CREATING AN IDEAL TIMELINE
/ THE BEST TIMELINE Let me preface this by saying, it’s your wedding day, so you can do whatever you want. Everything in this guide I say with love and honesty. I want you to have the wedding day that you dreamed. Please let the lessons I’ve learned and witnessed through other couples help make your day the best it can be.
makeup artist that crashed her car en route to meet the bride; many mothers of the bride MIA for photos (they were chatting with guests or running errands). Thankfully, each of these couples had great timelines, so we had sufficient time for amazing pictures.
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On the other hand, I have been to several weddings where we were shooting at dusk with the bride and groom—it was the first time they had seen each other alone all day. I’ve seen people get a little crazy and hangry when trying to cram in too many family photos when there just isn’t the time because the ceremony ran late.
A wedding day can quickly become stressful and chaotic with a bad timeline. No wedding day is ever perfect. People run late. Accidents happen. Hair and makeup typically takes longer than you plan. None of these situations are a big deal, as long as you give yourself space in your timeline to make up for it. This rule also goes for photography. After more than 100 weddings, I’ve seen it all. I’ve witnessed a bride forget half of her wedding dress; a
I don’t want you to plan your day minute by minute. That isn’t fun for anyone nor is it realistic. However, I do want to help you plan for the best experience that you can possibly have for your wedding. Here is a starting point for a relaxed, enjoyable wedding day...
+ WITH FIRST LOOK 0:00 PREPARATION
I usually arrive an hour to an hour and a half before the bride gets dressed. This is adequate time to photograph details, prep, etc.
TIP: Have your details set aside before I arrive so that nothing is missed.
1:30 FIRST LOOK 2:15 BRIDAL PARTY 2:45 IMMEDIATE FAMILY
Formals can take less time, depending on number of combinations.
TIP: Make a group list before the wedding to save time (see last page).
3:15 BREAK
Make sure you leave some space before your ceremony so that the groomsmen can usher (if applicable); also, you can touch up makeup and hide before guests arrive.
4:00 CEREMONY 4:45
EXTENDED FAMILY
Only if applicable. If you have a small extended family, invite them to immediate family photos to remove this space after the ceremony.
5:15 BRIDE + GROOM PORTRAITS In gorgeous evening light!
TIP: Plan this within two hours of sunset for the best light.
5:45 ENTER COCKTAIL HOUR / RECEPTION 8:0012:00 END
+ NUMBERS ARE DEPICTED AS AN ONGOING CLOCK TO REPRESENT COVERAGE, NOT ACTUAL TIME OF DAY.
- WITHOUT FIRST LOOK 0:00 PREPARATION
I usually arrive an hour-hour and a half before the bride gets dressed. This is adequate time to photograph details, prep, etc.
TIP: Have your details set aside before I arrive so that nothing is missed.
1:00 BRIDE + BRIDESMAIDS + HER FAMILY Use this time to take any photos that don’t involve the groom. For
example, just bride with parents, or bride with siblings, etc.
1:30 GROOM + GROOMSMEN + HIS FAMILY 2:00 BREAK
Make sure you leave some space before your ceremony so that the groomsmen can usher (if applicable); also, you can touch up makeup and hide before guests arrive.
2:45 CEREMONY 3:30
EXTENDED FAMILY PHOTOS
Only if applicable. Start with the largest groups first to excuse guests that are only in one photo to minimize chaos and noise.
4:00
IMMEDIATE FAMILY
Formals can take less time, depending on number of combinations.
TIP: Make a group list before the wedding to save time (see last page).
4:30 BRIDAL PARTY 4:45 BRIDE + GROOM PORTRAITS At minimum, save 30 minutes for just the two of you. An hour is best.
TIP: Plan this within two hours of sunset for the best light.
5:45 ENTER COCKTAIL HOUR / RECEPTION 8:0012:00 END
/ THE FIRST LOOK One of the decisions my husband and I went back and forth on was whether or not to do a first look on our wedding day. I had seen many of my clients choose this option and revel in the moment, but I couldn’t let go of the tradition of having the big reveal at the ceremony. A month before our wedding, we grabbed dinner with friends who had been married the previous year. We brought up the topic, and he mentioned that they had done a first look. My husband complained of ruining the moment of seeing me for the first time walk down the aisle that he had been imagining our entire engagement. Our friend went on to explain that their first look was nothing more than an additional, wonderful event that complemented their day. He said, There was nothing that could take away from her walking down the aisle. It didn’t matter if I had seen her a day before, a minute before, or a week before. It was going to be special no matter what. We were so persuaded by his argument
that, in the end, we decided to do a first look. In retrospect, I couldn’t imagine setting up our day any other way. We were able to spend the entire afternoon with each other, and we had all of our family and bridal party photos finished before the ceremony. It made our own portrait time more special because we weren’t rushed or worried about making our guests wait for dinner. Both events were equally as memorable. Our first look was giddy with excitement, whereas the ceremony was extremly emotional. I believe it was made more special by getting to see each other beforehand because I could be present in that moment, instead of worrying about whether he liked my dress and hair. I remember hearing the music swell and thinking about how my dad was giving me away. Then my dad starting tearing up, and I lost it too. This does not mean that I disagree with taking the traditional route. I completely respect and understand the beauty of it! It’s your wedding day, and you should plan it as you have always dreamed. But, it’s always good to consider all the options to make your wedding day as special as it possibly can be for you both.
PROS + +
You will have the opportunity to have your portraits taken during the best, most flattering light (especially poignant for evening ceremonies).
+ You can spend more time with each other on your wedding day. + Your guests will have less time to wait between ceremony + reception. + You can attend your cocktail party! + You will have more time for photos; therefore, you will also have more options for locations. + Photo time will be less rushed and more enjoyable because it will be spaced throughout the day. + You can see each other for the first time without an audience. + You will have the flexibility to adjust photo time if you have unpredictable, crazy weather.
CONS - You envisioned something else :)
/ GROUP FORMALS
MAKE A LIST Converse with your fiancé and parents a few months before the wedding about who is most important to have in a formal group picture. Write down all the combinations of the family members that you want in a formal portrait. Remember that you can always take informal photos at the reception with guests that are not on the list.
COMMUNICATE At the rehearsal dinner, tell those family members where to be and when. Give them clear instructions so that time isn’t wasted searching for lost guests. Pick a meeting spot that is separate from the rest of your guests so that it is easier to stay focused.
COMBOS To save time on the wedding day, keep the combinations to a minimum. The most common family combos are: Bride + Groom + both immediate families B+G + Bride’s family B+G + Bride’s parents B + Bride’s siblings B+G + Groom’s family B+G + Groom’s parents G + Groom’s siblings B+G + Bride’s grandparents B+G + Groom’s grandparents + This list takes about 15-30 minutes.
M.I.A. If guests are missing or have already left for the reception, skip those pairings and make time during the reception to take those photos.
CROWD CONTROL Start with the largest groups first to excuse guests that are only in one photo to minimize chaos and noise. If there are disabled relatives and/or tempermental children, make sure to plan for these early in your list as well.
/ MISCELLANEOUS Please send an email with the applicable information for communication, sharing photos, blogging, and possible publication:
CEREMONY SITE: RECEPTION VENUE: WEDDING COORDINATOR: VIDEOGRAPHER: CAKE/DESSERT: CATERER: DRESS DESIGNER: TUX BRANDS/STORE: DJ/BAND: FLORIST: JEWELRY: HANDMADE/VINTAGE FINDS: BRIDESMAID DRESSES: TABLE DECOR: INVITATIONS/STATIONARY: HAIR STYLIST: MAKEUP ARTIST: OTHER: