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We work closely with each of our couples to create a wedding day photography timeline for their big day. Having a wedding day photography timeline is very important as it helps ensure that all of the important photographs are captured, and that every aspect of the day stays on time.
Wedding timelines can differ depending on whether the couple wants photography of the getting-ready portion of the day, photography of the details (like the wedding dress, shoes, bouquets, rings, etc…), or whether the couple wants to do a first look.
What is a first look? A first look is when the bride and groom see each other before the ceremony in a private and intimate setting – only the photographer nearby to capture their interactions and expressions. Here is a wedding at the beautiful Postcard Inn in Saint Petersburg where a first look took place between the couple: https://lensspell.com/2018/04/postcard-inn-wedding-st-pete-beach-wedding-saint-petersburg-wedding-photographer/ A first look has become more popular in recent years. Many couples are opting to do one, as it allows them to complete not only their bride and groom portraits before the ceremony (instead of during the cocktail hour after the ceremony), but to also do all of the family portraits and bridal party portraits before the ceremony. Doing that allows the couple to enjoy their cocktail hour and not have to spend that time doing photographs.
Alternatively, some couples prefer the traditional wedding – where they see each other for the first time during the ceremony, as the bride walks down the aisle.
Here are two sample wedding day schedules for you to look at. Perhaps you will prefer one over the other?
SAMPLE WEDDING DAY TIMELINES
WITH FIRST LOOK (i.e. seeing each other before the ceremony)
12:30pm-2:30 pm Photographers arrive for the getting ready photos. Please have the dress and bridesmaid’s dresses wrinkle free on nice clothes hangers. Also, please have the shoes, flowers, rings, jewelry and any other details (invitations, family heirlooms, etc…) ready to photograph. In the groom’s room – please have the jacket ready and hanging, and please have any tie/bowtie, corsages, boutonnieres, belt and watch ready to photograph.
3:00pm Bride and Groom’s First Look
3:15pm Bride and Groom Portraits
3:45pm Bridal party photos
- Just the bride with her bridesmaids
- Just the groom with his groomsmen
- Entire bridal party together with the Bride and Groom
4:15pm Formal Family Portraits with the Bride and Groom
4:45pm Rest Time/Freshen Up
5:30pm Ceremony Start Time
6:00pm Ceremony End Time
6:00pm Cocktail Hour Begins
- 20-30 minutes of additional portraits of just the Bride and Groom as Husband and Wife
7:00pm Cocktail Hour Ends
7:15pm Intros and First Dance(s)
7:15-8:00pm Dinner
8:00pm Cake Cutting, Bouquet Throw, Garter Toss
8:30pm Photographer Scheduled to Leave
WITHOUT FIRST LOOK (i.e. seeing each other for the first time at the ceremony)
1:30pm-3:30 pm Photographers arrive for the getting ready photos. Please have the dress and bridesmaid’s dresses wrinkle free on nice clothes hangers. Also, please have the shoes, flowers, rings, jewelry and any other details (invitations, family heirlooms, etc…) ready to photograph. In the groom’s room – please have the jacket ready and hanging, and please have any tie/bowtie, corsages, boutonnieres, belt and watch ready to photograph.
4:00pm Bridal party photos with just the groom and groomsmen
4:30pm Bridal party photos with just the bride and bridesmaids
5:00pm Rest Time/Freshen Up
5:30pm Ceremony Start Time
6:00pm Ceremony End Time
6:15pm Cocktail Hour Begins
- Formal Family Portraits with the Bride and Groom
- Photos of the entire bridal party together with the Bride and Groom
- Portraits of just the Bride and Groom as Husband and Wife
7:15pm Cocktail Hour Ends
7:30pm Intros and First Dance(s)
7:45-8:45pm Dinner
8:45pm Cake Cutting, Bouquet Throw, Garter Toss
9:30pm Photographer Scheduled to Leave