WEDDINGS + ELOPEMENTS
The Wedding & Elopement Guide
dive into the wonderful world of planning your wedding or elopement photography experience
The Real Magic Starts Here
I am so excited to be working with you and I’m so grateful that you chose me!
I know planning your wedding can be overwhelming at times, but it is also so much fun, and I know that together we’re going to create absolute magic! I am here to help you through all things wedding photography and to cheer you on along the way. This guide is designed to help you through the bulk of your photography related questions and plan a day that best suits your needs. If you still have questions afterwards, or need any clarifications, don’t hesitate to reach out!
Hi, I'm Christine!
sole-owner and photographer at Barefoot Royalty Photography
Creating a positive and memorable photography experience for you is extremely important to me. It is my mission to ensure that you feel as comfortable as possible in front of the lens and free to be your authentic selves.
I do this by getting to know you to create a unique & personalized photography experience, resulting in beautiful heartfelt images and tangible heirlooms that tell the story of your love.
From planning questionnaires and personalized mood boards to aid in planning your engagement session, to custom wedding day timelines and unique elopement experiences for your special day, I’ll be there to guide you through the whole process.
Now it’s time to order your album, wall-art, and any heirlooms/keepsakes you’d like to remember your big day. I will design everything and send you the proof for approval. Then when you give me the okay, I’ll place the order! It will come to me first, so I can look it over and make sure everything looks good. Then I’ll package it up and have it delivered straight to you!
KEEPSAKES & HEIRLOOMS
I’ll take the time to professionally edit each photo, and make sure your gallery looks amazing. I’ll post some sneaks & teasers along the way, because I know you’re anxious to see how they all look! 8-12 weeks later, I’ll send your link with your full digital gallery, so you can download all of your beautiful images straight to your computer.
EDITING & DELIVERY
It’s here!! I am so excited for you! You have been planning for months to make this day everything you’ve ever dreamed. This day is going to go by so fast, and I’ll be there the whole time, making sure to capture all of the amazing moments you want to remember.
THE BIG DAY!
From wedding day timelines, to questionnaires, to family formals, and elopement experiences - I’ll help you plan out all things wedding photography so your day goes as smoothly as possible. I’ll get in touch with you 1-2 weeks before your wedding to finalize everything so we’re all on the same page.
PLANNING THE BIG DAY
If you’ve booked your engagement session, then now it’s time to begin planning for that. I’ll send a questionnaire to get an idea of themes, locations, vibes, activities that you both enjoy, and I’ll create 3-5 customized mood boards for you to choose from and help with the planning process. Then we will begin discussing locations & outfits!
YOUR ENGAGEMENT SESSION
HERE'S WHAT'S UP NEXT:
Your wedding is booked and now it’s time for the fun part!
The Process
Preferred Local Vendors
Venues
Bakeries
FLORISTS
Dress Boutiques
Hair & MakeUp
PLANNERS
Want to be a preferred vendor?
Reach out to barefoot.royalty@gmail.com.
Engagement Photos
Engagement Photos
I love when couples add an engagement session to their wedding collection! They’re a lot less stressful than the wedding day, so it’ll give us time to get to know each other with no pressure, and no timeline to stick to.
This might be the first time you’ve had professional photos taken together as a couple, and if you're like me, you feel horribly uncomfortable with a giant camera pointed at you. That’s okay - most people do.
Engagement sessions are an amazing way to overcome a little of that anxiety, and a great way for me to learn about both of your personalities and how best to capture them. You'll get a feel for what it's like to be behind my camera, and learn how I work, including the different ways I use to create motion, prompts I use to get you laughing, and what to do with your hands. This way, you can walk into your wedding day knowing what to expect!
Location
I love beautiful scenery - mountains, waterfalls, the ocean, trees, it’s all amazing. So, of course, I recommend choosing a beautiful outdoor location with dreamy natural light. But I don’t want you to think you can’t get beautiful photos if your backdrop isn’t so scenic.
I always love a good in-home session, or something more urban like down-town Savannah. The most important thing is that you feel comfortable. Whatever location you choose, just make sure it reflects your personality. If you have no idea where you want to do your session, don’t worry - I have tons of amazing recommendations for you.
Outfits
One of the most important parts of planning your session is picking out your outfits! The colors, patterns, and textures of your clothes should compliment your location. Following these simple tips will help you choose the perfect outfits.
Style Tips
Interested in renting or buying a dress? Ask me for recommendations!
I know wedding planning gets hectic, and you might be worried about how you look or how your photos will turn out. But leave that to me - I’ll do the heavy lifting to make sure you look and feel your best!
