Wedding Guide
engagement session tips, timeline guidance, vendor recommendations & more!
lovingly curated by sarah & chris,
owners of capture the north
Welcome
a note about this guide
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Congratulations on your engagement! We're so excited for you! Wedding planning is a crazy thing, and we know it's a little overwhelming trying even to figure out where to begin. Our hope is that we, as photographers, are the easiest vendors you work with, and that's why we made this guide to make your life easier.
The biggest resource here is the giant vendor list we compiled for you, from venues to hair and makeup to invitations. We cover it all! There is no need to scroll aimlessly through Google, WeddingWire, or The Knot.
Having photographed lots of weddings over the 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.
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Interested in learning more about us, & hearing what we're all about? We introduce ourselves at the bottom of this page.
-Sarah & Chris
Engagement Session
We’re big fans of engagement sessions for a few reasons...
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Gets you BOTH comfortable in front of the camera
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You can get to know your photographer
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You can showcase your personalities
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Have photos for your invites & save the dates
We've created an entire page dedicated to outfit tips, location ideas, timing considerations and more!
Vendors
WHO WILL MAKE YOUR DAY AMAZING
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Over the years, we've learned the important role quality vendors play in creating a stress-free wedding day. We've worked with many of the vendors below and we can't recommend them enough! This is not a paid list - we chose these vendors for both the quality of their work as well as their professionalism on the actual wedding day.
COMMON MAN
CELEBRATIONS!
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MOMENTS TO REMEMBER NH
ONE LUCY EVENTS
ALLIOOPS!
AFTER ALL FLORAL
MAKEUP BY JILL TILTON
LYNDSEY MARIE BEAUTY
THE HAIR AFTER
Venues
WHO WILL MAKE YOUR DAY INCREDIBLE
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Choosing the right venue is likely the most important aspect of your wedding day. It is a key factor in setting the tone of the day. We've left 40+ venues below that range from barns, to estates, to farms, and ballrooms. These are all places we've worked at and you'll see photos we've taken there over the last 10 years.
ESTATES & MANSIONS
BARNS & FARMS
BARN ON THE PEMI (NH)
HARRINGTON FARM (MA)
BARN AT BULL MEADOW (NH)
ALL ROSE FARM (NH)
ON THE WATER
COUNTRY CLUBS & RESORTS
ELOPEMENT SPOTS
ARTISTS BLUFF (NH)
ECHO LAKE (NH)
PORTLAND LIGHTHOUSE (ME)
ACADIA NATIONAL PARK (ME)
OTHER GEMS
ALL ROSE FARM, GREENFIELD, NH
First Look
STOP HERE IF YOU'RE WONDERING WHETHER A FIRST LOOK IS RIGHT FOR YOU
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 75% 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 only 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 have 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.
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
02.
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
Timeline
building the perfect
WEDDING DAY
tips for a seamless wedding day timeline
Whether you choose to do a first look or not, we will work with you on making sure you have the best timeline and plan for images.
If you're choosing to not share in a first look, 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 20 minutes of pre-ceremony photos for bridesmaids, and another 20 minutes of pre-ceremony photos for the groomsmen at separate times. You'll also need 15 minutes of combined bridal party portraits, 15-20 minutes of family portraits and around 20 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
Rain Tips
If the forecast is calling for rain, fear not because rainy days can still be beautiful!
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 or finding a nice spot indoors.
If you don't own a pair of cute Wellies or Bean Boots, 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 wonderful 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!
Wedding Day
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 getting-ready location, Sarah needs about 45 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.
Please 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 detail checklist
groom detail checklist
The Rings
When we can, we always try to take a photo of your rings while you're getting ready. If possible, try to have your engagement ring cleaned or clean it yourself.
To clean at home, soak your ring in warm water with dishwashing soap for 20 to 40 minutes. Then gently brush the stone with a soft toothbrush, rinse and repeat if needed.
FAMILY FORMALS
YOUR ENTIRE FAMILY, DRESSED UP AND TOGETHER
Family portraits are incredibly important. While they might not be the most fun or enjoyable moment of the day for you, these photos are part of your legacy, and you'll cherish them years from now. This is easily one of the most chaotic parts of the day.
