Timeline Planning for Stress Free Wedding Photography
In this post, I’m going to cover how to create the best wedding day timeline for your day so you can actually relax and have a great time! A little organization will go a long way to ensuring you are able to fit in everything you are hoping for, provide you with the time for gorgeous photos, and allow you to have a fun day as a couple with your family and friends.
A few things to keep in mind as you start planning:
1. Create cushions of time!
It is always better to have a little extra time, than to feel rushed throughout your day! It never fails that things take a little longer than expected. Or something unexpected pops up! Like a missing bouquet, a fallen hem, a missing groomsman, or running behind with hair and makeup. It can really pay off to have a few minutes of buffer time built in.
2. Consider travel time
If you will be using more than one location during your wedding day, don’t forget to budget plenty of travel time. And consider traffic!
3. Start early on hair and makeup
Hair and makeup always take a little longer than expected. And you don’t want to feel rushed during any part of your day. Time for hair and makeup is great for enjoying friends and family while relaxing before the rest of the day begins.
4. Bouquet and boutonniere
Remember to have bouquets and boutonnieres on hand and ready to go before the first look and wedding party photos. This is one area of the timeline that often uses up one of those cushions of time!
5. Have everyone dressed before the bride and groom
When I photograph the bride getting ready or groom getting ready, it’s nice to have parents and the rest of the wedding party dressed. That is because we will want to get photos of the mother of the bride, bridesmaids, or other special loved ones helping the bride into her dress. And I will typically have the father of the groom and groomsmen helping the groom put on his tie, straighten cuff links, etc. They are special little moments that looks so much nicer when everyone else is dressed and ready to go!
6. Add additional time if you will not have a second photographer
My second photographer is the one who takes photos of the guys getting ready, makes sure bouquets and boutonnieres are on, and catches additional images of the venue and details. If you will not have a second photographer, your primary photographer will need to do twice as much in that timeframe. So be sure to budget the time for your photographer to get back and forth between the bride, groom, family members, and any details that need to be captured.
Creating Your Timeline
Your photographer’s arrival
I suggest planning your photographer’s arrival about two hours before your first look (if you will be sharing one). And around an hour and a half before you will be planning on bridal prep photos. This allows your photographer time to complete detail and venue images while you are completing hair and makeup.
Details: 45 minutes
Remember to have all of your details ready! These might include: dress, veil, all 3 rings, bouquet, boutonniere, jewelry, perfume, full invitation suite, borrowed and blue, cuff links, tie, shoes, watch, belt, and any special gifts or special items.
Bridal Prep/Groom Prep: 30 minutes
If you have a second photographer, plan on them capturing the groom getting ready with the guys. I always plan to photograph the bride as she finishes getting ready and steps into her wedding dress.
- If you will not share a first look, your timeline will be a little different from here on out. The pieces are all the same, just reordered to place all of the portraits after the ceremony.
First Look: 15 minutes
This can also be a moment for private vows or first touch where the bride and groom do not see each other.
Bride and Groom Portraits: 30 minutes
I like to do portraits with the bride and groom right after the first look. They’ve just shared a special moment, are more relaxed, and can enjoy some much needed time together.
Wedding Party Portraits: 30 minutes
These can take more or less time, depending on the size of your wedding party.
Reception Details and Guest Arrival: 30 minutes
While guests arrive, the bride usually likes to go somewhere private so none of her guests see her before she walks down the aisle. This is a great time for the photographer to catch some more details of the venue and reception space.
Ceremony: 30 minutes
Timing can vary a great deal here. But, the average ceremony is about 30 minutes.
Family Portraits: 30 minutes
These can be done either right after the ceremony, or after wedding party photos. Usually determined by when you can be sure your entire family can be at the portrait location!
Reception
Common reception events: entrance, toasts, dinner, cake cutting, first dances, bouquet, open dance floor, planned exit.
Sunset Portraits: 15 minutes
You won’t regret planning a short trip outside for some sunset portraits during your reception. It can be a much needed break from your guests for some alone time. And the photos are amazing!
I hope these tips help give you a great starting place for a smooth and stress free wedding day timeline. Your special day is all about you and your love. I hope your celebration is everything you’ve dreamed of!
Thanks for reading!
Warmly, Janelle
Janelle Barrow Photography serves couples in Seattle and the surrounding areas. With an emphasis on bringing out natural beauty, Janelle is passionate about delivering a personal and elevated experience to all her wedding clients. Her romantic, sophisticated, fine art wedding images capture every moment of the wedding day from arrival to final exit and tell a complete and beautiful story. She thrives on attention to detail and a great ability to take the stress out of wedding photos.
If you are planning your wedding in the Pacific Northwest, please get in touch to see how Janelle Barrow Photography can serve you.
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