Wedding Resources
Your trusted guide for planning a stress free, beautiful wedding day.
Being in the industry since 2013 has taught me A LOT! This page is here to serve as your honorary wedding planner. I’ve seen what works (and what doesn’t), and I want to pass that knowledge on to you. Think of this page as a behind-the-scenes look from someone who’s been part of countless weddings—so you can plan smarter, stress less, and soak up every moment of your day.
Below, you’ll find:
Trusted vendor recommendations
Florists, planners, makeup artists, and more I’ve personally worked with.
Planning
tips
From timelines to must-have photo moments to keep your day stress-free.
Insider
advice
The little things most couples don’t think of until it’s too late.
I serve couples looking to get married in the state of Michigan.
Our beautiful state provides gorgeous scenery for weddings
Getting Married in Michigan
Here are a few of MY FAVORITE wedding venues:
Questions to ask your venue
Choosing the right venue sets the tone for your entire wedding day.
Here are some key questions to ask during your tour or consultation:
Capacity
How many people can the venue comfortably fit? (Be sure to count guests, your wedding party, vendors, and yourselves.)
DJ Restrictions
Are there any sound limitations, such as decibel caps or music cut-off times?
Setup & Breakdown
How early can you arrive to set up, and how late can you stay to clean up?
Included Services
Does the venue provide any vendors or services? (Think in-house catering, servers, bar staff, or a day-of coordinator.)
Photography Access
Are there any restrictions for photographers? Can we use the full grounds for photos?
Venue Schedule
How many weddings or events does the venue typically host in one day or weekend?
Church weddings
Will your ceremony take place in a church? Here are a few important things to know:
Catholic services typically last 60+ minutes.
Photography placement is restricted. During the processional, photographers may be near the altar (but never on it). Once the couple is together, we must move to the back of the church, behind the last row of guests.
No need to worry about distance. I use professional equipment that allows me to capture beautiful close-up images even from far away.
Flash is generally not permitted. The church’s natural lighting will guide the look and feel of your photos.
Family portraits are usually not allowed on the altar. We’ll plan an alternate location nearby to capture those important group shots.
FIRST LOOK
A first look allows you to share a private, emotional moment together before the day officially begins. It often helps calm nerves, gives you extra time for couple portraits, and frees up part of the schedule so you can enjoy more of the cocktail hour with your guests.
NO FIRST LOOK
Choosing to wait until the ceremony keeps things traditional and heightens that big, dramatic reveal as you walk down the aisle. The anticipation builds for both you and your fiancé, and it can make that moment feel incredibly powerful in front of your loved ones. However, this choice often means most portraits (wedding party, family, and sometimes couple photos) need to be taken after the ceremony, which can extend the photo portion of the evening.
First Look or No First Look?
One of the biggest decisions you’ll make about your wedding day timeline is whether to do a first look—seeing your fiancé before the ceremony—or waiting until that walk down the aisle.
There’s no right or wrong answer—it’s all about what feels true to your personalities and priorities. I’ll help you plan a timeline that works beautifully either way, ensuring you have plenty of time for meaningful photos without feeling rushed.
Detail photos
What to have ready when I arrive
A copy of your invitation suite
Your bouquet, Boutinerre, and any additional florals
The wedding bands and engagement ring
Ring box
Shoes
Jewelry
Vow books/Letters
Hair piece
Perfume/Cologne
The only reason a detail might be missed is if it wasn’t shared with me in advance. To make sure I capture everything that’s important to you, we’ll go over a personalized shot list during your pre-wedding meeting (held at least 30 days before your big day). This way, nothing gets overlooked and you can feel confident knowing your details will be beautifully documented.
Getting ready
Whether it is at your venue, a salon, hotel, or your home
It is common to begin hair and makeup as early as 7am for a bridal party and family.
Your hair and makeup should wrap up at least 2 hours before your ceremony, at the latest.
Getting into your wedding dress should be intentional, never rushed. Give yourself 15-20 minutes to put everything on.
Shoes and jewelry should be put on after you get dressed.
Whoever is helping you get dressed should already be dressed in their wedding attire.
Keep the getting dressed area tidy and separate from your bridesmaids.
Do the first look with your girls! They are your ultimate hype squad.
Men are required to be dressed in pants and a dress shirt before photos begin.
Consider travel time to your venue and ensure you arrive 45-60 minutes before your ceremony begins.
“Mallory is the BEST! I can't recommend her enough! We used her for our engagement photos and our wedding day photographer and I'm so glad we did. She does the best job, pays attention to all the small details, and gets to know you and your style and wants so well. Multiple people in my bridal party came up during my wedding day and said "the photographer is so awesome!". We were so happy with all our photos when we got them back. Highly recommend Mallory Mae for any event!”
Laura
Ready to make it official?
Let’s lock in your wedding date and start planning your photography experience.
Wedding timeline
No two weddings are alike—every celebration has its own rhythm. The key is to plan for the important moments while leaving room for the unexpected.
The BEST wedding purchase you’ll make
Your photographer—that’s me!
My approach is intentional, warm, and stress-free. From timelines to posing to those candid, in-between moments, I’ll guide you every step of the way so you can relax and truly enjoy your day. With me, you’re not just hiring a photographer—you’re gaining a storyteller, a hype girl, and someone who cares deeply about preserving your love story and legacy for generations to come.
Required meetings with your wedding photographer
Communication is everything! These touch points ensure that when your big day arrives, we can relax, be present, and truly enjoy how the story of your wedding day.
Initial inquiry meeting
This first conversation is all about connection. It’s your chance to see if I’m the right fit for your wedding day and for me to learn more about your vision.
Engagement session
Once you’ve booked, we’ll schedule your complimentary engagement session. This gives you a chance to get comfortable in front of my camera and see how I work before the wedding.
Pre-wedding consultation (30 days before)
About a month before your wedding, we’ll meet to finalize all the details. Together, we’ll create your custom wedding timeline, review your family formal list, and talk through any specific requests you have.
“Mallory photographed our wedding on 9/30/22 - she is the absolute best! She had such a great rapport with everyone, kept everything flowing smoothly and captured the most incredible photos. We got our sneak peek back less than a week after the wedding and the pictures are stunning! I would highly recommend Mallory to anyone looking for an amazing wedding photographer!”
Natalie
Pricing Details
A 25% non-refundable retainer is required when booking your wedding photography.
My wedding photography price is $500/hour. My collections begin after 6 hours booked, which includes a complementary engagement session and USB drive for your wedding pictures. I offer a second photographer for $100/hour.
My recommended vendors in the wedding industry
