wedding guide

2025-2026

 

hey there!

I’m so excited for you and this wild journey you’re about to embark on. If you’re looking for creative + non-traditional photos that document all of the sweetest moments of your wedding day, I think you’re in the right place.

Photographing weddings is truly the highest honor and most special part of my job. I don’t take it lightly to be considered for such an important role in your lives!

I know wedding planning can be a bit overwhelming, but I’m here to help! This guide is full of tips + info meant to lend a hand in the process. If you have any unanswered questions, please don’t hesitate to reach out! I’m more than happy to be a resource to you while you navigate the process.

lots of love, Alyssa (she/they)

 

a match made in heaven

First and foremost, let’s make sure we’re a good fit! Your wedding photographer is the person who will be spending the most time with you on your wedding day, and it’s so crucial that you’ve got great chemistry with them. Above all else, I want you to end up with the exact right fit for you! A few things I love in my clients:

  • giving a damn about human rights

  • creativity + attention to detail

  • out-of-the-box, offbeat, nontraditional vibes

  • days full of color, drama, or cinematic flair (je ne sais quoi, if you will)

  • a desire to remember how their wedding day felt, not just how it looked

For personal and ethical reasons, I do not photograph weddings at venues that don’t serve LGBTQ+ clients (including churches). Inquire with your venue if you’re not sure! (If you learn that a prospective venue doesn’t allow LGBTQ+ weddings, please steer clear.)

let’s meet up

Before making things official, I’d love to meet with the two of you to get to know you better! During our consultation, we’ll chat about the details and timeline of your wedding day, go over the contract and payment options, and I’ll get a chance to see your unique chemistry and dynamic as a couple. This meeting helps me understand what matters most to you and how I can best tell your story. Afterward, I’ll send a summary of our discussion along with any additional information you might need. You’ll have time to think things over, and if you decide to move forward, we’ll finalize your digital contract and payment plan. Then, we’re ready to roll!

engagement sessions

Most of my wedding packages include an engagement session, and while it’s optional, I highly encourage you to take advantage of it! This session is a wonderful way to get comfortable in front of the camera before your big day. Plus, it gives me a chance to see how your natural connection unfolds. (Not to mention: save the dates, cute Instagram content, etc.) 

During our consultation, we’ll brainstorm ideas for the session’s location. Is there a spot that holds sentimental value for you? A vision you’ve been dreaming of? If you’re not sure, don’t worry - I have a database full of stunning locations and love the thrill of exploring new spots. Whether it’s cozying up at home or adventuring somewhere scenic, we’ll find a setting that feels authentic to your chemistry and style. I’m even happy to do a bit of Google Maps sleuthing to find the perfect spot.

Once the date and location are set, we’ll tackle the all-important question: what to wear? The best outfits are those you feel truly comfortable and confident in, whether it’s a fun dress, a tailored suit, or your favorite jeans and t-shirt. If you’re looking to elevate your look, consider adding textures (think linen, chunky knits, or velvet), layers, accessories, or pieces with movement (like twirly dresses or flowy fabrics). Need a second opinion? I’m here to help! Send over outfit ideas or let me create a custom vision board for you.

posing + my process

Whether being in front of the camera excites you or makes you a little nervous, I’ve developed a process to make everyone feel at ease. Instead of stiff poses, I use prompts that encourage connection and interaction, creating authentic moments that reflect your unique bond.

I’ll take my cues from your energy—whether playful and fun, moody and romantic, steamy and dreamy, or a mix of everything—and guide the session accordingly. It’s completely normal to feel a bit awkward at first (being perceived can be hard), but rest assured, this is a space free of judgment and full of affirmation.

We’ll move at your pace, keeping the focus on your joy and the security of your relationship. My goal is to capture not just how you look together, but how you feel together, so you’ll walk away with photos that are as meaningful as they are beautiful.

receiving your photos

About 24-48 hours after your session or wedding, I’ll share a handful of previews with you via email! From there, I’ll get to work on curating your custom gallery. My average turnaround time is 4-6 weeks, at which time you’ll receive an online gallery of your edited images. You’ll be able to download full-res files, share with family + friends, and order prints directly through this link. Your gallery never expires and there’s no limit to your image downloads. Password protection is also available for folks with security concerns!

sound good?

