Dear couple,
We're just a few days away from your big day.
It's normal at this time to be a little nervous - a mixture of "I can't wait for the day to arrive" and "I hope everything goes well" - it's part of it and all couples go through it, so you're not alone!
From our own experience we want to give you an important piece of advice we think you should keep in mind: this is your day, not anyone else's. Try to enjoy each other and the guests and don't worry about the small details - the teams of professionals you have chosen will be there to make sure everything runs smoothly and will do their best to ensure you have the most beautiful day. Even if there may be unforeseen events, that's part of life, and remember that only you know about them. Finally, and most importantly, the day will fly by, so remember to take a deep breath from time to time and enjoy the present moment!
We can't wait to meet you and spend the day with you,
Bárbara and Tiago
This is us on our wedding day !
To take into consideration
Our arrival
Whenever we arrive we like to start by documenting the surroundings - whether it's the outside of the house where you're getting ready or the teams outside setting things up. Punctuality is extremely important to us, so if you don't see us after 10 minutes, don't worry, we're already there.
All meals
Please take us into consideration for all meal times. During the day we'll always be moving around and under the sun for several hours, so it's essential that we're well hydrated and fed.
The main meal
Since food provides the energy for our body and mind, and because of bad experiences in the past with “staff food” - that wasn’t enough for everyone and/or the poor quality of the food, we appreciate being able to eat the same meals as your guests. Please refer this to your WP, we’d truly appreciate it.
Location of the main meal
At the main meal we always like to be as close to the main dining room as possible. We understand that this is often not possible because there are areas already designated for the vendors, but if you can provide the venue with this information, we'd appreciate it.
Timetable
If we are served long after the guests, we may find ourselves in the middle of the meal when the speeches start, for example. Please talk to your WP and/or caterer so that we can be served at the same time as the guests - or even before, so that we can finish the meal earlier and go to your room much earlier.
Scattered things
Although our aim is to keep the day candid and not interfere with it, we'd like to recommend that the area where you're getting ready is as tidy as possible - knowing that this is quite difficult, especially when there are a lot of people getting ready! Often the make-up artist arrives, sets everything up, and little by little everything becomes scattered from the preparations, open suitcases, underwear, papers and boxes or even unmade beds that don't look "pretty" in the pictures. When we arrive at the end of the preparations, it's often difficult to tidy everything up because of the time involved and the "nerves" (good ones!). It's almost always possible to edit the photos, but not the video, so if you can take that into consideration, that's a tip!
What to bring for wedding details photos
- not compulsory -
Your rings and ring boxes, wedding stationery (this includes your save the date cards, wedding invites, RSVP cards, envelopes, and even your dinner/lunch menu if you have one! Lots of couples even love bringing little notes they’ve written to each other or received from others to incorporate into their wedding details photos to look back on), perfume and cologne, any jewelry you will be wearing, extra flowers.
If you're going for a first look
First looks are usually very quick. What we usually do is define the location on the day itself with the bride and groom during preparation. If you have 10 minutes for the first look, that's more than enough.
Portraits before the ceremony
When there is a first look, or when the bride and groom get together before the ceremony, and in order to make the most of the cocktail hour with the guests without having to stop to take group photos, we usually use the time after the first look and before the ceremony for family photos and/or the bridal party. We advise you to have someone who knows more or less everyone with a list of the photos so that everything is more organised (and you don't spend too much time taking photos). If you have 20 minutes for this, that's more than enough.
Even if there is a first look, because of the light - which will be better near sunset, and because it's a time when we have to follow the timeline and there's still some anxiety before the ceremony, we don't recommend doing the couple photos during this window. See point 8.
Group photos during cocktail
If you want to take photos with the guests, set a time with the wedding planner/coordinator. Again, we advise you to have someone who knows more or less everyone with a list of the photos so that everything is more organised (and you don't spend too much time taking photos).
Last-minute changes
If there are any last-minute changes, don't worry. We'll be with you from the preparations and will be with you throughout the day - so we'll also be on top of what's happening.
Sunset session
We always like to do a session with the two of you for 10-15 minutes at sunset, see if you can fit this into your schedule. We're just going to ask you to walk around a little bit. You can talk and take advantage of this time to be just the two of you. Sunset time is the best time to do it because we will have the best light for it - warm light vs direct mid-afternoon sun.
Check what time sunset is and consider starting the session 1 hour earlier.
Music for the video
If you want any specific music incorporated into your cinema wedding video, let us know within 5 days of your wedding day. After that date, we may already be editing and won't be able to incorporate it. Still, there may be songs that aren't made for wedding videos even though you have an emotional connection with them - we’ll do our best but please trust us when it's not feasible to use them.
Our departure
Since we'll be with you for up to 10 hours, put all the key moments in this timeline so that we can capture everything that's important to you. Depending on the package chosen please bear in mind that each extra hour costs €500 (our working hours limit is 10h, after this time we no longer add extra hours)
As our style is photo reportage, what we capture is essentially what is happening on the day and therefore your participation is fundamental to the final result. Remember to smile! And cry too, hopefully from happiness! :-)