there are so many moving parts when planning a wedding - even experienced party planners will find that weddings are different than your average party due to the extra formal portrait time. Due to this I always suggest hiring a wedding planner or a Day Of Coordinator if it is in your budget to do so. If this is not in your budget or need to book vendors earlier than you book your planner, I have some helpful tips for you regarding your timeline!

suggestion number 1: book hair and make to be complete earlier than you may realize! Most folks choose to do a first look and want most formal portraits done before their ceremony. I highly suggest a first look as well and have another blog about that found here. In order to cover first look, couples portraits, wedding party portraits, immediate family formals + have a photo break 30-45 minutes before your ceremony - make up and hair needs to be complete at least a full 3-4 HOURS before you walk down the aisle.

Here is what an ideal 8 hour timeline for photo purposes looks like with a sample 5:00 pm ceremony time & all at one location:

1:00-2:30 Getting ready and details shot by photographer - this includes all those lovely ring, invitation, and florals being shot. The dress or dresses or suits will be taken for a shot in the venue somewhere. we will follow details with end of getting ready photos of each of the couple.

IMPORTANT - 1:30 bride or brides complete with hair and make up so they have time to get dressed

2:30-3:15 first look & couples portraits - more portraits can be scheduled for 15-30 minutes during or after sunset at the reception as well! if you opt out of sunset or blue hour portraits or are having private vows - please make this segment a full hour.

3:15-3:45 Wedding party photos

3:45-4:15 family formals

Photo break - You hide from guests as they arrive & Photographer sets up for ceremony and shoots empty space and guests arriving

5:00 Ceremony

5:30-5:45 Couple signs paperwork & gets photo with officiant- whiles guests go to Cocktail hour

5:45-6:00ish extended family portraits and then couple can join cocktail hour if they wish

6:15 Photographer shoots empty reception space & details

6:30 Guests called into reception area

6:40 Couple introduced into reception - thank you’s are often done now or after toasts

6:45 Dinner service starts - you eat first! and this is also the perfect time for your photo/video team and dj to eat - as we all need to be back on the floor for toasts or table follows

7:30 Toasts/speeches begin while dinner is wrapping up - i suggest giving speech givers a 2-3 minute cap in advance as a guideline

7:50 Cake Cutting - nice here so catering can cut the cake and serve during open dance floor

7:55 First dance and parent dances

8:05 Open dance floor

8:15 Sunset photos with couple (depending on time of year - 15 minutes or so)

9:00 Photography coverage ends

if you want your grand exit covered or have more than 2 nearby locations you may need 9+ hours of coverage.

for those of you who want to skip getting ready photos - a 6 hour timeline often works!

Other things I strongly suggest to ensure your day moves along with ease: Assign members of wedding party to take care of last minute tasks. Assign a family member on each side to gather family for formals. Make sure guys know how to tie their ties in advance. Make time for boutonniere pinning as it always takes longer than everyone thinks. A day of coordinator helps immensely with the above items - if it is in your budget - please consider this option!

It is always my goal to ensure you have as little stress as humanly possible on your very special day. I am so happy for couples that can just sit back and enjoy their receptions to their fullest and this happens most readily you have time to get those photos you really want in a timely manner. :)

Happy Planning! xoxoxo