What to expect from your wedding pictures:

Pretty Please read this in its entirety before your wedding day, and possibly before planning your wedding:

We don't tell you to smile, or tilt your head. We encourage you to sit/stand/be as comfy as possible. When you're comfy, you'll look happier. We encourage you to talk,

laugh, hug, run, jump and have fun.

When at all possible, we shoot with natural light (no flash). This makes us great for new babies, nervous animals and little ones, blinkers, and wedding ceremonies. You'd be surprised how little light we need to get great images with our heavy duty equipment. We do tend to use flash at indoor receptions, but try not to flash it in your faces. :)

Our goal is to only accept 20-25 weddings per year, to allow plenty of time throughout the year for getting to know

you, and making your pictures just right on your big day. Most popular dates book about 12-18 months in advance, so let us know asap if you'd like us to be there for your wedding.

Most of your wedding will be relaxed and non-posed. Your actual formal session time is usually about 120-150 minutes total, for the entire day (don't worry about being under pressure to model all day!).

Average photo time line (in reality, how long it usually takes to experience each part of your big day:

30 minutes stop by salon to photograph getting ready

45 minutes photographing getting dressed (about 20-25 minutes each side-you'd be surprised where the time goes!)

30 minutes photographing groom with his guys and immediate family

45 minutes photographing bride with her girls and immediate family

45 minutes details, location shots, guests arrival, nerves, etc. (after you've hidden, we'll be capturing the guests and

details while we look toward the start of the ceremony). It seems crazy, but 80% of the weddings we photograph have guests showing up 1 hour before the ceremony starts.

30 minutes ceremony (catholic ceremonies may take a bit longer-up to about an hour)

30-45 minutes receiving line/ special exit (bubbles, rice, drive around the block, etc.)

30-45 minutes wedding party/full family photography

30 minutes (ideally) of just bride and groom photography-at ceremony site and on location-this is where we really get

the romantic/artsy stuff were known and loved for. :)

2-3 hours reception details, activities, fun stuff...(it normally takes an hour after arrival for most activities to start) like

the cake cutting, toasts, tosses, dances...

As this is just an idea, we're not responsible for delayed schedules, but will try to accommodate adjustments as the day goes on. Just realize you can't recreate your wedding pictures on another day, so do what you can to ensure all goes on time. :)

An alternate time line (where the bride and groom see each other before the ceremony):

Honestly, we don't pressure people either way about whether they should see their future spouses before the ceremony.

But the ones that have, that we've photographed, have not regretted it. Its really the only time you'll be alone all day, and

it can be great to get the nerves out before you head down the aisle, and to see your new partner's reaction all to yourself, with no distractions (unless we are able to capture that for you).

Alternate Time line:

30 minutes stop by salon

45 minutes getting ready (both sides)

30 minutes photographing bride and groom seeing each other and being together

30 minutes photographing entire (both sides) family, and each side of the family separately

30 minutes photographing entire wedding party

45 minutes photographing the bride with her girls

30 minutes photographing the groom and his guys

45 minutes details, location, emotions

30 minutes ceremony (again, longer if it's a catholic ceremony)

30-45 minutes receiving line/special exit

30 minutes (if time, weather permitting) entire wedding party, or bride and groom location session

And off to the reception! 2-3 hours reception fun.

Either schedule takes about 9 hours to capture, give or take. Time can be taken off the beginning or end of the day,

but not the middle. For example, 6 hour coverage would not include getting ready or anything past the first half hour of

the reception, on average. 8 hour coverage would, often, include some of the getting ready and a bit of the details

at the reception. To have the complete story, 10 hour coverage and above is encouraged.

**Note, to get the really fun shots, longer coverage really, really may be wanted for the reception**

The best times for outdoor pictures are about 1 hour after sunrise, and about 1 1/2 hours before sunset.

Contrary to popular belief, sunny days at noon are actually the worst times to have your pictures taken outside. Think of holding a flashlight over your head, and look for the shadows under your eyes and nose. Ick! Cloudy days and shady areas are actually fantastic light, where we can go anywhere. :)

A signed contract (in addition to a 495.00 retainer fee) must be on file to reserve your wedding date. This allows us to have your contact information on file (for shipments or to ask/answer ordering questions), and to lock your pricing quotes in stone. The contracts also include a model release paragraph, to allow MWP permission to judiciously display images from your session/event on the studio blog, website, and any tasteful advertising. If you have any concerns, please contact our

office. Fill out what you know in the blanks on the wedding contract. We can always update as you learn more about your wedding, as the photography is usually one of the first details planned for a wedding. Six weeks before your wedding, all details are firmed up, and the second payment will be due (1/2 of the package balance, with tax). The final payment (PIF) is due no later than 2 weeks before the wedding.

To see if your wedding date is available, check out the Wedding Date Schedule on the Contact Page.

All 2009 Wedding Packages include an extra photo session. Your extra session (engagement, bridal, boudoir, etc.) must be completed before the wedding date, or it will be considered void. Trash the dress and day-after sessions must be completed within 6 months after the wedding date, or they will be considered void.

The term "we" is only to be referred to as "us" as a team. When you hire Michelle to photograph you, your event, family, portrait, etc., you will get Michelle, no substitutes. When you hire Michelle for a wedding, you will still have Michelle, but

for most weddings (when an assistant is included in the package), an assistant will also be photographing additional

images.

We're really excited to meet you!!