All photos of me are by my lovely and talented friend, Stephanie Smith.
By selecting a wedding photographer, you’re making an important decision—one that will shape not only your wedding day, but your memories of the day for years to come.
Before the Wedding
I want to make sure that you feel comfortable and informed every step of the way. I’ll be in touch with you about a month before the wedding to nail down the important details about the people and events that will make up your unique day, but if you have any questions during the planning process, don’t hesitate to get in touch. You can email me at allie@alliesiarto.com or call 616-522-2515.
During the Wedding
As you plan your day, keep the sun in mind. The best natural light is approximately 20 minutes to an hour and a half before sunset. While it’s still possible to get amazing shots throughout the day by finding the right locations and introducing other lighting techniques, I basically insist on setting some time aside to get a few photographs that take advantage of this beautiful light.
Also plan for plenty of time before (first look) or after the ceremony to focus on images of just the two of you. I recommend blocking off a minimum of 20-30 minutes for couple shots. For family and group shots, I recommend blocking off at least 30-45 minutes, typically about five minutes per grouping. A maximum of ten groupings is ideal. You may also find it helpful to ask a friend or family member to help organize the groups to keep things running smoothly. For more helpful hints on scheduling your wedding day, check out my full blog post on the topic.
After the Wedding
After the wedding, you’ll have the option to get your photos in one of two ways:
- Get your photos through an instant download; this includes a gallery that will be up for a minimum of nine months and the ability for guests to download high resolution photos and order prints directly from the gallery, or
- Get your photos on a wooden USB; you still get an online gallery to share with friends and family, but it doesn’t have the instant download option.
Keep an eye on my social media channels for a sneak peek the week after the wedding. All of your finished images will be ready and posted to your online gallery within 4-6 weeks. Guests can sign up before or after the wedding to get an email as soon as gallery goes live, and they’ll have the option to order professional prints directly through the site.
While you’re waiting for photos to be ready, I’ll also mail you my wedding art style guide catalog with tips on how to style your wedding photos into your home in a tasteful way that can adapt with your changing family. Once the photos are ready for you, you’ll also get access to my wall gallery designer to visualize what your wedding photos will look like on your own walls, whether you want them to stand alone or be mixed with other personal photos (you can send along a few other personal photos to visualize together).
When you order prints through the online gallery, the company will print and send photos directly to you with no involvement from Allie Siarto Photography. This is a great system, but if you are looking to order larger prints or canvases, or if you have specific retouching requests (blemishes, etc.), contact me, and I’ll take the extra steps to make sure that the image will print well in the format you’re looking for.
Enjoy the Experience!
Your wedding should be fun, not stressful! Rest assured that you’re in good hands. Mutual trust
and communication will guarantee a relaxed, enjoyable experience for everyone. Enjoy the rest of your planning!
