How to Create a Wedding Day Timeline for the Best Photos
You did it! You have your venue, photographer, wedding planner, most of your vendors, and now you have to actually plan your wedding day. Is it your job? Will your wedding planner tell you everything? How will the photographer know how the day will unfold? Does it feel overwhelming because you want all the photos of your day, but you also don’t want to be stressed about it either?
Trust me when I say this, it is really going to be okay. How do I know that? Because if you have a wedding planner and photographer that care about YOU and YOUR wedding day then the perfect photos you want will happen. Now don’t get me wrong, a lot of planning has to go into the wedding day timeline to support everyone on the wedding day. But do not lose how you want your wedding day to go. Here is an inside look on how I plan my couple’s wedding days.
For this wedding day let’s say that the couple has booked an eight hour wedding day package, it is in September, the ceremony time is 6:00, we ARE doing a first look, and they want to have their grand exit around 10:00. I work backwards knowing that 6:00-10:00 is already four hours of coverage which means my contract time starts at 2:00! I always arrive 30 minutes early to the wedding venue to ensure I know the venue well and we are ready to start shooting as soon as my contract time starts. Here is what I would propose to the couple!
1:30 photographer arrives to the venue
2:00 detail shots, dress photos, and getting ready with bridesmaids
2:30 grooms party photos
3:00 last photos of getting ready, bridesmaids get in dress
3:20 mom and bride have a moment together in bride’s dress
3:30 first look with bridesmaids and go right into bridal party photos
4:00 first look with groom and portraits
4:30 full bridal and grooms party
5:00 hard stop to hydrate, bathroom, and eat
6:00 ceremony start
6:30 ceremony is over, bride and groom sneak off with the photographer for 20 minutes (this is everyone’s favorite part of their wedding day)
7:00 full family photos, bride and groom eat their food in another room before grand entrance
7:45 grand entrance for reception straight into first dances
8:00 everyone is eating, cake is going to be cut
8:15 the dance floor is open for everyone (I usually grab the bride and groom for sunset photos)
9:50 last dance for the bride and groom
10:00 grand exit for the night, photographer leaves venue after couple has left
This is a very basic timeline, but you know what it allows for? Rest. Moments to be embraced and remembered. Not rushing. Why though? Because that is when your photos become the core memories you want. if you are rushing through your wedding day something is wrong. Is it a stressful day? It can be for sure, but that is why you hire professional vendors that know how to make it run smoothly for your enjoyment and ease!
Does this sound good? It can be this way for you! Let’s start chatting about your wedding photography needs and how to make your photos come to life.
