Aside from finding the perfect dress and food your guests will be talking about for years, booking a wedding photographer might be the most important detail to set for your big day. After all, they’re capturing the images that will make this day last forever! That’s just one of the reasons why booking a wedding photographer should be one of the first things on your planning to-do list. But how do you go about it? Read on for my step-by-step guide for booking a wedding photographer—and why booking with Sarah Arnold Photography is as easy as 1-2-3!

Know Your Style

Is your wedding style more traditional? Maybe it’s a little more funky, artistic, rustic or beachy. Whatever your taste, your wedding photos should capture the mood exactly as you planned it, and immortalize it for generations. That means the angles, composition and shot list all need to reflect your style! Check out your potential photographers’ work. They’ll likely have photos on their website, galleries to share, and social media pages that snapshot some highlights from recent events. Do their images reflect the style you’re looking for? Does looking at their images make you feel the way you want to feel looking at your own wedding album? Those questions alone should narrow down your list of possibilities! 

Know Your Venue

Once you’ve found a style you like, there are some details you need to consider. A gallery full of gorgeous indoor photos isn’t a good indication of a good fit if your ceremony will be outdoors! Even if you’re booking a wedding photographer before you’ve locked down your exact location, you can still be sure to cover your bases. Are you planning a winter wedding? Will your photos be taken in natural or indoor lighting? An outdoor summer ceremony? Maybe you’re hoping for a traditional church service, or a beautiful sunset event. Whatever your dream day entails, make sure the photographers you’re considering have examples of those specifics in their portfolios.

Know Your Budget

Last but not least, be sure to sketch out your photography budget—and what your potential photographers charge—BEFORE you reach out and inquire. There’s nothing worse than hitting it off, only to realize you’re on the same page about everything but the finances. Decide how much you want to spend, then limit your photographer search accordingly. 

How to Book with Sarah Arnold Photography

Photographs capture seasons of love, of family, or of just plain fun. In celebrating those moments, feeling like yourself should come naturally. With each photo session, my goal is to capture timeless, authentic, and joy-filled moments that let your personality shine, all while putting you at ease. You deserve an unforgettable experience — one that culminates in stunning, timeless photos that will make your heart swell. Thinking of reaching out? Booking is as easy as 1-2-3.

1. Check out my work.

You can get to know me through my website, view some galleries in my journal, or browse the highlights over on Facebook, Instagram or Pinterest. I find such beauty in human connection and the stories that people share. Check out my story, then decide if I’m right to tell yours. 

2. Check out my prices.

I offer a variety of experiences to capture your big day, and my investment page lists it all out, plain and simple. Whether you’re planning a grand dream wedding, an intimate micro wedding, or an elopement, I’ve got a session package to perfectly meet your needs. 

3. Send me an inquiry.

Are you dreaming of a wedding with true to color edits and a timeless and joy-filled approach? Do you want someone who will create a sense of calm and ease on your wedding day? Do you want someone who is organized and committed to ensuring your day goes smoothly so you can enjoy it to its fullest potential? Then it sounds like we’re a match!

If you’re looking for a wedding photographer with 10+ years of experience, who values photos that will stand the test of time, then go ahead and hit that “inquire” button. Check my available dates, chat about a more in-depth pricing guide around your specific wish list, and start to design a proposal as thoughtful as the one that got you here. Want to lock down your dates ASAP? No worries. I’ll get back to you within 72 hours with everything you need to know about partnering with me. 

What You’ll Get as My Client

Choosing a photographer can be a daunting task. After all, you’re letting a stranger into your life, trusting them to do your story justice through their lens. Making clients feel comfortable during a shoot is my greatest strength. My whimsical prompts and clear direction will put you at ease and let your personality shine. The result? An unforgettable experience, culminating in stunning, timeless photos that will make your heart swell. Plus, I guarantee a two-day preview turnaround, and you’ll get unlimited digital downloads. What’s not to love? Get in touch. I can’t wait to work with you!

Whether you’ve had wedding boards on Pinterest since you were little, or if you’re new to the game, all that inspiration can be a bit overwhelming. Take a deep breath. I’m here to help with three simple steps to turn your Pinterest board into your dream wedding!

With the whole world right at your fingertips, I think we can all agree that the Internet has made wedding planning a whole lot easier. At the same time, tools like Pinterest, with all its resources and information, can be a lot… especially if you’re not purposeful with your pins. When it’s time to take those images and make them a reality, it can be hard to sift through the seemingly infinite images and come up with an actual wedding plan. That’s where these steps come in.

Once you’ve explored the ocean of possibilities, and I encourage you to dive in and explore to your heart’s content, it’s time to get started and turn your Pinterest board into your dream wedding.

