How to Create a Timeline For Your Wedding Photography!
Planning a wedding can be one of the most stressful things you do, but here’s how we can help make things a bit easier…
Even after you have all of your vendors selected and booked, you still have a lot to consider and continue to work on: Who's going to drive everyone to the venue? Should you get your mani/pedi done on the day of, or the day before? Is your cousin actually going to bring a date or will there be an empty seat at the table? Although we can't necessarily answer those questions, what we can help you with is your timeline!
We're frequently asked how much time should be allotted for photography, so today we're going to share (from our perspective) what an ideal and comfortable timeline looks like for us to maximize our time together!
GETTING READY - 1 HOUR
One of our favourite parts of documenting everyone getting ready is being able to share what each party was getting up to, that you didn't get to see. Although you, your family, and your friends will spend all of the morning getting ready, most of the action happens within the last hour before you head out to the ceremony! Within this hour we'll shoot everyone getting all of their final touches, everyone changing from their robes or sweats to beautiful dresses or suits, and of course, all of your little details (rings, shoes, stationary etc).
FIRST LOOK - 15 MINUTES
Although a first look happens so quickly, we really urge all of our couples to allow for just a few extra minutes together to really take in the moment and to shoot a few photos while there's so much love and excitement in the air!
*If you’re unsure about what a first look is, read more about it here
FAMILY, BRIDAL PARTY & GROOMSMEN PHOTOS - 30 MINUTES
Of course, this timing depends on the size of your family and parties but generally 30 minutes is more than enough time for us shoot family photos, and photos with your bridal party and groomsmen. What really helps us speed along the process is when couples send us a shot list beforehand outlining all of the different iterations of people to be shot together! You know your families and friends best (of course), so having a list of names allows us to have 1 person shooting, and 1 person organizing everyone, making everything as fluid and seamless as possible.
Want to learn a little more about our process for shooting family photos? Read our blog post here!
COUPLES SESSION - 45 minutes
There's no better time during your wedding day than getting photos of just you two together! Aside from being able to finally have time to shoot just the both of you, this time is also great for stepping away from all of the chaos, even if it's just for a bit! Depending on how many locations we're able to go to, 45 minutes is a comfortable amount of time for us to shoot a variation of formal and informal photos. And after nailing your engagement session, you’ll be a pro at posing and this part of the day will fly by!
OTHER CONSIDERATIONS:
RECEPTION DETAILS- 10 to 15 minutes
You've put so much time and effort into all of the details of your reception, why not have them documented? Before everyone heads in for dinner, having just a few minutes in the room alone will give us the opportunity to shoot everything untouched and without people around!
TRAVEL
This doesn't necessarily only mean going from your home to ceremony location, but rather travel to shoot locations. If we're shooting outside of your reception location, how far away are we going, and how long will it take for us to get to and from? If you're shooting with any older family member who may not be able to walk very far, taking a simple photo close by first and then heading out with the rest of your party to continue shooting would be great, but will also take up a bit more time.
EVERYONE CONGRATULATING YOU
Everyone. Seriously. Every. One. If you're moving through any type of crowd absolutely expect to be stopped by friends and family to express their excitement and congratulations. Stepping away from everyone to shoot is never as simple as you may think and our top tip for this is to B line it to wherever you need to get to!
SUNSET OR NIGHT TIME PORTRAITS
If we previously didn't get to shoot at sunset there's a high possibility that we're going to ask you to step away for a few minutes to take more photos of you two during the sweetest and most beautiful time of day! Additionally if you have a pretty magical outdoor set up, we might also take you away again to take a few more photos with all of your whimsical lights, or for a moonlit dance!
No two weddings are ever exactly alike meaning that everyone's timeline will be different. Hopefully this helps you, even just a little bit, to plan your schedule for your wedding day! Have any more questions about timelines? Leave your questions below!