Final Meeting

Our final meeting together is typically no later than 7 days prior to your wedding. This can take place in person, phone or video, or even through text message. During this meeting we will fine tune all details, go over any last-minute changes as well as process your remaining balance if you do not want to process it electronically. Below is a list of what you should have prepared for us (no later than 7 days before your wedding) to make sure that we can capture your wedding day exactly as it was!

Details Kit- You can either give this to us at the meeting (if in person) or you can bring it to the venue the day of the wedding. Some couples feel like it is just “something else to keep up with,” so we do not mind taking it off your hands and bringing it with us to the venue the day of. See below as to what to put in your details kit!
Vendors List- We ask that you have a final list of all vendors who were involved in any way with your wedding day. We will be photographing all of their hard work and we would love to be able to share these images with them after your wedding. This includes Venue, Wedding Coordinator, Wedding Planner, Florist, DJ, Caterer, Baker, Videographer, Officiant, Signage, Hair Stylist, Makeup Artist, Lighting, Wedding Dress Store, Etc.
Final Payment- If you did not pay for your wedding package in full or choose not to process your payment electronically, your final payment can be processed at this time. Cash and Checks are accepted and should be made payable to Carbone Photo Co. LLC.

Getting Ready Area

You should always try and keep it in the back of your mind that you have hired a photographer, to do just that; Photograph! Once we have arrived and set up our gear, its go-time. With that being said, we can only make the pictures as pretty as the area in which they are being taken. Yes, we know angles. We know framing. We know cropping. But we do not know magic. It is extremely important to keep the clutter to a minimum. Not only does this help with anxiety levels for all of those involved, but it also allows us to get clear and clean pictures. You do not want your under garments hanging in the background of your pictures, or have trash all over the counters, etc. This can be very distracting in photos, and unfortunately can only be avoided but so much. Our solution to this is to find a spot that is out of the way to have everyone place their items. This would also be a great place for a trash receptacle. It’s out in the open and will allow everyone to throw out their unwanted items, ultimately keeping the area clean. Typically this area is away from windows (this is usually where the best lighting enters), and in a non-desirable part of the room.

Details Kit

Okay so this is a big one. If you are wanting to remember your wedding day down to the very fine details (like we think you are- hence the photographer) you are going to want to have this together before the day of your wedding. This not only makes for amazing photos, but it also keeps us from chasing you or whoever else down to look for these items the day of your wedding. If it is simply all together in a box waiting for us to arrive, we will be able to quickly get through most detail shots and return all items to their proper location/person. Once we get the detail shots, we will then be able to work on capturing the rest of your wedding day!

Below you will find a list of what you will typically find in a details kit. This is a list of ideas of what you can include, all of which are optional. Obviously be as creative as you would like and add in any items that are not on this list. Keep in mind that we may or may not get to all items, but this gives us an opportunity to have as many options as possible- resulting in more final images that personally reflect you and your loved one! Lastly, if you and your fiancé are getting ready in separate locations you may want to make two separate kits to keep with each of you on the wedding day- we suggest keeping the rings together at all times in a VERY safe place. We will ask for these when we are ready to start with the detail shots.

All wedding rings- will typically take these photos first and return the rings right away to the appropriate/designated person.
Boutonnière
Bouquet
Scrap flowers or greenery
Garter
Perfume
Wedding Invitation (2 copies if it is 2 sided)
D.I.Y. materials from décor that may have been created at home- ribbons, strings, small decorations, etc. Basically, the bits & pieces that went into making your wedding day exactly as you imagined it
Jewelry- necklace, earrings, family heirlooms, watches etc.
Shoes
Ties

Ceremony

Unplugged Ceremony

An “unplugged ceremony” means either asking your guests to turn off all electronic devices or leave them in their cars until the ceremony is finished. There are mixed emotions on this topic- for wedding guests, as well as for photographers. In this day and age with technology, everyone has the ability to be a photographer. This is great! Photography is obviously something we are very passionate about and believe the rest of the world should be as well. On the other hand, while your guests are trying to get the “best shot,” we will also be trying to get the “best shot.” This can sometimes mean cell phones and cameras will be in sight down the middle of the aisle- potentially blocking us from capturing that perfect image. In our experience and opinion, it is typically best to have the ceremony unplugged. With that being said, if any shot is missed or compromised due to these or similar circumstances, we are not responsible for the quality of the final image (as stated in the contract). Weddings are live time, there are no re-dos, hold-ups, or practice shots. This is very important to keep in mind. If guests put their phones in the middle of the aisle during the first kiss, for example, their arms and phones will be in the final image. Not a good look in our opinion!

Presentation

Remember, you are being photographed! It’s always a good idea to inform the wedding party to keep their heads up while walking down the aisle AND throughout the ceremony (we will also remind you all on the day of). It is common to be worried about tripping or stepping on something in front of that many people, so you tend to look down to prevent this from happening. Try and avoid this as much as possible. Oh, and smile!

First Kiss

We realize this sounds crazy, and there is reason behind it. When it is finally time to kiss your significant other for the first time, as husband or wife, it can be very exciting. We’ve been there. We get it. With that being said, sometimes couples get “stage fright” because every guest is watching you two have a very exciting, intimate moment. This can often times lead to the worlds FASTEST kiss. Our solution to this is to kiss and count to three. This is the perfect amount of time so that we can get the shots that we need, but also not leading the guests to believe you are about to move to second base. Save it for the honeymoon, ya nasties!

Carbone Photo Co. LLC is a Wedding Photography company based out of Richmond, Virginia who travels the entire east coast for weddings. Carbone Photo Co. LLC offers photography for weddings, bridal portraits, engagement sessions, events, senior portraits as well as family portraits. This Virginia wedding photographer specializes in capturing the most sentimental moments using a photojournalistic approach to document raw candid moments of you and your loved ones.