A lot of us are not sure where to start when setting a budget, which is valid because a lot of us haven't been married before. It's good to see what you can offer to the wedding and what you partner can offer to the wedding, then ask family what they are willing to help with. Thankfully, most reputable wedding professionals will have their pricing readily available or even directly on their webpages.
(Here is ours: Trickey Durham Photography Wedding Photography Pricing )
Vendors will be excited and happy to hear from you, but please be patience if it times take to get back to you. Most professional vendors will respond within 24-48 hours depending on the day. A lot of us work all weekend (weddings) so please note it's best to reach out during the week.
Top on the list a wedding planner/coordinator. This is not to say that you can't have a beautiful wedding without one, but boy, oh boy, do they make things a lot easier for you and your family. A wedding planner is like having a fast-pass at Universal; you will get through the line much faster. Wedding planners help you find vendors that match what you are looking for, start on budget, and problem solve.
The wedding venue is definitely next on the list, and depending on the venue, you may need to shuffle your date if you're dead set on a certain place. Most venues are booking 1-2 years out, so it is very important to find one as soon as possible. Once you've found one it will make setting the foundation for your theme and decor so much easier!
(Here is our wedding venue: Raylene Reserve Wedding Venue )
I think the wedding photography and videography is crucial (but I'm completely and totally biased). I have been photographing for over 14 years and my husband has been working with me for 5 years now. We have offered wedding videography for the last 3 years as an add-on. Photography is about how you want to see the day so finding a photographer is very personal and you should make sure that the photographers you go with match your style and your vision; so that you all mesh together. I can tell you from experience that photographing someones wedding is very intimate and we spend a great time of time with our clients on the day of.
(Here is some of our work: Trickey Durham Photography Wedding Photos )
Our Wedding Photography and Videography Pricing:
Lovely Wedding -$1750 - 5 hours - 1 Photographer - add highlight video $1000
Dazzling Wedding - $2450 - 7 hours - 2 Photographers - add highlight video $1400
Sparkling Wedding - $3150 - 9 hours - 2 Photographers - add highlight video $1800
Luxury Wedding - $3500 - 9 hours - 2 Photographers - includes 1 hour engagement session - includes 20 page photo album - add highlight video $1800
A florist can make or break a wedding day. They are truly magicians. They can completely transform a wedding. It's absolutely amazing what goes into building an arrangement and bouquets. Florist are not vendors you want to wait and book; book soon, and fast! **Also, tell them about your vision and hear what they have to say. Some of the best wedding I've been do, the florist had complete artistic control after the clients gave the a theme.
Yes, your family and friends are there to see you, but let's be real, they are also there for the food. Our area offers a wide and wonderful selection of caterers, but they also book up fast. Oh, make sure to let them know of any dietary restrictions and concerns up front. It makes the process later a lot easier.
I'm sure all of us can name a song that moves us; makes us feel; lifts our hearts. Music is so special. Make sure to talk with your partner about what you want to hear on your wedding day; songs to make you happy, songs to honor someone, songs to get the party going!
Have fun! Get what you want to wear, not what your mom expects you to wear. One of the best tips I got when I went to try on dresses was to try on something that I didn't pick out, or didn't envision myself wearing. I am really glad I did, because that was the dress I went with. When considering your make-up, light and natural is wonderful, however, I would consider going a little more dramatic, it really helps define your face shape in photos; kind of like the theatre or ballet.
Your wedding is very important and will take time to plan, and might be stressful at times, so please don't forget to breathe and have fun. Our bodies natural forget stressful moments, your wedding should be one of those things.
Need help with your Wedding Timeline?
Here are some timelines from weddings in the past to help you get started.
(Yes, these were really timelines from previous clients. Some are more detailed than others, which is okay, it’s your wedding, make it how you like!)
Below is a list of examples of weddings from each month. You'll notice that each timeline has similarity and differences. Some are really detailed and others are more flexible. Some have first looks, others have golden hour photos, and some have both. Your wedding is going to look different from these weddings and that's okay. These are just to show you how a timeline might look.
