Creating a perfect Wedding day timeline
Creating a perfect Wedding day timeline
After going to numerous of weddings that I’ve shot, here is a sample of the wedding timeline. This comes in handy as I would want for all of my clients to have a stress-free wedding planning. This timeline is perfect because it helps you see the picture of your wedding day, a whole resource full of the different stages of a wedding day broken down from a photography perspective.
Pre-wedding preparation and details
Details: (30 minutes) -I always recommend to have the details to be ready to use when I come to the venue. I usually start with the detail photos before I capture getting ready (hair and makeup). If the ceremony and reception are done with the details and last minute touch, I usually go there do the capture some shoots before I do the getting ready looks with the bride and the groom.
Pro tip #1: Have the bridesmaid put the details box at a good location to use for the details. When I’m done with the details, I’ll be giving the items back to the bride. If the groom need the rings back for the ceremony, I’ll send a bridesmaid to bring it down to the groom before the ceremony starts.
Dress, Shoes, Suit
Rings
Bouquets
Stationary (Invitations, etc)
Sentimental items
Perfume
Vow books
Hair and Makeup: A typical bridal getting ready timeline starts four to five hours before the ceremony for a standard wedding party, with a recommended 1.5-2 hours for hair and makeup and another 1-1.5 hours for getting dressed, dressing, and final photos. it is recommended that the bridal party start to getting ready with hair and makeup. You can hire a HMU or do it yourself. The general rule is to finish all wedding day hair and makeup at least one hour before the ceremony to allow for photos and to ensure the bride is the last to be fully dressed especially if you’re doing a first look or any pre-ceremony photos with your wedding photographer. If you’re getting ready away from the ceremony venue, plan to be done closer to two hours before the ceremony to allow for travel time and last-minute touch-ups.
Bride/Groom prep:(45 minutes) - After I’m done with the details, I take some portraits of the bridal party getting ready before going to the groom with the groomsmen to get ready for the big day. Depending on the time, I usually do groom with groomsmen photos before the ceremony so that we can save time for after the ceremony. Once I’m done with the groom, I go back to the bride for getting ready photos.
First looks: (15 minutes) - Even if you don’t want to see the groom before the wedding day, you can do a first touch before the wedding day where you still don’t see each other before the wedding. Even if you don’t want a first look/touch with the groom, we can still do first looks with dad, bridal party and/or even your grandparents.
Bridal portraits: (30 minutes) - Now it is time for Bridal Party shots! If you have a wedding coordinator, they keep the entire day on track, not just the photography portion. If isn't in the budget, the maid of honor or best man are traditional choices for this task. Because they are close to the couple, and help to make sure the portraits go smoothly.
**Hide the Bride: Ensure you and your wedding party have ample time to hide and for guests to arrive before you are "tucked away" from sight. Guests will typically arrive around 30 minutes before the ceremony starts, so factor this in when scheduling your "reveal" for maximum impact.
Ceremony
Ceremony: (30 minutes) - It is time to get married! Most ceremonies are 30 minutes or less but if yours is longer then make adjustments for that!
Post-Ceremony & Reception:
The cocktail hour: It starts after the ceremony for about an hour during where I take family, bridal party and bride and groom portraits. I’d usually start with the grandparents or anyone who is not in a good shape to stand up for a while waiting to get pictures taken unless if there’s chairs nearby (at the reception with chairs to use.) Then I’d add in the parents and grandparents (bride and then the groom). After that, I’ll be doing fun shots with the bridal party. When it’s time for bride and groom romantic portraits, you’re welcome to have a bridesmaid and/or groomsman to help out with your veil or get you something to drink.
Pro tip #1: 30 minutes with the family portraits with the bride and groom.
Pro tip #2: 30 minutes with the bridal party. (Larger wedding parties, the longer it will take.)
Pro tip #3: 30 minutes with the bride and groom romantic portraits.
Pro tip #4: Be sure to communicate with your family members in advance about the timing and location of the family portraits. Encourage them to arrive on time and be ready for their photos.
Pro tip #5: When designating someone to organize family for wedding portraits, choose a person who is well-acquainted with both sides of the family and has an assertive, outgoing personality. This individual, often called a "photo wrangler," will help ensure the photo session runs efficiently and stays on schedule.
**I recommend having a shot list on hand before the wedding day to make sure we have all the important pictures taken, especially with their names listed.
Grand Entrance: (30 minutes) - Get ready for some fun because they are always a blast! Check out here for wedding playlist ideas.
The exit
If you’re booking a coverage with me that doesn’t include the send off (due to the hour coverage), I can definitely try to pitch in a “faux send off” and you can go back and dance the night away.
Factors to consider:
First Look vs. No First Look: A wedding "First Look" is a planned moment before the ceremony for the couple to see each other privately, which provides timeline flexibility by allowing most formal portraits and family photos to be taken beforehand
Travel Time: Account for any travel time between locations (getting ready location to ceremony, ceremony to reception)
Sunset Time: Knowing the sunset time is crucial for planning golden hour photos.
Coverage Length: The length of a wedding photographer's coverage directly determines how much of the reception can be documented. Shorter packages typically cover the main events at the beginning of the reception, while longer packages are necessary to capture the entire party, including dancing and the grand exit.
