THE WEDDING EXPERIENCE
Your memories should be like your relationship: exceptional & everlasting.
Your memories should be like your relationship: exceptional & everlasting.
Weddings are our passion - we love a good love story, and we're obsessed with sharing yours with the world. Over the last 7 years and 300 weddings - as a couple, we've learned that working with other couples is our jam. As a husband and wife team - as a photo and video team - we aim to be the perfect "pair" to capture your wedding day. Now let's get to it.
we believe
Your wedding should be a ___________
of joy, beauty, family, and love.
Our values are built upon quality, excellence, planning, and purpose. Having had a not-so-stellar experience on our wedding day, our mission goes beyond delivering "good" memories; we deliver memories that both captivate and preserve this moment of your life. Even when we meet, we want to get to know you, your story, and how you thrive. We understand you are new to this process and are committed to not only giving you timeless, romantic images but attention to detail, location and styling suggestions, timeline assistance, and more.
celebration
SIX years and 200+ weddings LATER, WE have created a formula to capture every moment of a wedding day, while also leaving room for creativity and AUTHENTICITY.
THE PROCESS
how it works
I. CONSULTATION + PROPOSAL
Just like a relationship, all weddings begin with a "hello." Part of our process includes getting to know who the two of you are, not only to tell your story in our signature and evocative style, but to also guide you through the best options to make for your wedding day photography & videography needs.
II. BOOKING
Once we've gotten to know you two and what you're looking for most, its time to lock in your date. We do require that your wedding date be locked in with your venue before booking - once that's done, we'll sign a contract, pay the retainer fees, and we're yours for the whole day.
III. PRE-WEDDING SHOOTS
Leading up to your wedding, if your collection includes engagement, bridal, boudoir, or adventure sessions, we'll be in touch to schedule all those details with you. Where, when, what to wear, what time of year - we're here to help you have the best pre-wedding sessions possible.
IV. PLANNING + WEDDING DAY
4-8 weeks before your wedding day, we'll be working with you and your wedding coordinator to ensure your day is planned out to perfection, so you can sit back and relax on your day knowing you can leave every moment - from tiniest of details to your first kiss - to us.
V. PRODUCTION AND DELIVERY
After your wedding day, now is when we get to work. We meticulously process and store your photos and videos as we begin by editing your wedding photos, followed by your wedding videos. Typically wedding photo galleries are completed in 6-8 weeks, while wedding videos are completed in 3-4 months.
VI. LEGACY SESSIONS
Your life and your journey doesn't end after your wedding day; it's just beginning. Exclusive to our wedding couples, we also offer what we like to call "Legacy Sessions" - sessions for all parts of life that you want to preserve, at a rate available only to past & current wedding clients.
how it works
THE PROCESS
CONSULTATION + PROPOSAL
Just like a relationship, all weddings begin with a "hello." Part of our process includes getting to know who the two of you are, not only to tell your story in our signature and evocative style, but to also guide you through the best options to make for your wedding day photography & videography needs.
BOOKING
Once we've gotten to know you two and what you're looking for most, its time to lock in your date. We do require that your wedding date be locked in with your venue before booking - once that's done, we'll sign a contract, pay the retainer fees, and we're yours for the whole day.
pre-wedding shoots
Leading up to your wedding, if your collection includes engagement, bridal, boudoir, or adventure sessions, we'll be in touch to schedule all those details with you. Where, when, what to wear, what time of year - we're here to help you have the best pre-wedding sessions possible.
Planning + wedding Day
4-8 weeks before your wedding day, we'll be working with you and your wedding coordinator to ensure your day is planned out to perfection, so you can sit back and relax on your day knowing you can leave every moment - from tiniest of details to your first kiss - to us.
production and delivery
After your wedding day, now is when we get to work. We meticulously process and store your photos and videos as we begin by editing your wedding photos, followed by your wedding videos. Typically wedding photo galleries are completed in 6-8 weeks, while wedding videos are completed in 3-4 months.
post-wedding shoots & LEGACY SESSIONS
Your life and your journey doesn't end after your wedding day; it's just beginning. Exclusive to wedding couples, we also offer what we like to call "Legacy Sessions" - sessions for all parts of life that you want to preserve, at a rate available only to past wedding clients.
SIX years and 200+ weddings LATER, WE have created a formula to capture every moment of a wedding day, while also leaving room for creativity and AUTHENTICITY.
THE REVIEWS
are in
“...I've never felt more beautiful.”
These are the wedding photos you only hope you get. When you plan a wedding, you’re drowned in images of beauty and perfection... Working with Stephanie provided us with an entire album of that kind of timeless elegance. She posed us for the best angles and like while capturing our true personalities and genuine love. I cannot say enough good things about how happy were are with the result of our elopement photos and how much we truly cherish them.
daniel + ann
You will not find a more talented duo than the Axtells. Both of them were so flexible, professional, timely, made us feel so comfortable in front of the camera, and took the time to learn about us and our personalities to ensure that they were able to capture US. I view the Axtells as friends at this point. They are incredible people you can trust to capture all the celebrations that are so special throughout wedding season.
