Frequently Asked Questions
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General Information
Who is Shoreline Weddings?
Shoreline Weddings was founded by 3 industry leading wedding veterans looking to provide clients with a hassle free wedding photography and videography solution for the modern era. Our goal is to give you a great photography and videography experience while creating a beautiful story of your wedding day.
Where is Shoreline Weddings headquartered?
Shoreline Weddings is a bi-coastal wedding photography and videography studio with headquarters in Costa Mesa, Southern California and in Lynchburg, Virginia.
Why do couples choose Shoreline Weddings?
Shoreline’s core values begin with you! Our photo and video service is very couple focused. Having captured countless weddings, we’ve learned what our couples value most from their photos and videos and their wedding day. Our team focuses on all the details that truly matter most; the look, the feel, and the emotion of the day brought out in a collection of memories that truly allow you to relive your best day ever.
Who will be the Shoreline team member at my wedding?
Shoreline Weddings has a handpicked team of experienced and talented wedding storytellers who will always have your best interest at heart and excel in delivering consistently high quality photos and videos for our couples each and every time! Our team continues to grow with new team members year after year.
Do you travel for weddings?
Our standard service areas are a 50-mile radius around Costa Mesa, California and 85-mile radius around Lynchburg, Virginia. We do service other nearby locations outside the service area radius for minimal travel fees.
How many weddings have you captured?
Between our founders and team members, we have collectively documented over 250 weddings.
When is the best time to book?
Our completely online, hassle-free reservation system coupled with our incredible Covid friendly rescheduling policy is extremely popular with modern couples. Many busy couples are quickly taking advantage of this streamlined solution to booking wedding photography and videography. We do take a limited number of events per weekend. We recommend you reserve your date as soon as possible.
Are there any hidden fees to your pricing?
No. Everything on our pricing page is transparent and there are no hidden fees. Not even credit card fees. Those prices are your final prices for the services you select. If you need a customized package for something not listed on our pricing page, we will send you a custom quote.
What is your COVID-19 Policy?
The short answer is, it’s Amazing and Easy! Rescheduling your wedding due to COVID-19 is not a problem at all. No fees and no date restrictions. We have developed a fantastic COVID-19 Rescheduling System for our clients. You can read all the specific information about our COVID policy here.
What happens if my team member becomes ill?
In the event of a team member illness, one of our other qualified team members will step in if needed. Fortunately, we have multiple team members on staff and all are expertly qualified to step in if needed.
How many team members will be at our wedding?
Our pricing and packages page details the number of team members and hours of coverage included present at every wedding in each package. If you're unsure of how much coverage you need, this article might help.
When does the coverage begin on the wedding day?
This will vary depending on your package and services. The suggested start times for each are listed below in the Photography FAQs and Videography FAQs. However, you can request different start times then our suggestions.
Do you split up your coverage hours?
No. Our coverage is contiguous from the designated start time. So if you book an 8 hour package, starting at 12pm, our team member(s) would be onsite from 12pm - 8pm. You cannot split up an 8 hour package to get 4 hours in the morning and 4 hours in the evening with a 4 hour break in the middle.
Can we add more hours to our coverage?
Absolutely! You can add additional hours a la carte as needed to any package.
How do I reserve my wedding date?
You can reserve your wedding date and wedding package completely online via our “Book Now” reservation system. After you reserve your date, we will send you a confirmation email and contract to review and sign to confirm your reservation.
Do you require a down payment/retainer?
Yes. After we have confirmed your reservation and you have completed your online contract and signatures, we do require a 50% non-refundable retainer payment to reserve your date.
Are the retainer payments refundable?
Unfortunately not. Retainer fees are used to secure your reservation. Once we’ve confirmed and booked your reservation, we do not accept new clients for your slot.
What if I need to reschedule my wedding for reasons other than COVID-19?
For all other reasons outside of COVID-19, postponements, we allow you to reschedule your wedding with us up to 1 year in the future from the original wedding date.
My venue requires vendors to have insurance? Do you have business insurance?
Yes, our business is professionally insured through State Farm Insurance Agency
Why book photo/video from the same company?
Booking photo and video from the same company is just one more way to ensure things go as smoothly as possible on the wedding day. Instead of competing for time and space, our photo and video teams work in tandem with one another sharing the day and ensuring both photo and video get what they need every time to deliver amazing photos and videos for our clients.
Another big reason is the cost savings! When you book photo and video packages together from us, you’ll always receive a pricing discount!
— Videography FAQ’s —
What types of videos does shoreline offer?
We offer 2 styles of videography:
Highlight videos - Creatively edited video encompassing all the best moments of the entire day and mixed with music and audio soundbites from wedding vows and speeches
Long Form videos - are an edited recording of your wedding ceremony and/or reception main events. This version includes 2 or 3 camera angles and audio recordings that are mixed together to create a professional and chronological video of your wedding ceremony and/or reception events.
