WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHY TIMELINE | "IDEAL" AND POTENTIAL TIMES FOR YOUR PHOTOGRAPHY

 

With the diversity of the cultural aspects of our weddings, it's difficult to pinpoint an exact wedding photography timeline.  However, there are ideal time frames you should consider when planning your day.  Some of these times may seem long on paper but keep in mind that the day will fly by.  Most weddings run slightly behind schedule and we'll make these photos session fun, so it wont's seem like a long time.  Great photos don't just happen, we have to make time to get the best of your big day.  The follow information is to help you plan your day.  You don't have to use the exact timeline we have here.  It is just a guideline of what your day might pan out.  Sometimes things make more sense when you see in print.  We always collaborate with you to help you plan your day.

 

POTENTIAL WEDDING DAY TIMELINE

6 HOURS COLLECTION

(If you have traveling time, you must include it in timeline)

30 Minutes Groom 

1 Hour Bride Getting Ready 

15 Minutes Ceremony set up (Wedding Party Line Up)

30 Minutes Ceremony

1 Hour Formal Portraits

15 Minutes Reception Set up (line up)

2.5 Hours Reception

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7 HOURS COLLECTION

(If you have traveling time, you must include it in timeline)

30 Minutes Groom Getting Ready

1.5 Hours Bride Getting Ready and Details

30 Minutes first look, Newlywed portraits, wedding party photos

15 Minutes Ceremony Set (Wedding Party Line Up)

30  Minutes Ceremony

1 Hour Formal Portraits

15 Minutes Set Up (Line Up)

2.5 Hours Reception

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8 HOURS COLLECTION

Recommended collection

(If you have traveling time, you must include it in timeline)

30 Minutes Groom Getting Ready

1.5 Hours Bride Getting Ready and Details

30 Minutes First Look, Newlywed portraits and wedding party photos

30 Minutes Set (Wedding Party line Up Ceremony Detail Photos)

30 Minutes Ceremony

1 Hour Formal Portraits

30 Minutes Set (Wedding Party line up Reception Room Detail Photos)

3  Hours Reception

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IDEAL WEDDING DAY TIMELINE DETAILS

It's difficult to pinpoint an exact wedding photography timeline.  However, there are ideal time frames you should consider when planning your day.  Some of these times are listed here with details to help you plan. We always recommend 8 hours or more for full coverage and get the most out of your big day.

 

RINGS, DRESS, SHOES AND OTHER DETAILS

Ideal Time Allotment - 30 minutes

Ideal Time of the Day - Morning

Ideal Location - Bridal Suite or Hotel Suite

Advice - Having at least 30 minutes for details ensures that we have plenty of time to get that perfect photo of the dress, rings, shoes, bouquets and other details.  To avoid losing time, have all details items ready for me and my photographers.  Sometimes the hotel suite is so crowded or unappealing we have to take the dress all the down to another location.  It takes time but can produce great results.

 

PREPARATION

 

Ideal Time Allotment -60 minutes

Ideal Time of the Day - Morning or Early Afternoon

Ideal Location - Bridal Suite or Hotel Suite

Advice - Having at an hour of preparation is ideal for our style.  During this time, we are getting close ups of the makeup and hair being applied as well as the candid moments of the bridesmaids and groomsmen get ready for the day.  Keep in mind that these are the most emotional and fun times of the day, so we don't want to cut it short.

The lead shooter will be with the bride and the second shooter will be the the groom.

 

INDIVIDUAL PORTRAITS

 

Ideal Time Allotment - 30 minutes

Ideal Time of the Day - Morning or Early Afternoon

Ideal Location - Bridal Suite, Hotel Suite, Venue Lobby or Venue Garden

Advice - Right after prep is the best time for individual portraits of the bride and groom (separately).  

 

FIRST LOOK AND DAYTIME COUPLES SESSION

 

Ideal Time Allotment - 45-60 minutes

Ideal Time of the Day - Morning or Early Afternoon

Ideal Location - Venue Garden, Empty Venue Hallway

Advice - The ideal first look should be around 45-60 minutes.  During the first look, the bride and groom enjoy seeing each other for the first time on their wedding day.  While the actual first look only takes 10-15 minutes, the rest of the time is spent on a few basic portraits of the bride and groom.  

Ideally we like saving the creative couples session later, however,  if there is no time later in the day, it is best to allocate 45 minutes to an hour to make sure we have enough photos of just you two.

 

WEDDING PARTY PHOTOS

 

Ideal Time Allotment - 45-60 Minutes

Ideal Time of the Day - Morning or Afternoon

Ideal Location - Venue Lobby, Venue Garden

Advice - Wedding party photos should be around 45 minutes to an hour.  During this time we like to get a variety of shots and poses.  We start off the the basic and classic photos focused on great expressions and lighting.  Then we move into set of fun shots and creative shots.  Finally we do each individual shots of groomsmen and bridesmaids.

 

IMMEDIATE FAMILY

 

Ideal Time Allotment - 30-45 Minutes

Ideal Time of the Day - Morning of Afternoon

Ideal Location - Venue Lobby, Venue Garden

Advice - Immediate Family Photos should take 45 minutes.  it's important to have additional images with your parents, grandparents, and siblings.  Plan on 3 minutes per group on average.  If you have 10 groups that ill be 30 minutes.

 

CEREMONY DETAILS AND VENUE

 

Ideal Time Allotment - 30 minutes

Ideal Location - Ceremony Site

Ideal Time of the Day - Morning or Afternoon

Advice - Please allow us 30 minutes to take pictures of the site, completely set up with no guests or vendors in the area.

 

FORMALS OF EXTENDED FAMILY, IMMEDIATE FAMILY AND FRIENDS

 

Ideal Allotment - 45-60 Minutes

Ideal Time of the Day - Morning or Afternoon (Post Ceremony)

Ideal Location - Ceremony Site

Advice - Formals should take 45-60 minutes depending on the size of your family and the number of guests.  Plan on 3 minutes per group on average.  If you have 10 groups, that will be 30 minutes.  We recommend having a list and be very organized.

 

COUPLES SESSION

 

Ideal Time Allotment - 1 Hour

Ideal Time of the Day - Late Afternoon (Sunset)

Ideal Location - Venue Garden, Off site

Advice - Couple Session should take about an hour.  Ideally 30-45 minutes before sunset.  This is the best time in terms of lighting.  This is when we can get very creative with lighting.  

 

RECEPTION DETAIL AND VENUE

 

Ideal Time Allotment - 30 Minutes

Ideal Time of the day - Early Evening

Ideal Location - Reception Site

Advice - Allow us 30 minutes to take photos of the reception room, completely set with no guests or vendors.

 

RECEPTION FIRST LOOK

 

Ideal Time Allotment -10-15 Minutes

Ideal Time of the Day - At the end of Cocktail Hour before doors open for guests.

Ideal Location - Reception Site

Advice - This is when the reception toon is revealed to the couple for the first time.  It's great to capture the genuine reaction and a moment of alone time on the dance floor to practice your dance...great for photos :)

 

COUPLES SESSION - RECEPTION SNEAK OUT

 

Ideal Time Allotment - 20-30 Minutes

Ideal Time of the Day - Dusk to Night Time

Ideal Location - Areas with interesting lights, city scapes, etc.

Advice - During the reception, please plan on sneaking out for a quick not shoot.  These photos can fun and unique.