Your Wedding Photography Experience
Choosing the right wedding photographer is about more than just beautiful images—it’s about creating an unforgettable experience from the moment you say "Yes!" to the day you walk down the aisle. At Stephanie Grooms Artistry, I am committed to being more than just your photographer; I’m your guide, cheerleader, and storyteller, ensuring that every step of your wedding planning journey is as seamless and joyful as possible.
With extensive experience photographing Virginia weddings across Fredericksburg, Richmond, and beyond, I understand the importance of capturing the moments that matter most—those fleeting, heartfelt interactions that make your love story unique. My approach is collaborative and personalized, working with you every step of the way to craft a wedding day timeline that reflects your vision and ensures no precious detail is missed.
From your engagement session to the final delivery of your carefully curated wedding gallery, my goal is to create a relaxed and enjoyable experience, allowing you to feel completely at ease in front of the camera. Whether you're celebrating in an intimate venue or a grand estate, my focus is on capturing authentic, emotion-filled images that will become treasured heirlooms for years to come.
Let’s embark on this journey together and create something truly magical—because your love story deserves to be captured with care, passion, and timeless beauty.
Step 1: Let’s Connect and Get to Know Each Other
Your journey starts with a conversation! Whether you’re planning your wedding in Fredericksburg, Richmond, or beyond, we’ll schedule a call or meet over coffee to chat about your wedding vision, photography needs, and how I can help bring your dream day to life. I want to hear all about your style, venue ideas, and the unique details that make your love story special. This consultation is all about making sure we're the perfect fit to capture your day authentically.
📅 Let’s see if your date is available! Check My Calendar Here
Step 2: Booking & Wedding Planning Support
Once your date is officially secured with a signed contract and retainer, the fun begins! I’ll be with you every step of the way—helping craft your ideal wedding photography timeline, ensuring your day flows smoothly, and providing insider tips and tricks to maximize your photo opportunities.
Need help finding the perfect florist, makeup artist, or DJ? I’ll share my carefully curated list of top wedding vendors in Fredericksburg, Richmond, and the surrounding areas. My goal is to make your planning stress-free so you can focus on the excitement of your big day.
Step 3: Engagement Session – Your Love Story Begins Here
Engagement sessions are not just about getting beautiful photos; they’re about building confidence in front of the camera and having fun together. Whether we capture romantic moments along the Rappahannock River in Downtown Fredericksburg, explore charming downtown Richmond streets, or find a location that holds sentimental value to you, this session helps us create magic before your wedding day.
I'll guide you through posing naturally so you’ll feel at ease and prepared for the big day, and you’ll receive a stunning gallery to use for save-the-dates, your wedding website, or just to cherish forever.
Step 4: Dress Shopping & Wedding Day Prep
If you're planning to shop for your dream dress at Ava Laurenne Bride in Fredericksburg, I’d love to join you—schedule permitting—to document that magical moment when you find "the one!" It’s a once-in-a-lifetime experience, and having photos of that special moment with your loved ones makes it even more memorable.
As your wedding day approaches, I’ll work with you and your planner to finalize all the details. Together, we’ll refine your wedding timeline, ensuring we capture every must-have shot—from getting ready to your sparkler exit—so you can relax and enjoy every second.
Step 5: Your Wedding Day – Capturing Every Moment
When the big day finally arrives, my goal is to capture it all—the joyful tears, heartfelt laughs, and the unforgettable moments in between. My approach blends a documentary style with intentional posing, ensuring we capture a perfect mix of candid emotions and beautifully composed portraits. Whether you're celebrating at an elegant Richmond or Fredricksburg venue or an intimate estate in the Virginia countryside, I’ll be there to preserve every detail.
I understand how eager you'll be to relive the magic, which is why I provide a sneak peek gallery within 24 hours! This means you'll have a selection of beautifully edited images to share with family and friends the very next day. From your first dance to those quiet, intimate moments, you'll get a taste of your wedding day memories almost immediately.
