CREATING A STRESS-FREE WEDDING DAY TIMELINE
Picture-perfect weddings don’t just happen, they’re carefully planned and orchestrated. To ensure enough time to create and capture the day of your dreams, keep the following suggested time allotments in mind. Of course, I'm here to help you and work with you wedding planner to ensure a picture-perfect day.
GETTING READY : 1-2 HOURS
Consider where you’ll getting ready (offsite or at the venue salon), allot time for makeup, casual portraits with the wedding party, and whether or not you’ll want a “first look” with either the groom and / or father-of-the-bride.
THE CEREMONY : 30 MIN - 1 HR
Ceremonies vary widely, of course. Work with your officiant or wedding planner for a sense of the time. Be sure to allow time after for formal portraits after guests leave the site.
FORMAL PORTRAITS : 30 MIN - 1 HR
Depending on group size and number of combinations, this is the best time for formals as everyone is still in attendance and feeling fashionable. We'll determine an ideal location with best light and enough space to accommodate large groups.
WEDDING PARTY + NEWLY-MARRIED COUPLE : 1-2 HRS
This is the time for the “fun” creative portraits you surely want. Timing and duration depends on the time of day you hold your ceremony, the number of attendants in your party, and your desired look and feel for the portraits.
If you're hoping to have "magic hour" portraits (about an hour before sunset, which varies throughout the yea), be sure to plan your ceremony to have enough time according to the sunset time, which differs throughout the year.
Another option is to photograph the couple and wedding party right after the "first look" and before the ceremony. That allows time for the couple to mix and mingle with guests during cocktail hour.
WEDDING RECEPTION : 2-6 HRS
Invocation of the bride and groom, cutting the cake, toasts, your first dance, guest shots,
friend and family sharing your joy, the getaway car. This is when the party really comes alive and two families celebrate becoming one.