Creating a Wedding Day and Photography Timeline

Choosing the time for your wedding is a crucial part of your wedding planning. Since you will want to get pictures of the wedding party and close family, you will need to take the time of day and your desired pictures setting into account.

For example, if you want beautiful outdoor photos, you should not plan for your ceremony to start at 7pm unless you want to take your photos before the ceremony. However, if it’s cold outside and you intend to take your formal pictures inside anyways, then you only need to figure out how much time you need between the ceremony and reception so the food is served on time.

To plan and organize your photo timeline, here are some questions you need to ask:

1. Do I want outdoor pictures or pictures that require natural light? If so, what time does the sun go down at that time of year?
2. When do I want the formal pictures taken? Before the wedding, between the ceremony and the reception, etc.
3. How much time will I realistically need for these pictures? Make sure you plan a little extra time because unexpected delays almost always occur. It’s better to be a little ahead of schedule than to be late.

 

Here is an example of a mid summer timeline here in Wisconsin:

1:00 Getting ready photos with bride and bridesmaids/ groom and groomsmen

2:00 First Look + wedding party photos

3:00 Immediate family photos

3:30 End photos, prepare for ceremony

4:00 Ceremony

4:30 Ceremony Ends

Extended Family Photos-any additional immediate family-Bride and Groom Photos with guests

5:15ish Bride and Groom enjoy cocktail hour

Detail photos of reception space/guest candid photos

5:30 -Start seating for Dinner

Grand March/ Cut Cake

Welcome Toast/ Speeches

6PM Dinner

7-7:45 Sometime during this timeframe, go outside for sunset photos-depending on the time of sunset

8:00 First Dances

9:00 End photos

 

 

Winter/Late Fall/Early Spring Weddings

12:00    Getting Ready Photos

1:00        First Look/ Photos in and outside

2:30        Finish up photos and prepare for ceremony

3:00        Ceremony

Family photos afterwards

5:00        Dinner

5:30        Sunset photos

6:00       Walk around, chat with guests. Table shots with Bride and Groom

7:00       First Dance

8:00       End Photos

 

I will work with you to create the perfect timeline for you big day!

 

One of the greatest things about photographing a friend’s wedding is that I get to spend the whole day with them and make sure to get the most personal, intimate, and real photos I can get. Kelly was so wonderful to work with! I loved how every time Brian said something funny to her, she would have this full on, head thrown back laugh that was just contagious. I got my first taste of this during their engagement session in the spring. I had not met Brian yet so had no idea what I was in for. He is one of the funniest and sweetest men I have ever met. We had the best time and when the wedding came around, I knew we were going to have a wonderful day and was ready for it.

Kelly had a vision that was so beautiful and inspiring. First of all, the First Unitarian Society is one of my favorite ceremony venues in Madison. Not only because it is unique and the architecture is beautiful (Hello Frank Lloyd Wright!), but also for what they stand for. All inclusive, non judgmental of any faith,  unbiased and spiritual. During the ceremony Kelly brought in “The Blue Brigade” which was all of their young relatives, and had them each bring her a flower at the beginning of the processional to create her bouquet. It was such a sweet way to include everyone and since there were so many young people, it was only right to have the reception at the Children’s Museum downtown! The design of all the flower arrangements was done by the insanely creative bride and then given out to guests at the end of the night as favors. I even got to take one home and I just love it! It is a centerpiece in my living room right now! It had a very tropic vibe and the cake was amaaazzziiing!

Her look was magazine worthy from her gorgeous dress from Vera’s right down to her sparkly butterfly shoes by Badgley Mischka. As I was taking photos of the rings, I noticed the inscription inside of Brian’s ring that said “Per Aspera, ad astra” and then something else that I couldn’t quite make out. But what I do know, is what Per Aspera, ad astra means: “through hardships to the stars” in Latin! How cool is that???

