Tips + Advice

What I Ask Before Your Wedding to Make Taking Photos a Breeze

May 5, 2025

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I'm a California wedding and engagement photographer. The blog has past weddings, planning advice, photo education and more!

Hi, I'm ashley.

As your wedding photographer, my goal is to make your experience as seamless and stress-free as possible—so you can enjoy every moment of your special day without worrying about the details. To make this happen, I ask a few key questions in advance to ensure that your photos are not only stunning but also fit perfectly into your timeline and vision.

These questions help me plan ahead, manage time efficiently, and capture the moments that matter most. Here’s a peek into the thoughtful questions I ask before the wedding, along with the reasoning behind them:

Would you like to attend cocktail hour?

This is a big one, and it’s a question I ask early on because it can impact the flow of your wedding day. If the answer is yes, we will most likely need to plan for a first look and front-load your group shots (wedding party and family) before the ceremony. Attending cocktail hour is such a fun part of the day—it’s a chance to relax, mingle, and celebrate with your guests—but many couples don’t realize that it may require making some adjustments to the photo schedule. By having your portraits and group shots completed ahead of time, we can ensure you can join your guests right after the ceremony, rather than spending time taking photos afterward.

Are there any spots you love and want as your photo backdrop on the property?

When you’re getting married at a venue with beautiful spaces—whether it’s a scenic garden, a grand staircase, or an iconic architectural feature—it’s important to plan ahead for these locations. I always ask if there are specific spots on the property that are meaningful to you or that you’d love to feature in your photos. Knowing this allows me to strategically plan our time at the venue and ensure we capture the most breathtaking backdrops during the day. This is especially important for larger venues, where we might need transportation to different areas to maximize the beauty of the location.

After receiving your engagement photos, is there anything you want me to look out for?

Engagement sessions are an essential part of the wedding photography process. They not only give us the chance to work together and get comfortable in front of the camera, but they also allow me to learn more about you and what makes you feel confident. After you receive your engagement photos, I encourage couples to share anything they’d like me to be mindful of on the wedding day. Maybe there’s a particular angle or feature you want to highlight, or something that makes you feel less confident that we can avoid. This feedback helps me capture you at your best, ensuring that you feel your most confident and beautiful when you look back at your photos.

Why These Questions Matter

Each of these questions is about making sure you’re comfortable, confident, and enjoying the day to the fullest. By thoughtfully planning for your preferences and needs, we ensure that your wedding photos not only reflect the beauty of the day but also the joy, love, and celebration you’ll experience. After all, your wedding day is about you and your partner, and I’m here to make sure your photos capture the magic of every moment—without interrupting the flow of your celebration.

inquire about your wedding day with ashley carlascio photography

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I'm Ashley, a California wedding and engagement photographer. The blog has past weddings, planning advice, photo education and more!

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