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theWEDDINGD E T R I N G P H O T O G R A P H Yd e t r i n g p h o t o g r a p h y . c o mGUIDE

LEO TOLSTOY“it is not beauty that endears, It’s love that makes us see beauty”

C O N T E N T SGETTING READYp. 13 Getting Readyp. 19 Details and Flatlaysp. 27 Bridal PortraitsPORTRAITSp. 47 Bridal couple shoot0 2 .0 3 .CEREMONY/RECEPTIONp. 33 The Ceremonyp. 36 After the Ceremonyp. 41 First Dance & Partyp. 43 Timeline ExampleFAQp. 51 Frequently Asked Questions0 4 .0 5 .WELCOMEp. 6 A Warm Welcome0 1 .

W E L C O M EDear future bride and groom!You're likely full of excitement for your upcoming wedding, anddeeply immersed in preparations for this special day. As yourphotographers, we're eagerly preparing to join you in capturingeach meaningful moment. Our goal, much like yours, is to craftelegant and emotional photographs that beautifully narrate yourcelebration.To ensure your day unfolds seamlessly and stress-free, we'vecurated this wedding guide filled with refined tips—practicalinsights aimed at helping you prepare for the exquisite photosyou deserve. These suggestions stem from our extensiveexperience in wedding photography, designed to enhance yourexperience. Should you have any questions at all, please don'thesitate to reach out to us!May your preparations be filled with joy and inspiration as you eagerlyanticipate your wedding day! We're eagerly looking forward to capturingevery special moment of your celebration!Chris Detring

I'm Chris, the founder and principal photographer at DetringPhotography. Photography has always been my passion—an artthrough which I strive to capture fleeting moments and emotions. Originally from Atlanta, GA, I began my journey as a travelphotographer, meticulously honing my skills and expanding mywedding portfolio. In 2022, I proudly launched my ownphotography company, a milestone marking the culmination ofyears dedicated to perfecting my craft.In my day job as a design manager, I've had the privilege ofcontributing to some of the most iconic projects on the Las VegasStrip, including the Fontainebleau Las Vegas and the Bellagio. Mykeen eye for design seamlessly translates into my skills as aphotographer.I believe that each wedding client not only invites me todocument their special day but also joins me on a collaborativejourney of capturing the beauty and significance of their lovestory, turning moments into timeless memories together. I amexcited to embark on this journey with you.e: cdetring@detringphotography.comPersonal IG @chris.detringM E E T C H R I SIG @detringphotographyph: 202.361.5159W W W . D E T R I N G P H O T O G R A P H Y . C O M

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G E T T I N G R E A D Yset the tone for the rest of the day. The narrative of your special day begins with the GettingReady photos, where the ambiance sets the tone for theentire wedding. The choice of location is crucial, as it servesas the backdrop for these initial moments. You should payattention to details like furnishings, room size, and naturallight as these are paramount.We often suggest selecting a hotel suite or a chic AirBnB nearthe wedding venue or celebration site. Ideally, if the suite ispart of the venue itself, it enhances convenience andambiance. A space that harmonizes with your weddingtheme adds a touch of luxury, creating a setting whereeveryday concerns fade away, allowing you to fully immerseyourselves in the day's magic. Moreover, proximity savesvaluable time that would otherwise be spent traveling.For optimal photos, bright and uncluttered rooms are ideal.Ensuring tidy surroundings without distractions such as bagsor children's toys contributes to a clean aesthetic. Largerrooms offer more freedom and flexibility for capturing naturaland candid moments.If preparing at a hotel, coordinating with staff to ensure thebed is neatly made before beginning preparations can helpavoid delays and enhances visual appeal in photos.When choosing a room, prioritize spaces with ample naturallight and neutral-colored walls. Colors like red, green, or pinkcan affect the light's natural balance, potentially impactingthe quality of your images.

