Wedding Day FAQ

 

1. We've signed our contract and paid our reservation retainer, what's next?

Thank you so much for signing the contract and paying your reservation retainer!  You are now officially booked!  If you’ve booked an engagement session, please read over our Engagement Session FAQ and contact us to schedule your session.  A few months before your wedding, we’ll check in with a Wedding Day Questionnaire. This questionnaire has all of the information we’ll need, and ideally we’ll receive this back from you 1 month before your wedding so that we have plenty of time to go over your responses.

2. When should we have photo/video coverage begin?

We understand that everyone's wedding day is scheduled differently.  In most cases, we would suggest having coverage start at least 90 minutes before you (the couple) get dressed.  When we first arrive, we will capture all available details (invitation, dress, shoes, tux, jewelry, gifts, etc.).  Then, we will capture your finishing touches and candids of you and your loved ones together.  Lastly, we will photograph/film you getting dressed, and do a few portraits, if time allows, before leaving for your first look, or ceremony.  

3. Can you photograph our wedding day details (dress, suit/tux, invitation, etc.)?

Of course!  It is best for us to photograph the details first thing when we arrive. Please delegate someone to set your details aside for us, and to tidy your getting ready area 30 minutes before coverage begins.

4. When should we have photo/video coverage end?

If you are doing a special exit from your reception that you'd like captured (sparklers/lanterns), it is great to have us until the end of your reception.  Otherwise, after 30 minutes of "open-floor" dancing, we've taken plenty of photos/video clips of everyone and are good to go!

5. What is a first look?

On your wedding day, you get to decide if you'd like to see each other before your ceremony, or if you'd like to wait until your ceremony processional.  If you choose to see each other before your ceremony, we would call this a "First Look."  Often, a couple will choose to do a first look as a means to 1) have space to connect and talk before the day unfolds, and 2) capture their portraits, wedding party portraits, and family portraits before their ceremony, thus freeing up the rest of the day.

6. How much time should we leave for the first look?

If you choose to do a first look, we recommend blocking at least 15 minutes. Often, we’ll do your portraits right after this.

7. How much time should we allot for couple portraits?

At least 20 minutes for your couple portraits is great.

8. How much time should we allot for wedding party portraits?

The size of your wedding party will help to determine the timing needed for portraits. Typically, we recommend blocking 45 minutes for wedding party photos.

9. How much time should we allot for family photos?

Family photos are usually done 1 hour before your ceremony, or immediately after your ceremony.  Please allow 2-3 minutes per family photo variation.  We suggest choosing no more than 12 variations, which would be about 30 minutes.  When creating your family photo list, please list large groups and any variations with kids first.  

10. Can we take sunset photos?

Absolutely!  Golden hour photos are amazing and we are always up for them!  We can look over the reception portion of your timeline and figure out a good time to sneak away for 10 minutes.  

11. Do you have any locations you'd recommend for getting ready?

Natural light and a clean space are very important for successful photos.  We highly recommend getting ready in a well lit area that has plenty of room to move around for you and your loved ones.  When you choose your getting ready location, look for neutral colors, large windows, and a spacious room or suite.  Below is a list of hotels that provide such a space.  

12. Do you have location recommendations for the first look, wedding party portraits, and family portraits?

Natural light is most important when choosing a location, and there's a variety of great options in the Chicagoland area (some places in Chicago do require a photo permit, which would need to be obtained ahead of time).  If you would like photos at a private establishment, we kindly request that you get permission from the owner.  If you have a winter wedding, we recommend choosing an indoor location, unless it is warmer than 45 degrees.  In most cases, family photos will be done at the ceremony site.

13. Do you have any rain plan suggestions?

Chicago weather can often change within the hour, so we always hope for the best!  If you check the weather before your wedding, and it is looking like rain, you could order umbrellas on Amazon, and always return them if you don't end up needing them.  If it is sprinkling, we will still photograph outside with umbrellas.  If it is pouring, we have a list of Chicago recommendations below.

14. How many wedding images will we receive?

You will receive 50+ images per hour of photo coverage.  

15. When do we receive our wedding images?

Your wedding photos will be delivered, via an online gallery, within 12 weeks after your wedding.  You are able to download your photos directly from the gallery with the pin number that we will provide.  We're more than happy to mail you an heirloom USB drive with all of your images on it as well.  The cost of the USB is $50+tax and is a great way to have all of your images at hand and in one location.

16. When do we receive our wedding film?

Your wedding film will be digitally delivered 12 weeks after your wedding and any tangible items added on, like the USB and hard drive with raw footage, will be sent shortly after.