HAVE FUN
I recommend selecting softer, lighter colors/tones and more muted shades. The camera loves shades of soft pink and muted blues, mixed with sophisticated light neutrals.
SOFT COLORS
Dresses and skirts look most stunning in photos because they really flatter every female body, especially on camera.
SAY YES TO THE DRESS
Have you thought about rocking a romantic gown, tulle skirt or flower crown but just never had an occasion for it? This is your chance!
DRESS IT UP
Professional hair and makeup is on the top of most clients’ checklists because it looks amazing on camera and removes the stress of getting ready on your own.
GO PRO WITH HAIR & MAKEUP
Pairing an accessory or two with your outfit can really help bring some extra dimension to your images, and be a nice tie-in.
MAKE A STATEMENT
Choosing flattering silhouettes and colors that complement your natural features is the best way to ensure you’ll love the way you look in your photos.
FLATTERING YOUR FEATURES
for her
Style Tips:
I know wedding planning gets hectic, and you might be worried about how you look or how your engagement photos will turn out. But leave that to me - I’ll do the heavy lifting to make sure you look your best and I’ll make sure you have a good time.
HAVE FUN
When choosing colors, I recommend selecting softer, lighter tones and more muted shades. The camera loves shades of soft pink and muted blues, mixed with sophisticated light neutrals like heather gray, creams, leather brown and white.
SOFT COLORS
Many guys love to mix a suit coat, blazer or sport coat with a different pant color. It adds some extra visual interest, and breaks up the color tones. I’m a big fan of this fresh take on a timeless classic.
MIX IT UP
Layers on men look great on camera, so even when it’s hot outside, trust me when I say that it’s worth an hour or two of discomfort for photos that will last you both a lifetime.
A LAYERED LOOK
Brown leather dress shoes complement almost every look. Ties, bowties, pocket squares, colored socks, belts, tie clips, suspenders, vests and watches are sharp complements to any outfit.
IT’S ALL IN THE DETAILS
Long, fitted pants and closed-toed shoes are the most sophisticated and masculine looks for men. They draw attention away from his legs and feet and place it where you want it: on his handsome face.
THE BEST FIT
for him
Style Tips:
"Christine is absolutely fabulous!! She photographed our elopement and I am in love with the results.
She was amazing at managing our friends and families and not to mention my dress! Which had a beautiful long train that needed to be adjusted for all the photos.
The amount of work (and love) she puts into everything is incredible. I wish I had another event coming up just so I could book her again."
Ricki & Shawn
"I am so glad that I stumbled across Christine & her work! I was blown away by the images that I saw & knew that I wanted her to capture my love story. She made the experience so much fun for both of us. We had such a great time following her lead. I couldn’t wait to see our gallery & was brought to tears by how beautiful each and every image that she captured is. I love how natural each image looks, nothing seems forced or coached. If you are looking for couple photos, engagement photos, etc., I HIGHLY recommend that you book with BRP!! You will not be disappointed!"
Nikki & Sean
"In the past 7 years that my husband and I have been together, we’ve never had pictures taken of just us. We live and breathe our children, and when I came across Christine on Facebook, I saw how beautiful her work was and I just knew we had to have them done! I can't wait to have them displayed everywhere. And she not only takes amazing photos, she also goes into detail on every single step to make sure they are perfect and just what you want them to be! She is such a kind soul to work with and she truly goes the extra mile! Take the pictures. I promise you won’t regret it!"
KATIE & KALEB
"My husband and I are so grateful for our experience with BRP. We wanted an opportunity to express our love for each other through photos, and Christine exceeded our expectations. She made it the easiest process. The location was absolutely breathtaking. My favorite part of the session was the direction she took us in every photo. I never felt like I was in the dark or unsure. She walked us through every moment while encouraging us to be ourselves together! I highly recommend her services. The quality of photos are remarkable, and we are so happy we have these to last a lifetime!"
RACHAEL & JASON
"Christine offers the ultimate photoshoot experience! I had been following her on Instagram for awhile before I finally had the opportunity to book my own shoot with her. She answered all my questions, and she even helped me pick out the stunning dress I ended up using. My husband is not a fan of having his picture taken, but Christine managed to get him to come out of his shell and captured the most stunning photos! I cannot say enough great things about the entire experience, if you need a photographer look no further! I hope to have another session with Christine in the future!"
SASHA & KENT
"I had no idea my boyfriend was going to propose to me in the middle of our photo session! Barefoot Royalty Photography did such an amazing job capturing the whole thing. She made the whole shoot fun, romantic, and different!
She took so many amazing shots it was hard to pick out our favorites. We will definitely use her again for our upcoming nuptials! I highly recommend BRP to any couple looking to have their pictures done!"