G E T T I N G R E A D Ythe perfect schedule... Scheduling - Drawing from our experience, we recommendallocating approximately 2.5-3 hours for the bride'spreparations, and about 45-50 minutes for the groom. Our approach typically begins in the bridal suite with detailshots and flatlays (around 60 minutes), after which oursecond shooter attends to the groom while the primaryshooter focuses on capturing the bride's styling(approximately 30 minutes). Allocate 20 minutes for thebride to don her gown and accessories, followed by 30-40minutes for bridal portraits. If a Bridal Party is involved, weadvise adding an extra 30 minutes.For the bride's attire during preparation, we suggest optingfor a pretty, light-colored blouse or dressing gown (white orcream is ideal). This choice consistently enhances eleganceand sophistication in photographs, compared tocomfortable, baggy attire or colorful pajamas.A cherished tradition to consider is exchanging love lettersbefore the ceremony, to be opened privately during GettingReady. These moments are deeply touching, creating unique,beautiful, and emotional opportunities for photographs.

Please prepare an eleganthanger for capturing individualshots of your wedding dress.Opt for materials such asmetal, acrylic, or dark or whitepainted wood, as theseenhance the aesthetic appealin photographs. Avoid plastichangers typically provided bybridal boutiques, as they donot convey the same sense ofquality and elegance inimages.TIP

D E T A I L S & F L A T L A Y Sit’s all in the details.Detail shots and flatlays are essential for capturing theunique style of your wedding and are perfect for yourcherished wedding album. Often, stationery sets aredispersed, shoes might not stay pristine, or memories of theperfume worn can fade over time. To preserve thesemeticulously chosen details, we recommend setting asidetime to photograph them in a beautifully aesthetic manner.FLOWERS - Consult your florist about providing a few leftoverblooms or offcuts from your bridal bouquet or floralarrangements for use in preparations. These delicate flowerscan elegantly enhance detail shots of items like jewelry andstationery. Include 2-3 larger accent flowers as well.DETAILS - Arrange all your wedding details together in thebridal suite for convenient access (details on the next page).Ensure all three rings (wedding and engagement rings) areavailable for macro photography.STATIONERY - If you wish to have your entire stationery setphotographed, please provide us with a graphic draft or aphoto at least one month before the wedding. This allows usto prepare the layout for flatlays in advance, saving valuabletime on your special day.

Please coordinate with theflorist to deliver the flowercuttings and bouquet to thebridal suite approximately 30minutes before we beginphotographing the bride'sdetailed preparations. Thistiming is crucial as theseelements are essential for ourdetail photography session tocommence smoothly andbeautifully capture all theintricate moments.TIP

B R I D A L D E T A I L Se.g. DRESS // VEIL // SHOES HEADPIECE // JEWERLY BOUDOIR ROBE// PERFUME BRIDAL BOUQUET DRESSES BRIDESMAIDS WEDDING RINGS+ ENGAGEMENT RING STATIONERY // INVITATION HIS / HER VOW LOOSE FLOWERS

G R O O M D E T A I L Se.g. BOW TIE // CUFF LINKS SHOES BELT // BRACES PERFUME BOUTONNIERES SUNGLASSES WATCH

B R I D A L P O R T R A I T SThe reveal.After the bride is dressed, we recommend allocating 30-40minutes for bridal portraits. During this time, makeup,hairstyle, and bouquet are fresh, creating elegant andanticipatory shots with a touch of fashion.Delays are common at weddings, and we often find that only5 minutes remain for bridal portraits at the end of thepreparation. In these rushed moments, the bride may appeartense, and the atmosphere can be hectic. We strive for everybride to enjoy her portrait session, so we kindly ask that youplan with ample buffer time to avoid such situations.