When will the team arrive/coverage begin on the wedding day?
Ceremony Only and Ceremony and Speeches Package - We will begin 20 minutes before the ceremony begins
Essential Highlight Package - We will begin 1 hour before the ceremony begins
Video Collection Packages - We will begin 1 hour before bride puts on wedding dress
(You may request the start times to be adjusted if needed)
What happens if I want to change the Videography coverage start time?
It’s important to note that our suggested start times are based on our experience of how much time we need to get certain shots to include in your video. Any adjustments to start time will affect what we can capture for your video. For example, if you have a highlight video package and you request the videographer to arrive at the start of the ceremony, there will not be any shots of you getting ready or getting dressed in the highlight video.
Does the videographer help with posing or lighting?
Typically speaking, your wedding photographer will be in charge of the guiding and posing when that is required. However, during the appropriate times (i.e where is the best lighting/environment to put the wedding dress on or creating a romantic moment/pose between the two of you), our team members will offer guidance to help create the most compelling footage possible. Other times, such as during the ceremony or during reception events, we capture the events in their natural form so that we are not intrusive on those events.
What kind of camera equipment do you use?
Although the make and model of each camera differ between our team members based on their personal preferences, we do require that all our team members have up to date equipment with features and abilities that allow them to capture footage that allows us to deliver high quality and high definition results to our clients.
Do you record audio separately?
For all of our Video Collection Packages, we record the audio separately on professional recording devices and mix it with the footage in post production. The audio recording devices are often worn by the officiant, the groom or plugged into the DJ’s sound system.
Do you have backup equipment?
Yes, each team member typically comes to the wedding with their main camera and at least one backup camera. Additionally, extra batteries, cords and lighting equipment backups are standard parts of our camera bags.
Can I make requests for my video before it’s edited?
Absolutely! After the wedding is over you will receive a questionnaire to provide us feedback and to ensure we include any requests you might have. We encourage this feedback to make sure your video is perfect for you!
Are you always able to accommodate all requests?
Although we do our best to accommodate every request, sometimes we are unable to make the requests work due to technical issues.
After the video is edited, can I request changes?
We do not offer revisions or changes after the videos are completed.
How is the music chosen for the highlight video?
For legal reasons, all of the music and songs included in the highlight video must be professionally licensed by us to use in the video. If we are not able to obtain a license, we cannot use the song.
Where do you obtain your music licenses from?
Our music is licensed through Soundstripe.com. They have over 5000 songs in their library to choose from.
Who chooses the music?
For 80% of our videos, our couples allow us to use our experience to find a song that matches the vibe of their wedding day. However, if you would like to choose the music, you are free to do so from within the soundstripe.com music library.
Can I change the song after the video is edited?
Unfortunately not. Our editing team will arrange the footage and use the beat of the music to create an ebb and flow in your video. The music track is the foundation of the video. A brand new song would require our editing team to start from scratch.
Do you offer drone footage?
Yes. General drone footage of the venue and location are available as an add-on to all video packages. Our ability to fly the drone is subject to weather conditions, venue restrictions and FAA permissions and regulations.
Will you fly the drone during the ceremony?
No. because drones are loud and would be distracting for guests during the ceremony. Additionally flying over the ceremony could pose a potential hazard risk to your guests.
How long do you keep the RAW footage for?
We hold onto the RAW footage from your wedding for 1 year in case you want to purchase or add additional videos to your collection at a later date. After 1 year, the footage may be deleted.
Can we purchase the RAW footage?
Yes. RAW footage is available for purchase as an add-on to any video package. We hold on to the RAW footage for 1 year after the wedding date.
How will my videos be delivered to me?
All of your final videos are delivered digitally via download links that will be sent to your email. All videos will be delivered in Full High Definition 1080p Resolution. There will also be an online link to view your videos online and share with friends, family and social media.
How long will it take to get my videos?
All videos are delivered within 3 months or less of the wedding date. For more information regarding individual package delivery times, visit our pricing page.
— Photography FAQ’s —
How would you describe your photography style?
We would describe our style as “true to life.” Our photography captures the day exactly as it unfolded. We intentionally refrain from adding too many filters so that your photos represent the day just as it looked and felt. We offer a combination of posing and photojournalistic approaches so that each part of the day is captured the way you want it to be remembered.
Will I speak with my photographer prior to the wedding?
We understand that compatibility is important. We attempt to find a time and date to set up a pre-wedding phone call with your photographer a couple weeks prior to the wedding to get to know each other and review the wedding day itinerary.
When will the team arrive on the wedding day?
Essential Coverage Package - We will begin 1 hour before the ceremony begins
Photo Collection packages - We will begin 1 hour before bride puts on wedding dress
(These start times can be adjusted slightly if needed)
What happens if I want to change the Photography coverage start time?
