If you’ve been hanging around my blog and Instagram long enough, you’ve seen the work of today’s guest quite a bit, and I couldn’t be more excited to tell you more about her!

Sydney Marie is an insanely-talented wedding photographer who just released her first book, Foundry.

To call it a wedding planning guide would be selling it short; it’s more like a curated chic Pinterest board come to life, filled with incredibly detailed information and step-by-step guides on how to plan the wedding of your dreams.

I just got my hands on an advance copy of Foundry, and I sat down with Sydney for an interview about not only the book, but also all the things you need to know to get the perfect vibe going for your wedding day.

Planning Your Dream Wedding? Here’s Where a Professional Photographer Starts

“One of the questions I like to ask is what are your priorities for the weekend are what are your priorities for the day? … And that’s something to talk about with your partner … [H]ow do we want to feel? Everything comes with that; your budget will shift to that.”

That’s what I really love about Foundry; Sydney’s advice puts relationships first.

She also comes from the perspective of a vendor—someone whose actual job it is to create dream weddings. Talk about someone who knows this world inside and out! That’s why I’m so excited to give you a preview of this book, as well as some great advice from Sydney. I promise it’s a perspective you haven’t heard before!

Tune into the podcast here, and read below for her quick tips!

1 – Just Engaged? Take a Breather.

I have to admit, this one really surprised me, but for all the right reasons!

Usually the first thing we want to after getting engaged is get started on dreaming, planning, and talking alllll about what The Day will look like. But Sydney suggests something that’s decidedly not that: She says to take those precious days, or even hours if that’s all you have, soaking in special time with your partner.

“Before you jump in to, ‘Okay, where are we? Where are we putting the budget? Like what is what is important to us?”

This, she says, will not only give you an opportunity to focus on the reason behind the wedding, but it will also give you a time to discuss the type of celebration that will truly reflect the both of you, as individuals and as a couple.

2 – Have “The Talk” with Your Bridesmaids Sooner Rather than Later

Thinking of asking your girlfriends to stand next to you at the altar? That’s great! But anyone who’s lived through a few weddings—either their own, or friends—knows that celebrating the couple costs money, and that’s not always an easy situation for your pals.

I love Sydney’s tip to have an upfront conversation with your potential bridesmaids, right when you ask them to be in your wedding party.

Maybe you send them a card, but include something like, “Of course I’d love you to celebrate in every way with me, from the bachelorette party through the reception, but if it’s a stretch for you in any way financially, just let me know! We’ll find a way to work you in that you’re comfortable with.”

Here’s Sydney’s advice: “[S]tarting out that way keeps that relationship healthy [from] the very beginning. And opening with that conversation can help your friends be comfortable saying, ‘Hey, this probably isn’t best for me to do this right now.’ And that’s okay.”

3 – Invest in a Good Planning App

Another amazing tip from Sydney was to download the Trello app, or another task-management app, right after you get engaged, to simplify the work flow between you and your partner.

There are so many deadlines and contracts involved in planning a wedding, and it becomes a job of its own keeping up with them! Something like Trello, Sydney says, will create a shared space for you and your partner to manage wedding-related tasks, from organizing details to setting budgets.

4 – Find a Photographer You Love, Who You Can Stick With Through Life Chapters

Sydney gets to know her couples right from the start, which she says helps her to capture their true connection in photos—no easy task!

“When I shoot engagement sessions, I really get an idea of the couple and their interaction with each other. And that’s when I see when they’re head over heels for each other. That’s the best part, I think—the giddiness of what’s to come.”

That’s why I love having a friendship with my photographer! Sydney has been there for so many family events from holidays to birthdays and more, and my kids are so comfortable with her, shoot days are a breeze!

5 – Get to Know Your Photographer Online

When you’re planning a wedding, one thing you can get started on right away is your vision.

No planning is required to start browsing photographers’ profiles on social media, and Sydney has this advice as you scroll Instagram for potential wedding photographers and videographers:

“I always recommend, you know, looking at Instagram before you hop into Google because you can really get an idea of a vendor’s recent portfolio. … [E]verything I post is very recent … within the year. [Y]ou can see people on their Stories and talking, so you feel like you are already have a connection with someone.”

There is so, so much more to check out in Foundry!

Sydney interviews a Pinterest marketing expert, the founders of a dream-honeymoon planning company, and walks you through how to plan a budget, and more.

Get your copy here, and follow Sydney on Instagram here. Thanks for reading!