We try to speed things up as much as possible and make it easy. When we send out our pre-wedding questionnaire, we'll ask you for a list of specific groupings, and 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.
We recommend that most family formals happen after the ceremony when everyone is already present. Still, we do see a handful of couples every year choose to have their immediate family formals photographed pre-ceremony. The choice is ultimately up to you.
family formals checklist
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 having your officiant make an announcement at the start of the ceremony asking guests to keep their phones away and be present.
Additional Tips
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!
DON'T FORGET THE SNACKS
01.
PREP FOR THE WEATHER
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.
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if it's going to be cold, consider having the ladies wear leggings under their dresses (if able), and packing shawls for any required outdoor photos
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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.
EXTRA FLORALS
03.
FIRST LOOKS FOR PARENTS
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.
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If your reception is at a separate venue, add some "buffer time" so that we can run over to the venue to capture it while it's still "untouched" by guests.
BUFFER TIME
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HIDE THE BRIDE
we always recommend the bride go into hiding 30 minutes before the ceremony at the absolute latest.
Guests typically arrive early to weddings.
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family portraits go smoother when both sides of the family have a chance to have their input on what portraits they'd like before the wedding. If you supply us with a list ahead of time, we can go over it and make sure we shoot things in an order that is efficient and won't leave anyone out.
MAKE A LIST
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PHOTO ANYONE?
during the cocktail hour and the reception, we'll always be around. Anytime you'd like a photo with someone, grab our attention. We love being your personal paparazzi!
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We'd love to help you plan your timeline. If you'd like our input, don't hesitate to ask and we can get that process started!
WE ARE HERE TO HELP!
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THE PERFECT WAY TO REMEMBER YOUR DAY
ALBUMS
handcrafted
We’re big believers that images aren’t meant to solely exist in a digital space. 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: twenty 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 wedding 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.
WHO ARE WE?
this is the start of a
beautiful friendship
A COMFORTABLE, JOYFUL, & ROMANTIC
FINE ART EXPERIENCE
We’re Sarah & Chris, a husband & wife wedding photography team based in the Seacoast New Hampshire area. We were both raised in NH, served in the marine Corps for 5 years, and came back to the place we love most. We’re high school sweethearts who love a good story, whether it’s one we’re watching snuggled up on the couch or the story we’re telling of your wedding day.
We believe in being friends first and photographers second. The better we get to know you, the better we can document your wedding day. Take the first step and get to know us!
We are so excited for you as you begin planning your wedding! Delivering a comfortable and refined photography experience is what we're all about. Check the links below to see more of our work and learn more about us.
investment details
ready for more?
THE PERFECT WAY TO REMEMBER YOUR DAY
While we like to personally hand-tailor our collections to each client, we strongly believe in transparent pricing. So we have attached our base packages below.
We know how stressful it can be to plan a wedding and want to help you out as much as we can! We do accept a very limited number of weddings each year, please reach out to see if your day is available with us! We hope to work with you and your fiance!
08. timeless
$5950
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8 Hours Coverage
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Online Gallery & Store
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Hi-Res Digital Downloads
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Shareable Slideshow
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Timeline Assistance
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Printing Rights
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25% Non-Refundable Retainer
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Two Photographers​
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Engagement Session
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6x6" Wedding Album
09. heirloom
$6950
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9 Hours Coverage
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Online Gallery & Store
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Hi-Res Digital Downloads
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Shareable Slideshow
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Timeline Assistance
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Printing Rights
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25% Non-Refundable Retainer
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Two Photographers​
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Engagement Session
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8x8" Wedding Album
10. signature
$7950
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10 Hours Coverage
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Online Gallery & Store
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Hi-Res Digital Downloads
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Shareable Slideshow
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Timeline Assistance
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Printing Rights
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25% Non-Refundable Retainer
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Two Photographers
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Engagement Session
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10x10" Wedding Album
Payment plans are included & can be customized to your needs. Please note that the complimentary engagement sessions are a bonus to your package, and the value of them cannot be deducted from the total price. albums include 20 pages. Retainer fees are non-refundable.
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