Choosing your wedding photographer is more than just a transaction — it’s about finding someone who will be a calm and reassuring presence on one of the most important days of your life. My mission is to make your photography experience seamless, joyful, and completely stress-free.
Here is a detailed, step-by-step guide on what you can expect when you choose Melissa Cook Weddings to capture your love story.
Step 1: The Initial Spark: Our First Connection
Your journey begins when you fill out the contact form on my website. After I receive your inquiry, I’ll send you an email to schedule a quick, no-pressure video or phone consultation. This is my favorite part! It’s our chance to meet face-to-face (well, screen-to-screen!) and get to know each other. I want to hear all about your love story, your vision for your wedding day, and what moments you are most excited to have captured. I’ll walk you through my documentary approach and answer every single question you have. We’ll make sure that our personalities and visions align, so you can feel completely confident that you’re choosing the right person to tell your story.
Step 2: Officially Booked!
Once you’ve decided we’re a perfect fit, I’ll send over a personalized proposal, a contract, and an invoice for your retainer. This retainer officially secures your wedding date on my calendar. I only take a select number of weddings each year to ensure every couple gets my full attention and creative energy, so once this step is complete, you can breathe a huge sigh of relief. You’ve just checked one of the most important to-dos off your list!
Step 3: Your Complimentary Engagement Session
This is a key part of our journey together! Your Signature Wedding Collection includes a complimentary engagement session, and it’s a brilliant way for us to connect on a deeper level. We’ll spend some time together in a location that’s special to you. This session isn’t just about getting beautiful photos for your save-the-dates; it’s a chance for you to get comfortable in front of my camera. By the end of it, you’ll know my posing prompts, my style, and how much fun we can have. This practice run ensures that on your wedding day, you’ll feel completely at ease. You can expect to receive your full, edited engagement gallery within four weeks.
Step 4: Finalizing the Details & Timeline
Approximately two months before your wedding day, we’ll schedule a final planning meeting. We will go through your timeline, from the moment I arrive to the final exit. We’ll discuss all the key moments: the first look, family formals, the ceremony, and the reception. I’ll help you build a photo list for formal portraits, which includes those must-have family and wedding party photos. We’ll make sure nothing is left to chance, so you can walk into your wedding day with absolute peace of mind.
Step 5: The Wedding Day: The Magic Begins!
The big day is here! I’ll arrive with my incredible second photographer, and we’ll immediately get to work. My style is a mix of being a fly on the wall and a calming presence. While my second shooter captures candid moments and different angles, I will focus on capturing the emotions and key interactions. I’ll be there for all the big moments — the teary-eyed first look, the tender exchange of vows, and the joyous first dance — as well as the little moments in between, like a shared laugh with your friends or a quick glance from across the room. My job is to capture your day authentically, just as it unfolds.
Step 6: The Sneak Peek (My Little Gift to You!)
I know how eager you are to relive the moments from your day. That’s why I go home and immediately pull some of my favorite images to work on. Within 48-72 hours of your wedding, I will send you a curated sneak peek gallery. This is my little gift to you — a chance to get a first glimpse of the magic we created together while you’re still basking in your newlywed glow.
Step 7: The Grand Delivery of Your Gallery
The wait is over! Within six weeks of your wedding, you’ll receive a link to your beautiful, comprehensive online gallery. This isn’t just a folder of images; it’s a stunning, custom-designed space where you can view, download, and share all of your high-resolution photos. The gallery also gives you full printing rights, so you can print your favorite images anywhere you like. Shortly after, you’ll receive a custom USB drive in the mail with all your images, a true heirloom you can cherish forever.
Optional Step 8: Creating Heirlooms that Last a Lifetime
My work doesn’t stop once the gallery is delivered. If you purchase an album, we’ll begin the exciting process of designing a custom wedding album. This is an incredible way to turn your digital memories into a tangible family heirloom that you can hold and pass down for generations. I also offer assistance with creating wall art or designing prints, so your beautiful memories don’t just live on a screen.
I hope this guide gives you a clear sense of how I work and how much I care about making your wedding photography experience a happy and memorable one. I can’t wait to be a part of your story!
