Planning your wedding is stressful and there are so many different “projects” and task to think through. Not only are you planning and dreaming of tablescapes and decor, but you also have to think about when everyone needs to be ready, what time should the ceremony start, and so many little details that it can seem overwhelming.
A well-planned timeline for the wedding day will make things so much smoother the day of. As a photographer, I love getting to collaborate with wedding planners and brides to ensure that everything runs efficiently the day of. While wedding day timelines should be about getting everywhere on time and starting certain portions of the day when you are supposed to, it should also maximize the time you have with your photographer.
This is a long one guys, but it is one of my "most asked questions". Brides, it's hard to think about all the little pieces, but that's why I'm here.
A well-planned timeline for the wedding day will make things so much smoother the day of. As a photographer, I love getting to collaborate with wedding planners and brides to ensure that everything runs efficiently the day of. While wedding day timelines should be about getting everywhere on time and starting certain portions of the day when you are supposed to, it should also maximize the time you have with your photographer.
This is a long one guys, but it is one of my "most asked questions". Brides, it's hard to think about all the little pieces, but that's why I'm here.
I have two different types of wedding day timelines and which one I use is based on one question. “Will you and your groom be sharing a first look?” If you don’t know what a first look is, make sure you check back next week on the Wedding Walkthrough series, because I’m going to lay it all out.
"...which one I use is based on one question. "Will you and your groom be sharing a first look?""
The reason this question dictates which timeline I use, is because it will determine when the majority of the bride and groom portraits, as well as bridal party portraits will be taken.
So let’s dig in a little deeper.
If a bride and groom decide that they are indeed going to do a first look (which my photographer’s heart loves), then we need to add more time to the beginning of the day. Below you will see a sample timeline for HGP couples who participate in a first look.
So let’s dig in a little deeper.
If a bride and groom decide that they are indeed going to do a first look (which my photographer’s heart loves), then we need to add more time to the beginning of the day. Below you will see a sample timeline for HGP couples who participate in a first look.
As you will see above there are only family formals following the ceremony. Meaning that the bride and groom don’t leave their guest waiting an hour (or more) for them to arrive to the reception or they can even step into cocktail hour.
The first look allows us to spend some quality time shooting couple's portraits before the ceremony as well as all of the bridal party shots.
The first look allows us to spend some quality time shooting couple's portraits before the ceremony as well as all of the bridal party shots.
Okay, what if I'm not having a first look?
Now for my second timeline. If a couple decides not to do a first look, then I usually only arrive about two hours before the ceremony. I still start off the same way with bridal details and getting ready shots. My goal with this timeline is to get as many photos done before the ceremony as possible, even though the couple isn’t seeing each other first. Don’t get me wrong, it flows easier when the couple does a first look but I never force my couples to do one.
In order to reduce the amount of photos after the ceremony, I still try to get a portion of the bridal party shots beforehand. I usually take the ladies outside first (making sure that the groom is in a secure location and knows not to go wandering) for bridal party portraits. Once we’ve taken bridal shots, group shots and individual bridesmaids with the bride shots...I will send the ladies back inside. At this point, I will round up the gentleman to start their portraits outside in the same manner that I shot the ladies. The reason I stick to the “ladies first” motto is that once we are done taking the bride/bridesmaids portraits they can go back inside to freshen up. Plus, I usually time this so that guest are about to arrive when the groomsmen portraits are happening… and if the bride has chosen not to do a first look, chances are she doesn’t want guest to see her before the ceremony either. When doing a first look though, I plan a little differently so that portraits aren’t happening right when guest are arriving. That way it’s still a surprise for the guest to see the bride.
After the ceremony, family formals will begin once the ceremony location is cleared of guest. As the family makes their way to cocktail hour, we will start full wedding party portrait. Once family and bridal party portraits are over, I will take just the bride and groom for romantic couples portraits. I ideally like to have at least 30-45 minutes of time with just the two of them. However, with this type of timeline there isn’t always enough time between the end of the ceremony and the start of the reception to fit in this much time. That's why I favor "first looks"...it breaks up portrait time and allows us to really focus on the couple without the time constraint of heading to the reception.
After the ceremony, family formals will begin once the ceremony location is cleared of guest. As the family makes their way to cocktail hour, we will start full wedding party portrait. Once family and bridal party portraits are over, I will take just the bride and groom for romantic couples portraits. I ideally like to have at least 30-45 minutes of time with just the two of them. However, with this type of timeline there isn’t always enough time between the end of the ceremony and the start of the reception to fit in this much time. That's why I favor "first looks"...it breaks up portrait time and allows us to really focus on the couple without the time constraint of heading to the reception.
For both types of timelines, I typically will take the bride and groom out of the reception (once the dancing has started) to shoot during “golden hour”. The later in the day, the more glowly and golden the light is...usually. So regardless of the timeline...I typically pull them out for a few moments to shoot.
If you are anything like me, you want to have everything planned out well in advance...but also remember to give yourself grace the timeline falls behind.
If you are anything like me, you want to have everything planned out well in advance...but also remember to give yourself grace the timeline falls behind.
The timeline examples above are showing the the flow of the day. For a list of approximate times that I use to make my timelines, see the following list.
Photographing bridal details: 25-30 mins.
Getting the bride dressed: 30 mins.
Family formals: 20-35 mins.
Couples portraits: 35-45 mins.
Bridal party: 35-45 mins
Photographing bridal details: 25-30 mins.
Getting the bride dressed: 30 mins.
Family formals: 20-35 mins.
Couples portraits: 35-45 mins.
Bridal party: 35-45 mins
If you made it to the bottom of this blog post, thank you...and you deserve a pat of the back!
