What to Expect When Working with a Wedding Photographer

By Emma Blue, Destination Wedding Photographer Based in Raleigh, NC

Planning your wedding is one of the most exciting seasons of your life — but it can also come with a lot of moving parts. When it comes to your wedding photography, you deserve a smooth, stress-free experience from start to finish!

As a destination wedding photographer based out of Raleigh, North Carolina, I work with couples all over the state (and beyond!) to document their love stories in a way that feels effortless and genuine.

If you’ve ever wondered what it’s actually like to work with a wedding photographer, here’s a behind-the-scenes look at my process — from that first inquiry to the moment you open your full wedding gallery.

1. The Inquiry & Initial Call

Once you reach out through my contact form, you’ll receive my wedding pricing guide so you can explore packages, coverage options, and add-ons. From there, we’ll set up a Google Meet call to chat face-to-face, do a quick vibe check, and answer any questions you might have.

This call helps ensure we’re a great fit — your wedding photographer is one of the top people (if not number one!) you spend the most time with on your wedding day, so it’s important that you feel comfortable and excited about working together.

If it feels like a match made in heaven, I’ll send over a 25% deposit invoice, your contract, and a brief questionnaire to get to know you both better. This includes things like:

• Whether you’ve taken professional photos before

• What helps you feel comfortable in front of the camera

• What your vision for your wedding day looks like

2. Booking & Welcome Guide

Once your deposit is paid and your contract is signed, you’ll receive my Wedding Client Guide — a digital resource packed with everything you need to plan a seamless wedding photo experience.

Inside, you’ll find information like:

• The best ceremony times based on the season and lighting

• Location ideas for engagement sessions

• Sample wedding day timelines

• Trusted vendor recommendations

• How to plan your family shot-list

If your package includes an engagement session, we’ll start planning that right away! Whether it’s one the beach along Outer Banks, a walk through Central Park, or somewhere completely new, I’ll help you find the perfect location to match your story.

3. The Final Planning Phase

About a month before your wedding, I’ll send another detailed questionnaire to help fine-tune your photography timeline. This one gathers all the final details, including:

• Getting ready locations for both of you

• Your ceremony and reception start times

• The top five moments you want me to prioritize

• Bridal party count

• Family formal shot list

From there, I’ll build out a timeline draft and we’ll finalize it together (either via email or an optional call). My goal is to make sure your day runs smoothly while allowing plenty of time for authentic, stress-free photos.

4. The Wedding Day

When your wedding day arrives, I’ll start by saying hello, checking in with you and your vendor team, and scouting out the best light and photo locations. I usually begin with flatlay details — rings, invitations, perfume, and any sentimental items you’ve set aside — before moving into getting ready and first-look moments.

Throughout the day, I’ll balance documentary-style candids with natural, lightly guided portraits. My goal is to capture your day exactly as it feels — genuine, joyful, and full of connection.

5. Sneak Peeks & Gallery Delivery

Within one week of your wedding, you’ll receive a sneak peek gallery of highlights to relive and share right away. Your full gallery arrives within 6–8 weeks, delivered digitally via email for easy viewing, downloading, and sharing.

Most galleries include 75–100 photos per hour of coverage, ensuring that every detail, emotion, and in-between moment is preserved.

6. Beyond the Wedding Day

Many of my couples stay in touch long after their wedding — whether it’s for anniversary sessions, maternity photos, or just sending a note when they print their first album. It’s one of my favorite parts of this job: getting to follow along as your story continues!

Ready to Begin?

If you’re planning a 2026 wedding and looking for a photographer who will guide you through every step of the process — from timeline planning to your final gallery — I’d love to connect!

Click HERE to reach out!