We just might be made for each other! Keep scrolling to take a peek at my package tiers and a few wedding day tips.

love is art
love is magic

elopements + intimate celebrations
(under 20 guests)

1-4 hours of coverage
professional editing
online gallery of thoughtfully curated images
high-res image downloads

starting at $1000

lil weddings + small shindigs
(under 80 guests)

3-6 hours of coverage
engagement session
professional editing
online gallery of thoughtfully curated images
high-res image downloads

starting at $3400

big weddings + rad parties
(over 80 guests)

6-10 hours of coverage
engagement session
professional editing
online gallery of thoughtfully curated images
high-res image downloads

STARTING AT $4200

getting hitched on a budget?

Please don’t hesitate to reach out to me! I believe that beautiful wedding photography should be accessible to everyone and I will happily do my best to accommodate any budget. I also offer payment plans to make it just a lil easier on your wallet!

Destination wedding?

I’m available for travel worldwide! Let me know where we’re going and I’ll get you a custom quote.

prints

4x6 | $5
5x7 | $8
8 wallets | $10
8x10 | $16
11x14 | $30
16x24 | $75
20x30 | $100
24x36 | $165

digital files

Each package includes the ability to download high-resolution images from your engagement session + wedding day! I recommend that you purchase your prints directly through the gallery, as this will ensure that the images retain their quality in print form, but you are free to purchase prints + products elsewhere.

albums

I offer a beautiful selection of custom-designed albums to my wedding clients! Together, we’ll talk through things like cover materials, foil embellishments, and which photos to include - then I’ll get to work builing you a gorgeous heirloom! Prices vary based on your design choices, but generally range between $300-500.

products

8x10 gallery wrap canvas | $100
11x14 gallery wrap canvas | $130
16x24 gallery wrap canvas | $200
20x30 gallery wrap canvas | $270
30x40 gallery wrap canvas | $340
wooden keepsake box, 100 4x6 prints | $500

love is an adventure

a lil insight for your big day

GETTING READY

My approach to wedding photography is to be a visual storyteller, which often means I begin my day with you while you’re getting ready for the festivities ahead. During this portion of the day, I’m usually capturing the finishing touches with hair + makeup, the sweet moments as you step into your dress or your best friend adjusts your tie, and the general air of excitement that surrounds you. This is also when I’ll grab some gorgeous shots of some of your smaller details - rings, invites, heirloom jewelry, and more! When selecting the space you’ll be getting ready in, it’s helpful to consider both the lighting + background. A room infused with lots of natural light + character will add so much more depth to the candid moments I’m able to capture! I also recommend that you designate a helper to do a quick tidy of the room before I arrive so we’re not working around a mountain of duffel bags or the remnants of the morning’s breakfast. Lastly, many clients will set aside a box of any special items they’d like included in their detail shots! I love being able to start with those images and not need to bother you for each individual item, so this really streamlines the process.

taking time

You’d be surprised by just how little time you’ll spend alone with your partner on your wedding day! It can be easy to become overwhelmed, overstimulated, or disconnected even on a day so full of happiness. Especially for neurodivergent and introverted folks, I think it’s so incredibly important to build a few thoughtful moments into your day! Adding a first look or private vows into your day can give you a beautiful + grounding experience and helps to take some of the pressure off prior to the ceremony. Choosing to enjoy your cocktail hour together in a quiet room with lots of snacks is a great alternative, too! Another favorite way to maximize your time together on your wedding day is to slip away with me for some golden hour portraits in the evening as the sun is setting. If you feel like you’d benefit from something like this on your wedding day but you’re not quite sure where to start, I’m happy to help you map out some moments of intention! Whether or not you choose to invite me to tag along + capture some photos of these private moments, you absolutely will not regret prioritizing quality time and sensory needs.

