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!