor
location - BUT I don’t want you to think you cannot get
good photos if the background isn’t so scenic.
The most important thing is that you feel comfortable.
So if outdoors isn’t for you or if you do not want to drive
too far, choose somewhere that is special to the two of you
- maybe it is your home, or diner where you had your first
date. Whatever the location you choose, just make sure it
relects your personalities!
This is possibly one of the most important elements
- choosing what to wear. I feel it’s important because
the colors, patterns, and textures of your clothes
should compliment your location. That might sound
overwhelming, but I have a full style guide that I can send
you that goes over all of this - but the one tip that I will
give you here is simply to dress like yourself. Wear what
makes you feel comfortable and what you feel good and
confident wearing.
And of course, if you need any outfit tips, feel free to ask
me! I will be able to tell you which specific colors will look
good in the location you chose, and if you send me photos
of your outfit options, I will be sure to give you my 100%
honest opinions.

III. T I M I N G IV. E N J O Y !
The time of day that we take your photos is incredibly
important - because while I could take photos in harsh
sunlight and they will look good, you would definitely
have a lot of shadows on your faces and the photos would
just not be as amazing as they could have been.
The best time of day to shoot will have to be either sunrise
or sunset. I usually reccomend to all of my clients, to
start either a half hour before sunrise or and hour before
sunset for the absolute best lighting. That way, there won’t
be any shadows, and we will get that amazing glow that
makes everything look soft and breathtaking. If you are a
morning person, I like sunrise because there tends to be
less crowds, especially if you choose a popular location. I
know it can be hard to wake up before the sun does, but I
promise you it would be so worth it if you are up for it!
Lastly, the final key element that is essential in order to
have a memorable engagement session is to simply enjoy it!
I know that the whole process of planning a wedding can
be stressful and you may be worrying about how your
engagement photos will turn out - but leave that to me. I
will do all the hard work to make sure you look your best
and have a great time. So, just relax, enjoy the moment,
and think about how you’ll be married soon, and of course
have fun in each other’s company!
Photos are the best when you’re genuinely enjoying
yourself - and a lot of my job is to help you do that and
make sure you feel comfortable in front of the camera. So
come to me with a positive attitude and come exactly as you
are, and leave the rest to me.

T H E
W E D D I N G
D A Y

T H E T I M E L I N E
I won’t lie, it can be pretty intimidating - and unfortunately, it’s
also very important, so i’m here to help! This is a simple timeline
of the photography for a wedding day that includes a first look
and has a ceremony starting at 5:30 pm. Of course, it’s not a one
size fits all, so feel free to talk to me about the specifics of your day!
I’ll help you work it out, and we can decide how long you want me to
be there to make sure we capture everything you had in mind. Your
timeline will also depend a lot on the season because we need to
take into consideration the amount of daylight we will have on the
day of the wedding, so we can plan it right to get that beautiful glow.

9:00 BRIDESMAIDS’ HAIR & MAKEUP
11:00 BRIDE’S HAIR AND MAKEUP
1:45 GROOM BEGINS GETTING READY
3:00 BRIDE PUTS DRESS ON
3:30 FIRST LOOK + PORTRAITS
4:00 BRIDAL PARTY PHOTOS
5:00 HIDE WHILE GUESTS ARRIVE
5:30 CEREMONY
6:00 FAMILY PHOTOS COCKTAIL HOUR
7:00 ENTRANCE INTO RECEPTION
7:15 DINNER BEGINS
6 H O U R S
8 H O U R S
10 H O U R S
12 H O U R S
7:45 TOASTS
8:15 FIRST DANCE
8:20 DANCE FLOOR OPENS
8:30 COUPLES’ SUNSET PHOTOS
9:00 BOUQUET & GARTER TOSS
10:00 CAKE CUTTING
11:00 GRAND EXIT

D E T A I L S H O T S
The first thing that I will normally do when I get there, after
saying my hellos and congraulations, is taking detail shots.
It’s helpful if you gather everything together ahead of time,
so that it is all ready when I arrive.
Some items that I need for the detail shots include: rings,
invitations, jewlery, ties, dress, shoes, cologne, perfume,
cuff links. If you have any sentimental details, please feel
free to throw them in there!
Also - I highly reccomend getting a nice hanger for your
dress, and for the bridesmaids’ dresses. They do not have
to be anything fancy - but any wood hanger looks so much
better than a plastic one.
30 minutes

G E T T I N G R E A D Y
These photos often end up being some of my favorites.
There is just something about those pre-wedding nerves,
the moments of “this is it”, and the (sometimes alcohol
induced) laughs with your bestfriends and family.
This part is mostly candids - but I usually try to make sure
everyone is mostly ready before taking their photo.
What To Wear :
While I know most of us would prefer to get ready in an old
t-shirt and some sweats, on your wedding day the photos of
you and your bridesmaids talking, laughing, and walking
around will look a whole lot cuter if you pair it with some
outfits that pop! I feel that a white satin robe for the bride and
pastel ones for the bridal party make for the perfect touch to
have some adorable getting ready photos.
1 - 3 hours

