Timing Your Wedding Day
Timing Your Photographer
How much coverage do you really need?
I’m gonna help you find out!
So much thought goes into your wedding day. It’s something that you will remember forever and, of course, you are going to want it documented in the best possible way. As a photographer, I find it absolutely critical to go through my couple’s timeline so they are getting exactly what they want. I also recognize that most people want some sort of idea before they even begin talking to and committing to different vendors. One of the biggest differences among photography collections is the amount of time offered so it’s my hope that I can help you understand what you should be looking for. Will six hours be enough? Maybe I need ten? or I HAVE to have all-day coverage?
Let’s start at the beginning…
When should your photographer show up?
This one is pretty straight forward but will require a bit of coordinating before there is a definite answer. Your photographer should show up (and be ready to go) as you are finishing your hair and make up. At this point, the bridesmaids should be finished with their hair and make up and the mom(s) should be dressed and ready to go. We will want to capture some shots of you getting ready- It’s part of the day and it makes sure that nothing at the start of the day is missed. This will also give us plenty of time to gather up your details - shoes, jewelry, rings, etc - and make sure those small yet powerful items are documented. Immediately after finishing with your HMUA, it’s time for bridal party shots! Matching robes, shirts, champagne flutes, whatever you have planned for your girls, this is when those group shots are gonna happen.
You’ve gotten your bridal party shots. Details are done and the room is documented. Time for your dress! At this point, it’s very important that whoever is helping you get into your dress has already gotten dressed themselves. Maybe your mom or a maid of honor, whoever you choose is going to be used as a prop for you and it’s important that they don’t have their hair in curlers and sweatpants on.
Putting on your dress doesn’t need to be a public affair. You don’t need to stand in the middle of the room with everyone staring at you. Instead, pull up your dress but hold of on buttoning or zipping it up.
You’re dressed and ready to get married! Wooo! Now is the perfect time for solo bridal shots and to open any gifts from the groom or reading a card written for you.
This should take approximately one (1) hour.
Guys are easy. So easy that they only need thirty (30) minutes. If you only have one photographer, this will typically happen right after leaving the ladies. Remember to account for any travel time between the locations with a few minutes extra for your photographer to gather their gear. If you have two photographers, this can happen concurrently with the girls getting ready.
Groomsmen should be fully dressed and the groom should be dressed except for his jacket, shoes, and tie/bow-tie. Details such as cufflinks, a watch, etc. should also be together and ready. Those details will be the first thing captured. Next the groom can put on his shoes, followed by his tie/bow-tie and jacket with the help of his best man. Lastly will be his cufflinks and watch. Just like that, he’s ready to get married! Some quick solo shots and any gifts/cards will finish out his getting ready photos.
Total Time: 1 - 1.5 hours + travel time
What about a first look?
I’m gonna be a little biased here. I LOVE first looks. They are intimate, they are fun, and they offer a unique moment on your wedding day that you will always remember.
What is a first look? It’s an opportunity for the bride and groom to see each other before their wedding ceremony! Why would that be beneficial? If the bride and groom see each other before the ceremony, then bridal portraits and bridal party shots can be taken early! This can help to avoid those extended gaps between the ceremony and reception, which become exceptionally noticeable if everything is taking place on the same property.
For the sake of this post, let’s say you are doing a first look immediately followed by creatives and bridal party photos. To comfortably accommodate everything, there should be at least 1.5 hours allocated to the first look, group portraits, individuals and bride and groom portraits. Remember to keep track of travel time between locations and how everyone will be getting there!
Total Time: 1.5 hours + travel time
Ceremony! Let’s get married!
Ceremonies are like a box of chocolates- ya never know what you’re gonna get. What I really mean is that all ceremonies are unique! Some are very religious and some are not. There could be readings by close friends and family or a small unity ceremony such as tying knots, lighting candles, or pouring sand. Most include vows of supporting each other and almost always it ends in a passionate kiss followed by tons of applause! I’ve seen ceremonies from seven minutes long all the way to an hour and a half.
With everyone walking down the aisle, the actual ceremony followed by the recessional, an hour is the typical length of a wedding ceremony.
Receiving lines are one of the most time consuming activities following a ceremony. This is where the bride and groom will greet (receive) all of their guests! Lately, more and more brides and grooms are waiting to speak with their guests individually. Since the bride and groom typically eat first at the reception, they are able to finish first and begin mingling with guests at their tables.
But probably the most important aspect of the ceremony is the marriage license! In Michigan, you will sign three copies, in the name you will be assuming post-marriage. Your officiant will sign along with two witnesses. Most often, this happens right after the ceremony ends but it’s not unusual for it to be done later in the evening at the reception!
Family photos will be the last thing done at the ceremony. Since everyone is already in the same place, it only makes sense to capture this now. Your photographer will work with you for a list of shots you want but what they won’t know are everyone’s names. It’s SUPER important that you dedicate someone to family-wrangling- calling out names, making sure everyone is present, and just helping to keep attention. Your photographer will be able to position everyone so they are in the best place possible
Total Time: 1-1.75 hours
I’M READY TO PAAARTTYYYY! THE RECEPTION.
I’m gonna be pretty vague when it comes to receptions because, I’m sure you guessed it, they are unique to everyone! But there seem to be a few schedules that are pretty prominent in the wedding industry. When you have some regularity, the vendors can prepare and know what to expect which, ultimately, will leave a more seamless experience for all.
Your guests leave the ceremony and head to cocktail hour. Let’s assume you did a first look so you don’t need extended time before arriving for the reception. Your photographer will show up a little early and spend approximately fifteen minutes capturing the details of the room. Table settings, the cake, head table, etc. If you spent money on it, your photographer should capture it! This is also a great time for you, as husband and wife, to spend a few minutes together and alone before being the center of attention for the rest of the evening.
Time for the grand entrance! This is the first time you will be introduced as Mr. and Mrs.! The DJ will announce your bridal party in where they will head right for the head table. “It’s my pleasure to introduce to you for the first time, Mr. and Mrs. Bride and Groom!” and the crowd goes wild!
But instead of heading to your table, you get to go right to the dance floor where your wedding cake is proudly on display! Cut the cake, smash it into each others faces (guys, don’t do this if you know what’s good for you), and finish with a big kiss! If you haven’t caught on my now, there will be ALOT of kissing on your wedding day.
What happens next is pretty much up to you. The important thing is that the next few things happen pretty close to each other. You will keep people interested and it will set up the rest of the night for dancing and partying without too many interruptions.
Speeches: I’ve seen these happen before dinner, after or even during! Regardless of when you want it to happen, it’s best if its right around when food will be served so you can make sure all the guests are seated and present.
First Dances: Typically happening pretty soon after dinner, this will allow the dance floor to open and for the party to really start!
Bouquet and Garter toss: This is another tradition that has been slowly losing popularity. Personally, I’m not a fan. My wife and I didn’t do this and I don’t think anything was lost from the day. When it does happen, it’s usually a bit later into the evening when the drinks have been flowing and everyone’s looking for an excuse to take a break from the dance floor!
Total Time: 2.5-3.5 hours + travel time
Bon Voyage!
The end of the night shows up before you know it! You’re going to be go, go, go all day so don’t be surprised if you feel EXHAUSTED by the time you’re ready to depart. Here’s the million dollar question: Do you want a big send off?
A sparkler tunnel leading to the get-away car? Maybe some fireworks off in the background? Maybe you’re not worried about that and you just want the party to wind down, to say goodbye to your guests, and to get a good nights sleep!
It’s important that you communicate these with your photographer before hand. If you are not doing a send off, most photographers will leave shortly after the first dances and some candids have been taken. This may seem early but, speaking from experience, you will not want to look through hundreds of pictures of people dancing and indulging in the bar! It’s great to have some, absolutely, but when you have too many it just becomes repetitive and the value is lost.
Final Thoughts
So how much time do you need? It depends!
Every wedding is unique but with the right information, your photographer will be able to lay out a day-of timeline to show you exactly what your day will look like. Your photographer is a resource. They are so much more then someone who shows up and presses a button. They will be with you all day and they will be guiding you through the day the whole time. They know how much time needs to be dedicated to certain events.
Trust your photographer, they know what they are doing!