JANUARY WEDDING TIMELINE
11:30 Photographer & Videographer Arrives (begin details) - Details
12:00 Groom getting ready Photos – Groomsmen need to be getting ready also
12:30 Bride getting ready Photos
12:50 First look with Dad
1:00 Bridesmaid Photos
1:30 First Look + Bride/Groom Photos
2:00 Bridal Party Photos begin
2:00 DJ Arrives
2:30 Caterer Arrives
3:30 Bride in Hiding – Music in Chapel begins (instrumental Hymns)
4:00 Being Processional
4:17 Ceremony Begins
4:45 Recessional
4:50 Family Photos followed by Couples Photos
4:50 Coffee Hour / Cocktail Hour
5:20 Bridal Party will meet for Introduction
5:30 Introduction of Mr & Mrs + Bridal Party (followed by 1st dances)
5:45 Welcome + Prayer - Dinner Served
6:25 Cake Cutting
6:30 Dance Floor Opens
8:25 Last Song
8:30 Send off
FEBURARY WEDDING TIMELINE
12:30 Photographer Arrive - Details
1:00 Check in with the bride
1:30 Groom Photos
2:00 Cake Arrives
2:15 Bridal Photos
3:30 Put Bride away
4:00 Ceremony
4:30 End Ceremony, Family Photos
Parents, Grandparents, Siblings, and Aunt/Uncles and then large group of each (ie, aunts and uncles)
5:00 Wedding Party Group Photos
5:15 Couples Photos
5:45 Start Reception
6:30 Sunset Photos
8:30 Photographer leaves
MARCH WEDDING TIMELINE
9:00 Access to The Venue
Wedding Planner arrives for set up
12:00 Bride and Bridesmaids arrive for hair/make up onsite
1:30 DJ arrives for set up
2:00 Photographer arrives – details/Girls Getting Ready photos
Bride gets dressed
3:00 Groom and Groomsmen arrive
3:45 Groom + Groomsmen Photos
5:00 Prelude music - Seating of guests
5:30 Ceremony
5:50 Recessional /
Officiant – Invite guests to Cocktail Hour
6:00 Cocktail Hour
Formal photos
6:50 Guests take seats for reception
7:00 Introductions – full wedding party, bride/groom (introduce by first name only)
First Dance
7:15 Buffet Open (Wedding Party and Family First – DJ to call table numbers)
7:45 Toast – MOB & Best Man
Cake Cutting
8:00 Dance Floor Open
9:30 Thank guests for coming
9:45 Bubble exit
10:00 End of Reception
APRIL WEDDING TIMELINE
1:00 Detail Photos
2:00 Bride Make-Up and Candid Photos with Bridal Party
2:30 Groom Photos + Groom Party Photos
3:00 Bride Getting Ready Photos + Bridal Photos + Bridal Party Photos
4:00 Put Wedding Party Away for Ceremony + Touch Up HMU
4:30 Ceremony
5:00 Family phots and bride/groom photos
6:00 Introductions to Reception
6:05 Reception detail photos + Candid guest photos
7:00 Toasts
7:15 First Dance
7:20 Father/Daughter Dance
7:24 Mother/Son Dance
7:27 Parent's Dance
7:30 Anniversary Dance
7:45 Couples Photos in Scarlett Lounge
8:30 Cake Cutting
8:35 Newlywed game
8:40 Bouquet Toss
8:42 Garter Toss
10:00 Sparkler Send off
MAY WEDDING TIMELINE
11:00 Getting Ready at Venue
12:00 Photographers Arrive Venue for Details Photos
1:30 Groom Getting Ready Photos / Individual Photos / Party Photos
2:15 Bride Getting Ready Photos / Individual Photos
3:00 First Look with Groom
3:30 Wedding Party Photos / Bridal Party Photos
3:45 First Look with Dad
4:00 Family Photos
4:30 Put Everyone Away for Ceremony
5:00 Ceremony
6:00 Cocktail Hour Starts
9:00 Formal Exit
JUNE WEDDING TIMELINE
10:30 Bridal Party Arrives at Venue
2:30 Photographers (Videographers) Arrive at Venue
Detail photos: rings, dress (all dresses), flowers, cake, tablescapes, etc.
3:30 Photos with Bride
Bride and Bridal Party in Robes
Bride getting into Dress with Mom
Bride’s First Look with Bridal Party
4:30 Photos with Groom
Groom Final Touches to Suit
5:00 Guest Arrive / Open Water Station
5:30 Ceremony
6:00 Cocktail Hour
Family Photos
Wedding Party Photos
Couples Photos
6:45 Introductions to Reception
6:50 Open Buffet
7:50 Cake Cutting
Parent Dances
8:00 Golden Hour Photos (8:15pm might be too late if it’s cloudy)
8:35 Sunset
8:45 PARTYING!
