OMOS Photography

Wedding Guide


engagement session tips, timeline guidance,

vendor recommendations & more!

Savannah Georgia Wedding Photographer, Savannah Georgia Engagement Photographer, Savannah Georgia Elopement Photographer, Hilton Head Island South Carolina Wedding Photographer, Eloping to Savannah Georgia, Best Places for Savannah Wedding, Savannah Wedding Venues We Love, Getting Married in Savannah Georgia, Best Places for Wedding Photography in Savannah Georgia, Forsyth Park Fountain Wedding

what's inside

This Guide


how to USE THIS GUIDE

bridal PORTRAITS

first LOOKS

example TIMELINES

tips for RAIN

planning DETAILS

the RINGS

tips for FAMILY FORMALS

planning OUTFITS

inclement WEATHER

consider UNPLUGGING

tips for EXTENDED FAMILIES

additional TIPS

handcrafted ALBUMS

a note about

This Guide

Savannah Georgia Wedding Photographer, Savannah Georgia Engagement Photographer, Savannah Georgia Elopement Photographer, Hilton Head Island South Carolina Wedding Photographer, Eloping to Savannah Georgia, Best Places for Savannah Wedding, Savannah Wedding Venues We Love, Getting Married in Savannah Georgia, Best Places for Wedding Photography in Savannah Georgia, Forsyth Park Fountain Wedding

We’re so excited to be working with you and we can’t wait to get to know you better over the next several months! We know photography is one of the larger investments you're making for your wedding day and we're so honored you chose to work with us!


Even if you're working with a wedding planner or you're planning a simple wedding, there are likely still a lot of moving pieces left leading up to your big day.


Having photographed more than 350+ weddings over the past few years, we tend to get asked the same things over and over again. So we thought it would be beneficial if we put together a guide that walks you through everything from timelines to engagement sessions and inclement weather.


Thank you again for choosing to work with us and please don't hesitate to let us know if we can offer any additional guidance throughout the wedding planning process!


Rodney K. Gary

Savannah Georgia Wedding Photographer, Savannah Georgia Engagement Photographer, Savannah Georgia Elopement Photographer, Hilton Head Island South Carolina Wedding Photographer, Eloping to Savannah Georgia, Best Places for Savannah Wedding, Savannah Wedding Venues We Love, Getting Married in Savannah Georgia, Best Places for Wedding Photography in Savannah Georgia, Forsyth Park Fountain Wedding
OMOS Photography


Capturing light, feelings & moments and all the things in between people and life.

Savannah Georgia Wedding Photographer, Savannah Georgia Engagement Photographer, Savannah Georgia Elopement Photographer, Hilton Head Island South Carolina Wedding Photographer, Eloping to Savannah Georgia, Best Places for Savannah Wedding, Savannah Wedding Venues We Love, Getting Married in Savannah Georgia, Best Places for Wedding Photography in Savannah Georgia, Forsyth Park Fountain Wedding

“His images were EVERYTHING we wanted and MORE!”



bridal

PORTRAITS


There's a big difference between looking at yourself in the mirror at a hair and makeup trial and actually seeing how that hair holds up in the elements and how that makeup photographs. When it comes to being confident in your choices on your wedding day, photos are invaluable!


If you're considering a Bridal Portrait Session, we recommend a full trial run of hair, nails, makeup and your bouquet.

Savannah Georgia Wedding Photographer, Savannah Georgia Engagement Photographer, Savannah Georgia Elopement Photographer, Hilton Head Island South Carolina Wedding Photographer, Eloping to Savannah Georgia, Best Places for Savannah Wedding, Savannah Wedding Venues We Love, Getting Married in Savannah Georgia, Best Places for Wedding Photography in Savannah Georgia, Forsyth Park Fountain Wedding
Savannah Georgia Wedding Photographer, Savannah Georgia Engagement Photographer, Savannah Georgia Elopement Photographer, Hilton Head Island South Carolina Wedding Photographer, Eloping to Savannah Georgia, Best Places for Savannah Wedding, Savannah Wedding Venues We Love, Getting Married in Savannah Georgia, Best Places for Wedding Photography in Savannah Georgia, Forsyth Park Fountain Wedding

We typically spend 1-2 hours shooting at bridal sessions and it's nice to have something to hold to make your hands feel a little less awkward!

When it comes to choosing a location for your bridal portrait session, we recommend using locations that are well manicured, clean, and have great variety in indoor and outdoor locations.