For bridal portraits, a bridalsuite offers an ideal setting,providing a serene and privateatmosphere. Additionally, ifyour venue includes charmingbalconies, hallways, orgardens, we can also captureportraits in these picturesquespaces. Please allocate extratime for these locations toensure we can create beautifulportraits that reflect theelegance of your surroundings.TIP

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T H E C E R E M O N Yenjoy the ceremony to its fullest.No matter where you choose to say "I do"—whether outdoors,in a church, or at the registry office—it will be a beautiful anddeeply emotional occasion.Prior to the ceremony, please inquire with your pastor,wedding officiant, or registrar about any guidelines regardingour movement during the ceremony. It would also be helpfulif your wedding planner or witnesses could show us theseating arrangements of your closest family membersshortly beforehand.During the ceremony, we encourage you to focus solely oneach other. You don't need to pose for the cameraconstantly; instead, allow us to capture genuine momentsand emotions from an observer's perspective.UNPLUGGED WEDDING - At many weddings, guests may wishto take photos during the ceremony, potentially disruptingthe proceedings and affecting our ability to capture the bestshots. Guests' flash photography or movement can obscureperspectives and impact lighting conditions. To ensure aseamless experience, we kindly ask you to inform your guestsabout this before the wedding, possibly in your invitationcards. Assure them that our professional photographers willcapture all the memorable moments, and they will haveaccess to the photos afterward.If there are any special considerations regarding your guests(such as physical limitations, family dynamics, or notableattendees), please inform us ahead of time so that we canapproach the event sensitively and with appropriateawareness.

R I N G S E X C H A N G E A N D K I S Ssignificant and cherished moments.CRUCIAL NOTE: If your public speaker, registrar, or pastoruses a microphone stand, kindly request them to move itaside during the ring exchange, vows, and first kiss. Thisensures a clear and unobstructed view, avoiding anyinterference with the perspective or background, especiallywhen capturing your memorable moments under a grandwedding arch.Additionally, for optimal photography, it's beneficial if yourspeaker steps to the side during key moments like the ringexchange and first kiss. This ensures that their head or handswon't inadvertently appear in the background of your photos,preserving the purity of these significant and cherishedmoments. To achieve this, we recommend discussing thisdetail with your speaker and, if you have one, your weddingplanner.

A F T E R T H E C E R E M O N Yrelax and enjoy the moment.EXIT - It adds a wonderful touch when the bride and groomare celebrated with confetti or flowers upon exiting. A helpfultip: confetti cannons create stunning visuals as they releaselarger confetti pieces like hearts or butterflies, which fallgently and gracefully compared to heavier flowers that dropquickly.CONGRATULATIONS - If congratulations are planned outsideon a sunny day after the ceremony, we recommendpositioning the bride and groom in shaded areas. This helpsminimize perspiration and prevents harsh shadows on theirfaces in photographs. Additionally, if possible, considerremoving the bride's veil during this time to preventaccidental stepping or tangling during heartfelt embraces.For the groom, we suggest removing the boutonniere duringcongratulations to maintain its appearance for thesubsequent bridal couple shoot.GROUP PICTURES - Following congratulations while guests arestill gathered, we recommend scheduling group photos.Allocate at least 15 minutes for the main group picture toallow for coordination and positioning, ideally on a spaciousstaircase, hill, or using a stepladder for elevation. Thisensures all guests are visible, especially those in the backrows.For smaller group photos, plan approximately 3-4 minutesper picture and prepare a list of desired groupings inadvance. Having your wedding planner or a designatedperson guide participants will streamline the process.Choose a shaded location for group photos to avoid guestssquinting into the sun and to achieve soft, flattering lightingwithout harsh shadows on their faces, particularly in sunnyweather.

Please inform us or ensure yourwedding planner updates uson any planned events afterthe ceremony, such as cuttingthe wedding cake, surprises, orgift-giving. We want to captureevery important momentwithout missing a beat!TIPThe candles for the Sparkle Exitshould have a burning time ofat least 4 minutes TIP

T H E C A K Etime for a sweet seduction.The wedding cake can be cut either during coffee time or inthe evening. It's particularly beautiful for us to photograph it"untouched" beforehand. During the day, the cake looks moststunning in natural light, ideally placed in shade.If the cake is served in the evening, we kindly request thatyou or your wedding planner coordinate with the caterer tobring the cake out of refrigeration during the day. This allowsus to photograph it in daylight, capturing its details andbeauty in the best possible light.

