hi friend!
Planning your wedding can be time consuming and a little stressful, but don't worry I am here to help! There is so much that goes into planning your special day and I want to be able to capture everything down to the smallest details. I wanted to give you some insight on how long things typically last + some real timelines I have used in the past. No wedding is the exact same, but these will help give an idea of how your wedding timeline can look. So excited to start planning your day with you!
Details usually take up an hour of any timeline. I typically do the details photos when I first arrive. I have a details bag I pack with me that has ring boxes, ribbon, small glass bottles, etc. I love when clients pack a box filled with things for me to use as well! This is also when I will be taking photos of the venue, decor, cakes/florals if they are out at this time. If you are using more than one location I will schedule a few extra minutes for details at each location.
Some items to pack: rings (all of them), flowers, invitations, save the dates, shoes, veil, dress, jewelry, perfume, cologne, printed photos, anything significant to you and your partner.
DETAILS
Getting ready photos can be done the same time as details or immediately after, just depends on your schedule. Just you and you favorite people having as much fun as you want! I will give some prompts so we can get group shots, but I want to capture the genuine moments between everyone. Getting ready photos are always some of my favorites.
I typically like to come in when you first get started on hair and makeup. I start with detail photos and then I can snag some getting ready ones during the same time. I do love the process of getting ready and watching the HMUA do their thing. Capturing your day as it happens is so important to me.
getting ready
Here is where we get teary eyed!
You can do a first look with whoever you want, your partner, father, mother, siblings, your bridal party, etc. I usually block off anywhere from 10-40 minutes for first looks. Depending on where you are wanting to have the first look, if you are wanting to share vows or gifts, and how much private time you are wanting with your partner.
You can check out my blog post about doing a first look with your partner or not if you are on the fence about it. If you are doing a first look, I recommend doing them shortly after you get ready. It is up to you on the order of which you do your first looks, typically it is the bridal party first after you all get ready, then your parents/siblings, and usually save the first look with your partner for last. It just depends on what order you want to do things.
first looks
If you do decide to do a first look, bridal party portraits are typically after the first looks with your partner, if no first look then we can do them after the ceremony if you are wanting formal portraits with your bridal party. I love to give prompts so there will be movement and candid moments. Depending on the size of your bridal party, I usually block off 15-30 minutes for bridal party portraits.
bridal party
Family portraits do not have to be a headache, I usually block off 30 minutes. If you are wanting formal photos, more posed and smiling with family I understand. I will ask on one of my questionnaires for a detailed list of names and groupings so I can call names from the list. Family portraits can be done before the ceremony if you do a first look or after the ceremony if you are not doing a first look.
For those wanting a more candid look to family portraits, you can ask a select group of people to join you and your partner after the ceremony to go somewhere more private and just let you guys interact. Everyone else will be going to cocktail hour, where the reception is, or participating in your photo area so the other guest will be occupied. No posing necessary, just you and your favorite people celebrating you and your partners love! Share hugs, tears, and more hugs of course.
family portraits
Make your ceremony as long or as short as you want it to be. I will be floating around catching all angles of your ceremony, candids of teary eyed family and friends, so focus on you and your partner. Soak in every moment. You will most likely be nervous and forget most of the ceremony, thats what most of my clients tell me.
Do what makes you happy!!
ceremony
Sunset portraits are my favorite. The light, the intimacy, the SUNSET. If you have time in your schedule to have sunset portraits, I will always advise you to do it. It gives you and your partner more alone time, time to soak in the day together, and it is always fun to have more photos with your lover on your wedding day. This is usually for about 15-20 minutes!
I promise to guide you both with prompts that will have encourage you to engage with one another. I do like to give you time to just relax during this as well, take a breath. You just married your best friend!!
sunset portraits
Time to party!!
Grab your dancing partner and let's hit the dance floor. Honestly some of my favorite photos come from the reception. I love when everyone is having a great time and just enjoying the moment. This is usually the end of the night, most people do a fake send off before people leave and then we dance the night away.
reception
Exit however your heart desires. Do something you love, something that makes you happy. A lot of my couples do a fake send off and then come back, I have even had a couple run to Dairy Queen and then come back for the reception.
Examples: sparklers, rice, flowers, bubbles, streamer, confetti, ribbon, bird seed.
Please make sure what you are planning is either biodegradable or able to clean up.
send off
Example Timelines
from real weddings
6 hour timeline
3:00 pm - begin HMU
4:00 pm - photographer arrives
4:00 pm - details/getting ready
5:20 pm - put dress on with mother
5:40 pm - first look with groom
6:00 pm - first look with father
6:10 pm - family photos
*hide inside until ceremony starts*
7:00 pm - ceremony
7:20 pm - bridal party
7:20 pm - everyone else goes to reception
7:40 pm - sunset portraits
8:00 pm - first dances
8:05 pm - eating
8:20 pm - cake
*dancing, partying, etc.*
9:30 pm - bouquet toss
9:40 pm - send off
10:00 pm - photographer coverage ends
Our Team
8 hour timeline
1:00 pm - photographer arrives
1:00 pm - begin HMU, details, getting ready
3:00 pm - finishing up HMU
3:30 pm - dress on with mother
3:50 pm - first look with fathers
4:00 pm - first looks with brothers
4:15 pm - first look with groom
*hide until ceremony*
5:00 pm - ceremony
*drive to reception*
6:00 pm - reception
6:10 pm - bride + groom entrance
6:15 pm - first dances
6:20 pm - eating
6:40 pm - cake
7:30 pm - sunset portraits
8:00 pm - dancing, partying, etc.
9:00 pm - photographer coverage ends
Our Team
10 hour timeline
8:00 am - begin HMU
12:00 pm - photographer arrives
12:00 pm - details/getting ready bride/bridesmaids
2:30 pm - getting ready with groom/groomsmen
3:20 pm - first look
3:50 pm - bridal party
4:20 pm - family portraits
*hide inside until ceremony*
5:30 pm - ceremony
5:50 pm - sunset portraits
6:15 pm - first dances
6:20 pm - eating
6:50 pm - cut cake
*dancing, partying, etc*
8:00 pm - garter/bouquet toss
8:20 pm - fake send off
*comes back into reception*
10:00 pm - photographer ends coverage
Not everything will go right on schedule, that is OKAY!
One thing I want you to know about your wedding day is that it is NOT a photoshoot, it is your wedding day. The wedding day makes the photos, not the other way around. I do like to make timelines like these so we can know when things are going to happen, but if we don't start your first dances right at 6:05 pm everything will still be fine! You have put in the work to plan this entire day, take a moment and breathe, enjoy celebrating you and your partners love! SOAK IT ALL IN! I will be there to ensure the day goes as smooth as possible along with all of the other vendors you trusted to be with you on your special day!!
