the client welcome guide
welcome welcome welcome welcome
The gratitude at this stage never ceases to amaze me. It is an honor to be your photographer, but it is also awe-inspiring to see two people choose each other now, and for the beautiful years that will follow. I am grateful just to know you, and to have this chance to witness and document your story.
A Note
from
Sunny
Please bookmark this page for easy access. Here, you’ll find the details, ideas and guidance to ease the experience. Of course, when questions arise, the best way to communicate is through email. And once more, I must pause and wish you congratulations. This is such a beautiful season of your life and I look forward to working with you.
Without a Doubt,
This Is Your Guide
BOOKMARK THIS →
Client Portal
Find your contract, invoice and update your contact information with this client portal.
There will be a separate email about your portal from me
QUICK LINKS + RESOURCES
Wedding Day Prep
You are not sure how to prep for your big day? Let me help you envisioning your big day.
VIEW THE guide →
Engagement Scheduling
Reach out to schedule your session and I'll share my engagement session guide with you.
engagement session guide →
Your Photographer
It is so important for me to explain how I view my relationship with my couples.
Friendship breeds comfortability and comfortability leads to trust... and trust is something that every bride and groom need to have in their relationship with their wedding photographer. I committed to forming friendships with my couples and intentionally caring to get to know them. Not only is my friendship with my couples a gift to me, but it positively impacts my couple's wedding day experience.
I am very excited to get to know you and capture your unique story.
When you are getting ready the morning of your wedding day, it will be a relief to feel like a friend walks through those doors with a camera and not just a random hired vendor.
HERE FOR YOU
date 01
You're booked!
date 02
Take engagement portraits
date 03
Download your high-res engagement photos
date 04
Complete pre-wedding questionnaire
date 05
Schedule a call to finalize
date 07
Wedding day
date 06
Rehearsal dinner
date 08
Gallery delivery
date 09
Design your
heirloom album
The Creative Vision
I use a timeless photography technique to capture your story with beautiful connections at the core of every photograph. When posing direction is needed, it will feel organic and eloquent. When the candid moments speak volumes on their own, I will quietly document the events as is without interfering. This helps the feelings be more accurately and delicately conveyed in the final images. If you’re looking for something specific, or a portrait with your childhood best friend who is traveling in from afar, please let me know so that I can add it to the list of must-haves.
Expect a grounding and graceful photography style, mixing romantic and stylized imagery with a photojournalistic depiction.
Communication Policy
The quality of the experience is deeply influenced by the organization. As such, I ask that you communicate with me primarily through email. This makes it simple for both you and I to find important details, and to prevent requests or questions from getting lost. During the actual wedding date(s), text messages and phone calls are welcome.
info@sunnyleephotography
253-508-8908
Office hour: Monday through Thursday 8:30a-4p (est)
reserved weekends for weddings like yours
What to bring
dress
veil/ hair pieces
rings (all three)
shoes
bouquet/ bout
jewelry
perfume
invitation suite
borrowed & blue
Day-of Reminders
GATHER the goods.
if possible, collect all of your details before i arrive so that i can begin quickly and have more time for some "getting ready" shots of you.
Timing Tips
The whole day begins with the details. This is one of my favorite pats of the wedding day, because it allows me to prepare and get my creative side warmed up for the rest of the day. I photograph a bride's details in a way that matches and showcases the style of the entire wedding day. So in some ways, the details set the stage for the look of the whole wedding and I love having ample time to stylize, and capture everything from the dress, to the jewelry, to grandma's handkerchief. You will find a list of the most common details that I capture at every wedding. I ask brides to gather any details they have before I arrive so that I can walk in, say hello and then begin with all the goodies.
Every
Little Detail
KEEP all three rings.
The most common detail missing when i arrive are theh rings. officiants, planners and moms will tell you to hand over your wedding band to the best man. however, it's actually better to hand it over right before the ceremony so that i can capture some great ring shots.
BRING the bouquet.
Don't forget the bouquet. have the bouquet and bouts delivered to the bride before the first look so bride can have her bouquet in her portraits. also adding some loose flowers to the detail photos is always a great idea. please ask your florist for some loose flowers.
Hair & Make-up
i encourage brides to have at least their makeup done before i start because who wants a ton of shots without their makeup on?
Groomsmen Prep
My team will photograph the guys getting ready if they are getting ready in the same location as the bride.
