Hi, I'm Dominik and if you're reading this text, I think I can congratulate you on your engagement and wish you the best of luck with your wedding planning. Congratulations and fingers crossed!
If we are already at some stage of negotiated cooperation, thank you very much for your trust and I look forward to your big day! If not and you still received this text, please give huge thanks from me to the person who recommended me - and contact me asap, so we can start on the cooperation. Thanks!
I hope my Wedding Guide will help you smoothly plan and prepare the most beautiful wedding. Here you will learn roughly what time frame to work in, what and when to start arranging, how to prepare for a photo shoot, how to make sure that nothing is left out and that the wedding day goes perfectly - and most importantly, how to avoid unnecessary stress.
My work includes photography, filming, pre-wedding or post-wedding photography - you can apply my Wedding Guide to any of my services and other suppliers, it is written in a sufficiently general and practical way. So let's get down to it!
Planning a wedding can seem like a huge, super-complicated project. But I have a few tricks that can make it all much easier. I will emphasise four points: the time plan, the budget, the mood board and the schedule of the wedding day. Even before you start planning, it's good to know how to record plans. It is quite practical to always have the necessary information at hand, preferably in the cloud - I personally recommend shared documents and spreadsheets, Google Docs and Google Drive. So that you both always have access to it - time plan, mood board, budget, schedule, confirmation from suppliers. A great tool is the app for smooth organisation www.weddinghappy.com.
I often find that only one half of the couple plans the wedding - you can guess that it's usually the bride. I see it at pre-wedding meetings - the fiance can't help but wonder what I discuss with his partner. Do it the other way around, involve your counterpart in the preparations as well. So you won't be alone, having a second opinion on a matter is always useful and the other person will definitely feel better if they are a bigger part of everything. About the planning itself: It's good to start planning the wedding about 12 months in advance - of course, some seasons are busier and some, on the contrary, rather calm, but a year in advance is really a lot of time to realise even the really complicated wishes. Let's start with the timetable.
Write down your TIME PLAN and keep it in mind at all times. Ideally printed somewhere on the fridge. And with boxes for ticking off completed points.
BUDGET > The very first item you should set. Know your options, be clear about the prices and don't stress unnecessarily about financial chaos. Stick to the budget throughout the planning process, that's why you have it. On the other hand, anything can happen in a year and prices can skyrocket - so set a second limit, the maximum possible budget increase. In short, one amount will be the one you want to fit into, the other will be a complete ceiling that you simply must not exceed. To give you an idea, the price for weddings that I photographed in the Czech Republic in 2023 was somewhere between 150,000 and 650,000 CZK.
GUESTS > A year before the wedding, it is certainly nice to know the number of guests, ideally also their names. It's one of those things that all the other planning and pricing depends on. Practical advice: carefully consider each guest. It's not your responsibility to invite everyone - and be especially wary of those who keep telling you they should definitely be invited. A wedding is just your day and it's up to you who you surround yourself with. And the second piece of advice: decide here who will be the witnesses and whom you will entrust with helping with the preparations. Choose those handy and capable relatives and friends who you can task with anything before and during the wedding day and be sure that it will turn out great.
DATE AND PLACE > Of course, for any planning you need to know when and where everything will take place. One of the first stages is choosing the date and the main wedding location. But here, expect a possible compromise - tell yourself what is the absolute priority. Is it mainly about the date? Or does the date not matter so much, mainly that it will be in the most beautiful place? Or neither the date nor the place play such a role as a specific supplier, for example your favourite photographer? Determine what is simply the absolute priority and set everything else accordingly.
MAIN SUPPLIERS > Yes, a year before the wedding there is already time to book appointments with wedding agencies, photographers, videographers, bands, DJs and catering. Again, work with priorities and trade-offs, this will make decision-making much easier. And again, advice from practice: study the contract and terms and conditions of each supplier in detail, so that you are not unpleasantly surprised by a solution other than the one you expect.