T H E S P A C E
The location really defines the look and the mood of every photo, and
this is also true for the getting ready location. Hotel rooms are notorious
for terrible yellow lighting. Consider renting a cute Airbnb to get ready in!
It definitely makes for a better alternative than being cramped in a tiny
bathroom where the toilet eventually ends up in your photos.
Try finding something with big windows and open room - the windows are
an important part - getting that soft and natural light will truly make all the
difference. It’ll make you look radiant, rather than washed out and yellow.
This venue provided its own getting
ready room for the bridal party - had lots
of windows and plenty of natural light.

F I R S T L O O K
Let’s face it. Your wedding is the best day of your life, but it can also be
pretty stressful. Often, I like to suggest to my clients to consider doing a
First Look, because it gives you a chance to have a private moment with
the love of your life, away from all of the eyes on you at the ceremony.
You get a few minutes away from the craziness and get to spend a special
moment with one another to soak up all the love and excitement.
I completely understand the feeling of wanting him to see you for the
first time walking down the aisle - because what pretty much every bride
wants is the priceless reaction from the groom - But sometimes it can be
hard to think about something other than all of the faces staring at you.
What I have found is that the First Look provides a «safer» space for the
groom to get emotional - When it’s just the two of you (and third wheel
being me), crying is less stressful. Plus the bonus of the First Look is
that after you see each other, you get hug, kiss, twirl, and get a good look
at each other without having to feel rushed and feeling like you need to
move on with the ceremony to be done on time. This really is one of the
only times at a wedding where you will get to be alone, without keeping
anyone waiting.
I have always loved first looks - However, this day is not about me so if
you want to keep things traditional, than that is perfectly okay! I would
never want to force or push the idea of a first look on my couples, but I
do want you to be informed on the option. Absolutely no pressure!
30 minutes

T H E
B R I D A L S
After the first look, we’ll get some shot of just the two of you. I reccommend
asing your friends and family to give you space for this part (most people find
it easier to relax when you don’t have an audience - but if you prefer having
your personal hype group with you, absolutely go for it). If you do not do a
first look, we will do this part after the ceremony! Either way, you’re bursting
with love and excitement, and these photos will show it.
This is the part that people often worry about - I know, you’re «awkward in
photos» and honestly, I don’t think anyone’s ever come to me for a session and
said, «I’m the best at having my photo taken!». The truth is, how comfortable
you feel during your session is entirely up to your photographer. If I was to just
stand there and click my camera while you stared at it, i’m sure you would be
pretty unhappy - during the session and after.
So Here is What I do Instead:
I’ll use the love that the two of you naturally have together to make sure you have
a damn good time. Don’t worry, I’ll guide you and tell you what to do - if your
hands are hanging awkwardly - the case for most people - I’ll tell you where to
place them instead. For the most part, I do not do the super pose-y stuff, and I
prefer to let the session flow naturally. You will not hear me tell you to «smile»,
mainly because fake smiles are not genuine and that will show. If you are feeling
awkward, I will bring up conversation about you two to help create a natural
smile or ask one of you to whisper something in the other’s ear - This way, we are
not just taking photos, but creating moments as well. Either way, I will make sure
your smiles are never forced and that you have an amazing time!
30 minutes

T H E
B R I D A L P A R T Y
After your first look and couple’s photos, it’s time for the
bridal party! I will get some photos of just the girls, just the
guys, and some of everyone together. I will also make sure to
get individual photos of the bride with each bridesmaid and
the groom with each of his groomsmen. Be sure to make sure
the groomsmen arrive with their boutonnieres on, and the
bridesmaids have their bouquets.
I know you want all of your friends and family to have a blast at
your wedding - so just like the couple’s photos, I stay away from
stiff poses. One of my favorite prompts for the bridal party is to
have the bride and groom kiss and have eveeryone else cheer. I
personally love doing the «fake laugh» because it quickly turns
into a genuine moment between you and your friends. Overall,
I simply want you guys to feel comfortable and just for everyone
to be themselves. This will make it more memorable for you!
30 minutes - 1 hour

T H E
C E R E M O N Y
This is it!
The moment you’ve been waiting for has finally arrived.
It’s easy to get lost in all the planning and stress, all the
small details and changes - But try to keep in mind the
most important thing - which is the start of your new lives
together!
You’ll hear me say «lighting» a million times - but here it
is again. Keep in mind that the lighting will reflect the way
the photos turn out. I always advise to plan the ceremony
atleast 3 hours before the sunset. The lower the sun is,
the better the lighting. The average ceremony is about 30
minutes long, but if you have special traditions you want
to incorporate, then i’d say it can usually be up to an hour
long.
One important tip that I have is asking your officiant to
please move out of the way before the first kiss - this way
they are not in the background during your big moment.
30 minutes - 1 hour