Getting in the Dress
I'll instruct you to get into your dress close to a window and it would be fabulous to have your bridesmaids dressed when you are getting in your gown.
Create a Cushion
A 10 minute cushion every now and then is a great idea. it's amazing how fast time slips away the day of.
Window Effect
by having just a simple window in the bridal prep area, i am able to create beautiful portraits with soft light. I prefer natural light so the movre windows, the better.
Your Veil
It is always so pretty to have a flying veil shots. if you wish to have veil shots, here are my tips for you.
1. avoid heavy beading
2. one layer is best
3. off-white is best as some veils can actually photograph "blue"
4. fine tulle flies more freely
The Look
One of the most personal and intimate moments of a wedding is the untraditional, yet much-loved first look. Weddings can often be filled up with social events and large gatherings. While those are an essential and encouraged part, the first look can be the one and only moment of the day with just the two of you. It’s a powerful and connective moment to pause and soak up the gravity of the day, without any outside influences. Just you, your first moment together as almost-newlyweds, and some photographs taken to commemorate it all.
On the other hand, some couples love the age-old concept of waiting, to let the anticipation reach its peak and then see each other from down the aisle for the first time. That, too, is emotional and powerful. The choice is yours and it should be, it’s a personal decision. In short — first looks result in more intimate, one-on-one time together, and more classic portraits to love. Without a first look, you’ll have the luxury of an unforgettable walk down the aisle.
first
STILL NOT SURE? SEND ME A NOTE →
I understand your guests are excited for you two to tie the knot. I've captured many weddings that guests were too excited and had their phones out to capture my couples and their phones were blocking me from capturing the couple walking down the aisle.
I highly recommend having an "Unplugged Ceremony". This is just another way of saying that you want only your photographers to be capturing photos and you would like everyone else to enjoy the ceremony instead of trying to capture it themselves.
Respecting
Stories
Signage
spoken
Have a simple sign that guests see as they are entering the ceremony
Have your officiant politely mention that you prefer no cell phones
program
Include your Unplugged Ceremony request in your program design
Family
Family formals are normally my first interaction with them and so I love to have a game plan for this part of the day. Two months before the wedding, you will receive a questionnaire form from me that will ask you to list out the family formals you want me to capture.
I do have to limit the family formal time in order to ensure that we have plenty of daylight for your romantic portraits. However, any large family group shots or extended family shots that I don't accomplish during family formals, I can be sure to capture at the reception.
Formals
STILL NOT SURE? SEND ME A NOTE →
B&g w/ bride's immediate family
(parents, siblings, grandparents, nieces, nephews)
b&g w/ bride's parents
b&g w/ bride's siblings
bride w/ her parents
bride w/ mom, bride w/ dad
b&g w/ bride's grandparents
b&g w/ both sets of parents
b&g w/ groom's groom's immediate family
b&g w/ groom's parents
b&g w/ groom's siblings
groom w/ his parents
groom w/ mom, groom w/ dad
b&g w/ groom's grandparents
b&g w/ all family members if time allows
Heirloom Albums
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 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 are modern, lay perfectly flat and look incredible on a coffee table.
WHEN WILL WE RECEIVE OUR FINAL IMAGES?
frequently asked questions →
8-10 weeks after the wedding date, you’ll receive a private link to a gallery of high-resolution digital images. There, you can share, download and relive your favorite moments. Each photograph will be individually edited, with adjustments such as color correction, cropping, straightening and more.
CLOSE
There’s a sneak peek, right?
Yes! Look for an emailed link within 2-7 days of the wedding with a handful of images.
CLOSE
Can we add an album or other heirloom print?
Of course. I offer fine art prints, heirloom albums, keepsake boxes and more. Just email me and I can share the specifics. You can customize your finish, add embossing and more.
CLOSE
WHEN WILL YOU ARRIVE AT THE VENUE?
I will follow the start time listed in your contract. I usually arrive at least 15-30 minutes prior to the official “photography start time” to set up and identify the best lighting and portrait locations at the venue.
CLOSE
something for you
This wardrobe guide will take out the guesswork when it comes to finding the right engagement outfits. From scenic oceanside portraits to laid back, luxuriously intimate moments in your own neighborhood, this guide will walk you through the best way to prepare an heirloom-worthy wardrobe.
The Wardrobe
Curation
Guide
download guide →
Here's to a New Chapter.
Thank you for trusting me to bring your vision to life.