REGISTRAR / GIVING OFFICER / PRIEST > A year in advance, it is good to enter into communication with the person who will consecrate your wedding day, either officially or church-wise. The registrar may just write you down for later communication - make a note of when you should contact them, official dates are usually open in the fall. But if you don't want to be dependent on an anonymous official, there are a few alternative solutions, and in my experience they work great. Even pastors from small churches have the right to give away - and most of them will write a custom speech for you, they don't even mention faith in God in the text, and on the contrary, they will make the whole ceremony unexpectedly personal and pleasant. Or, and this is an increasingly common solution, simply go to the office to sign the formality and then ask someone close to you, a friend who, for example, makes a living as an actor or presenter, for the commitment.
VISUAL STYLE / MOODBOARD / COLOR PALETTE / FORMALITY > This is a slightly more complicated topic, but imagination is a powerful weapon and if you have a concrete visual form of the wedding day before your eyes from the beginning, the final image will be much, much easier to achieve.
Canva – free licence – wedding moodboardSo: scan Google, Pinterest, Instagram, find dozens, hundreds of wedding photos that you really like. Download and save everything in a folder. Then throw out those that are simply unrealistic in our conditions, delete everything that can never fit into your budget, discard everything that you are not 100% sure of. And just put the rest together, create a collage out of it, so that you have a perfect example of what your wedding day should look like. What do you get out of it? A) mood - will the wedding be in nature or in the city, in winter or summer, fresh spring or earthy autumn? B) color palette – will the wedding be dark green, pale pink, purple or bright orange? C) formality – will the wedding be more of a garden party in light dresses and linen shirts, or an opulent ball at the opera with tails and top hats? Oh, and you have a mood board.
SUSTAINABILITY & ECOLOGY > The last thing that is good to think about right from the start is the current societal wave in an ecological and sustainable approach. Even weddings don't avoid trends, and this one is the best one possible, but it's nice to think in terms of sustainability from the beginning and, yes, count on possible higher prices, especially in the catering area.
9 – 10 months before the wedding
WEDDING DRESS > Yeah, I know you're looking forward to it, but don't rush it. The wedding dress should correspond to the place and form of the whole wedding - you probably won't wear a princess dress with a corset and three veils to a flower meadow at a farmhouse, just like a lace boho with Indian feathers probably won't be very suitable for a castle. And don't rely on a single salon, on the contrary, choose carefully and enjoy it. And don't hesitate to go with the bridesmaids and witnesses, and throw on the dresses for them, so that they go together nicely.
ACCOMMODATION > Now you know when and where the wedding will take place and how many guests will be there - it's good to think about which of them you want to provide accommodation for, where and for how many nights. And book accommodation right away, so that you don't get in the way of an unplanned cycling race in the next village.
SAVE-THE-DATE > Again, you already know who your guests will be. This is a good moment to write to them to keep the date, not to plan a vacation there, to count on your big day. But no, these are not official invitations yet, they will come later, now you are just making sure that everyone you love will be at your wedding.
MUSIC FOR THE CEREMONY > The ceremony is starting to take shape, you already know where and when it will be and who will lead it. Now is the time to invent and arrange some musical accompaniment – DJ, string quartet, harp? It's up to you, including a playlist with which you can remember your important moments.
FLORIST > The ceremony and reception and your dress starts to have clearer outlines, also in terms of appearance, the perfect time to complement everything with flowers and greenery. Find florists who tie the most beautiful bouquets and agree on the realisation of your idea.
HONEYMOON > Yes, and half a year before the wedding it's definitely nice to plan time together after the wedding is behind you and everything else is ahead of you. Two pieces of advice: factor the cost of your honeymoon into your holiday budget so you can budget for it throughout the planning process – and take at least a few days off after the wedding to store all the memories before you start making more.
SCHEDULE > Create a time schedule for the day in cooperation with other suppliers, starting in the morning. Include bride and groom preparations, ceremony, banquet, photo shoot, evening entertainment. Allow time for all points and do not overfill the schedule, let everything go smoothly, without unnecessary haste.