Step 1: Categorize

It’s easy to be overwhelmed when you’re staring down hundreds (and hundreds) of inspirational images – let alone when you’re trying to find one in particular, or trying to narrow things down. Relieve your own stress and separate your wedding pins onto different wedding boards. Not only will it make things easier to find, but it will allow you to look at things side-by-side to compare the different options… which will make Step 2 a whole lot easier! Need some help getting things all sorted out? Here are some boards I’d recommend to get you started: 

• Catering & Food
• Cocktails & Drinks
• Color Palettes
• Decor
• Dresses
• Fashion Inspiration (shoes, jewelry, etc.)
• Flowers & Floral Design
• Hair & Makeup
• Invitations & Paper Elements
• Locations & Venues
• Wedding Party Attire

Step 2: Edit

Once everything is living happily in its place, start to pull the similar items together onto new boards (think “Bouquets” or “Boutineers” from “Flowers,” or “Champagne Bridesmaids Dresses” from “Wedding Party Attire”). As things start to fall into place, you’ll be able to see your genuine favorites start to emerge — like having 20 strapless ball gowns saved but only one long-sleeved fit-and-flare dress. Then it’s time for some editing… and a Master Wedding Board.

Go through your individual boards, pull out your top 2 or 3 pins from each one, and save them to a Dream Wedding (or Master) board. This lets you wean out anything that’s NOT a top 3 contender, and lets you start to see how everything will look together in one place. If something doesn’t match, swap it out for something more appropriate from the applicable board. It’s hard to make compromises for the good of the big picture, but in the end, you’ve pinned everything for a reason. It will all be worth it!

Step 3: Show and Tell

Now that you’ve narrowed things down and organized your inspiration, it’s time to take these boards on the road! Download the app (if you haven’t already), or have screenshots handy on your phone. Going to a bridal boutique? Your top 3 favorite dresses are at your fingertips, along with your preferences for hair, shoes, veils, etc. Visiting with a florist? Show them what you’re thinking with a few favorite arrangements. They say a picture is worth a thousand words, right? So showing your planners and vendor contacts what you’re thinking can certainly go a long way. 

Once you’ve shared a tangible way to see your vision, the experienced professionals can use their skills to make recommendations and turn your Pinterest board into your dream wedding. But don’t forget about the second half of this tip… it’s show and tell. I know it sounds simple, but if you want to bring your pins to life, you have to ask. Whether it’s wanting a certain style in a different color, the logistics of a champagne fountain or s’mores stations instead of a traditional cake, speak up! It never hurts to ask, and if it’s outside the wheelhouse of whomever you’re talking to, odds are they can point you toward someone else who can help.

Bonus Tips

Still overwhelmed? Here’s a few more tips and tricks (from a person whose been to a wedding or two):

• Pick up some paint samples. I know this sounds strange, but trust me. You’ll be glad you did! Call me old school, but I’m still under the assumption that technology can sometimes fail. So once you’ve chosen your color palette, head to your local hardware store and grab some of those paint color cards from the big wall — one for every color you want to incorporate into your wedding — then throw them into your wallet or purse so you can pull them out whenever you need. Digital images can be small or hard to see, and your phone can run out of batteries. This free resource is a great way to make sure everything matches and looks good together, even when your apps aren’t available.
  
• Start a photography board! Just what you need, more wedding pins, right? But seriously, if you see a style of photography you love (dramatic shots vs. candid, etc.), or a pose or moment you want to be sure you capture or recreate, having those images handy can give your photographer a better idea of what they’re aiming to deliver. Follow the steps above to see your unique style emerge, then compare your vision to different galleries and posts from the photographers you’re interested in. If your styles align, send an inquiry! You can secure your date, get excited about engagement photos, and check something big off the list as you turn your Pinterest board into your dream wedding.
  
• Trust the experts – they’re professionals for a reason! While it’s great to have your dream day encapsulated perfectly in the digital world, all the gorgeous pins in the world won’t make roses in season for your winter or Valentine’s Day wedding. Nor will the perfect dream photos match your actual real-life budget. This is where industry professionals come in! Most of us have been doing this for a while and know how to achieve the vibe you’re going for. Let the pins be your guide, then let your team help you make them your own. After all, you want your big day to celebrate YOUR union, not whoever posted the original pin!
  

Whether you’re inching closer to the big day, planning for the future or just getting your post-engagement feet wet, there’s plenty of memorable moments throughout this process. Don’t forget to look up from the inspirational images to take some of your own! This season of planning and anticipation doesn’t come around every day. Let’s capture the joy-filled moments together.