By the end of the night, I had a chance to sit down with a couple of long time friends and play some pong and enjoy a delicious beer. I just know these two will have an insanely wonderful life together. With all that laughter, how could they not?

I had a hard time narrowing down to just a hundred images for this one. So, you get to see quite a a bit of this wedding. I hope you enjoy!!!

Awesome Vendors Involved:

Ceremony:  First Unitarian Society  //  Officiant: Reverand Kelly Crocker  //  Reception: Madison Children’s Museum – Coordinator: J Belmont  //  Cake:  Trish Figueroa  //  Catering: Blue Plate Catering  //  Bar Service: Roman Candle  //  Donut wall: Cedar and Spice  and Greenbush  Bakery  //  DJ: Kuhl Entertainment – Patrick Archer  //  Flowers:  Felly’s Flowers  //  Wedding Dress: Vera’s House of Bridals  //  Grooms Tux: Jazzman  //  Brian’s Ring: Boundless Bands on Etsy  //  Kelly’s Wedding Band: Blue Nile and Engagement Ring designed with Trisha and Brett at the Diamond Center

 

 

It was a glorious day for a trip to the zoo to see some penguins…

Emily had one thing she really wanted to do on her wedding day and that was to see some penguins in her wedding dress. It was about 90 degrees and humid but they hung out in their cute little cave in the background and made her penguin dreams come true!

I also had my dream come true taking photos of Michael and Emily in front of the giraffes! And boy did they come out to play! We got some great laughs walking around and hitting up some of the classic spots too. The one with the giant polar makes me laugh every time I look at it. It’s like he is watching over them with loving eyes! Hahahaha, awesome.

Their ceremony took place on the rooftop of Monona Terrace. As Emily and her father walked down the isle, I panned over to see Michael trying to hold back tears but by the time she got up there, it was full on. The groomsmen were also letting loose with the emotions. I love such a close group of friends and family. Everyone was so friendly and sweet and we just had the best day ever.

There were so many moments I could write about like the friendly guy giving us money at the zoo or the other very friendly guy giving Michael pocket snacks but the one that really stands out was during the reception. They had everyone sing happy birthday to Grandma and one of their close very friends, who coincidentally shared their birthday that very same day with my mom and brother! Both of them were very surprised and even more when they each received a special birthday cupcake! I definitely had a tear in my eye!

My favorite part of the evening was when my second shooter, Heidi, and I got to go up to the rooftop with the bride and groom for sunset. We had just enough alone time with them to get some truly beautiful and intimate shots. What an incredible place to have your wedding! In all my years of doing this, I don’t think I will ever get tired of taking photos on that rooftop. Cheers!

It was such a beautiful day and these two did an amazing job planning it. There were so many amazing vendors to make this day so perfect!

Venue: Monona Terrace  Ceremony on Rooftop and Reception in Community Terrace  //  Getting Ready: Hilton Madison Monona Terrace  //  Wedding Dress and Bridesmaid Dresses:  Elaine’s Wedding Center //  Grooms Attire: Nedrebo’s Formalwear //  Floral: B-Style Floral  //  Wedding Cake: The Looking Glass  //  DJ: Jukebox Bandstand  //  Hair and Makeup: Arch Apothecary  //  Travel: Wayne Ace  //  Second Shooter: Heidi Johnson

 

Ben was making Julia laugh the entire time as we quickly ran through the field at Owen Conservancy before the rain hit. The clouds were looming which made for some truly beautiful golden hour light. And with their lovely gigantic smiles, we were able to get lots of beautiful shots in before we were drenched running from the unpredictable Wisconsin weather.

Tomorrow, is their wedding day in downtown Madison and I am closely watching the news with the big fire at MG&E. All of the Isthmus is down without power and the temperatures are rising. The Madison Club is their reception venue which is only a few blocks away from the source! I hope they work quickly and safely to get power restored for all of the people living and working downtown in this crazy heat. And for the bride and groom, hopefully there are some backup generators!