HELPFUL TIps for DEVELOPING YOUR WEDDING DAY TIMELINE

wedding Details

Approximate Time: 15 minutes

The wedding details are typically the first thing I photograph when I arrive at your getting ready location, capturing all of your details like rings, jewelry, dress, shoes, bouquet, invitations and other sentimental items you may have with you. 

Pro Tip: Have all of your details set aside in a bag/box for your photographer. This way, you know where everything is and your photographer doesn’t have to run around trying to collect all of the details. Make sure to do this for both partners, if you’ll both be having photos done while getting ready.

Getting Ready 

Approximate time: 45 minutes

Getting ready is often an overlooked part of your day, but it’s typically when so many heartfelt and fun moments happen. Ideally, your photographer should arrive about an hour before you plan to leave for the day. This allows time to photograph the wedding details, as well everyone finishing up their hair and make-up, putting on wedding attire, hanging out, exchanging cards or gifts, putting shoes on and so on. If enough time is allotted, this portion can also include “first look” photos with your parents, wedding party, or any other important people. If you plan for both you and your partner to have photos done while getting ready, the second shooter will be with one partner while I’m with the other.

Pro Tip: A location with windows is always ideal for getting ready as it provides nice, natural light for photos. Also, please tidy up! As photographers, we’re used to working around stuff, moving things and cropping in but if all of your wedding parties’ belongings and bags are in one corner or in a closet, it will make everyone’s life easier and your photos will look much better.

First look

Approximate time: 15 minutes

I highly encourage couples to have a first look as it allows for more time for photos before the ceremony so everyone can spend more time at the reception with their guests later in the evening. If you’re having a first look before the ceremony, you’ll want to allot at least 15 minutes. While the first look itself only lasts a few minutes, it takes some time to position you both accordingly. After the first look, I also like to step away for a few minutes and you time to just be together and be present.

Pro Tip: If you prefer to keep things more traditional and not see each other before your ceremony, there are lots of great alternative options to a first look. You might choose instead to write letters to each other and allot time to read them privately, or could plan to meet on either side of a door so you have the chance to interact without actually seeing other. Feel free to get creative!

COUPLE PORTRAITS

Approximate time: 30 minutes

The romantic couple portraits, as well as fun and candid photos of the two of you, are sure to be some of your favorite photos of the day so don’t skimp on time here. If you’re having a first look, it’s great to take time for some couple portraits right after. This allows some private time as a couple before your wedding party joins you for photos. If you’re not doing a first look, you’ll want to plan couple portraits following family and wedding party photos after the ceremony. This way, your family and wedding party can get to the cocktail hour or reception while you get some time away with your photographer.

Pro Tip: Keep in mind travel time. I love when couples want to get away to a unique and special location away from the ceremony or reception venue, but be sure to add in travel time between locations and have a plan for how to get there. If you’re getting married at a golf course, you’ll want to be sure to speak with someone from the venue and let them know when and where to have a golf cart to take you out to a different location on the course. Other venues may require similar preparations and some locations also require photography permits. Be sure to ask all of these questions prior to the wedding day!

Separate wedding party Portraits

Approximate time: 30 minutes

During this time, we will photograph both sides of the wedding party separately. This includes photos of each party with their full side of the wedding party as well as portraits of each partner with every member from their side of the wedding party individually. Typically 30 minutes is a great amount of time however, if you have a large wedding party, keep this in mind when planning your timeline.

Pro Tip: Be sure to have your bouquets/boutonnieres delivered by the florist in time for these photos. Ideally, you’ll want bouquets, corsages and boutonnieres delivered before your photographer arrives for getting ready photos. This way, all of the florals can be covered in the wedding detail shots, and everyone has their bouquets and boutonnieres in time to walk out the door as soon as everyone is done getting ready.

FUll wedding Party Portraits

Approximate time: 30 minutes

Wedding party photos are really fun and usually one of the most high energy parts of the day! However, as soon as everyone gets together, especially if you’re doing wedding party photos after the ceremony, it can be difficult to get and keep everyone’s attention, especially if everyone has already had a really long day. For this reason, always allow some buffer, especially if you’re traveling before or after to a new location.

Pro Tip: Make sure your entire wedding party knows when and where to be for wedding party photos. Assign a member from each side of the wedding party to be in charge of the wedding party when you’re not there so they can rally everyone together in time for wedding party portraits.

Ceremony details

Approximate time: 15 minutes

With a bit of planning, I should be able to get in and get out when it comes to getting photos of your ceremony details and setup. However, this is really challenging if there are people or vendors still setting everything up or if your guests are already arriving. 

Pro Tip: Try to arrange with your other vendors to have everything set up at least an hour before your ceremony (or 30 minutes before your guests start arriving).

Family Portraits

Approximate time: 30 minutes

During the family portraits, a variety of group photos of the couple and their family members will be taken. It’s always tempting to want to include all of your family in family photos but I highly recommend limiting this time to just your immediate families and grandparents. In this case, 30 minutes is an ideal length of time. If you’re planning for a much larger group, make sure to add in more time! I will have you provide me with detailed group lists in order to help organize family members and ensure you don’t miss any groupings.

Pro Tip: Schedule family photos directly after your ceremony has ended. Let the family members involved know ahead of time where they need to be and when. Once again, I recommend assigning a family member from both the partner’s sides to be in charge of gathering everyone together and making sure everyone is in the right place at the right time. I also highly recommend having your officiant make an announcement reminding family members and directing them to the location at the end of your ceremony. 

Reception details

Approximate time: 15 minutes

It’s easy to overlook these photos when planning your timeline but you’ve spent so much time choosing your decor and details for the reception that you’ll definitely want these things documented.

Pro Tip: Like with the ceremony details, you’ll want to communicate with your vendors to have everything set up with some spare time before the doors are opened to your guests. This can be tricky depending on your venue, cocktail hour and whether or not you’re having a first-look.

Sunset Portraits

Approximate time: 30 minutes

Whether or not you want the photos, you’ll want this time, I promise! Not only is sunset lighting so beautiful, but you’ll appreciate having a few minutes away to be just the two of you and catch your breath away from the excitement of all of your family and friends.

Pro Tip: Schedule this time while your guests are occupied, such as when dessert is being served, or while dancing is just getting started

Grand exit

ApProximate time: 15 minutes

If you’ve got some sort of grand exit planned, such as a sparkler exit, you can allot about 15 minutes. This will allow plenty of time to get in position for your send off. 

Pro Tip: It’s best to have your planner or a friend help organize the send off. Whoever is organizing it should also connect with your photographer before giving instructions to your guests to ensure the send off is timed correctly.