It’s important to note that our suggested start times are based on our experience of how much time we need to get certain shots and moments. Any adjustments to start time will affect what we can capture for your gallery. For example, if you want photos of the bride getting dressed but have the photographer arrive at the start of the ceremony, there will be no photos of the bride getting dressed. Please note that individual photos of details such as the dress hanging, shoes, jewelry, etc… take place before bride puts them on.
Do you help with posing or lighting?
Absolutely! We are here to help every step of the way and will provide as much guidance as you want and need from us. During the appropriate times (i.e where is the best lighting/environment to put the wedding dress on or creating a romantic moment/pose between the two of you), our team members will offer guidance to help create the most compelling photos possible. Other times, such as during the ceremony or during reception events, we capture the events in their natural form so that we are not intrusive during those times.
What kind of camera equipment do you use?
Although the make and model of each camera differ between our team members based on their personal preferences, we do require that all our team members have up to date equipment with features and abilities that allow them to create high quality images for our clients. Additionally, we will bring flashes and lighting for when the situation requires us to add more of our own lighting.
Do you have backup equipment?
Yes, each team member typically comes to the wedding with their main camera and at least one backup camera. Additionally, extra batteries, cords and lighting equipment backups are standard parts of our camera bags.
Can I make photo requests?
Absolutely! We allow our clients to submit a short list of photo requests or examples that they would like.
Photo requests typically include things like: photo of bride with grandma, photo of my bouquet, photo of first dance, etc…
For sample photos you found somewhere online, we are never able to replicate an exact copy of a sample photo but we will do our own interpretation of the photo.
Are you always able to accommodate all requests?
Although we do our best to accommodate every request, sometimes we are unable to make the requests work due to time limitations, environment or lighting issues.
How much time should we allocate for first look photos on the wedding day?
We typically suggest approximately 45 minutes for the first look and bride and groom photos to allow for a good mix and variety of poses and backgrounds.
How much time should we allocate for bridal party photos?
Bridal parties of 3 pairs or less - 15-20 minutes
Bridal Parties of 4 pairs or more - 30 minutes
How much time should we allocate for family photos?
30 minutes, immediately after the ceremony is over.
What is your approach to family formals or family portraits?
We have developed a list of the most common and most important family portraits needed in any wedding collection. We will send you this list and questionnaire to review and fill out before the wedding to ensure all the major VIP’s are accounted for.
Occasionally there are weddings where family dynamics are sensitive and require additional attention. We are happy to help navigate this to ensure everyone is comfortable. We just need to know about the situation and the best way to approach it ahead of time so that we can communicate with our team. Special family dynamics may require allocating extra time to this part of the day.
Do you offer engagement photos?
Yes, some of our packages include engagement sessions while others have the option to add them on a la carte. These are a great way to learn more about each other and get some great images to print for the wedding!
How long is the engagement session and where will it take place?
Typically the engagement sessions last between 1 to 1.5 hours.
We have 5 locations in Orange County to choose from for your engagement session. The location environments include: beach location, urban location, open field location, nature/greenery location, Spanish style architecture location (requires permit fee).
We are open to additional locations and suggestions for engagement sessions as long as they are within proximity of our service area. If you have a location in mind, feel free to suggest it and we will let you know if it's possible.
Can I have more than one wardrobe for my engagement photos?
Absolutely! We love the variety. For a 90 minute engagement session, we suggest no more than two outfits total to maximize the time you are taking photos. Keep in mind the 90 minutes also includes the time it takes for your wardrobe changes.
What is the photography process after the wedding is over?
After your wedding day we will take all of the photos from your wedding and narrow them down to the best of the best images that equal the approximate number of photos included in your package. For our Essential Coverage option we upload the photos to your online gallery for you to view and download. For our Photography Collection packages, we edit all of those photos before uploading them into an online gallery for you to view and download.
Can I purchase additional photos?
Our Photo Collection Packages will provide you with a comprehensive collection of your wedding day and additional photos shouldn’t be necessary. But more unedited photos can be made available if desired.
Our Essential Coverage and smaller Photo Collection Package will have options to purchase more images after the wedding if you would like to.
When will my photos be delivered?
All wedding photos will be delivered within 3-4 weeks or less after the wedding date.
How will my photos be delivered?
We will send you a link to an online gallery where you can view and download the entire collection of photos from the wedding day. This gallery will also have options to order prints and artwork for your home if you would like to do so.
Will there be black and white photos in my gallery?
Yes! Your final gallery will be mostly in color but we will convert and include a few of the images that would work well as back and white photos as well.
What size prints or canvases can we produce from our full resolution image download?
In most cases, you can print your photos any size up to 20in × 30in without any quality loss.
What rights do I have to the digital prints?
You have the right to reprint images whenever you want. However, you may not sell your images for profit or publish your images in a print or online magazine publication without the written consent of Shoreline Weddings.