T A B L E S E T T I N Gstylish & tasty.TABLE SETTING - Many couples lovingly craft decorations fortheir wedding celebration. We cherish the opportunity tocapture these intricate details such as table decorations,floral arrangements, favors, and the wedding cake, as theyencapsulate the ambiance of your day. It's optimal tophotograph these details in natural daylight, showcasing thefreshness of the setup. A delightful photo opportunity is alsocapturing the room or tables before guests arrive, wheneverything is freshly adorned. To ensure we capture thesemoments beautifully, we recommend coordinating with yourwedding planner or venue operator to allow us access to thespace about 15 minutes before guests arrive.To present the decorations in their best light, we kindlyrequest that all windows, blinds, or curtains in the room beopened if possible. If available, lighting the candles on all orat least one table adds a warm and inviting ambiance.DINNER HALL FIRST LOOK - A special moment we love tocapture is when the couple first sees the decorated dinnerhall, ideally before guests take their seats at the tables. It's awonderful opportunity for us to document your genuinereaction to the beautifully set scene.

F I R S T D A N C E & P A R T Ytime to celebrate!LIGHT - Lighting is crucial during celebrations, especially froma photographic perspective. Avoid colorful moving laserlights as they can leave undesirable colored dots on clothesand faces that may be challenging to retouch during post-processing. Instead, candles, light bulbs, and fairy lightscreate a charming ambiance. We recommend discussinglighting preferences in advance with your DJ and weddingplanner.FIRST DANCE - For captivating first dance photos, soft whiteor yellow constant light can create a magical atmosphere.Avoid colorful disco lights for a more stylish and romanticambiance. Encouraging guests to stand in a circle aroundthe couple enhances the background and adds emotionaldepth to the photos.FEED THE PHOTOGRAPHER - For a wedding spanning 8 hours,providing vendor meals for photographers ensures we canrecharge briefly and continue working creatively for you. It'smost effective if we receive our meals simultaneously withthe bridal couple. This timing ensures we're ready to capturesignificant moments that often unfold after dinner, withoutinterruption.

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B R I D A L C O U P L E S H O O Tjust the two of you.This is your special time to celebrate your love together. It'simportant to us that you truly enjoy this moment and havefun. We recommend planning approximately 45 minutes forthe bridal couple shoot, including time to travel to and fromthe shoot location.LIGHT - The most crucial element in photography is light.Whenever possible, we prefer to use natural light. It'sessential for us that you, as the bride and groom, understandlighting conditions. The optimal time for photos typicallybegins about 1 hour before sunset (or 2 hours inmountainous areas). During this period, the light is soft andcreates beautiful romantic backlighting that is simplyunmatched at other times of day. Harsh midday sun is leastfavorable for photography. Conversely, the soft golden lightof the evening offers ideal conditions for stunning bridalportraits.If conducting the entire bridal shoot in the evening isn'tfeasible, we can "split" the session. We may begin earlier,perhaps indoors or in a shaded area, and later takeadvantage of a brief escape during dinner for approximately20 minutes in the best available light. If the weather isovercast on your wedding day, the timing becomes lesscritical as the soft, diffuse light remains consistentthroughout the day.

M O R E T I P S F O R A B E T T E RS H O O TLOCATION - Spacious settings with minimal backgrounddistractions are ideal for bridal couple shoots. Avoid areaslike streets cluttered with parked cars. Opt instead for sereneenvironments such as clearings in forests with tall conifers,open fields with solitary trees, or picturesque jetties by lakes.Architectural backdrops featuring clean lines and distinctstructures like gardens, arches, corridors, and old walls ordoors also offer excellent photo opportunities. Prior to eachwedding, we visit the location to scout and select the bestshoot spots. If you have specific preferences, please sharethem with us!IMPORTANT - Kindly notify your wedding planner and guestsabout the scheduled time slot for the bridal couple shoot. It'sessential to keep this period free from other activities so youcan enjoy these special moments without any timeconstraints.AND IF IT RAINS? - Rain poses no hindrance to capturingbeautiful photos; it's all about preparedness and flexibility. Aspart of your wedding planning, consider a contingency plan.Verify in advance if there are indoor or covered areas at yourvenue that can serve as alternatives in case of rain.If rain is forecasted during your scheduled shoot time,allocate a 10-15 minute window throughout the day forflexible photography during dry spells. White or transparentumbrellas and stylish rubber boots (matching the weddingstyle) can be delightful accessories that add a touch of funto rainy-day photos.Above all, remember that no amount of rain can dampen thejoyous mood of your wedding day!

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F R E Q U E N T L Y A S K E DQ U E S T I O N Swe’ve got the answers.HOW MANY PHOTOS DO WE GET FROM OUR WEDDING? - Thenumber of photos you receive depends on the duration ofyour booking. Typically, we deliver approximately 50 editedimages per hour of coverage for the entire wedding day. HOW LONG DOES IT TAKE UNTIL WE GET OUR PHOTOS? - Youcan expect to receive your edited photos approximately 3months after your wedding day. Each photo is meticulouslyselected and edited by hand, ensuring the highest qualityand attention to detail. As a first glimpse, you will receive asmall selection of digital photos (about 15-20 images) within4-5 days after your wedding. This allows you to create ThankYou cards promptly or share these initial moments with yourloved ones on social media.IN WHAT FORM DO WE RECEIVE THE PICTURES? - Once yourphotos are ready, you will receive access to a password-protected online gallery. This gallery allows you to view,share, and download each photo individually at yourconvenience.CAN WE GET ALL THE PICTURES? - As professionalphotographers, we take pride in curating and delivering acarefully selected and edited collection of images from yourwedding day. We believe in quality over quantity, likening ourapproach to crafting a beautiful bouquet from a field offlowers. Just as you'd prefer a thoughtfully arranged bouquetover a truckload of mixed flowers, we meticulously choosethe most stunning and meaningful photos for you to cherish.

F R E Q U E N T L Y A S K E DQ U E S T I O N Swe’ve got the answers.CAN WE GET THE RAW FILES? - We do not provideunprocessed RAW files as they require specialized post-processing to meet our high standards of quality. Our goal isto deliver a finished product that reflects our expertise andcommitment as your wedding photographers. If you have aspecific need for RAW files, they are available for anadditional charge. Please note, these RAW files are intendedfor private use only and should not be shared publicly.WILL ALL OUR GUESTS BE IN THE PHOTOS? - Your wedding dayrevolves around capturing your experiences and emotions,with your guests naturally included in those moments. Weensure to photograph your guests throughout the day—fromGetting Ready to the Wedding ceremony, congratulations,and celebrations—creating beautiful and atmosphericimages. We also recommend setting aside time for groupphotos.WHAT EQUIPMENT DO YOU USE? - We utilize Canon EOS R6cameras paired with a versatile selection of fast lenses.Depending on your style we also utilize FujiFilm X100V, BlackMagic Pocket Cinema Camera Original, and multiple filmphotography cameras. If the vintage aesthetic Interests you,make sure to let us know! Additionally, we are equipped withflashes and light modifiers. For unique perspectives, we alsooccasionally employ a small drone.DO YOU USE FLASH OR DO YOU ONLY SHOOT WITH NATURALLIGHT? - Our preference is natural light for its softness andnatural feel. However, we incorporate flashes whennecessary, such as in low-light environments or for creatingspecific artistic effects, even in daylight settings for portraits.Each approach is tailored to enhance the visual narrative ofyour wedding day.

NICHOLAS SPARKS“true love is rare, and it's the only thing that gives life real meaning”.