TRANSPORTATION > After we know the maximum amount of information about the guests and the course of the day, it is nice to find out whether guests will need to be transported between the venue and the accommodation, and if possible arrange and book a bus, for example.
SUIT > The bride has already booked her dress, now it's time for the groom. In the case of tailoring, be sure to allow yourself enough time for adjustments. Get at least one backup shirt, just in case. And an anti-sweat tank top/shirt can do a great job on a hot day too!
MENU & CAKE > You are already communicating with the caterer and they are counting on you, now it is nice to plan the specific form of the menu or composition of the banquet. It's great to invent everything to suit the environment where the wedding takes place, as well as the time of year. Lighter, fresh courses in the summer, more earthy dishes in the autumn and spring, and hearty and warm food in the winter. Guests will definitely appreciate the local and seasonal specialties, a traditional wedding table is definitely not an obligation, rather the opposite. And adjust the cake to the menu, so that it fits everything else in terms of taste and appearance.
INVITATIONS / WEDDING WEBSITE > A quarter of a year before the wedding is the ideal time to send out official invitations and instructions and have the guests finally confirm their participation. Printed invitations are a nice personal detail, but feel free to deliver more extensive information online, for example via your own wedding website. Keeping guests informed is essential for a smooth process, whether it's the time and place of the wedding, accommodation and transport, dress code, or the menu - and it's nice to get feedback from them about intolerances and dietary exceptions, so you can adapt the menu.
GIFTS > Weddings used to involve giving gifts to the newlyweds. However, times are changing, nowadays there is no interest in physical gifts. If you still wish something, it's great to offer guests a booking wishlist with a list of gifts - and for financial gifts, a QR code and payment details for direct payments is a great solution. And if you don't want money or gifts, but your loved ones don't give up, sending funds as a contribution to a good cause is always a nice gesture.
SPEECHES > Along with informing guests, also connect with those who might be giving speeches and toasts during the wedding day. Discuss with them the appropriate timing, sequence and content, so that you can be sure that they will not pull something on you that you do not care about.
WEDDING DRESS FITTING + MAKEUP AND HAIRSTYLE TRIAL > A quarter of a year before the wedding is a good time for the first proper fitting of the dress, so you know that it will fit you perfectly. But anyway, don't come back for them until the second fitting, 1-2 weeks before the wedding, so that there is still time for last-minute adjustments.
PLAYLIST > Team up with the band / DJ / whoever will be playing at your wedding and put together a playlist. Above all, let them dance!
GAMES & TRADITIONS > Weddings are full of traditions and there are also countless games. Search, google, find things that you like and that will entertain you. Eliminate all traditions, ideas and situations in which you will not feel comfortable. The other day I encountered life-sized board games at a wedding. Man, don't go mad with dice as big as chairs and Chess without pieces, where the guests play directly. Tailor-made for the given wedding, and it was a resounding success. It's your day, anything is possible and nothing is mandatory.
VACATION > Preparing a wedding is challenging, I won't lie to you that it isn't. Treat yourself to rest, find a free weekend or a few days 4-6 weeks before the wedding day, when everything is essential, and take a relaxing vacation, just the two of you. And include it in the wedding budget, just like the honeymoon.
SEATING PLAN AND NUMBER OF GUESTS > By now you should have confirmation from all guests whether they will attend and what they will eat. Put together the meeting schedule and report everything to the catering and coordinators.
VOWS > Write down your vows - and a month before the wedding, it's good to start learning them right away.
SUPPLIERS > Make sure all your suppliers are prepared for the wedding, know the schedule and are ready to play their part. And don't forget to pay those who want payment in advance. Or, if you don't want to worry about this, hire a skilled coordinator.
BREAK THE SHOES + FINAL FITTING OF THE DRESS > A week or two before the wedding, put on the wedding shoes and take a good walk in them so that they are nicely shaped and aligned. And finally, try on the dress and have the final adjustments made.
