Figuring out your wedding timeline can sound daunting, but not to worry we're here to help! When you book with us we will work with you to build an optimal timeline that will ensure you get all the best photos. Below is a sample photography timeline based on one location and a couple who will be doing first looks. We know some of the times seem long, but we promise you come the wedding day it will fly by!
Every bride loves having those beautiful shots of her bridal details. It’s an important part of the story and we love having time to shoot the dress, shoes, jewelry, invitations, etc. These shots allow us to get warmed up for the rest of the big day. We normally like to allow at least 45 minutes for this part of the day. While I’m shooting details, I’m also capturing some shots of the bride and her girls getting ready! Deanne will begin photographing the boys about 40 minutes before the first look since it always takes them less time to get dressed!
After the details have been photographed, it’s time for the bride to get into her dress! This is a big moment! We usually ask the mother of the bride and all of the bridesmaids to be dressed by the time the bride is ready to get into her dress. This ensures that everyone will look nice in those images. After the bride is in her gown, she can put on her jewelry, veil, shoes, etc. and we will shoot some additional bridal portraits!
This is one of our favorite parts of the wedding day! We will find the perfect location for our couple’s First Look prior to the getting ready portion of the day! Don’t stress about that one bit! We will make sure the location is private and as secluded as possible.
After the bride and groom take their time with the First Look, we will begin taking a few romantic portraits of the two of them while the initial excitement is still present! We will find the locations for these shots as well! Remember, the LIGHT determines where we shoot and so we can’t decide on portrait locations until the day of. As we shoot these portraits, the bridal party can start making their way to us for Bridal Party portraits!
Now it’s time for Wedding Party shots! We buffer in extra time through out the day just in case we have some unexpected things that hold us up! One way to make sure we stay on schedule for wedding party portraits is to have someone put the boutonnieres on the guys BEFORE they arrive for portraits. During Wedding Party portraits, Deanne and I will make sure to take some great shots of the guys and girls both separately AND together!
Prior to your wedding day we will send your our super important Family Portraits Questionnaire. This is where you will tell us all the family groupings you want. We will use this list to call out names and make sure we capture all your loved ones. We’ll need about 30 minutes for family formals.
After bridal party portraits are complete, the bride will go into hiding so that early guests don’t sneak a peek, and the ushers will begin their duties.
If the reception is in the same location as the ceremony, we will use this time to shoot the reception decor UNTOUCHED. If the ceremony and reception are in different locations, we recommend having a cocktail hour outside of the main reception area if possible so that we can grab some great shots of your reception before the night begins and guests start laying down purses and coats on their seats!
It’s time to get married!! Most ceremonies are 30 minutes. If your ceremony is longer than 30 minutes, we’ll make adjustments to the timeline! Cherish these moments! Your ceremony will pass by so quickly! Also just a little tip....we suggest taking a private moment after your ceremony to take it all in and be Mr and Mrs before all the festivities begin.
Extended Family formals normally take place immediately following the ceremony. It’s best to save your cousins, nieces and nephews, etc. family formals until after the ceremony because ALL family members will be present at that time.
This is the BEST time of day for portraits in the late spring, summer and early fall! This is when the sun is glowy and golden. We love having a few extra minutes with the bride and groom to take a few “Just Married” portraits right after family formals!
This is pad time for either catching up on the schedule or it can be used for the bride and groom to do any touch ups needed before the grand entrance, use the restroom, have a moment together or even join cocktail hour. Your choice!
This is when the bridal party lines up for introductions and the party begins!! By this part of the day, our timeline isn’t as strict. We work off of the natural light, so after the sun is set, our portrait time is over and we begin focusing on the reception events!
We include 8 hours of coverage so that we can be present for the main events of the reception and about an hour of dancing! If you’re interested in having your exit photographed, there are several options for this! You can either add additional coverage or plan a faux exit with just your bridal party! We have had GREAT success with this and the party never stops! Email us about this if you’re interested in learning more!
