Wedding Planning — Kimberly Cauble Photography Blog

A Wedding Photographer's Guide to Preparing for a Wedding Day

I have been photographing weddings for 13 years this month. I did not go to school to be a wedding photographer—this second career sort of fell in my lap when I got my first DSLR, took a few classes, and people started asking me to take their family photos. When my husband’s cousin’s wedding photographer bailed, they called me, and three days later, I shot my first wedding! I was terrified; I literally had no idea what I was doing! But it was so much fun; I loved capturing all the special details and moments of the day. That’s when I fell in love with wedding photography, and I have never looked back! I recently booked my 100th wedding, so I thought it was a good time to share some things I have learned about getting ready for a wedding day in case there are any photographers out there just starting out who are preparing to shoot their first wedding and have no idea where to begin!

Common Wedding Photography/Planning Mistakes (and How to Avoid Them)

I have been shooting weddings for over 12 years, and I’ve built a strong workflow for ensuring I capture all the important moments of a wedding day. But there’s nothing worse than feeling rushed and unable to deliver the quality and quantity of photos I know I could deliver if I had enough time on the wedding day to dedicate to documenting them! Couples put so much time, energy, and money into planning their perfect day, and obviously, they want every moment captured. In order to get every moment captured, though, thoughtful planning and consultation with your photographer is essential. Here are ten mistakes I have seen my wedding clients make over the years and suggestions on how to avoid them.

Weddings, Wedding PlanningKimberly CaubleFebruary 15, 2025Wedding Planning, Wedding timelines, Wedding TipsComment

Hangry Photographers Don't Take Good Pictures (Feed Your Vendors)

In the wedding industry, there’s a definite controversy over feeding vendors. Some clients/coordinators suggest vendor meals, and others opt not to feed their vendors at all. But I’m here to tell you that hangry vendors do not perform well! You really should plan to feed your vendors, or at least the ones who will be at your event for the entire day, and here’s why.

What to Put in your Bridal Emergency Kit

As I was writing a blog post with tips for planning weddings a while back, one of my suggestions was to have a bridal emergency kit with you on the day of. As a photographer, this is something I always carry with me, and it has come in handy more than a few times! So I decided to expand upon that post and create this one outlining some important things to put in your bridal emergency kit. (This would also make a fantastic bridal shower or Christmas gift for a future bride!)

Some of my Favorite Wedding Venues in the Charlotte, NC/York County SC Area | Kimberly Cauble Photography

If you’re a couple who has recently gotten engaged and begun planning your wedding, you know that one of the most important things is finding your venue, which will also dictate your date and other vendors! There are so many things to consider when choosing a venue: your vision, the size of your wedding and the number of guests, whether or not you’re set on getting married in a church, whether or not you want an all-inclusive venue, and of course, your budget. Luckily, if you are in the Charlotte, NC/York County, SC area, you have a plethora of wedding and event venues that suit every wedding vision imaginable to choose from!

What to Look for in a Wedding Photographer

So you’ve just gotten engaged and are in the beginning phases of planning your wedding…congratulations! What an exciting time! After that initial excitement, however, it can become overwhelming when you start thinking about all the vendors you will need and all the choices and decisions you will have to make. At the top of your list should be your photographer, because after all, your photographer will be tasked with capturing all the beauty and special moments of your big day. You want to make sure you pick one with the skills, vision, and style who will document your memories perfectly. So take a deep breath… and let me share some steps that might help you find the perfect wedding photographer!

Engagements, Love Stories, Photography, Photography Education, Weddings, Wedding PlanningKimberly CaubleFebruary 2, 2024Comment

Planning the Perfect Photography Timeline for your Wedding Day

Planning a wedding can be both exciting and overwhelming, especially when it comes to organizing the timeline of events leading up to your big day! A well-planned timeline is crucial to ensure that everything runs smoothly AND that all of the important moments are captured. I am not a wedding planner, but I have been a wedding photographer for 11+ years, and many of my clients have been DIY brides without a planner, so I end up being their go-to when planning their timelines! My first piece of advice is this: If you can, hire a planner. They are there to help make your day run as smoothly as possible! But if you can’t hire a planner, or even if you have one and you’re working out the details of your timeline, here are some tips to make sure you create the best opportunities for good photos… (continue reading)

Why Should You Book a Bridal Portrait Session?

When planning out your wedding photography, one of the sessions usually offered and included in wedding packages is a bridal portrait session. During this session, the bride gets to dress up in her wedding dress and have professional photos taken in a more relaxed setting. Read more for reasons why a bridal portrait session can make a huge difference in your photography experience and for your actual wedding day, as well as some tips to make it a fantastic experience!

Bridal Portraits, Photography, Weddings, Portraits, Wedding PlanningKimberly CaubleMarch 15, 2023Comment

How to Dress for your Engagement Session

You’re engaged. And just like Buddy the Elf, you want to scream to the world, “I'm in love! I'm in love and I don't care who knows it!” How do you do that? Engagement Photos.

I love engagement sessions. As a photographer, it gives me a chance to break the ice with my brides and grooms, get to know them, try a variety poses to find the ones that suit them best, and help them relax in front of the camera. It really makes the photography on a wedding day a lot easier, because we have already gotten comfortable with each other!

But what do you wear? Here are some things to think about as you plan…

Wedding Tips from a Photographer

After 10+ years shooting weddings, I’ve learned a lot about the flow of the day and things that can make or break a wedding. It’s such an important day, and your photographs will be cherished memories, so you want to make sure you plan for them! Here is a list of many tips I have learned through the years for all my future brides as they prepare for their big days.