All you need to know!
wedding guide
Let's Chat!
For couples who believe their love story deserves to be remembered beautifully.
I believe in real moments and chasing sunsets — in the kind of images that capture the quiet joy found in the simplest seconds together. The in-between glances. The deep breaths. The laughter that sneaks up on you. I believe in photographs that ache to be printed, placed in heirloom frames, and lived with on your walls for generations.
i'm so excited you're here.
meet your photographer, Shannon
let's get the planning started
select your wedding album
06.
plan day-of timeline
05.
book engagement session
04.
hire remaining vendors
03.
hire your photographer
02.
secure your date and venue
01.
Amanda Childs
ECLetters
Ribbons and Ink
Stationary
Planners
Venues
District Remix
Bay Deejays
djs
Beautiful By Megan Horst
Studio 360
Spa in the Valley
Beauty
The Winslow Baltimore
American Visionary Art Museum
Baltimore Museum of Art
Venues City
Sugarbakers
Charm City Cakes
Cake By Jason Hisley
Sweets
Florists
Kent Island Resort
Chesapeake Bay Beach Club
Gibson Island Club
Venues
Your wedding should feel effortless, polished, and unforgettable. That’s why I collaborate with trusted vendors who excel at every detail — from styling and décor to music, and more. The result is a seamless, elevated experience you’ll cherish forever.
I know this industry has so many choices, but here are some of my suggestions.
Maryland
My go-to vendors
Use your engagement photos for save-the-dates, wedding invitations, or décor on your big day. They also make beautiful keepsakes for albums, thank-you cards, or social media announcements.
how to use the photos
Ultimately, the best time is when you feel ready, the season matches your vision, and there’s enough lead time to use the images for announcements and wedding details. But let's get it on the books as soon as possible.
when to schedule
An engagement session lets you capture your connection and excitement before the wedding. It’s a fun way to create lasting memories and get comfortable in front of the camera together.
why you should
It takes time for most couples to warm up to being photographed and understand how to have all the focus on them for photographs. Timelines can be pretty tight on weddings days and 30 minutes may be all we have for portraits - which is why I’ve found that wedding day portraits turn out so much better when couples do engagement sessions ahead of time.
I include a complimentary engagement session with your photography package
planning your engagement session
I have many suggestions for private farms, stone barns, fields with tall grasses to fit with that perfect country vibe.
In The Country
From Annapolis to the Eastern Shore, waterfront engagement photos shine against scenic Chesapeake Bay backdrops from Downtown Annapolis to Eastern Shore.
On the Water
I have been lucky enough to capture couples in NY the last four years. From Brooklyn Bridge at sunrise to Central park at sunset. Grand Central Station to Time square, Cafe's to bars.
New York City
Maryland and Beyond
top engagement session locations
For your engagement session, think romantic, playful, and effortlessly you—outfits that highlight your personalities while elevating every frame. Choose rich, complementary colors and textures, mix in statement pieces or flowing layers, and add subtle accessories that catch the eye without overwhelming the shot.
When determining your aesthetic, consider the story you want your session to tell—romantic and dreamy by the water, whimsical and lighthearted in a garden, or modern and sophisticated in the city—so every image feels intentional and timeless. Most importantly, wear what makes you feel confident and happy; when you feel good, it shows, turning each photo into a moment that truly captures you.
If traditional sessions aren’t your style, let’s plan something that fits you—whether that’s at a ballpark or football game, ice cream shop, art gallery, the beach, camping, a pickup truck in a field, a cozy coffee shop, or anywhere that tells your story, and as always, we can plan a destination session too.
what to wear and determining the aesthetic
selecting outfits & styling your shoot
Capture the laughter, love, and little moments before the big day begins
Documenting your rehearsal dinner captures the pre-wedding excitement and intimate moments with family and friends. Candid and posed portraits during this event provide a complete story of your wedding weekend and highlight connections that are meaningful to you. These images allow you to relive the laughter, toasts, and quiet moments shared with your nearest and dearest, creating a warm, full narrative that complements the energy and emotion of your wedding day.
Rehersal Dinner & Portraits
Turn your love into a story that glows after the sun goes down
Night portraits bring a dramatic, romantic element to your wedding gallery, transforming ordinary moments into something truly unforgettable. Using city lights, candles, or sparklers, these images create an ethereal, cinematic feel that can’t be replicated during the day. These images add variety to your wedding collection, giving you breathtaking, storybook moments that feel both intimate and cinematic, and they create a gallery that tells the full story up until the last moment.
night portraits
Celebrate yourself and capture a side of you that will take their breath away
A boudoir session is an intimate, empowering way to celebrate yourself before the wedding. These photos create a personal keepsake for your partner and capture your confidence and beauty in a timeless, elegant way.