Wedding venues are usually a wonderful place to start - especially historic homes and resorts that have well manicured areas. We want to keep your dress as clean as possible and still get a lot of amazing images inside and outside.


When it comes to selecting a date for your bridal portrait session, another great thing to keep in mind is the weather. In order to avoid being too hot during the summer months or too cold during the winter months, we highly recommend Spring and Fall. However, we'll shoot anytime and anywhere there's great light!

Many venues charge a fee for portrait sessions. Although inconvenient, the fee is often worth it in order to have use of their getting ready room and other venue services. We typically have to work with the venues on times, but we love to shoot bridal portraits in the afternoon as late as we can to get that softer afternoon light. However, if your venue has strict hours, we are happy to work with their allotted times.


Make sure to bring your jewelry, your veil and your shoes to your bridal portrait session!


bridal session checklist

• Dress • Undergarments • Shoes • Veil • Bouquet • Ring • Hair pieces and Jewelry


first LOOKS

IF YOU'RE WONDERING WHETHER A FIRST LOOK IS RIGHT FOR YOU, STOP HERE

so what is a

FIRST LOOK?


That moment the Bride and Groom see each other for the first time on their wedding day is magical. And this is true whether the couple chooses to wait until the bride walks down the aisle or chooses to do a “first look’ prior to the ceremony.


First looks—a private moment couples choose to spend together prior to the wedding ceremony—have become more popular over the last few years. About half of our couples this year have chosen to do a first look.


While we consider ourselves people who value tradition, there are definitely a few good reasons to consider a first look.

Here are 3 reasons to consider a ‘first look’:

01.

A FIRST LOOK CUTS THROUGH THE CHAOS OF THE DAY


Once the ceremony begins, the day takes off quickly. A ‘first look’ is an opportunity to enjoy some quiet time alone, enjoy each other’s company, and reflect on all this day means before your day takes off.


Wedding days can be a whirlwind and they tend to fly by. There’s much to do, and a lot of people to see and to catch up with. We always encourage our couples to take a few minutes every so often during their wedding to stop and soak in everything that’s happening.

02.

IT MAKES MORE TIME FOR PICTURES WITHOUT SACRIFICING COCKTAIL HOUR


When there is no first look, the majority of the pictures have to be taken after the ceremony. Family pictures are generally done as soon as the ceremony ends because it’s the easiest time to round everyone up. Next up is full bridal party, and then bride and groom portraits. This generally runs into cocktail hour.


A first look opens up time prior to the ceremony for full bridal party pictures and, sometimes, for a few bride and groom portraits (although we prefer to do bride and groom portraits at sunset). This allows the couple to get the most out of cocktail hour, which makes the rest of the evening feel less rushed.

03.

AVOID POSSIBLE BAD WEATHER AND/OR HAVE TIME TO FRESHEN-UP AFTER THE FIRST LOOK


If you’re expecting poor weather on your wedding day, it might be best to plan on a first look because it gives you more options for pictures. If it’s pouring rain after the ceremony, you’ll be thankful you had pictures done in advance.


And reason 3b is for all you cryers out there. If you know the tears are going to fly the first time you see your other half the day of your wedding, a first look will give you time to freshen up before the ceremony.


First look or not, the first time you see each other on your wedding day will be special.

building the perfect

WEDDING TIMELINE

TIPS FOR A SEAMLESS WEDDING DAY TIMELINE


Whether you choose to do a first look or the traditional "no see before the ceremony" we will work with you on making sure you have the best timeline and plan for images.

If you're choosing to go traditional, you'll need two different sets of photo times: images taken before the ceremony and images taken after the ceremony.


You'll need to plan for about one hour of pre-ceremony bridal photos (bridesmaids and bride's family) and about one hour of pre-ceremony groom photos (groomsmen and groom's family) at separate times. You'll also need 15 minutes of combined bridal party portraits, 15 minutes of combined family portraits and at least 30 -45 minutes of couple's portraits after the ceremony if you're not doing any portraits together until after the ceremony.


If you're doing a first look, photos can be done all at one time, taking an average total of 1.5 to 2 hours pre-ceremony (although we also LOVE grabbing just the two of you for a few additional bride and groom photos at sunset!)


If you choose a traditional aisle reveal, all we ask is that you keep your ceremony time in mind when planning your wedding.