unplug + enjoy

Consider an unplugged wedding. This means having your guests tuck their phones and cameras away (at least for the ceremony) and just being present in these special moments with you. It feels infinitely more meaningful to have folks truly be connected + engaged with your wedding day rather than watching it unfold through their device. Aside from the added intimacy of a phone-free event, it also means you won’t have a ton of screens in every photo. This is an absolute godsend when it comes to some of the critical parts of the wedding day (walking down the aisle, the kiss, your first dance, etc.), when you won’t want glowing phones or camera flashes in your images. The best way to ensure that folks are soaking in the magic of your ceremony without their phones is to ask your officiant to make an announcement before the two of you walk down the aisle! If you want lots of fun phone photos to peek at the next day, I think it’s a great idea to ask 1-2 people in your wedding party to be the official phone documentarians throughout the rest of the day.

SEAMLESS FAMILY PHOTOS

I think most of us have unfortunately experienced a chaotic wedding day family portrait. While the chaos is sometimes inevitable, I’m always hoping to keep this part of the day as simple + stress-free as possible for you! My recommendation is to try to keep your list to about 15 combinations or fewer. Sometimes this isn’t quite possible due to blended families or more challenging dynamics - that’s totally okay! Just try to keep in mind that each grouping will take around 1-2 minutes to gather, pose, and shoot - and plan accordingly. If you’d prefer to forgo the formal group shots in lieu of more candid, intimate moments with family, we can do that too! In this case, I recommend asking your select group of family to join the two of you in a specific area or room of your venue to share in a private moment of celebration. You can choose to share a bottle of champagne with them or just take 15 minutes to mingle + hug - and I’ll document all the bliss!

YOUR DAY, YOUR WAY

Are there traditions that make you feel uncomfortable? Things that are rooted in patriarchal notions, sexism, and gender roles can be ditched completely. If you don’t want a gendered wedding party, don’t have one! Mix it up instead. If you find “giving away the bride” to be a little dated, you can walk yourself down with confidence.  Don’t wanna wear white? Don’t wanna wear a dress? Guess what! You don’t have to, and I’ll cheer you on the whole way. And if anyone’s got a problem with it, send them on over to me for a nice, long feminist rant.

Please also feel free to structure your day in the way that feels most authentic to you. Eat hot wings before your ceremony. Get ready together and say your vows in private. Get married the week before so you can just show up + party. No rules, no obligations, no regrets - just follow your joy!

wedding day allyship

Making your LGBTQ+ loved ones feel safe + welcome at your wedding means more than you can imagine - which is why I’ve written out a handy guide full of tips to do just that! From researching your vendors to using inclusive language, you have the power to make your beautiful day feel affirming for all of the special folks in your life. Click here to read up on a few ways to keep your wedding LGBTQ+ friendly! (Bonus: you get to be one of the badass couples helping to turn the wedding industry on its head.)

TLDR; one of the fastest + easiest ways to honor LGBTQ+ folks is to only work with vendors who not only serve LGBTQ+ couples, but also celebrate them! It’s super simple to vet your vendors prior to booking and will help to foster a safer environment for your friends + family.

recommended vendors

With over a decade of wedding experience under my belt, I’ve had the opportunity to work with some absolutely incredible vendors! From florists to bakers to tailors, these folks are truly special in this industry and come highly recommended from me to you.

what’s next?

If you’re ready to say yes to a. lentz photography, or if you still have more questions, please don’t hesitate to get in touch with me!

After you’ve completed the wedding questionnaire + received your custom package, we’ll meet up and get the ball rolling. We’ll talk through the contract, start planning your engagement session, and sort out the details of your wedding day. A signed contract + 50% retainer is required to hold your date (payment plans are available - just ask), and then you’ll officially be on the calendar!

If you need help at any point throughout your planning process, whether it’s color schemes or choosing vendors or just a little encouragement to do things your own way, I’m always available to chat.

At the end of the day, I’m just so honored to be considered as your wedding photographer. Thank you so much + enjoy this exciting season of your lives!

alyssa lentz-underwood (she/they)