What to Expect from Start to Finish

The Alison Mae Experience

First and foremost, welcome! We’re so thrilled to be your wedding photographers and can’t wait to be part of this exciting season of your life. As a husband-and-wife team, we believe that photography is so much more than just images—it’s about capturing the feeling of your day so that when you look back, you can truly relive it.

To officially kick things off, we’ve created this guide to walk you through what working with us will look like over the next few months. From planning your engagement session to final delivery of your wedding gallery, we’ll be with you every step of the way.

If you ever have questions, ideas, or need guidance, don’t hesitate to reach out. We’re in your corner all the way!

- Alison and Zach

A step-by-step guide to working with us—from booking to your final gallery and beyond.

The Best Way to Reach Us

The best way to get in touch with us is via email! While we love connecting on social media, we can’t always guarantee we’ll see messages on Instagram or texts in a timely manner—so email is the way to go.

You can reach us directly through your client portal (where you signed your agreement) or at alison@alisonmaephotography.com.

Office Hours

Monday – Thursday: 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Friday – Sunday: Reserved for weddings & events
Closed on Holidays

We do our best to respond to emails as quickly as possible during office hours. If you reach out over the weekend, we’ll be in touch first thing the following business day!

Every couple is unique, which is why we take a personalized approach to every wedding we photograph. We want to truly get to know you—your love story, your personalities, and the details that make your relationship special—so that we can craft images that feel timeless, elegant, and deeply personal.

Our goal is to make the photography process seamless and stress-free, allowing you to fully enjoy your wedding day while we document each meaningful moment with care. From your engagement session to your final gallery delivery, we’ll be here to guide you, offer expert insight, and ensure your experience feels effortless and fun.

Personalized & Seamless

The AM Experience

Step 1: Getting Started
(First Week After Booking)

Vendor Recommendations - We’ll send a curated list of trusted vendors who align with our style. Access our vendor list here anytime.
Questionnaire Sent - A questionnaire will arrive soon to help us get to know you and your wedding vision. If you’ve booked an engagement session, this will also help us start planning.
Engagement Session Planning (If Applicable) - Once we receive your questionnaire, we’ll reach out to discuss location ideas, outfit inspiration, and scheduling.

Your engagement session is a chance for us to get to know you, help you feel comfortable in front of the camera, and capture beautiful, genuine moments before the wedding.

What to Expect:

A relaxed, easygoing session with natural direction to help you feel at ease.
Locations that reflect your style and vision.
A mix of candid moments and classic, timeless portraits.
A beautifully curated online gallery with your final images.

Step 2: Your Engagement Session Experience (Planning begins 2-4 weeks after booking.)

Step 3: Mapping Out Your Wedding Day (6-8 weeks before your wedding)

About 6-8 weeks before your wedding, we’ll have a final timeline meeting to go over all the details and make sure everything is set for a seamless day.

How We’ll Help:

Work with you (and your planner!) to create a timeline that prioritizes beautiful, natural photos.
Offer expert advice on the best lighting for portraits, your ceremony, and reception.
Ensure there's plenty of time for the moments that matter most to you.
Look through mood boards and inspiration images together

The day you’ve been dreaming of is finally here, and we’ll be there to capture it all—from the quiet, heartfelt moments while getting ready to the energy of the dance floor.

What You Can Expect:

A calm, encouraging presence so you can fully enjoy the day.
An eye for the little moments, anticipating them before they happen.
Zach capturing unique angles (including drone shots when the weather allows!) while Alison focuses on natural, storytelling imagery.
Space for you to be present while we document everything beautifully.

Step 4: Your Wedding Day is here!

Step 5: Reliving the Magic (60 days before your wedding)

Your wedding day may be over, but the celebration continues as we carefully curate and deliver your images. Here’s what to expect next:

Sneak Peek: Within a few days, you’ll receive a handful of preview images to relive the magic right away.
Full Gallery: Your wedding images will be ready in 60 days, beautifully edited to reflect our signature style.
Album Design (If Applicable): If you’ve ordered an album, we’ll begin designing it and send a first draft for your review.

Your love story doesn’t end with your wedding day, and neither does our relationship with you! A week after your full gallery is delivered, you’ll receive an email invitation to join our Legacy Collection—a special offering for our past couples.

Legacy Family Sessions: As an AM couple, you’ll have exclusive access to family, anniversary, and milestone sessions. Plus you'll have VIP access to our bi-annual mini sessions before we share publicly.
Referral Program: When you refer friends or family, you’ll receive a special thank-you gift as part of our referral program.

We’re so grateful to have been part of your wedding and can’t wait to continue documenting your story in the years to come!