As a bride, you will eventually need to sit down and create your wedding timeline. A timeline ensures that the day runs smoothly and that all vendors are on the same page. If you are wondering what a typical wedding timeline looks like and how much time your photographer will need to capture all the important aspects of your day, here is an example to help you get started.
Now allow me to remind you of this, in all of my years of wedding photography I’ve found that there’s really no one size fits all timeline. I work with EACH COUPLE to ensure that the timeline is specific to their wedding. This is simply a sample to give to each bride to consider.
I’m here each step of the way to help <3
Décor: 30 – 45 Minutes
Your photographer will want to capture some shots of your venue and the décor before your reception area is filled with people, which is why this is generally the starting point. Don’t forget to mention any specific details that you want your photographer to capture.
Men Getting Ready: 30 Minutes
Next, your photographer will want to grab some shots of the guys getting ready. This will include any shots of them chilling in their casual outfits, getting ready and any general detail shots.
Ladies Getting Ready: 90 Minutes
Your photographer will spend more time with you and your bridesmaids because there is a lot more going on. Make sure that your photographer is able to capture some shots of you getting your hair and makeup done before you start getting ready. These 90 minutes may also include your mom or dad seeing you for the first time.
Ceremony: Varies
Since each wedding is unique, so there is no set time for your ceremony. It does help to build the timing of the rest of your day around your ceremony though. Not only do you want to make sure that your photographer has enough time for your couple photos afterward but that there’s enough time to capture you getting ready too.
Cocktail Hour: 30 Minutes
If you would like to capture photos of your guests as you greet them after the ceremony, work this into your timeline. Some couples choose to use this time to capture family and bridal party photos instead though.
Family & Bridal Party Photos: 30 Minutes
Before you get into your couple session, your photographer will spend time capturing family photos as well as photos of the bridal party.
Couple Photos: 60 Minutes
Your photographer will generally plan your photos according to the time the sun sets as this will give you the best light.
This should give you a good general idea of how your day will need to be planned out but your photographer will assist you with your timeline once you have provided them with important details such as the length of your ceremony.
Stay beautiful, friends! Have questions? Contact me here!
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[…] Anyone who’s followed me for any length of time knows how much I love to talk about my couples! I can tell you ten things I like about them right after meeting them even, BUT I knew I wanted to bring in new ideas for my blog this year. As I was writing down my goals and plans, the thought occurred to me that maybe readers would like to see the story of a couple from the bride/groom standpoint instead of me being the one to tell their story. SOOOO.. here we go!! This is Emily and Andrew <3 We will be working with them in the Fall of 2020 for their wedding in Pass Christian! Trevor and I are so happy to be able to serve them during this exciting time! How did you meet? Emily: “Andrew and I have been dating since we were in high school! He was a junior and I was a sophomore. My best friend Caroline – now Matron of Honor – had known him for years because they were from the same town. One day over Christmas break she called and asked if I wanted to get lunch. After eating, a few of her guy friends texted her asking if she wanted to meet up to play tennis. She convinced me to go with her and I watched from the side while the group of about four played. It started to get late so Andrew offered to give us a ride home. Little did I know he was full of jokes and pranks because, on the way there, he called his parents and asked if we could come by for dinner before bringing us home. He pretended they had said no on the phone and preceded to drive all the way to Caroline’s house. When we pulled up, we started to get out of the car and he yells “I’m just kidding!!! Get back in!!” So the same day I met Andrew I actually met his family, too! Right away I knew he had a charm about him and a sense of humor that always kept people laughing. The next day, he asked Caroline for my number just so he could text me accusing me of stealing his Burt’s Bees chapstick that he so loved…. and the rest is history!” When did you know he/she was the one? Emily: “I always knew he was something special but not long after we started dating, my aunt (who was like a grandmother to me) passed away. Andrew and my friend Caroline showed up at the funeral completely unexpectedly. I remember being so incredibly happy to see him there. He had a heart of gold and that is what I wanted in a significant other!” How did he ask you to marry him? Emily: “Andrew went above and beyond with the proposal. The week of the proposal, he told me that his family would be going out to dinner with his sister and her “new boyfriend.” At the time, I was temporarily living in New Orleans with a friend so he had to throw in the request to bring a nice outfit because the place would be fancy! We spent the whole day on Saturday shopping and going to the movies. Then he told me to meet him at his house at 6 o’clock sharp. When I got there, everyone said we were waiting for his sister to get home to go to the restaurant. As time passed, his cousin called to say she was having “car trouble” and needed help. So we both got in the car and headed down to what he kept referring to as the “old city hall.” It still did not hit me where exactly that was until we pulled up. The old city hall was right next to the town’s tennis courts where we first met. He got down on one knee in front of a big beautiful oak tree and asked me to marry him. It was the most thoughtful proposal in the most meaningful place for us! To top it off, he planned a surprise party at a local restaurant afterward – he called all of our friends and had them come to town from all over. Friends and family were all waiting for us to come through the doors and we celebrated all night!” Were you totally surprised or have a tiny clue what he was up to? Emily: “A mixture of both! Once I started to get a little suspicious, I didn’t want to get my hopes up and assume if it really wasn’t happening yet. I was completely shocked at the amount of preparation that went into the entire weekend and was so surprised to see all of my close friends!!” What has been the most exciting thing about planning your wedding? Emily: “Meeting with the wedding planner to decide on a vision and location for the venue was an exciting first step! The next most exciting thing about planning was dress shopping with my mom – it was way easier than I expected and I fell in love with the first dress I tried on!” I can’t thank you enough, Emily, for sharing your story! I hope you guys love the different feel of this blog <3 Want to see more? Visit our archives! […]