9:15 Fake Exit
9:30 Photographers (Videographers) Leave
JULY WEDDING TIMELINE
8:00 Decorating begins
9:30 Hair and makeup arrive
2:00 Groom and groomsmen arrive
3:00 Photographer arrives
3:15 Groom and groomsmen photos
3:45 Bride with Bridesmaids photos
4:15 Hair/makeup touchups + General venue detail pictures
5:00 Ceremony
5:45 Cocktail Hour + Coordinator converts barn for reception
5:45 Family photos
6:00 Wedding group photos
6:15 Bride and Groom photos
7:15 Introduce Bridal Party
7:20 Dinner begins
7:50 Best man and Maid of Honor Speeches
8:00 Cake cutting
8:10 Shoe Game while people eat dessert
8:20 First Dance
8:25 Invite Guests to dance floor + Sneak away for sunset photos
8:35 Mother/Son Dance
8:40 Father/Daughter Dance
8:45 Siblings Dance in Socks - Half song
8:50 Everyone dance
9:15 Generations Dance
9:20 Everyone dance
9:50 Last song
9:55 Couple send off
10:00 Guests Leave + Clean up begins
AUGUST WEDDING TIMELINE
1:00 Photographer Arrives + Detail Photos - Cake, Flowers, Dress, Rings
1:30 Groom Getting Ready / Grooms Party Photos
2:00 Bride Getting Ready / Bridal Party Getting Ready / Bridal Party Photos
3:15 First Look with Dad
4:00 Ceremony
4:30 Family Photos
4:45 Wedding Party Photos
5:00 Couples Photos
5:30 Introductions to Reception
5:40 First Dances
Dinner
Toast
Wedding Games
8:00 Sunset / Possible Sunset Photos
SEPTEMBER WEDDING TIMELINE
2:00 Detail photos
2:30 Photos of Bride and Bridal Party
3:30 Photos of Groom and Groomsmen
4:30 Wedding prelude – music as guests arrive
5:00 Wedding ceremony
5:30 Photos/Cocktail hour
6:15 Wedding party arrival/introductions
6:20 First dance
6:25 Father of the bride dance
6:30 Groom & mother in law dance
6:35 Blessing of the food
6:40 Dinner is served
7:15 Toasts
7:25 Cake cutting
7:30 Dancing begins
8:10 Garter toss
8:15 Bouquet toss
8:30 Last dance(s)
8:45 Sendoff
9:00 Afterparty
OCTOBER WEDDING TIMELINE
9:30 Start hair/ makeup for Bride/Bridesmaids
11:30 Lunch for Bridal Party
12:00 Photographer Arrives (Begins Detail Pictures/ getting ready Pictures)
1:00 Groomsmen get dressed/ ready (Photographer takes detail/ getting ready pictures of guys)
2:00 Pictures of Bridal Party (Bride with Bridesmaids & Groom with Groomsmen)
2:00 String Trio arrives for Ceremony & DJ arrives
4:00 Pre-Ceremony Pictures finished
4:00 Hide Bridal Party
4:00 Ring Check (Best man)
4:00 Prelude music by string trio begins/ guests arrive
4:30 Ceremony Start
5:00 Ceremony ends
5:00 Sonny’s BBQ arrives
5:00 Cocktail Hour
5:00 Bride & Groom Pictures/ Full Bridal Party Pictures
6:00 Reception Begins
6:00 Announce Wedding Party
6:10 Bride & Groom go into Crazy Dance
6:15 Welcome/ Blessing from Mother of the Bride
6:30 Dinner is served (DJ call tables by number)
7:30 Cake Cutting
7:35 Toasts
7:45 Father/ Daughter Dance, Mother/ Son Dance, First dance for Bride & Groom
8:00 Open Dance Floor
9:45 Last Dance
9:50 Bar Closes
10:00 Bubbles Send off
10:15 Guests Gone/ Begin Clean Up
11:00 Off Property
NOVEMBER WEDDING TIMELINE
7:00 Girls Arrive at Venue
Hair and Makeup
12:00 Groomsmen Arrive
Lunch Delivered for Girls
Photographers Arrive
Detail Photos
1:00 Bride Getting Ready
1:30 First Look
Bridal Party Photos
Groomsmen Photos
Full Wedding Party
2:30 Put Wedding Party Away
3:00 Ceremony
3:30 Family Photos
4:15 Reception
First Dance
4:30 Dinner
6:00 Couples Photos Golden Hour
Toast
Cake Cutting
Wedding Games
6:45 Sunset
9:00 Photographers Leave
DECEMBER WEDDING TIMELINE
8:00 Setup
Bridesmaids & Bride arrive
Hair & Makeup Arrive
1:00 Groomsmen Arrive to decorate
Cake Arrives
2:00 Photographer Arrive
