OUR MOST
FREQUENTLY
ASKED
QUESTIONS
Planning your wedding or elopement is exciting, but it also comes with lots of questions — especially around photography, videography, and how it all fits into your timeline. Whether you’re planning a Finger Lakes wedding, an Adirondack mountain elopement, or a Salt Lake City celebration, we’ve gathered answers to the most common questions couples ask us about packages, logistics, planning, and executing their day. From coverage options to scheduling tips, you’ll find helpful guidance here — and if something’s not covered, we’d love to connect with you directly.
BOOKING
How far in advance should we book our wedding photography and videography packages?
How far in advance should we book our wedding photography and videography packages?
We recommend booking 9–12 months in advance for weddings and 4–6 months for elopements to secure your date. Popular seasons in the Finger Lakes, Adirondacks, and Salt Lake City book quickly, so the earlier the better.
What's required to book and secure our date or session?
A signed contract and a retainer are required to lock in your date. Once that’s done, we’re officially booked and will begin planning your wedding or session with you.
PACKAGES
Do you offer both wedding photography and videography, or can we book just one service?
Yes! We offer photography-only, videography-only, and combined photo + video packages. Many couples choose a combination so every moment is captured in both timeless images and cinematic films.
CLICK HERE TO SEE OUR WEDDING PACKAGES
What’s included in your wedding and elopement packages?
Every package includes professional coverage, hand-edited photos or video, and an online gallery for easy viewing and sharing. Elopement packages may also include officiant services. Details vary, so check out our WEDDING PACKAGES or ELOPEMENT PACKAGES pages for specifics.
Can we customize a package to fit our timeline or budget?
Absolutely. We’ll work with you to adjust coverage hours, add drone footage, or build a package that reflects your priorities. Customization ensures your photos and films truly tell your story.
Do your wedding video packages include the ceremony and speeches?
When you book a video package, we’ll capture pieces of the ceremony and toasts that are typically used within the context of your highlight video. These are meant to serve toward the highlight video and are not captured in full. However, full edits of the ceremony, vows, and speeches/toasts can be added a la carte or included with a Plus package.
PAYMENT
Do you offer payment plans for wedding or elopement packages?
Yes — we know weddings and elopements are a big investment, so we offer flexible payment plans. We require a 50% initial payment as part of securing your date, and the rest isn't due until your wedding or elopement day. We know you'll likely have many other payments going out to other vendors, so we don't mind being the last ones paid in full.
What kind of payment methods do you take?
We can be flexible with payment methods in order to suite your needs. We can take payments in a variety of ways including: cash, check, Venmo, Paypal, Zelle, and debit or credit card.
planning & LOGISTICS
How many hours of coverage do you recommend for a wedding day?
Most couples book 8 hours to capture everything from getting ready to the reception. Smaller weddings may only need 6 hours, while larger events or weddings with a full Catholic mass may benefit from extended coverage.
How many hours of coverage do you recommend for an elopement?
This is a big "it depends..." We recommend contacting us to talk through what you're thinking or hoping for, and we'd be happy to give you a ballpark of how many hours you'll need to capture this special time.
How do you help with building a wedding or elopement timeline?
We’ll work with you and/or your planner to create a photo/video timeline that fits your day. Our experience in the Finger Lakes, Adirondacks, and Utah means we know how to plan for lighting, travel, and key moments.
Can we add extra hours of coverage on the wedding day if needed?
Yes. Additional hours can be added to any package so nothing gets missed — whether it’s an extended reception or an impromptu adventure.
Do you help with location scouting for engagement sessions or elopements?
Absolutely. Brittany grew up in the Adirondacks and knows countless hidden gems, plus we scout Finger Lakes vineyards and Utah’s national parks and unknown scenic locations regularly. We love helping couples find spots that fit their vibe, whether that’s a mountaintop, lakefront, or city street.
Can we request specific shots or must-have moments?
Definitely. Before your wedding or session, we welcome you to communicate any important details, people, or traditions. While we can’t guarantee every requested shot, we always do our best to prioritize them.
Who will be photographing or filming our wedding — will it always be Steve and Brittany?
While Beauty & The Beard Creative is owned and led by Steve and Brittany, we’re proud to work with a small team of talented photographers and videographers who share our vision. Every team member uses the same professional gear and shooting approach, and all editing is done by us personally to ensure a consistent, cohesive style. In fact, the photos and films you see throughout our website portfolio are a mix of work from our entire team — proof that no matter who is behind the camera, you can trust your memories will be captured beautifully and with the same signature look.
deliverables
How long does it take to receive our wedding photos and video?
Wedding galleries are typically delivered within 6-12 weeks (depending on the busyness of that part of the season), while engagement, family, or portrait sessions are ready in 2–4 weeks. Highlight films usually take a bit longer.
How many photos do you typically deliver from a wedding?