If you're planning a sunset ceremony or an evening ceremony, it's best to do all photos before the wedding, as daylight is crucial to getting amazing portraits for your families, bridal party and your couples portraits. Making sure we have enough time while the sun is up is a great way to make the traditional ceremony work.

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timeline

We arrive at the "getting ready" location


Ideally by the time we arrive, hair and makeup is already wrapping up. If something is going to delay the beginning of the day, it’s often HMU.

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Our partners

Groom + groomsmen depart for ceremony site.


Allocate about 15-20 minutes extra time than the actual drive takes to account for traffic, load time + stragglers.

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Bride and Bridesmaids depart for ceremony location.


Allocate about 15-20 minutes extra time than the actual drive takes to account for traffic, load time + stragglers.

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Our partners

First look takes place


The First Look can take place at the getting ready location, ceremony, or reception location. It’s up to you! Although we’re happy to make recommendations.

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Our partners

Bride & Groom bridal party portraits


If the bridal party is with us, after the first look we'll start with those group shots (20 minutes). Then we would love about 30 minutes to photograph the two of you.

Depending on the first look + ceremony locations, travel time might also need to be added here.

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Our partners

Ceremony takes place


After portraits, we'll hide you from guests. While you freshen up, we'll prepare to photograph the ceremony.

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Family Portraits


We do family portraits right after the ceremony because everyone you need will be easy to grab. If you can give your family notice that we’ll be taking pictures immediately after the ceremony, that will also ensure that no one wanders off. We’ll help you create a list of family portraits before the big day.

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Additional Bridal Party and Bride & Groom Portraits


Depending on what was taken before the ceremony, we might grab 1 or 2 more full bridal party shots. Or maybe you can head off to cocktail hour!

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Cocktail Hour


The great thing about doing a First Look is that it gives you more time at cocktail hour. We’ll grab some pictures of your guests while you enjoy the hour and then head off to photograph the reception decor before guests are seated.

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Introductions & First Dance

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Welcome toasts & salads followed by speeches and entrees.

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Sunset Photos


We’ll make sure to grab you two about 45 minutes before the sunsets. This is usually the best light of the day. Since we've already taken other portraits throughout the day, this shouldn't last longer than 30 minutes.

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Dancing begins!

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Cake cutting followed by bouquet toss.

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Photographers depart


Unless you have a special exit you would like us to capture, 45 minutes of dancing photos are likely all you'll need to capture the party while guests still look fresh.

Tips for Rain

If the forecast is calling for rain, fear not because rainy days can still be beautiful! If you don't believe us, just take a look at this wedding. It rained the entire day and it was still beautiful!


If rain is in the forecast, we recommend ordering a few clear umbrellas on Amazon. It also might be good to re-evaluate portrait locations to make sure we can still shoot in natural light - even if it means heading offsite.


If you don't own a pair of cute Wellies, now may be a great time to order a pair - even if you're just wearing them in between shooting locations.


If you're not working with a planner, it might also be a good idea to check in with your entire vendor team to make sure they're aware of the weather.

Hair and makeup may need to be tweaked to withstand humidity and if your wedding is outdoors, DJs and bands may need to take extra precaution to protect their gear. A quality rental team can also minimize the amount of mud at outdoor events.


While we can't guarantee that rain on your wedding day is good luck, we can put a plan in place to ensure a beautiful day and beautiful images.


Rainy day weddings may require a little more flexibility and creativity, but there isn't any reason why they can't be as beautiful and as joyful as sunny weddings!

The Details

We love capturing all the little details you've carefully chosen to be a part of your wedding day! Once we arrive at your wedding, we need about 30 minutes to capture and style details. We recommend choosing a getting ready location filled with natural light and, if possible, please keep the space free from trash and clutter.


It would be wonderful if you could put all of your rings, jewelry, shoes, veil purse, perfume, invitations and other keepsakes together in one spot for us. Please unwrap your dress but don't worry about styling it - we'll hang it in a beautiful spot!


Bridal Details Checklist

Dress hanger (a beautiful one!)

Engagement and wedding rings

Shoes

Veil

Bouquet

Ring

Hair accessories

Jewelry

Wedding Invitation Set

Any other paper stationary you may have (such as program cards)

Vow book

Marriage License


Any other sentimental keepsakes you would like to include. For example, some brides have brought their grandmother's hand mirror. This is optional, but if you have something sentimental you want to include in the photos, we love incorporating family heirlooms in our detail shots.