2:30 Groomsmen & Groom get ready
2:30 DJ Arrives
3:00 First Looks & Bridal Shots
3:30 Officiant Arrives
4:00 Bride & Groom Hideaway & Refresh
4:15 Guest Arrive
4:30 Ceremony
5:00 Family Photos
Cocktail/Appetizers (Mac & Cheese Bar)
6:00 Bridesmaids & Groomsmen Entrance
Bride & Groom Grand Entrance
First Dance
6:45 Bride & Uncle
Groom & Mom Dance
6:50 Wedding Shoe Game
7:30 Toast - Groom
Cake
7:50 Pusheen Toss (Similar to Garter/Bouquet Toss)
7:55 Dance
8:45 Last Call
8:55 Last Dance
9:00 Send Off – Bubbles
Chris + Heather
November 20th, 2021
Woodberry Farms
A black dress. Hot rods. Live music. Rustic farm. Need I say more?
NO? But I'm going to.
Red velvet bridesmaid dress. Black converses. Gold accent.
Plus two of the most amazing people you'll ever met. Heather and Chris are wonderful people with a true understanding of what a relationship means. They are so good together; I mean so GOOD together. They know how to work hard and play hard. I love keeping up with all their fun family trips and Heather's cake baking skills. It's so inspiring to see them.
Their wedding is a perfect example of an edgy fall wedding!
Venue: Woodberry @woodberry_havana_fl
Coordinator: Casey McLuckie, Lucki Events @luckievents
DJ: DJ Speed Racer @djspeedracer
Catering/Bar: Jeff Kent (Chris’ Dad)
Florist: A Country Rose @acountryrosefl
Hair: The Mane Event @themaneeventtally
Makeup: James Aesthetic @jamesaesthetictally
Cake: A Bite of Delight @abodcakery
Bartender: Patrick Carney
Band: Kenji Bolden Quartet @musicbolden
Erin
April 2022
Florida State University
Graduating is not an easy thing to do, especially the last few years. I can't imagine how it felt for some of the students and teachers that went through such a disconnect during one of the most crucial times in someone's life. I really feel like the students that have navigated going to school through a pandemic are going to be some the most resilient citizens.
Erin is one of my dear friend's sister, so of course I said "heck yes!" to doing her graduation photos. (Which he paid for, as a gift for her! How sweet!) Both of them were experiencing some pretty heavy life situations at the time, which makes this moment so much more.
Congratulations to all graduates; former, current and future graduates.
Venue: Florida State University
Nikema & Matthew
Goodwood Museum, Florida
August 28th, 2021
Fire! Intense fire! That would be the ONLY word to describe this wedding.
Nikema and Matthew are on fire for each other. They are also as hot as fire. I mean, look at how good they look. I was completely blown away at the level in which their wedding at. It was such a pleasure to watch them say their vows to each other in front of friends in family on the lawn at Goodwood Museum and Gardens, which made the perfect backdrop.
Their couples' photos also can be described as fire. They have such a deep, passionate flame for each other. They are a force of nature together and they are shaking the world around them.
Wedding Photographer: Trickey Photography
Venue: Goodwood Museum and Gardens @goodwoodmuseumandgardens
DJ: DJ Boogie G @boogieg305
Planner: Eventive Impressions
Bridal Make-Up: Gladys @bygladysolivia
Bridal Hair Install: Courtnee @courtneedidit
Bridal Hair Styling: Dellisa Tapper @hush_its_dellisa
Nails: Bellezza Beauty Bar @bellezzabeautybar
Dress: Daris Cordell @Darius_Cordell_fashion
Groom’s Tux: Rich Men Looks @RichMenLooks
Suits: The Black Tux @theblacktux
Groom’s Hair: @jrebelhair & @brebaby954
Videographer: Vita Bona @Jakilomari
Getting Ready Venue: Sienna Lee Gardens @siennaleegardens