WEDDING TIMELINE PLANNING
I help you create the perfect timeline for your wedding day!
Anything to make this whole experience as fun and stress-free as possible.
Anything to make this whole experience as fun and stress-free as possible.
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a luxury wedding photography experience
THE COMPREHENSIVE GUIDE FOR BRIDES
TIMELINE SCHEDULING
It sure isn't easy making your wedding day flow perfectly! There are tons of factors to consider when planning your big day! Here are a few tips that seem to open the eyes of brides who are struggling to compile the perfect wedding day schedule! I love to work along side of my couples to give them time estimates of each aspect of their day in terms of a photography standpoint. A lot of times people over or underestimate the time it takes to curate story telling images, so I love to offer my input. If you are struggling to create a smooth schedule, work with wedding professionals who are working weddings every weekend! These are the folks that have seen it all from start to finish and can help ensure that your day unfolds beautifully from start to finish! We understand you’ve likely never done this before and all of this may be new to you, so let us help you create a schedule that will allow you to breath and soak in the beautiful moments that will naturally occur on your wedding day!
1. Getting ready images should start when you're getting your make up applied:Let’s face it, you don’t want everyone to see you fresh faced and straight out of bed. A lot of times ladies just need one or two images of the final preparations whether it is a final swipe of the mascara wand or applying lip gloss before your first look! Those things naturally occur so if you want to maximize your photography time, plan to do those last minute items prior to stepping into your dress for the first time!
2. It’s all in the details: we get it!Organize any details you want photographed the night before. Include items such as: your shoes, jewelry, invitation suite, menu, veil, dress, rings, something borrowed, blue etc. and any other items that you want to ensure are captured. Laying them out in one spot will help you see that you have everything you will need on your wedding day and it will allow the photographer to stage and photograph those items quickly upon arriving to your preparation suite. Ask your florist to leave any loose florals to style your details with.
3. Swing a first look if you are willing!Not only does it give the two of you some private time together on your wedding day! It helps ease the pressure of time to get every image captured between the ceremony and reception. It will likely allow you to be at your cocktail hour mingling with guests, because you have taken the time to get your photos completed prior to the big aisle moment! Another bonus is you'll have full range of the gorgeous venue to take photos anywhere you'd like without being photobombed by guests.
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4. This isn’t a family portrait sessionSo don’t try to cram as many family photos in as you can. Keep it simple and stress free! Incorporate only the most important individuals into your family portrait time and communicate with everyone clearly ahead of time so they are present and ready. A lot of couples opt to only include: parents, siblings, and grandparents. It moves them along quickly and keeps it stress free…. No one wants to be rounding up uncle Bob and any unruly cousins!
5. Keep any special events at the top of the programIf you choose to do a garter and bouquet toss, ask the DJ to put it towards the top of the dancing festivities. Those tend to give guests an excuse to find a seat and the dance floor quickly becomes an empty space. Load any special events at the top of the festivities so that guests can enjoy uninterrupted dancing following the fun!
6. Make a game planWork with your wedding planner and photographer to create a game plan that will comfortably fit in all of the items you want on your wedding day while allowing some time to rest and relax. A lot of times schedules happen to run a bit late, leave a cushion of time so that no one has to worry on your wedding day! Most of all, have fun with it! It is one day and it flies on by, so enjoy every single moment and soak each and every precious thing in!
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I hope this helps offer a little insight! After shooting weddings every weekend, I have realized what tends to work and what doesn’t work so well. At the end of the day I don’t want my couples to worry about documenting their day, I want them to be insanely present and enjoying each and every aspect of their day from getting ready to the final dance. I want them to enjoy the raw and authentic moments and a carefully crafted schedule can help ensure that everything runs smoothly for all involved! I work with each and every couple to talk through their wants and needs on their wedding day and to offer the best experience possible with tons of laughs, a few tears, and a million beautiful photos to prove it.
WEDDING TIMELINE PLANNING
Based on my years as a wedding photographer, I feel confident estimating how much time I’ll need for aspects of the day,
but to ensure we’re on the same page, here’s a breakdown of what I’ll need to document everything perfectly:
but to ensure we’re on the same page, here’s a breakdown of what I’ll need to document everything perfectly:
8 hr Coverage + First Look: 2 hours - Bride details + getting ready photos:
Dress, shoes, rings, invitation set, bouquet, etc. (60 min) Finishing Touches on Hair + Makeup (10 min) Bridesmaids Robe Photos (10 min) Bride getting ready (30 min) Father First Look (10 min) Assistant Photographs Groom details + getting ready photos: Shoes, tie, watch, cologne, boutonnieres, cuff links, etc. (60 min) 5 minutes - Groom Departs for first look 45 minutes - First look / bride and groom portraits 30 minutes - Bridal party photos 30 minutes - Immediate Family photos Bride gets tucked away from early arriving guests + freshens up 20 minutes - Photograph Ceremony Decor 30-60 mins - Ceremony End of Ceremony + Guests head to cocktail hour 15 minutes - Extended family photos 20 minutes - Sunset photos of bride and groom (optional) Bride and groom enjoy cocktail hr 25 minutes - Photograph Reception Decor + Cocktail Hr 10 minutes - Guests invited to enter Reception and find their seats 10 minutes - Grand Entrance 10 minutes - First Dance 10 minutes - Welcome Toast/Prayer 40 minutes - Dinner 15 minutes - Toasts 10 minutes - Mother/Groom + Father/Bride dances 5 minutes - Cake cutting 10 minutes - Bouquet/garter toss 20 minutes - Open dancing Photographers leave |
8 hr Coverage "No" First Look: 2 hours - Bride details + getting ready photos:
Dress, shoes, rings, invitation set, bouquet, etc. (60 min) Finishing Touches on Hair + Makeup (10 min) Bridesmaids Robe Photos (10 min) Bride getting ready (30 min) Father First Look (10 min) Assistant Photographs Groom details + getting ready photos: Shoes, tie, watch, cologne, boutonnieres, cuff links, etc. (60 min) 15 minutes - Bride with Bridesmaids Photos (group + individuals) Bride gets tucked away from early arriving guests + freshens up 15 minutes - Groom with Groomsmen Photos (group + individuals) 20 minutes - Photograph Ceremony Decor 30-60 mins - Ceremony End of Ceremony + Guests head to cocktail hour 20 minutes - Immediate Family photos 10 minutes - Bridal party photos 30 minutes - Bride and groom portraits Assistant Photographs Reception Decor + Cocktail Hr 10 minutes - Guests invited to enter Reception and find their seats 10 minutes - Grand Entrance 10 minutes - First Dance 10 minutes - Welcome Toast/Prayer 40 minutes - Dinner 15 minutes - Sunset photos of bride and groom (optional) 15 minutes - Toasts 10 minutes - Mother/Groom + Father/Bride dances 5 minutes - Cake cutting 10 minutes - Bouquet/garter toss 20 minutes - Open dancing Photographers leave |
Do I need an Assistant Photographer?
I recommend adding an Assistant Photographer (aka Second Shooter) to your collection if you have a guest count higher than 50 people. The more guests there are, the longer it takes me to navigate from one area to the next through the crowd to capture the important moments, especially during the ceremony. Having an assistant photographer also allows a second set of eyes to document two events at once, which is a huge time saver -for example I can be photographing the bride with her bridesmaids while my assistant is photographing the groom with this groomsman. It helps a ton!
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