Wedding Inspiration and Behind-the-Scenes
THE JOURNAL
Your Nashville Wedding Day Experience with a Photographer
Brandon Allan Photography
I’m Brandon, the Nashville wedding photographer behind Brandon Allan Photography. I document wedding days in a way that feels natural, calm, and honest. Your wedding day should feel like you. Easy, meaningful, and full of moments that unfold without pressure. When you work with a photographer who values real connection and a relaxed flow, the entire experience becomes smoother. This guide walks you through what your day feels like from the moment I arrive to the moment you are celebrating with your people.
Before the Wedding Day
Your wedding experience starts long before the morning of the event. From your first email you can expect clear communication and a simple, stress-free process. Once your date is on the calendar, we begin shaping a timeline that feels like you. Some couples want slow, quiet moments. Others want more time with friends. You get a plan that reflects your flow.
We talk about everything that matters most. Your ceremony light. How much time you want for portraits. Whether you want a first look. The priority is always the same. Protect the moments that matter and keep the day comfortable. To start try this tool that I built to help with your timeline!
Need help with your timeline? Heres a free timeline generator!
Getting Ready
When the wedding day arrives, my approach is simple. I enter the room with calm energy. I read the space. I document what is already happening. If you are laughing with your wedding party, I document it. If you are taking a quiet moment alone, I give you space and capture the atmosphere around you.
Nothing feels rushed. Nothing feels staged. You get a record of how your morning truly felt.
If this sounds like something you want, Id love to chat more! Click here for my contact page to start a conversation with me!
The First Look or No First Look
Every couple has different preferences and both options work beautifully. I never push you in one direction. This is your day and your experience. My job is to support whatever feels most like you.
If you choose a first look, I keep the moment quiet and unhurried. You get space to breathe, see each other, and settle into the day together. A first look opens up more timeline flexibility. You can take most of your portraits before the ceremony, keep the afternoon flow easier, and spend more time with your guests later.
If you decide to wait until the ceremony, the anticipation becomes its own story. That emotional build up is powerful and honest. Without a first look, we adjust the timeline so portraits fit naturally after the ceremony. Everything stays efficient, organized, and calm so you never feel rushed.
Either way, the goal is the same. Keep the emotion real. Keep the timeline comfortable. Let the moment belong to you.
Portraits That Feel Natural
Portraits should feel easy. Not stiff. Not overly posed. Just the two of you, being yourselves. I guide you in a way that feels comfortable. Simple directions. Natural movement. Small adjustments that help you relax into the moment. I want you to forget about the camera and focus on each other. That is where the real connection shows up.
I pay attention to light, composition, and the environment so you do not have to think about any of it. You only have to be present. Some couples talk during portraits. Some laugh. Some get quiet. Whatever your energy is, I follow it. The goal is to make the experience calm and honest, not performative.
Family photos stay quick so you are not pulled away from the day for too long. Everyone gets where they need to be. We move through the list efficiently with a relaxed tone so no one feels rushed or confused. You get the important combinations documented while keeping the energy smooth and organized. The process stays easy, intentional, and calm, which lets you get back to celebrating with your people.
Need some help with your timeline? Check out brides.com Brides timeline guide
The Ceremony
Whether your ceremony is inside a chapel, under the trees, or on a rooftop overlooking the city, I photograph it in a way that keeps the focus on your experience. Your vows. Your reactions. Your people. I stay present without being intrusive so you can take in every moment without distraction.
I always work with a second shooter during the ceremony. This allows us to document both perspectives at the same time. While I focus on you and the moments happening between you, my second shooter captures the reactions of your family and friends. The tear your mom wipes away. The smile your partner’s best friend tries to hide. The way your grandparents look at each other during your vows. These are the pieces of your story you might miss in the moment but will treasure forever.
You will not remember us being there but you will have every angle of your ceremony preserved in a way that feels honest and complete.
The Reception
Once the celebration begins, I stay in tune with the atmosphere. Your first dance. The toasts. The packed dance floor. The slower moments between the loud ones.
Every wedding has its own rhythm. I follow it and document it honestly.
After the Wedding
Your experience continues long after the last song. You can expect a preview gallery shortly after the wedding and a full gallery delivered between 6-8 weeks. Everything is edited with natural color and clean tones so the images feel timeless.
If you want prints or an album, I guide you through that too. The process stays simple and the focus stays on quality.
Ready to start your journey? Lets connect!
FAQ
How involved are you during the wedding day?
I stay close enough to catch everything but never in your way. I guide you when you need it and let the day unfold naturally when you do not. The goal is for you to barely notice the camera.
Do we need a strict schedule?
Not at all. We create a timeline that makes sense for your day and keep it flexible. If things shift, we adjust. Your day should feel relaxed, not scheduled to the minute.
What if we feel awkward in front of the camera?
Most couples do at first. I keep things simple. Easy directions. Natural movement. Nothing forced. Within a few minutes it starts to feel comfortable.
How long do portraits take?
Usually 20 to 30 minutes. Enough time to get everything you need without pulling you away from the day for too long.
Do you offer photo and video together?
Yes. A lot of couples choose both. It keeps everything consistent and makes the whole experience easier for you.
