Overwhelmed with wedding planning?
Not sure how to build your timeline?
Want to take time to enjoy your day without running behind?
I gotchu! I know it can feel overwhelming, but that's why I'm here!
I love working with couples and their coordinators to create the best timeline so everything runs smoothly & seamlessly, all so you can ENJOY the day that goes by too fast! I’ve worked dozens of weddings, so I know what works, what doesn’t, and what takes longer than you’d think in order for it to get done. This timeline is to help you build your own version, and why you should allot more time to certain things over others!
A few things of note:
Doing a first look or not drastically changes how your photo timeline will run.
I am not a coordinator. Coordinators build the massive, master timeline for all people and all vendors. This timeline is really just a “photo schedule” that keeps you (the couple) and the photographer on the same schedule as the coordinator’s timeline is the background wedding stuff happening simultaneously.
This schedule is supposed to give you time to RELAX, ENJOY, and BASK in the excitement of your wedding day! So when certain things have more time allotted to them, it is made that way to make sure you’re enjoying the day.
If you don’t do a first look, you only have cocktail hour to take all family photos, couples photos, and wedding party photos. That means you might not get all the photos you originally wanted.
I know there are some things you have set already, like the ceremony time, but let's figure out the rest together!
Typically, there are two timeline templates that most of my other couples follow to give you an idea: traditional (no first look) and with a first look.
First Look Sample Timeline:
Here's a sample of a super ideal photography timeline that I'd make for you if you hired me and a second shooter. Recommended 8-10 hours, or 12 hours of photography coverage if you're doing a grand exit. It will assist the coordinator and make sure you:
1) get all the photos you want
2) leave you room to relax & actually enjoy your day
Hair and makeup should be 90% done by the time the photographers arrive
1 hr - Getting ready & finishing touches on makeup/hair
30 mins - Dress on, 2nd photographer gets photos of the boys getting in their suits
30 mins - First looks (groom, dad, bridesmaids)
30 mins - Couples photos
30 mins - Bridal party & Groomsmen photos
30 mins - Wedding Party photos
30 mins - Detail photos (this is when you have time to relax, go pee, have a moment alone, drink, & get lined up for ceremony)
Ceremony
30 mins - Family photos & Cocktail hour
30 mins - Sunset Couples photos!!!
30 mins - Speeches & dances
1 hr - Dinner
Reception events (bouquet toss etc. Ask coordinator and DJ for this info)
30+ mins - Dancing
Grand exit
Traditional Down-the-Aisle Sample Timeline:
Here's a sample of a super ideal photography timeline that I'd make for you if you hired me and a second shooter. Recommended 8 hours photography coverage, or 10 hours if you're doing a grand exit. It will assist the coordinator and make sure you:
1) get all the photos you want
2) leave you room to relax & actually enjoy your day
Hair and makeup should be 90% done by the time the photographers arrive
1 hr - Getting ready & finishing touches on makeup/hair
30 mins - Dress on, 2nd photographer gets photos of the boys getting in their suits
30 mins - First looks (dad, bridesmaids)
30 mins - Bridal party photos (separate from the guys)
30 mins - Groomsmen photos (separate from the girls)
30 mins - Detail photos (this is when you have time to relax, go pee, have a moment alone, drink, & get lined up for ceremony)
Ceremony
20 mins - Family photos & Cocktail hour
10 mins - Wedding Party photos
30 mins - Couples photos
30 mins - Speeches & dances
1 hr - Dinner
Reception events (bouquet toss etc. Ask coordinator and DJ for this info)
30+ mins - Dancing
Grand exit
FAQs:
Why do we need 30 mins to get my dress on?
Because I promise you… it takes that long haha!!! Even with an easy, no-button dress. Plus it’s time for photos of just you, and those special moments with your girls
What if I have no wedding party?
Then great! You can omit that and just move it up in time. Or allot it to something else if you want to enjoy cocktail hour more etc.
What if I don’t want pictures of me getting ready?
Most people think “getting ready” pictures are of them before hair and makeup, or weird candids. On the contrary, you should be almost done getting ready— so you already look incredible! This time for the photographer is usually spent taking photos of your dress, flowers, invitation suites, cute bridesmaid robe pictures, special moments with the girls/mom, and getting acquainted with everyone and helping set up the room for you to get your dress on.
It’s also when the groom and groomsmen are spurred on to get dressed on time & the photographer can take pictures of him getting handsome, special moments with the other men, and pictures of just him outside looking sharp.
If you choose to omit these, that’s totally fine! It’s your wedding!
If I don’t do a first look, does it mean I don’t have much time for couples photos?
In a nutshell, yes. You usually have to forego some photos since not doing a first look means you have only cocktail hour to take family, couples, and wedding party photos, unless you want to spend time during the reception to take them. Learn the difference in the day for a first look vs traditional look here.