PACK YOUR PERSONAL ITEMS,
DON'T FORGET IDs AND RINGS
RELAX, REST,
MAKE A TOAST AND SAY THANK YOU.
EAT BREAKFAST and drink plenty of water in the morning and throughout the day. UNPACK THE DRESS, check everything and, if necessary, assign a responsible person to steam them... And then let others take care of everything and enjoy yourself. Don't worry about the details, look at the big picture of the wedding day - your guests will see it too.
And this is where I and the other suppliers come into play. At this moment, we take over everything for you, we manage and organise the wedding, and you just enjoy yourself. Does that sound perfect? So let's do it!
Be yourself. When you are together, you are used to each other, there is no need to play anything. Notice each other, pay attention to each other, or to your surroundings. Ignore me, feel free to ignore me unless I specifically ask for your attention. It will only benefit the photos and the whole experience of the wedding day. Stretch everything, enjoy the important moments. There is no rush, take your time.
I arrive at the wedding among the first. No, I don't start taking pictures straight away, first I'll say hello to you, I'll prepare the equipment, I'll take a look around the place where everything is happening. Be sure to think about the space where the preparations take place. Choose a nice, airy, bright space. And also consider what you wear in the morning when getting ready. May you like the photos right from the morning.
I like to start by photographing the details. Please prepare my wedding dress, shoes, rings, jewellery and garter, bouquet, invitation, perfume, anything related to morning preparations. And a similar combination for the groom. I will make some arrangements and take pictures of everything.
Don't be alone in your preparations. Witnesses, friends, someone from the family who participates with you in the morning, has a glass of something good with you, lightens everything - and it also looks great in photos.
Practical tip: morning preparations always take longer than you expect. Reserve a little more time for them than you originally wanted. The bride at least 3 hours, the groom about 30 minutes. Be ready at least 30 minutes before the ceremony or departure so you don't have to rush. I leave the place of preparation as soon as possible so that I can get ready at the place of the ceremony.
Please consider your surroundings when planning your ceremony. What is around, what will be in the photos behind and in front of you, whether you will be visible from all angles. And is there at least a little space around the ceremony location so that I have somewhere to take photos and it would not be uncomfortable for you or the guests. The same applies to the placement of the microphone (choose one without a stand if it has to be) and speakers. If you are not sure, feel free to contact me and we will discuss the shape of the ceremony place together.
If possible and my schedule allows, I will have a few words with the wedding party before the ceremony. I will agree with him on the course of the ceremony and the places from which I will take pictures. This is quite important, especially in church premises, where unexpected restrictions sometimes apply.
Together with the coordinator, we will organize the guests at the place of the ceremony. At this point, I usually alert the guests to my presence as a photographer and ask them to leave their cell phones in their pockets and enjoy the ceremony with their eyes, I will take care of the photography. Please, if you don't care about my interference and want people to use their cell phones (and they will, you'll see), tell me.
The groom and his entourage arrive, the witnesses, the second pair of parents, the bride and her entourage. Or anyone important to you, the organization of the ceremony is again up to you. What is important at this moment and at all other moments: DO NOT RUSH. No sprint, no rush. Enjoy it all, savor it all, stretch it all. Whatever you do, take your time. And a bonus for me and you – if something takes longer, I get more photos!
So the arrivals. No rush, no looking at the floor. And it's beautiful if you say goodbye to your entourage, if the groom hugs the mother and takes her to her place, if the father hands the bride to the groom nicely. Parents often don't want to be the center of attention here, but if we give them that space and this recommendation, they are happy to use it.
Then follows the ceremony itself, usually with a speech by the celebrant. Then the celebrant invites you to exchange the ring and the first kiss. This is a crucial moment, focus a little more on it. You definitely want the whole plot to be clearly visible. How to do it? You stand facing each other, with a slight space between you, your hands slightly extended so that the palms with the rings are not covered by anything. So that you can be seen by both the guests and the wedding party - I will probably be there with a camera too. It helps a lot if the bride hands her bouquet to the witness and her hands are free. You exchange rings and then there is usually a first kiss. So we're breaking the distance, huddle together, engage your limbs - no hands hanging loose, this is where the passion belongs. And an honest kiss lasting at least a few seconds. Then the signing of documents,if necessary, then congratulations usually follow, and people build a double row to leave.