CLAIRE & BRIAN
Heirlooms & Keepsakes
Photo Albums, Image Boxes, and Wall-Art
Preserving your love story today, so you can relive these magical moments forever.
As your photographer, capturing your magical moments is just the beginning. My job isn’t complete until I ensure that you have premium quality heirlooms & keepsakes that you can cherish, display in your home, and share with future generations.
I will walk you through the entire process of selecting the best options that fit your personal tastes and household, and order your final selections for you. Your order will be packaged with care by yours truly, and delivered straight to your doorstep to provide a seamless, white-glove experience.
Heirlooms & Keepsakes
Refer to the pricing guide for detailed investment information.
Keepsake Options
HEIRLOOM ALBUMS, Keepsake Image Boxes with Mounted Prints, AND Gallery Wall Art
01.
HEIRLOOM ALBUMS
Available in three sizes, from 6x6” to 10x10”, your photos are printed on archival quality paper that will preserve your love story so you can look back with your children and grandchildren (one day). You’ll even get to customize your album to fit your personal tastes.
Customization Options:
Choice of cameo cover (not available as 6x6”) or custom debossing.
High-quality cover options such as premium leathers, linen, silk, and leather alternatives.
02.
Keepsake Image Boxes with Mounted Prints
Image boxes are available in two different sizes to hold 10 or 25 mounted 5x7” prints.
The keepsake box provides safe and tasteful storage of your images when they are not on display.
These beautiful fine art prints are archival quality adhered to 2mm styrene, creating a sturdy and warp resistant product.
03.
GALLERY WALL ART
Available in five sizes from 8x10” to 24x36”, you can choose between metal or canvas to showcase your love story in the form of eye-catching statement pieces on the walls of your home.
Canvas wraps are 1.5 inches in depth and display your love story on premium canvas material, hand-stretched around a wood frame, designed to last for a lifetime.
Metal prints preserve your love story by depositing color directly into a special coated aluminum material. The end result is an intensely vivid and eye-catching display.
The photos of you and your wedding party will look much cuter if your outfits give them a pop! You can get matching robes, button-ups, or pajama sets (whether they're the lacey floral kind or the cozy fuzzy ones) on Etsy, and have them monogrammed.
PREP IN STYLE
03
I highly recommend getting a nice hanger for your wedding attire. They don’t have to be fancy and custom made - but hanging a dress or suit jacket on a wooden hanger looks much better than a flimsy plastic one!
PURCHASE A NICE HANGER
02
The first thing I’ll do when I get there is take some detail shots. It’s helpful if you gather everything ahead of time and set it aside in a special place, so that it’s all together for me to grab right when I arrive. Some items that I need for detail shots can include: dress, bouquet, vow books, perfume, rings, full invitation suite, jewelry, tie, shoes, cufflinks, and other sentimental details.
HAVE YOUR DETAILS READY
01
An alternative to a first look is a first touch. This still allows you the chance to have a special moment together, without seeing each other. You can hold hands on opposite sides of a door, read love letters or personal vows, or just have a conversation about how your day is going.
OR, DO A FIRST TOUCH INSTEAD
06
I always recommend that my couples do a first look, because it gives you the chance to have a private moment on your special day with the love-of-your life. This also gives you time to get away from the hustle and bustle, and spend a little time together, to soak up the love and excitement.
INCLUDE A FIRST LOOK
05
The location really defines the look and mood of every photo. If you’re not getting ready at the venue, consider renting a cute AirBNB, rather than being cramped in a bathroom or hotel room. Try to find a big, open room with lots of windows - soft, natural light from windows will make all the difference. It’ll make you look radiant, rather than washed out and yellow. Make sure to keep the area free of clutter as well.
GET READY IN A CUTE SPACE
04
I always recommend that my couples schedule half an hour during sunset for a few more couples photos. You’ll get that gorgeous golden light, and maybe a new location so that you have some variety in your photos. The best time to start these is about 20 minutes before sunset.
SCHEDULE GOLDEN HOUR PHOTOS
09
Having a list of family members that you need photos with is always helpful. I recommend including names, as well as their role. For example: “Sam's mom (Gina).” 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.
PROVIDE A PHOTO LIST OF YOUR FAMILY
08
The best time to start your ceremony (lighting-wise) is about 3 hours before sunset. The average ceremony is about 30 minutes long, but if you have special traditions that you want to incorporate, I’d allow an hour for the whole thing. One important tip that I have is asking your officiant to move out of the way before the first kiss - that way they aren’t in the background of your first kiss photo.
