PLANNING THE PERFECT WEDDING TIMELINE

 

When it comes to a wedding day timeline, many brides aren’t sure how to organize their timeline. Over the years of covering so many weddings, I have gathered loads of tips to help any bride get started on their timeline.

Remember that this is only a sample wedding day timeline with the goal to help couples get beautiful photos in the best lighting possible. Every wedding is different, just like every couple is different, but so many couples are forced to get their portraits during the worst possible time of the day. Like when the sun is right overhead casting harsh raccoon-eye shadows. A great photographer can overcome many obstacles, but beautiful natural sunlight is best.

 

APPROXIMATE TIME OF DIFFERENT PARTS OF THE DAY

 

Details & Prep – 90 Minutes

First Look & Portraits – 30-40 Minutes

Bridal Party – 30-40 Minutes

Family Formals – 30 Minutes

Extra Portrait Time –  As much as I can get!

Bridal Details – 2:30-3:15

Bridal Prep – 3:15-3:45

First Look – 4:00

Portraits – 4:15-4:45

Bridal Party Portraits – 4:50-5:20

Bride in Hiding – 5:30-6:00

Reception Details – 5:30-5:50

Ceremony  – 6:00-6:30

Family Portraits – 6:40-7:10

Reception Begins – 7:30

 

Keep in mind if you and your soulmate are getting married during the year in which there is an early or late sunset you will need to adjust the timeline to achieve sunset portraits after the ceremony!

 

As I’ve said before, details have always been one of my favorite parts of every wedding day. They tell each couple’s unique story, and I enjoy having the time to capture these important details.

 

Capturing details can usually take 45 minutes and is usually done while {Capture} the bride and her girls are getting ready. My assistant will usually start {Capture} the groom and his guys getting ready about 40 minutes prior to the first look since it always takes them less time to get dressed!

 

After photographing the details, it will be time for the bride to put on her beautiful wedding dress. My wedding day second shooter is my husband, and one of the reasons is he comes in handy during groom prep.

 

It is always a great idea to have all the bridesmaids and the mother of the bride to be dressed by the time the bride is ready to get into her dress. This way everyone looks beautiful during the bridal prep photos.

 

After the bride is in her beautiful dress, we get shots of either lacing up or zipping up of the back, and she can put on her jewelry, shoes, garter, perfume, sorority pin, etc. I do recommend waiting to put your veil on because sometimes during the first look the groom gets very excited that your veil can fall off when he embraces you! You can practice your first look, but holding back the guy overall reach during the first look, is not recommend. More detail about first look can be found in the first look section of your Bridal Experience Guide.

 

First looks are one of the reasons why I love my job! When it’s time for your first look, unless already decided, I will find the perfect place. Don’t stress out; I will make sure that your perfect first look place is private so the two of you will have a beautiful moment to yourselves before the ceremony.

 

After the first look, I will begin by taking a few portraits of just the bride and groom while the initial excitement of seeing each other is still there! I’m happy to help in finding locations for these shots as well but feel free to let me know how you want your wedding day to go. I usually decide on locations based on the lighting that day. The rest of the bridal party can make their way over to join us for Bridal Party Portraits.

 

I suggest making sure you have a buffer in some extra time just in case something unexpected comes up. Plus a great time-saving tip is to have someone put the guy’s boutonnieres on before they arrive for portraits. Don’t worry my second shooter will be with the guys to {Capture} theses moments.

I suggest making sure you have a buffer in some extra time just in case something unexpected comes up. Click To Tweet

During Bridal Party Portraits, my second shooter and I will take great shots of just the girls, just the guys, and some with both.

 

After bridal party portraits are finished, I like to give everyone about 30 minutes to relax before the ceremony begins. This time, can also act as a buffer as well. This time is really important so that the bride can focus entirely on the ceremony without anyone telling her what to do or where to go.

 

Capturing reception details during the time the bride is hiding depends on each wedding with having the ceremony and reception at the same place I usually will grab some shots of the reception quick while everything is set up nicely. If the ceremony and reception are in different locations, it’s a great idea to have a cocktail hour outside the main reception area, that way I can {Capture} some great shots of your reception before guest start putting their purses and coats in the seats.

This time is really important so that the bride can focus entirely on the ceremony without anyone telling her what to do or where to go. Click To Tweet

It’s time to get married!!! Most ceremonies are about 30 minutes long, if your ceremony is any longer, we’ll make adjustments to the overall timeline! Cherish these moments! Your ceremony will feel like a blur.

 

Usually, family portraits take place after the ceremony, you will receive a questionnaire before the wedding where you can list out your requested shots. The more time we spend on taking family formals, the longer people are waiting on the reception to start and the fewer “Just Married” photos we have time for later.

 

A FEW JUST MARRIED PORTRAITS

 

Shooting portraits outside will give us great light especially if the ceremony location isn’t well lit! This time is the BEST time of the day for a few “Just Married” photos if your wedding is in the late spring, summer or early fall! The 30 to 40 minutes before sunset the light is golden and glowy, it’s the perfect time to get a few pictures of just the bride and groom ACTUALLY married! Make sure to check the sunset time and adjust the timeline to match. This timeline assumes sunset is around 7:45 pm

 

The reception will normally kick off with the bridal party’s introductions. Depending on timing, I can always do a shot with dramatic lighting once the major events of the reception have finished.

 

THE EXIT

 

Either if you have a grand exit or plan on a faux exit with jus the bridal party, so you don’t have to add more coverage. We have had GREAT success with this and don’t worry the party doesn’t have to stop!

 

EMAIL ME about this if you’re interested in learning more!