The trellis, another special moment – think about whether and what will fly through the air. Rice, flower petals, dried lavender, bubbles, confetti, smoke from chimneys, eucalyptus, champagne? I will be glad if you tell me in advance. In the middle of the trellis, stop, one more kiss, then you reach the end, and there I usually take over the organization and we go to take group photos.
How much time will it take? It depends on the number of guests. For weddings of around 50 guests, 30-45 minutes is enough for us, good organization is important. It will help a lot if you think ahead and write down who will be at the wedding and what groups the guests make up. Parents, families, witnesses, siblings, friends, colleagues... And then you just say who, I'll say where, we'll take a picture and the next one goes right away, so that this formal matter goes well.
If you want any creative group photography, it is essential that it comes from you or your guests. Feel free to task someone with it. In my experience, if such suggestions come from a photographer, no one is very interested, but if it is the idea of one of you, the enthusiasm is much greater.
Please look at the arrangement of the tables in the space when planning the reception. What will be behind you when you sit at the helm? A large window always means too much light from the wrong side, on the contrary, too prominent or unaesthetic elements are distracting. The same applies to the placement of speakers and lights from the band or DJ, your beautifully prepared feast must not be disturbed.
The feast often includes various traditions, speeches and toasts, served food or a banquet, I am there for everything and take pictures of everything. I focus not only on you, but I also take snapshots and various situations involving as many other guests as possible. As for food, I eat when others eat, taking pictures of people eating is not pleasant for either party. However, it sometimes happens that the party organiser puts me in a different room - I would like to avoid this if possible, so that I have a constant overview of what is going on in your space.
The reception usually continues with the cutting of the cake, games, solo dance and dancing in general, I will stay with you at the wedding and document everything until the evening. If there is someone at the wedding who could organise any program without your knowledge, it is essential that I know about it. If the wedding venue is larger, I move around the entire space and take pictures of people and events everywhere, so I could miss an unplanned event.
Children at the wedding? It's been a pretty big topic in recent years. I also encountered a ban on the entry of children to weddings, but the new trend is a children's corner with an animator who looks after the children and prepares a program for them.
How to time couple portraits? Of course, it depends on the time of year, but generally the best light is about 1.5-0.5 hours before sunset. Quite often I come across a couple's photoshoot scheduled right after the ceremony. This is a non-ideal time for several reasons: after the ceremony, the guests would be waiting for us, we would be taking photos in an unnecessary hurry; it tends to be much hotter, sometimes we can't even last a few tens of minutes; and above all, the afternoon light is harsh and unpleasant and casts ugly shadows. If you want really great couple photos, wait until the early evening light, it's worth it.
And what about the photos themselves? I'm not a fan of complicated machine poses. I prefer to let you enjoy each other, after all, this photoshoot is often the first moment you are alone together, without guests. Here and there I will stop you in a pose or adjust something slightly, but mainly it will be about you, how you are used to each other. For me, it is important that the couple's photoshoot is the last thing you should stress about - on the contrary, I try to make it a pleasant moment of relaxation from a demanding and busy day.
I usually don't leave weddings until after dark, after sunset. This is such an ideal moment for a creative point after a photo shoot, after a long day. Sparklers are an absolute classic. And why not - it looks good, the guests will enjoy it and you will. But if we have the opportunity, I'm always for anything creative and unusual. Light chains, candles on the pier of the pond, cell phones lit up like at a concert, lightsabers, whatever you come up with, I'm happy to grab it. And if I find an interesting night scene, I'll be happy to illuminate it with film lights and take a unique night series for you - if you take a look at my portfolio, you'll find a number of such photos there.