T H E
F A M I L Y
You love your family, even though they can be a bit crazy. Plus
the excitement of the ceremony is so contagious. Which is to be
expected because you just got married! How could they not be
happy for the two of you?
That’s why having a list of family members that you need photos
with is always helpful. I reccommend including names, as
well as their role. For example, «Mother of the Bride (Sara)».
Since this is likely my first time meeting your family, this will
make it easier for me to go down the list and call out names,
and I can also keep track of who has gotten their photo taken.
Definitely make sure to let any family members who are part
of these formals know that they have to be there! Tell them
where to go right after the ceremony, so that they know where
to go. People often tend to wander during this part - people
who need to be in more than one photo try to leave after their
first one. While I will of course keep an eye on everyone and
do my best to let them know when they are done. Another
helpful option can even be to send your shot list to your family
members so that they are aware of what is going on.
If you decide to not do the First Look, then after family
portraits is when we will get some photos of just the two of
you. While all of this is going on, all of your guest will be at will
cocktail hour or the reception room.
1 hour

T H E
R E C E P T I O N
You did it!!
You are officially married, and now it’s time to party!
During the reception, I’ll take some candids and some group
photos, so if there are any friends or extended family members
that you need photos with, now is the time! A lot of stuff
happens during the reception, and i’ll take photos of all of it.
You have the freedom to make your reception your own! You
have absolute control over what happens and can make the
entire experience unique to you. So do not be afraid to take
control and make it a memorable night you will never forget!
Here are some common reception events:
- Grand Entrance - Toasts
- First Dance - Bouquet/Garter Toss
- Parent Dances - Cake Cutting
- Anniversary Dance - Grand Exit
3 - 5 hours

G O L D E N H O U R
I always reccoment that my couples schedule half an hour
during thre sunset for a few more couple’s photos so that you
will get an absolutely breath-taking golden light glow. Also, a
new location so that you will have some variety in your photos.
The best time to start these is about 15 minutes before the
sunset time - which you can find with a quick Google search
of the wedding date! However, reception events tend to run
behind, and it can become difficult for the bride and groom
to leave because everyone wants to say hello or give you more
hugs or to take photos. This is completely understandable - but
of course photos are hard to take in the dark and you won’t be
able to get the same effect with a flash. Because of this, I highly
reccommend blocking off an hour for these portraits.
30 minutes before the sunset, and 30 minutes after sunset.

M Y
S H O T L I S T
G E T T I N G R E A D Y
C E R E M O N Y
- rings
- jewelry
- bouquet
- bride’s dress
- groom’s suit
- bride’s shoes
- groom’s shoes
- boutonnieres
- bride putting on dress
- bride putting on veil
- bride putting on jewelry
- groom putting on shoes
- groom putting on jacket
- bride putting on dress
- bride getting hair done
- bride getting makeup done
- candids of bridesmaids/groomsmen
B R I D A L P A R T Y
- entire bridal party
- bride with bridesmaids
- groom with groomsmen
- bride with each bridesmaid
- groom with each groomsman
- first kiss
- details of guests
- ceremony site/details
- groom’s reaction
- bride’s reaction
- exchanging of rings
- everyone walking down aisle
F A M I L Y
I don’t like to make a list for
family photos, as everyones
family situation is unique - So I
do appreciate it when the bride
& groom make a list beforehand
of the family groups they want
photographed with along with
their names and their role.
R E C E P T I O N
B R I D E & G R O O M
- bride only
- groom only
- bride details
- groom details
- shot of rings
- bride and groom together
* I have no specific list of poses that I
follow - it all depends on the couple,
dress, venue, etc. - This allows things to
happen more naturally. If you have an
ideas or a specific pose, Let me know!
- cake
- decorations
- guests arriving
- guest interactions
- bridal party entrance
- toasts & speeches
- first dance
- parent dances
- guests dancing
- cake cutting
- bouquet toss
- garter toss
- grand exit

Y O U R
S H O T L I S T
Write them here and send me a photo, or use this to
brainstorm and fill it out on the questionaire, or both!
F A M I L Y
O T H E R
B R I D E & G R O O M

T H A N K Y O U !
Thank you for putting your trust in me. This job means the absolute
world to me - and my couples are what make it happen. So thank you
so much from the bottom of my heart.
Don’t forget - I am here for whatever you need, whether that be help
with the timeline, help deciding on locations, or questions about your
photos. My job goes way beyond clicking the button of my camera. I
am here to make sure you have the best wedding day possible - and I
cannot wait to be there with you both to celebrate your special day!
- S E R G I O