While we don't limit the number of photos you'll receive by giving you an exact or approximate amount in you package, on average, you’ll receive 40-50 fully edited images for each hour of coverage. Exact amounts vary based on your timeline, the actual activities taking place, and a number of other factors, but our standard rule of thumb is that you'll get all the good stuff.
Do we get both highlight films and full ceremony footage with videography packages?
All of our videography packages include a cinematic highlight film that captures the emotion and story of your day. Full-length edits of your ceremony, toasts, and speeches are available as add-ons, or they’re automatically included when you book one of our Plus packages. This way, you can choose exactly how much coverage you’d like for your wedding film collection.
How are the photos and videos delivered? Do we get print rights?
Everything is delivered via a private online gallery, easy to share with friends and family. You’ll receive full print rights with your photos so you can print and preserve your memories however you’d like. If you're looking for the best quality prints to give your wedding or elopement the treatment it deserves, you can order prints and other custom products directly from the gallery page.
Do you provide raw or unedited photos and video footage?
We don’t deliver raw files, as they don’t represent our finished style and quality. Instead, every photo and film is hand-edited to bring out the best moments, colors, and emotions. This ensures your gallery looks polished, timeless, and true to you.
Do you offer albums, prints, or other physical products?
Yes — in addition to your digital gallery, we offer heirloom-quality albums and prints that are designed to last a lifetime. You can order these directly through us, or use your print release to create products anywhere you’d like.
What music do you use in highlight films — can we pick the songs?
We license music that perfectly fits the emotion and pacing of your wedding film. This ensures your video can be shared legally online without copyright issues. While couples don’t usually pick specific tracks, we welcome your input on vibe — romantic, upbeat, cinematic, etc.
style
HOW WOULD YOU DESCRIBE your photography and videography style?
We blend documentary-style storytelling with artistic, editorial portraits. This allows, coupled with a true to life color, us to capture authentic candid moments while also creating cinematic, intentional images that don't look overly edited and like an Instagram filter was put on it.
What makes Beauty & The Beard Creative different from other wedding photographers and videographers in New York and Utah?
We’re not just documenting your day — we’re telling your story with emotion, adventure, and artistry. With roots in the Finger Lakes and Adirondacks and a home base in Utah, we bring local knowledge, creative vision, and a personal approach that helps you feel at ease.
APPROACH
Do you do posed portraits as well as candid/documentary shots?
Yes — during portraits, we’ll gently guide you into flattering poses that feel natural, but the majority of your day is captured candidly so your gallery reflects real, genuine, unscripted moments.
How do you make couples feel comfortable in front of the camera?
We focus on fun, connection, and real interaction. Most of our couples start out camera-shy as 90% of them have never had professional photos taken before, but by the end of the session they’re relaxed, laughing, and completely themselves. We have some tricks up our sleeves that seem to work well.
Do you work with second shooters or HOW DOES YOUR TEAM WORK?
Depending on your package, we'll often have a up to 2-3 members of our team there to ensure every angle and moment is covered. Because we work as a team, you never have to worry about photographers and videographers stepping on each others toes or having different systems and processes.
What happens if we’re awkward in front of the camera?
Almost every couple says this at first — and by the end, they’re laughing and completely at ease. We guide you into natural interactions and focus on genuine connection so your photos and films feel authentic, not staged.
How many weddings do you take on each year? am I going to get lost in the mix?
We intentionally limit the number of weddings we book each year so we can give every couple the attention they deserve. This ensures your photos and films aren’t just another job to us — they’re a story we pour our hearts into.
travel
Do you travel for weddings outside the Finger Lakes, rochester, adirondacks, and Salt Lake City and ogden areas?
Yes! We frequently travel for weddings, elopements, and sessions across New York, Utah, and beyond. Whether it’s a national park elopement or a destination wedding, we’d love to be part of it.
Do you charge travel fees for weddings or sessions outside the Finger Lakes or Salt Lake City?
Depending on team member availability and distance, we may add a modest travel fee to cover mileage, lodging, or flights. We’ll always be upfront about this before booking.
what ifs
What happens if the weather doesn’t cooperate on our wedding or engagement session day?
We embrace the unexpected! Rain, snow, and fog can actually create incredible photos, but we’ll also work with you on backup plans if needed. Flexibility is built into every session.
How are our photos and films backed up — what if something happens?
Your memories are safe with us. We back up every photo and video to multiple hard drives and secure cloud storage immediately after your event. This ensures your files are protected against accidents or data loss.
What happens if you get sick or can’t make it on our wedding day?
Because we’re a team-based company, you never have to worry about being left without coverage. We always have trusted backup photographers and videographers available, and all editing is still done by us to ensure your photos and films match the style you see in our portfolio.
What if our wedding runs behind schedule?
It’s rare for a wedding day to run exactly on time — and that’s okay. As long as you involve us in setting the timeline, we build flexibility into our coverage, and you also have the option to add extra hours if you'd like to "just in case".
We can't wait to hear from you
Say hello. Let's work together!