Expect a relaxed, fun experience that allows you to be fully present while I work behind the scenes to create memories you’ll treasure forever.
Step 6: The Magic Unfolds – Editing & Gallery Delivery
After your wedding, I carefully hand-edit each image to ensure they reflect the natural beauty and genuine emotions of your day. My editing style is timeless and true-to-color, highlighting the love and details exactly as they were.
You'll receive a beautiful online gallery, where you can download, share, and relive your wedding day with loved ones. Depending on the package booked, your gallery will include anywhere from 300 to 700 carefully curated images, capturing everything from the big moments to the smallest details that made your day unforgettable.
My standard turnaround time for full gallery delivery is within 12 weeks, with slightly longer timelines during peak wedding seasons to ensure every image receives the attention it deserves. I believe in delivering high-quality, thoughtfully edited photos that you’ll cherish forever.
Step 7: Beyond the Wedding – Capturing Your Next Milestones
Your wedding day is just the beginning of your beautiful story, and I’d love to continue capturing the special moments that follow. From anniversary sessions to maternity and family portraits, I’m here to document every exciting chapter of your journey together.
Many of my couples return year after year to celebrate their growing love and families, and it brings me so much joy to be a part of their ongoing story. Whether it’s a cozy in-home session, a scenic outdoor shoot, or a special milestone celebration, I’ll be there to preserve those meaningful moments with the same heartfelt approach.
Just because the wedding is over doesn’t mean our journey ends—let’s continue creating memories together for years to come.
Curious if your wedding date is available? Check my availability in real time and secure your spot before it's gone!
Frequently Asked Questions
What is our editing style?
I consider myself a timeless wedding photographer with a documentary flair. My editing style is true-to-color with a mix of light and airy vibes.
While true-to-life editing is my preferred style, my galleries include a few dark and moody edits from couples who requested them.
What is our shooting style?
We love being both interactive and discrete throughout the wedding day. I love to capture the real, raw, and beautiful emotions throughout the day through natural and candid shots while also making sure I get those lovely family portraits and posed shots.
There will be parts of the wedding day when I will need to be in control in order to accomplish everything that needs to be done in order to keep everyone on schedule. There will also be moments when you shouldn’t even know that I’m there. (The ceremony, during dances and toasts, etc.) We teach our couples how to interact during their engagement session so they are naturals on the wedding day and don’t need quite as much instruction from us!
How far in advance should we book you for our wedding?
Typically, couples book me about 12-15 months before their wedding date. I encourage you to reach out as soon as possible about my availability, even if you’re planning on a shorter time frame.
How long will it take to see our wedding pictures?
All of my couples receive a sneak peek the day after the wedding! My turnaround time for your final gallery varies by season. Typically, you’ll be able to view and download your photos online about 8-12 weeks after your wedding.
Do you outsource bookings to other wedding photographers?
While some photography companies outsource and bring on subcontracted team members, I will always be your primary photographer! My husband, Andrew, is my second shooter and is generally with me at every wedding. I only book one wedding per date, so you can rest assured that I will be your photographer on your wedding day.
Do you have insurance?
I do! I am fully licensed and insured! Just let me know if your venue requires proof of insurance, and I’ll send that over to them.
How many pictures will we receive?
On average, our couples can expect approximately 400-600 final edited images from their day. This of course varies the overall wedding size, amount of coverage (hours) booked, etc.
Get in contact!
Embarking on your wedding planning journey can be as thrilling as it is overwhelming, and I'm here to make it a little easier and more memorable! Whether you have questions, are eager to schedule a consultation, or are ready to move forward with capturing the magical moments of your big day, I'm just a click away. Consider me not just as your photographer but as a friend who's with you at every step of this wonderful journey. Your love story deserves to be told in the most beautiful light, and I can't wait to help you do just that. Let's start this adventure together—reach out today