The Perfect Wedding Timeline by a Wedding Photographer

Your wedding day is a fairy tale. So, don’t you want that day to be documented like the happily ever after Disney has prepared you for? That’s my goal anyways, so here are tips, tricks, and a timeline to help you visualize how I can capture your love story perfectly. 

This timeline is based on hiring two wedding photographers and an assistant. This way the groom can also get deserved spotlight he's secretly hoping for, and all the angles you could ever dream of.

Planning tips

-I understand that weddings don’t always run on time, unless you hire a planning goddess like Sarah from https://www.bigapplebride.com. The smoother things run, the less of a time crunch we’re on, and the more beautiful your future wall décor will be.

-Check the potential photography rules/restrictions of the venue. I love the freedom of roaming around the venue to get the best possible shot, but sometimes that starts with sneaking a permit into the budget. Outdoors have that natural light, but flash photography and large windows are the key to make the indoors shine too.

-Vendors who’ve worked together before are your friends. Meaning they know how to communicate with each other, meaning less stress that leads to drinking a bit too much champagne for you.

-Photo shoots usually involve more walking than you might think. I’m not saying you should swap the heels for a pair of sketchers, just maybe bring a pair of flats for in between shots.

-A questionnaire will be emailed to the bride to help her personalize her timeline and photo shoot. Every couple is different, and if you want to be the one sitting in a tree then I’m here to make sure that happens.

-Consider providing both photographers with a phone number from both wedding parties so the bride and groom can focus on what really matters; minimizing their pre-marital jitters by drinking too many glasses of champagne. The MOH and best man, or mothers of both would work.

-Make a list of VIPs to take photos with after the ceremony that aren’t included in the wedding party. This way, your aunt will not take back her wedding gift when you forget to take a photo with her. 

-Before the photographer arrives, prepare a bag of all of the details the bride wants to have shots of, and the dresses hung somewhere neat. Rings, bouquets, veil, shoes, that something old you’ve been saving since you first began planning your wedding in the third grade, etc. 

Timeline

Consider this a rough outline based on a professional who doesn’t know how fast everyone in your wedding party walks or how long the bride might take to pee. Wedding gowns might as well be the new jumpsuit when it comes to bathroom breaks, so take your time ladies.

• 1-1.5 hours: Second photographer arrives while groom and groomsmen get ready. Portraits similar to bridal party because men love the spotlight too.
• The photographer arrives once the bride is finished with makeup and is starting to get her hair done. She’ll be starting to feel like a queen, and we’ll ready to document the radiance. 
• 30 minutes: detail shots of the things bride put in prepped bag and of the dresses. Something blue never looked so good.
• 20 minutes: candid moments of bridal party and bride getting ready in robes and drinking champagne. Laugh through the nerves ladies. 
• 5 minutes: the bridal party puts on their dresses, and thank the lord they all still fit properly.
• 10 minutes: bride puts on her gown with assistance of some female of importance (mom, MOH, grandma, female guardian). Everyone cries, but not enough to mess with makeup, and it’s beautiful.
• 10 minutes: bride puts on something new, old, borrowed, and blue, and keeps this odd but treasured tradition alive and well.
• 5 minutes per member: bride with each bridal party member. This could also happen at ceremony venue, as long as we have that natural light. It’s all about the lighting, people.
• 25 minutes: bride and bridal party together (in bridal suite/natural light)
• Time dependent on distance from venue: travel to ceremony venue for first looks or bridal and groomsmen party shots.
• 25 minutes: Separate bridal and groom portraits before seeing each other. We can compare who’s prettier later.
• 10 minutes to FOREVER : First look with bride and groom in private. Each photographer positioned to capture either bride or groom. Tissues may be handy here. Please take as long as you want for this. This moment isn't meant to be rushed.

• 25 minutes: bridal and groomsmen party all together. Let’s get those creative shots in.
• 10 minutes: First look with dad in private. Both photographers positioned to capture emotions of both bride and father. Again, more tissues please. (optional) 2nd photographer to capture mom and groom first look moment 
• 15 minutes: Getting ready for the ceremony, and maybe one last sip of alcohol.
• 30-45 minutes: walk down aisle and kiss the bride. 2nd photographer captures a different perspective of front row guests, or bride/groom expressions. Love will fill the air, and we will capture every bit of it.
• Bride + Groom shots with family/friends. Remember that VIP list? Well here she is. Timing depends on how short the list is, since each photo /pose will take between 2-5 minutes. Think of it as your roster behind the starting line up of the wedding party.
• Meanwhile, 2nd photographer can take photos of your kids or detail shots of the decor at venue, etc. Helping you remember all the details, since you spent months planning them.
• 1 hour: Bride and Groom portraits. The stress here is on Golden Hour. For the most beautiful photos you’ve ever seen this must happen 1-1.5 hours before sunset. Your love is already golden, so we’re just highlighting it with the sun.

• 45 minutes to 1 hour: cocktail hour while the bride + groom shots are happening. Guests taste booze and won’t really care where you’ve been whisked away. The 2nd photographer may leave after this time depending on the couple’s desires on volume of reception photos. 
• 5 minutes: walk in for reception. The party has literally arrived.
• 3-5 minutes: first dance as husband and wife. If you choreographed a dance, please prepare us. We love surprises even more if we can actually catch other people’s reactions to them.
• 45 minutes: Buffet style or formal dinner. Excuse us while we grab the bite to eat that’s included in the contract. Food is fuel for your photos.
• TBD: speeches during food. You never really know who’s going to say what, so this could be a good one.
• 3-5 minutes: first dance for bride and parent. Just a tearjerker without fail.
• 3-5 minutes: first dance for groom and parent. Again, the tears. 
• 5 minutes: garter belt. Perfect keepsake for the future kids.
• TDB: dance, drink, eat, and repeat.
• 10 minutes: cake cutting. Cake shoving into faces semi-aggressively (out of love of course).
• 10 minutes: bouquet toss. The perfect time to play a cruel joke on your brother and toss it to his date.

• TBD: party until you cannot party any more, or until you get kicked out of the venue.

For more information and booking queries, please email, text, call Miranda, New York Wedding Photographer at [email protected] | 623.688.4894