Planning Your Wedding Day Timeline

So You've Got The Dress, the Flowers, the People... but What About the Timeline?

The biggest concern raised by clients is feeling overwhelmed and lost. "What time do I need to tell hair and makeup to be done? What time should I get dressed? How long for family formals? I don't want to miss [insert any part of the wedding day here.]" Timelines can make or break your wedding day, but with the right planning, the right people involved, and the expectations set in place, you CAN have the wedding day of your dreams that is (almost) stress-free, and you will be able to truly be in-the-moment all day long. A little planning goes a long way, and when you have a solid timeline with a little padding built-in, and all the vendors have the same timeline, we are once again a well-oiled machine.

Who's in Charge?

Every vendor has their own answer to this – hair & makeup says that nothing can really start until they are done, and they are the initial vendors you work with on the wedding day. The caterer might say they are in charge of the timeline because "everything revolves around timing on the reception food so it's hot for guests." A wedding planner/day-of-coordination will tell you they are the ones in charge. Photographers will tell you they run the show – everything is based on how long they need for family formals, portraits, first looks and more. MY ANSWER: "The Couple."

"But what about having guidance? I've never done this before, and I'm so lost!" I'm so glad you asked, and that's where I come in.

Things to Consider

When I meet with clients, the first thing I say is, "What are the plans?" If getting ready, the ceremony, family portraits, and the reception are all in different places, that means you will need a lot more time built into your day. What is most important to you in your photos? Here's a quick rundown to start:

1. Are you and your fiancee getting ready at the same location? Time can be covered by having two photographers, one at each location.
2. Do you want to attend your cocktail hour? If yes, then you need to plan on a first look with your bride/groom so we can get most of your bridal party & family formals out of the way.
3. How long is your ceremony (religious can run 60+ min, while non-traditional vows can be as short as 2 minutes!)
4. Do you have an extensive list of family combinations on both sides? If so, count 2 minutes per combination.
5. Is there anything during your reception that you want to capture (nighttime shots, sparkler exits, last first dance)

A Few Timeline Samples

With even just a bit of information above, here are just a few timelines you can get a good start with, but don't fret. If you become a client, we navigate this all for you, and help customize a timeline based on your exact needs!

NOW, HOW DO YOU FEEL?

Less overwhelmed? Do you have a better handle on how your day might go? Has this helped push you one way or another for having different locations? Are you reconsidering your location? Are you considering a first look to attend your cocktail hour? The timing of your day can greatly affect the amount of photographer time for your day. Multiple locations will usually require 1 to 2 additional hours (10 hours) while all-inclusive locations can almost always use 8 hours without any concerns. Using two photographers can help split up the coverage and lessen the amount of time needed, while still getting all the important shots. Working with a photographer who can guide you on your wedding journey and provide timelines that are flexible, will help you avoid the wedding day rush and leave you feeling less stressed. You will feel confident and completely organized while knowing what to expect throughout your day!

XOXO,

Deb