17. Do you offer albums?

We LOVE when our couples have tangible photos to remind them of their wedding day, and albums are a fantastic way of sharing that love with friends and families.  A wedding album can be purchased at any time, even after your wedding date.  We work with Red Tree Albums, which is an incredible company that creates the most beautiful leather and linen albums.  They source the finest materials and do not disappoint!  On this page you can see photos of the physical 10x10 album and 6x6 album.  Let us know if you'd like to order one or if you have any more questions about the process.

18. Can we add on an hour of photo/video coverage?

Additional hours can be added on at any time.  If an hour is added on the day of your wedding, we will invoice you within 24 hours and kindly request payment be made within 14 days.

19. We finalized our wedding budget, and would love to add wedding videography, is it too late?

We absolutely love when we are able to provide both photo and video for our couples.  We have a team that works seamlessly together, and the final photos and video pair very well aesthetically.  You are able to add on video at any time, provided that our associates are available.  We suggest making a final decision about video at least 3 months before your wedding.  

20. How do you record the audio for our wedding film?

Throughout your wedding day we will be recording audio from several sources.  During your ceremony and reception, we will plug into the soundboard (if available), have microphones on our cameras, and put a small mic on the groom and officiant. 

21. When should we choose the song for our wedding film?

For any videos that are posted online, in a public space, we do need to have a licensed song.  For instance, if you wanted a famous Beatles song for your wedding film, just know that it can't be posted in an online public space, as we can't get a song license.  (Facebook and YouTube are quick to remove videos without licenses.)  Here is the music site that we love to use: https://www.musicbed.com.  If you make a login name (quick process), then you will be able to listen to full length tracks.  Let us know if you find a song that stands out to you.  If you'd prefer, we are more than happy to choose the music for you.  Please let us know your music selection 1 month before your wedding.

22. Can my officiant, and those giving speeches, read off of their tablets or phones?

From a photo and video perspective, it is best to avoid reading off of any tablets or phones because they project a blue/purple light on the user's face.  Let your officiant, readers, best man, and maid of honor know ahead of time that they should write in a journal, or print, what they intend to share.

23. Where do you prefer to have your vendor meal?

We do appreciate having dinner provided, and request to be in the same room as you.  This allows us to always have an eye on what is going on and to not miss any photo moments.  For instance, grandma might come up to you and give you a hug during dinner, or you might receive a personal gift.  When vendor meals are served, we will either take turns photographing, or will sit down and eat.  It usually works out best to have our vendor meals served at the same time as you (the couple) are served so that we aren't missing anything.

24. Should we have an unplugged ceremony?

We've seen a huge increase in the number of phones and tablets that are out during ceremonies....even several people standing up with their own DSLR cameras.  It is of course fun to allow friends and family to capture their own images, but we would highly recommend keeping the ceremony portion of the day "unplugged."  We had an unplugged ceremony ourselves, and we loved knowing that our guests were truly present and with us as we made the biggest commitment of our lives.  From a photo/video perspective, an unplugged ceremony will allow us to take the photos we envision without having to work around distracting cameras and tablets in the air, which are most of the time unavoidable.  If you decide you're up for an unplugged ceremony, it can be helpful to have your officiant kindly ask at the outset that cameras and phones be put away for the duration of the ceremony.  

25. Should we do uplighting?

We suggest keeping all lights throughout your ceremony and reception white.  You've most likely spent a lot of time and money planning out decor, florals, and linens, and any colorful lighting can distract from these elements and look unnatural.  During your wedding day, we always want you to be the focus of your photos.  Colorful lights and uplighting can be fun, but we would recommend using them only once the "open-floor" dancing begins.  

26. Do you have business insurance?

Yes!  We are fully covered!  Your venue might request a business insurance certificate from your vendors.  If so, just let us know, and we're happy to send one over!

27. I'm still looking for a few wedding day vendors, do you have any recommendations?

If you're in need of any other wedding vendors, we have a great Vendor Recommendation page to check out! 

28. My mom has questions about X, Y, and Z, can I just give her your email/phone number to answer them?

We really value our couples, and by the time the wedding day is through we've spent countless hours on the phone, sent numerous emails back and forth discussing timelines and contracts, and have had a good deal of time in person with each one of them.  And, in order to keep that relationship healthy, we ask that all communication be done directly between our couples and us.  If any friends or family members have questions that you are unable to answer, feel free to reach out to us!

29. Other vendors from our wedding want access to the photos, can we share them with everyone?

We understand (and love) that it takes a team to pull of a successful wedding day, and we will gladly share the images with the other vendors who helped make it all happen.  Please put them in contact with us and we'll take it from there!

Feel free to send us an email at hello@nicodemcreative.com if you have any other wedding day questions, we're here to help!