Tips from a Photographer & Bride-- Planning your Wedding Day Timeline

Have you thought about your wedding day timeline?

Typically after a wedding is officially booked (contract signed and retainer paid), I send over an email talking about booking your engagement session and asking questions that pertain to the timeline of events for your BIG DAY! I typically ask these six questions below: 

  • Did you want to do a first look with your dad?
  • Do the two of you want to do a first look?
  • Have you decided on the ceremony time?
  • Where will you be getting ready at?
  • Also, where is the groom getting ready at? 
  • About how long will your ceremony be? Usually they are 20-30mins. Not unless you have a mass. 

From there we discuss any other concerns or questions. I send over a personalized timeline just for YOU! This helps not only you with planning the best day ever, but it also helps me so that I have plenty of time to capture all that you want. I want to serve you the best that I can. For me to do that I need to have my couples and I on the same page with the timeline of events! It takes all of the stress away. I know my mom and I would have been stressed out on my wedding day if we did not have a timeline of events to go by. Although sometimes weddings days run a little behind, I add a little extra time for everything just in case one event runs a little longer. It is very important we stick to the timeline as much as possible so you have tons of beautiful images! 

I am going to go through the timeline step by step now: 

The first thing I do when I show up is photograph the details and getting ready (Dress, shoes, invitations, rings, family heirlooms, and any other important details). I usually need 30-60 MINUTES to photograph those details and getting ready. Most of the time the bride and groom are at the same location in different rooms. If you aren't at the same location that is okay we will personalize the timeline just for YOU! If the wedding day decor is up I will photograph the reception and ceremony decor then too. 

The second thing I photograph is the bride getting into her dress.  I schedule a specific time for the bride to get into her dress and I give her 30 MINUTES so all the bridesmaids can swoon over how beautiful she is. Sometimes dresses are more complicated too! 

The third thing I photograph is the bride doing a first look with her dad if she choses to do so. Most of my brides do, but it is completely okay if you don't. I just love giving the option! I have a close relationship with my dad-- I am a daddy's girl! I usually need about 15 MINUTES for this. 

*If you choose to do a first look together that would be next! Typically I only need 30 MINUTES. First looks with your groom are a wonderful idea if you want to get more photos of the two of you together and spend more time together! On the plus side it also helps you calm your nerves before you say I DO! 

The fourth thing is to photograph the Bride & her bridesmaids!! I do group and individual photos with the bride. This is also the time I get to photograph the beautiful bride!! I typically need around 30 MINUTES. 

The fifth thing is to photograph the groom putting on his last minute tux items like his tie, cuff links, and coat. I then take photographs of the Groom & his groomsmen!! I do group and individual photos with the groom also. This is also the time I get to photograph the groom! I typically need 30 MINUTES. 

Once I am finished with the groom and groomsmen I make sure the groom is in hiding and so is the bride. (She goes into hiding after she is done with photos) While they are in hiding I like to photograph any remaining decor an hour before the ceremony starts (so that guests aren't arriving as I am photographing). I also prep to get ready for the ceremony! I usually allot 30-60 MINUTES before the ceremony starts.

Next is the ceremony! Which usually takes around 30 MINUTES depending on what type of ceremony you have. We can personalize this better once I know. 

Following the ceremony is family formals and full bridal party pictures. I send out a wedding day questionnaire two months before your wedding day to ask you all the family formals you want. I need 30 MINUTES for these. 

Once we finish up family formals and the bridal party I head into Bride & Groom portraits! Sometimes we are able to time it just right with sunset. That is why I typically ask my couples to do their ceremony closer to sunset. If not that is okay! I can pull you away later for sunset portraits too! I typically need 30 MINUTES. 

Then we head into the reception! From here it is totally up to you what order of events you want your reception in. You can have the bridal party and bride & groom enter then start your first dances, prayer, and eat! Typically I like to give all the guest 30-45 MINUTES to eat before we start toasts. After toasts it's a good idea to cut the cake because people will get up to get a piece of cake and then the dance floor opens up for dancing. Towards the end of the night we will do the bouquet and garter toss before everyone starts to leave. Then your EXIT! 

Eight hours of coverage is usually plenty. If not we can add hours until your exit or do a faux exit. It completely depends on your wedding day. That is why I ask all those questions before I put the timeline together to personalize it just for you! 

Don't you worry, all you have to do is answer the six questions and I can come up with a personalized timeline for you! Then we can finalize it and change anything we need to up to two weeks before you big day! :) 

Blessings, 

Katelyn 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Katelyn Miller