“the BEST photo and video team.”
david & brooke
we believe
Wedding films are not a luxury. They are a necessity.
Over the next decade, video will become as important if not more important than photo in regards to capturing and reliving your wedding day. Imagine getting the chance to share this day with your future friends and loved ones, or preserve the love of all on your wedding day... that's why video is priceless.
No two weddings are alike - as it should be.
we believe
We know how easy it is to be inspired -- and ultimately desire -- all those cool wedding photos you see on instagram, pinterest, etc. BUT just like you two aren't "that couple," we always approach every wedding in a unique and reflective way that matches your personality. Together.
a true, bespoke experience
All the services you can include with your wedding collection.
8-12 hours of wedding day-of coverage. 8 Hours is our minimum amount of time we want to capture for any wedding. We do not cover elopements at this time.
wedding day-of coverage
Have all your wedding weekend festivities captured that lead up to the big day. **MORE TOASTS typically take place this evening, we always recommend rehearsal dinner video coverage.
rehearsal dinner / welcome party
A 90 minute photography session with Stephanie. Most couples opt for 1 or 2 outfits, and we'd love to travel to you fave location or recommend ours.
engagement session
NEW - to pair with your engagement session, Charles will tag along to capture your joy, laughs, and sweet moments to share in a 90 second - 2 minute film. Couples often share these to social media or their wedding websites, and this footage could be featured in your wedding films.
"save the date" film
A "southern" tradition - a photo session dedicated to the bride before her wedding day. A great opportunity to see your trial hair and makeup in your photos, with options of purchasing a large canvas print.
Bridal Session
A chic, sophisticated, sexy session in lingerie in Stephanie's home studio in Wilmington, NC. Honey, you don't need a reason to do boudoir - do this for you or your beau, either way, you're going to have the time of your life. Also includes optional Leather Bound Keepsake Book.
boudoir Session
2020 pushed us to change how some ceremonies are experienced, and we're thrilled to offer 1080p streaming via YouTube to all your guests near and far.
livestreaming ceremony / reception
A film that includes all your messages, well wishes, and toasts from your wedding day or wedding weekend.
film: messages & toasts
Often called RAW footage, this is our version of seeing all that's captured from your wedding day. Cleaned, color corrected, and produced into one watchable film.
film: keepsake film
How great is it to see a glimpse of your wedding within one week of it? Adding on our one-minute teaser films to share to social media or with friends and family is quickly becoming one of the most popular add-ons.
FILM: one-minute Teaser
Upgrade our standard 5-6 minute highlight film to our 8-10 minute featured film.
film upgrade: featured film
There's just so many amazing moments from your wedding day, you have to see more. Upgrade your wedding film to our extended 12-15 minute film.
film upgrade: extended featured film
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Like we said—we know how important your wedding vendors are on your wedding day, so here are some of the answers to questions we hear pretty often.
what if we don't have a wedding date yet?
We know it's hard to narrow down all the amazing venues in the area, but we do need to have a fixed day before moving to contract. That being said - we frequently have curious couples ask us when we're free before choosing a date and venue. You're always welcome to reach out in the planning process to view our availability.
April, May and October go like wildfire every year, so if you're considering one of those months you may want to settle on your date sooner rather than later.
are there any surprise fees we should be aware of?
Never. We'll always include the cost of travel (if any) and taxes upfront in our first proposal. The only time this would change is with the purchase of additional services or final products in your collection.
what if we only want photo or video services?
We believe in creating a collection that's perfect for the two of you, so whether you're looking for wedding photography, wedding videography, or both photo + video services for your wedding - we'll help guide you through the options we have until it's 100% perfection for the two of you.
Most couples book both Photography & Videography services with us for their wedding day (and also receive a slight discount for doing so.)
how far out in advance do you book?
We average 12 to 18 months in advance, and frequently book out for a year before that year begins. Right now, we're actively booking fall 2022 and all of 2023.
are you able to travel?
Yes, yes, and yes. We would love to capture any wedding wherever your heart takes you. In fact, we will have captured weddings in 13 different states by the start of 2022, and are able to travel internationally for weddings as well. A flat travel fee for all international weddings will be included in your initial proposal.
We'll go wherever
love takes you.
destination + domestic
We've spent the last six years documenting love stories near and far. Whether your hearts take you across the globe or close to home, we would love to hear from you. You never know when we might be crossing paths already.
Destination Weddings & Session Rates available upon inquiry
- inquire now
We are here for your love story. Let's do this thing!
inquire about your date
For more photography & films
follow @theaxtellsphotofilms
