CLIENT WELCOME GUIDE
—
INDEX
01. A note from Melissa
02. What happens next
03. The engagement shoot
04. The wedding morning
05. The details
06. Bridal portraits
07. First look
08. The ceremony
09. Unplugged ceremony
10. The couple portraits
11. Family portraits
12. The reception
13. Your gallery
14. Your shot list
15. A few things to know
A note from Melissa.
I shoot weddings the way I'd want mine documented — honest, instinctive, and completely present. No stiff poses, no manufactured moments. Just real people, real light, and the kind of photographs that still mean something twenty years from now.
I'm based in Sitges, Barcelona, and I travel widely across Spain and Europe. I've been doing this long enough to know what matters — and short enough that I still get excited about every single wedding I shoot.
This guide covers everything you need to know before your wedding day. Read it when you have a quiet moment.
What happens next.
01 — The Planning Call
Here's what to expect from here.
Once your booking is confirmed, we'll schedule a call to go through your day — your timeline, what matters most to you, any family dynamics I should know about, and any questions you have for me.
02 — Your Questionnaire
A few weeks before the wedding, I'll send over a short questionnaire. It covers your timeline in detail, the names of key family members, any specific shots that matter to you, and logistical things I need to know.
The more I know in advance, the less I need to ask on the day.
03 — The Wedding Day
Your engagement shoot is included in most packages and it's one of my favourite parts of working together.
It gives us a chance to meet properly before your wedding day — you'll feel at ease in front of my camera, and I'll know how to work with you both as a couple.
We'll keep it relaxed. A walk, a favourite spot, golden hour somewhere that feels like you. No posing, no pressure.
What to wear.
Wear something you feel good in — not necessarily formal. Avoid large logos or very busy prints. Think about wearing colours that complement each other rather than matching exactly. Layers and texture photograph beautifully.
Pick a location that means something to you, or let me suggest somewhere. Plan for about an hour. Don't overthink it — the best shots come from just being yourselves.
The engagement shoot.
Example Timeline
The wedding morning.
I'll arrive before the ceremony to cover the morning — bridal prep, detail shots, and all the moments in between.
Have your dress, shoes, jewellery, and flowers together in one area before I arrive. Let everyone know I'll be there and that it's not a formal shoot — just natural moments as the morning unfolds.
I don't need a schedule minute by minute. I just need to know the ceremony time so I can work backwards.
The details.
Before I start on portraits and candids, I always take time to capture the details — the things that make your wedding yours. Your dress hanging up. Your shoes, rings, invitations, perfume, flowers. Have them together in one spot when I arrive.
The ceremony.
Bridal portraits.
Before the ceremony, if your timeline allows, I'll take a short time for bridal portraits — just you and your dress, in the light, without distractions. Even ten minutes makes a difference.
First look.
If you're considering a first look — seeing each other before the ceremony — I'd encourage it. It creates one of the most honest moments of the day, and it takes the pressure off the ceremony itself. Not for everyone, but worth thinking about.
The ceremony.
I work quietly during the ceremony. I won't be in the aisle or moving around — I position myself to capture everything without being a distraction.
A few things that help: Let your officiant know I'll be present. Seat your guests before the ceremony begins so I can get a clear view from both sides. And if you have specific family members you want documented, mention it to me beforehand — I'll make a note.
Unplugged ceremony.
I'd strongly recommend asking your guests to keep phones away during the ceremony. Not because it looks bad in photos — though it does — but because it changes how people experience the moment. A room full of present faces is worth more than a room full of screens. Your celebrant can make the announcement; I can send you a suggested wording if it helps.
The couple portraits.
This is the part of the day that's just for you two.
We usually do portraits after the ceremony, during cocktail hour, or at golden hour if your timeline allows. I'll only take around 20–30 minutes — enough to get you somewhere beautiful, give you a moment to breathe, and make photographs that feel like you.
Family portraits.
If you want formal family groupings, let's keep them efficient. Agree on the list beforehand — ideally no more than eight to ten groupings — and nominate someone who knows both families to help round people up. I'll move through them quickly so you can get back to your guests.
Please send me your group shot list in advance (there's a template at the end of this guide). It saves time on the day and means nobody gets missed.
The reception.
By the time the reception begins, I'll be moving through the room — speeches, first dance, the table moments, the quiet ones. I work without flash where possible. I'm not directing; I'm watching.
I'll stay until the first dance is done and the evening has properly started. If you'd like me to cover more of the night, we can discuss extended coverage — just let me know when we talk through your day.
Your gallery.
Your full edited gallery will be delivered within 8 weeks of your wedding day via a private online gallery. You'll receive a link to download all of your images in full resolution — unlimited downloads, no watermarks.
The gallery stays live for 12 months, so you have plenty of time to share, download, and revisit. After 12 months, I'd recommend saving everything to your own hard drive or cloud storage.
You'll also receive a small preview set — usually 20–30 images — within a couple of weeks, so you don't have to wait the full turnaround to start sharing.
A few things to know.
I reply to emails within 48 hours on weekdays. On your wedding day, I'm fully focused on you — so please direct any urgent questions to your coordinator or planner, not to me directly.
I don't work from shot lists. I trust the day to unfold and document it honestly. But there are two exceptions: your family groupings and any specific detail shots that matter to you. Send those over in advance and I'll make sure they happen.
Your shot list.
I'll send you a planning questionnaire a few weeks before the wedding. Within it, you'll find a group shot template for family formals — please fill this in before the day. Keep it to the groupings that really matter: immediate family, close friends, the people who need to be documented.
You don't need to give me a list of every candid moment — that's my job. But if there are guests I should know by name, or a specific detail I should look out for, put it in the notes and I'll take care of it.
CONTACT
GET IN TOUCH
PHONE
+34 618 68 82 06
WEBSITE
@melissamayesphotography
Melissa Mayes Photography