Bonus: We would love to include a few extra flowers from your wedding day. If your florist can provide us with a small bucket of additional floral pieces, we can incorporate them into the detail shots.


Groom Details Checklist

Shoes

Socks (if they’re special)

Cuff Links

Tie or Bow Tie

Pocket Square

Boutonniere

Vows Book

Rings

Anything else that is special or sentimental

Family Formals

Your Entire Family, Dressed Up and Together

For family portraits, we’ll place you in the center of a large group photo with all of your grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins, siblings, godparents, etc. And then we’ll remove the extended family so it’s just grandparents, parents and siblings.


We’ll keep removing family members and switch a few closer family members in and out so we get photos of you and your parents, you and your siblings, some with the groom and your family, etc. Then we’ll repeat the process with your spouse's family. The whole thing will go quicker and smoother if you let family know how the portrait process will work ahead of time.


When we send out our pre-wedding questionnaire, we'll ask you for a list of specific groupings, special situations (such as divorces or handicapped family members & more), but if you want to start brainstorming photos in the meantime, you'll find our typical list below.

Family Formals Checklist


Bride + Groom + Bride's Extended Family

Groom + Mom

Bride + Groom + Bride's Parents + Siblings + Grandparents

Bride + Groom + Bride's Parents + Bride's Siblings

Bride + Groom + Bride's Parents

Bride + Groom + Bride's Siblings

Bride + Groom + Groom's Parents + Siblings + Grandparents

Bride + Mom

Bride + Groom + Groom's Parents + Groom's Siblings

Bride + Dad

Bride + Groom + Groom's Parents

Bride + Groom + Groom's Extended Family

Bride + Groom + Groom's Siblings

Groom + Dad

Please note that this list is just a starting point and that we're happy to take any requested family portraits as long as time allows!


Consider UNPLUGGING

If you've been to a wedding recently, you may have seen a sign from the happy couple asking for their guests to remain "unplugged" during the ceremony.


And while it might seem like a strange requests to ask guests to put down their phones, there's a pretty good reason for it! You made a big investment in photography and we're sure one of the last things you want on your wedding day is for our photos of your ceremony to be filled with obtrusive iPhones, iPads and relatives standing in the aisle with their own cameras. In order to help us do the best possible job capturing your wedding, we recommend asking guests to unplug during the ceremony.

Pricing & Packages

Don't Forget The Snacks

01

If you're getting married in the summer months, a "not-so-heavy" snack or lunch time before portraits is always a good idea for you and your bridal party to avoid hungry bellies and passing out!

Prep For Heat

02

If it's going to be hot, a cooler of cold waters and frozen washcloths can help keep a wedding party cool - especially if your men are wearing lots of layers.

Extra Florals

03

Make sure and have your bouquet delivered in time to make an appearance for the detail shots and for your first look. Often they are delivered in water and need to be dried off before use. Having towels handy can help.

First Looks For Parents

04

If you're planning on having a first look with your bridal party or a parent, they often feel more comfortable being fully dressed in their wedding attire.

Fluff Time

05

If your reception is at a separate venue, add some "fluff time" so that we can run over to the venue to capture it while it's still "untouched" by guests.

Handcrafted Albums

Make Your Memories Last By Preserving Them in An Heirloom Album


One day, most likely, Instagram will be gone, your phone will be replaced and images that you can physically hold in your hand will be the best way to remember those precious moments we captured.


Think about this fact: fifteen years ago, if we had delivered you digital images, they would have been on a floppy disk. With the fast updates to technology, you would have no way to access those images today. Even the online galleries we deliver will eventually fade away.


One of the best ways to make your memories last is by ordering an album. These high quality professionally designed albums come in a variety of linen & leather colors. These aren’t the same albums your parents' wedding photos came in. They’re modern, lay perfectly flat and look incredible on a coffee table.

Thank You


We can't wait to start planning with you and getting to know you! If you haven't scheduled your engagement session yet, let's get that in the books. Feel free to email us any time at hello@omosphotography.com.


If you have any questions or would just like to chat, we're here for you. We hope this guide helps make the process of planning your wedding details much easier and less stressful. We can't wait to see you soon!

Thank you so much for taking the time to read through our guide!

@omosphotography
Savannah - Tybee Island - Charleston - Hilton Head Island - Jacksonville
1305 Barnard Street #773 • Savannah, GA • 912.704.0598