Beyond the wedding, boudoir photos can become a cherished private collection, a bold gift for your partner, or a confidence-boosting reminder of your beauty and strength during this exciting chapter of your life.
boudoir photography
Your dress, your details, your moment—captured just for you
A bridal portrait session lets you showcase your dress, hair, and makeup in a relaxed setting, often before the big day. This session allows for more controlled lighting, poses, and locations, creating images that are both stunning and memorable.
It’s also the perfect opportunity to slow down and soak in the details you’ve been dreaming about—perfect to do the day of the make up and hair trail.
bridal portraits
ways to complement your wedding day photos
With your bridesmaids
With the groomsmen
With the entire bridal party
With your parents
With a brother or sister
With your grandparents
creative alternatives to a first look with your groom:
A first look is a private, heartfelt moment where time feels like it stands still. It’s just the two of you, sharing anticipation, laughter, and tears before the world sees. These genuine emotions create memories that photography captures in a way nothing else can. It’s a beautifully intimate pause, a moment that belongs entirely to your love story.
they're popular for a reason - trust me!
the importance of a first look
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other details to add
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stamps & seals
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the envelope
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the paper
remembering the details:
the invitation suite
for the bride
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what to expect as the bride
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relish in the time spent with your bridesmaids
capturing the art of getting ready
Wedding dress
Veil or any hair accessories
Jewelry - including the rings!
Shoes (wedding shoes and comfy!)
Perfume
Bouquet (and bridesmaid bouquets!)
Undergarments and garter
Robe or getting ready outfit
Copy of your invitation suite
Any gifts for those involved in the day
Your vows!
what to bring with you:
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Croissant tootsie roll jelly cookie croissant dragée. Chocolate candy gingerbread cookie marzipan icing cookie cheesecake chocolate. Gingerbread topping donut toffee wafer muffin.
bride's
checklist
for the groom
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Croissant tootsie roll jelly cookie croissant dragée. Chocolate candy gingerbread cookie marzipan icing cookie cheesecake chocolate. Gingerbread topping donut toffee wafer muffin. Tiramisu cheesecake sugar plum pudding powder apple pie chocolate bar. Gummi bears cake sugar plum bear claw tiramisu sesame snaps.
what to expect as the GROOM
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Croissant tootsie roll jelly cookie croissant dragée. Chocolate candy gingerbread cookie marzipan icing cookie cheesecake chocolate. Gingerbread topping donut toffee wafer muffin. Tiramisu cheesecake sugar plum pudding powder apple pie chocolate bar. Gummi bears cake sugar plum bear claw tiramisu sesame snaps.
relish in the time spent with your 'guys'
capturing the art of getting ready
Suit or tuxedo (don't forget the vest!)
Tie and/or pocket square
Button down shirt
Socks and other undergarments
Shoes
Cologne
Boutonniere
Wedding ring, watch, cuff links
Hair gel or hair products
Any gifts for those involved in the day
Your vows!
what to bring with you:
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Croissant tootsie roll jelly cookie croissant dragée. Chocolate candy gingerbread cookie marzipan icing cookie cheesecake chocolate. Gingerbread topping donut toffee wafer muffin.
groom's checklist
An important note can go here
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exit ceremony (10:30)
An important note can go here
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sunset pics (7:30)
An important note can go here
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toasts & dances (6:45-7:15)
An important note can go here
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reception begins (6:30)
An important note can go here
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family portraits (5:30-6)
An important note can go here
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bridal party portraits (5-5:30)
An important note can go here
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ceremony (4:30-5)
An important note can go here
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portraits (3:30-4)
An important note can go here
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the first look (3-3:30)
An important note can go here
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getting ready (2-3)
A wedding day timeline SAmple
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Croissant tootsie roll jelly cookie croissant dragée. Chocolate candy gingerbread cookie marzipan icing cookie cheesecake chocolate. Gingerbread topping donut toffee wafer muffin. Tiramisu cheesecake sugar plum pudding powder apple pie chocolate bar. Gummi bears cake sugar plum bear claw tiramisu sesame snaps. Croissant tootsie roll jelly cookie croissant dragée. Chocolate candy gingerbread cookie marzipan icing cookie cheesecake chocolate.
why your ceremony should be unplugged
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and they also make an excellent gift!
albums: a way to preserve your memories for life
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Croissant tootsie roll jelly cookie croissant dragée. Chocolate candy gingerbread cookie marzipan icing cookie cheesecake chocolate. Gingerbread topping donut toffee wafer muffin. Croissant tootsie roll jelly cookie croissant dragée. Chocolate candy gingerbread cookie marzipan icing cookie cheesecake chocolate. Gingerbread topping donut toffee wafer muffin.
i want to be your lifetime photographer
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Will you give a discount for paying in full or cash?
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when can we expect to get our photos back?
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how many photos will we get back?
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When do you charge travel fees?
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when will we discuss my wedding day timeline?
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Can we meet in person to discuss the details?
frequently
asked
questions
Let's Talk!
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