PLAN YOUR CEREMONY TIMING
07
7:00
Entrance into reception
7:15
Dinner begins
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
Reception
03
5:30
Ceremony
6:00
Family photos
6:15
Cocktail hour
Ceremony
02
10:00
Morgan’s hair and makeup begins
12:45
Jamie begins getting ready
2:30
Morgan puts dress on
3:00
First look and portraits
4:00
Wedding party photos
5:00
Hide while guests arrive
Getting Ready
01
This can be customized to fit your preferences. the possibilities are endless!
Timeline
Wedding Day
Sample
Make art together, and don’t be afraid to get a little messy and have fun!
06
Hike a trail to a scenic waterfall, or hike a trail to the peak of a mountain
05
Go to the arcade together and play all of your favorite games
04
Cook breakfast together or bake your own wedding cake
03
Grab a coffee together, and sit outside the coffee shop writing your vows
02
Have a morning picnic on the beach as you watch the sunrise
01
Things you could do before the ceremony:
The first look is truly a magical and emotional moment for any wedding day - elopements are no exception. We’ll pick an amazing scenic location to take some portraits of the two of you together all dressed up together in your formal wear.
INCLUDE A FIRST LOOK
03
I’ll take photos of you both getting ready, whatever that might look like! Remember, the location for this is important and you want to have plenty of windows so we have natural light. Renting a cute AirBNB is always a great option.
GET READY IN A CUTE SETTING
02
Just because you’re eloping, doesn’t mean the details are any less important or meaningful. I’ll still take some time during the day to capture all the little details, such as your dress, jewelry, your rings, shoes, vow books and bouquet.
GATHER YOUR DETAILS
01
More elopement tips:
There are some places such as National Parks, State Parks, and popular city locations, that you will need to acquire special permits. It’s very important to research and apply for these permits plenty of time in advance. This is big if you’re planning a destination elopement.
ACQUIRE THE PROPER PERMIT(S)
06
The legal requirements for your wedding certificate vary from state to state - in some states you can self-solemnize (marry yourselves) or have your dog be a witness, in others you just need an officiant and two witnesses. It’s important to know what the requirements are for whichever state you’re choosing to elope in.
KNOW THE LEGAL REQUIREMENTS
05
I recommend having your ceremony about 30 minutes to an hour before sunset - That way, the light will be absolutely golden AND we will still have time for some amazing sunset photos after you say your “I-do’s.”
PLAN YOUR CEREMONY
04
More elopement tips:
Take a celebratory shot or have a champagne toast
06
Plant a tree together as a symbol of coming together as one
05
Incorporate cultural traditions LIKE hand-fasting, blanket warming, or a crowning
04
Light a unity candle or have a sand ceremony
03
Create a time capsule that you can open on your anniversary
02
Read personal vows or love letters that you have written for each other
01
Ways to create a special ceremony experience:
go sky-diving or on a hot-air-balloon ride
06
have a bon-fire on the beach WITH YOUR FAMILY AND FRIENDS
05
go for a horse & carriage ride TOGETHER
04
dive into the ocean wearing your formal wear
03
sit together and watch the sun-set over the horizon
02
feed each other cake (because who doesn’t like cake!?)
01
Post-ceremony ideas:
For weddings/elopements you will receive a minimum of 50+ edited images/hour.
How many photos will we receive?
As the photographer I own and retain the copyright to your photos/images. You will, however, receive printing rights for personal use and for digital/online sharing.
Do I get the copyright to my photos?
I will do my best to find a photographer that I feel meets my style and standards to provide photography coverage - if I am unable to do this, you will receive a full refund.
What happens if you get sick or injured and can’t make it to my event?
Absolutely! I know how eager you are to get your gallery back which is why I like to post teasers for you scattered throughout the editing process.
Do you post/send sneak peeks?
Personally, I take so many photos on my own, and I am not very partial to editing someone else’s photos and calling them mine. However, If you want a second shooter, so you can do getting ready photos at the same time, and so you have different angles during your ceremony and first look, then you may absolutely choose to add one.
Is there an option for a second shooter?
Your online digital gallery will be delivered no later than 90 days from your event date.
How long will it take to receive my photos?
Questions
Asked
Frequently
FAQS
I am here for you! Reach out to me at barefoot.royalty@gmail.com if you have questions about any of the information in this guide.
Questions?
FAQs
Elopement Tips
Wedding Day Tips
Heirloom Albums & Keepsakes
Engagement Photos
VENDOR RECOMMENDATIONS
THE PROCESS
ABOUT ME
Navigate the Guide
Keep in Touch
Subscribe to the email list below to stay informed of news, updates, and promotions:
