Quick Reference Guide for Elopement Clients
Quick Reference Guide for SBP Elopement Couples
Why, hello there, lovely SBP couple! Having served well over 200 couples, you could say I know a thing or two about wedding days. In order to be as helpful as possible during your elopement planning, I created a “quick reference” page with some frequently-asked questions and answers.
What’s the best way to communicate with you?
Email, for sure! I’m notorious for reading text messages and forgetting to respond, so we’ll do all of our correspondence via email where I am most organized. You can expect email responses on weekdays during office hours of 9am-5pm.
Sarah – sarah@sarahbrookhart.com
Team – team@sarahbrookhart.com (Virtual Assistant umbrella account, of sorts)
Wedding planning can be overwhelming. Do you have any vendors you recommend?
Oh, do I ever! Check out this link with recommended vendors.
What should the timeline be for photography on the wedding day?
Oh boy, oh boy, this is my bread and butter. I love to work with couples to create a wedding day photograph timeline that allows for a stress-free day and beautiful photos. Check out suggested timelines below, one with a first look and one without. These timelines are for a more typical, 8 hour wedding day, but a lot of the information about timing for things like like getting ready, couples’ portraits, ceremony will be helpful for you to know.
A couple months before your elopement, I’ll reach out with an Elopement Questionnaire to gather all the information I need to be totally prepared for the day. From there, we’ll work together to create a photo-specific timeline to best optimize your photo coverage!
If we opted for a second photographer, who will it be?
If you decided to include a second photographer in your package (in addition to me!) for extra elopement coverage, you can find information about that in the Independent Contractor clause of our agreement. I always work with a talented photographer whom we know and trust. Usually my husband, Ryan, shoots alongside me. If he’s officiating, he’ll shoot before and after the ceremony! Wedding photography, however, is not his full-time job like it is mine. When he is not available for a wedding day, I have a handful of other talented photographers with whom I work.
Who should we include in the “family photos” portion of the wedding day?
If you are having guests attend your elopement, know that most couples just include their immediate families and grandparents. We are happy to photograph more, but based on our professional experience, we know an excessive family photo list can be draining for couples. In order to be efficient, organized, and get you enjoying cocktail hour, we recommend no more than 12 family photo groupings. We typically allow 20 minutes for photographing this number of family groupings. If you’d like to do more, just know we may have to build in extra “family photo time” into your photography timeline.
Should we give you a shot list?
Nope! Not necessary! We strive to have your photos tell the true story of your day. Let’s not copy photos you saw on Pinterest. We’ll photograph moments as they happen and they’ll be unique to your wedding day. However, please do make us aware of special events or sentimental mementos that we wouldn’t ordinarily know about on a typical wedding day. You’ll have the opportunity to communicate this to us through your Elopement Questionnaire that’s sent to you 2-3 months before the wedding day.
Will some photos be in black and white? What does the photo editing entail?
Some photos will be edited in black and white but the vast majority will be in color. These editing decisions are made based on artistic discretion (this falls under the “Artistic Rights” paragraph of our agreement). If you have a photo in black and white and you’d like it in color as well, a re-edit fee may apply. Let’s chat!
My photo editing involves adjusting elements that influence light (exposure, contrast, shadows, highlights, etc.), cropping, and white balance. All of these work together to achieve that signature style you see across my work. We do not do any body modification or retouching. You are beautiful just as you are!
Do you offer boudoir sessions?
Heck yes! Hit me up, lady. We’ll make it happen.
When is the final payment due?
1 month before your big day! We’ll send you an invoice with payment details.
When will we receive the online gallery and flash drive with the wedding photos?
Our Agreement allows 8 weeks to deliver your wedding photos via online gallery and flash drive. Be sure to back up all of your photos on your own storage devices as we do not permanently archive photos.
If our package comes with an album, how does that process work?
Once you receive your online gallery, you’ll receive an email notification to select photos for your album from within your gallery. Once all photos have been selected, I will design your album spreads and send them to you for approval or revision requests. From there, I will send you virtual swatches of your album fabric options. When the album design is approved and fabric is chosen, I will put in your order. It may take several weeks for the album to be completed. It will be shipped directly to your house and I will provide you with the UPS tracking number.
