THE WEDDING DAY TIMELINE | HOW YOUR DAY UNFOLDS
In order to create a smooth flow to your wedding day, there needs to be careful organization and planning. A detailed timeline of your wedding events will help to guide your planning and make it easier for me to capture the memorable moments of your day. Each wedding is unique so it may be difficult to have a one size fits all wedding photography timeline template. However, there are ideal time frames you should consider when planning your day. While some of these times may seem long, keep in mind that 1) the wedding day goes by quickly, 2) most weddings usually run slightly behind schedule, and 3) I will make each photo session fun, so they won’t seem very long.
The small details are extremely important. Here I capture the rings, shoes, jewelry, bouquet and other items.
* Ideal Time Allotment – 30 minutes
* Ideal Time of the Day – Morning
* Ideal Location – Bridal Suite or Hotel Suite
* Advice – Having at least 30 minutes for details ensures that I have plenty of time to get that perfect photo of the dress, rings, shoes, bouquets, and the other details of the day.
Often times a hotel room gets too crowded and chaotic and becomes unappealing for photos. When this happens I usually have to take the dress and rings to a another location, sometimes all the way down to the lobby or even outside. This can take some time, but as you can see from the results, it’s well worth the additional work.
During this session I capture moments you each don’t get to see. Make-up, hair, getting dressed, and other candid and emotional moments are captured.
* Ideal Time Allotment – 45 minutes
* Ideal Time of the Day – Morning or Early Afternoon
* Ideal Location – Bridal Suite or Hotel Suite
* Advice – Having 45 minutes to an hour of preparation is ideal for my style of shooting. During this time, I am getting close ups of the makeup being applied, hair being done, as well as spontaneous candid moments. Bear in mind that these are some of the most emotional and fun times of the day, so you don’t want to cut it short.
Typically I will be with the bride while my second shooter will be with the groom. If both the bride and groom are getting dressed at the same location, I will alternate between both locations to capture tons of great moments between you and your closest family and friends.
During this session I capture your first official portrait when your makeup is still fresh and you are ready to start the day.
* Ideal Time Allotment – 20-30 minutes
* Ideal Time of the Day – Morning or Early Afternoon
* Ideal Location – Bridal Suite, Hotel Suite, Venue Lobby, or Venue Garden
* Advice – Right after prep is the best time for individual portraits of the bride and groom (individually). Besides makeup and hair being completely fresh, the day hasn’t gotten hectic yet so I can take my time to get those perfect portraits. Also, bear in mind that the window lighting in most hotel rooms creates a unique look that you won’t be able to recreate in any setting for the rest of the day.
The time for this session may vary depending on the size of the wedding party. This is time to have fun and enjoy the shoot.
* Ideal Time Allotment – 45-90 minutes
* Ideal Time of the Day – Morning or Afternoon
* Ideal Location -Venue Lobby, Venue Garden, Beach, Park, Off-site Location
* Advice – Wedding Party Photos should be around 45 minutes to 1 hour however they may go longer depending on the size of the wedding party or the location. During this time, I capture a variety of shots in different poses starting off with the basic, classic photos focused on great expressions and lighting. Then I move into the fun and creative shots followed by individual shots with each one of your bridesmaids and groomsmen.
This is the moment for those romantic shots of just the two of you. This can be a mixture of classic poses as well as fun and creative shots.
* Ideal Time Allotment – 1 hour
* Ideal Time of the Day – Late Afternoon (Sunset)
* Ideal Location – Venue Garden, Beach, Park
* Advice – Couples sessions usually last around 1 hour and should ideally take place around 30 to 45 minutes before sunset when the lighting is just perfect. This allows me to capture those awesome scenic shots with colorful skies. If you booked your venue because of the spectacular view of the ocean or the gorgeous lanscape, it’s essential to follow this advice in your timeline.