A Guide to Planning Your Wedding Day Photography Timeline.
We have put together a general wedding day timeline guide to help you plan out your wedding day and allocate the time needed to each part of the day. This will ensure that we can capture the best images of you and your guests.
When we photograph a whole wedding day from 'getting ready' right through to the reception, this is generally how we plan out the day. This is just a guide and many weddings will vary, so feel free to customise and make adjustments where needed.
BE INTENTIONAL WITH YOUR GETTING READY SPACE AND CHOOSE A PLACE WITH LOTS OF NATURAL LIGHT.
KEEP PERSONAL ITEMS AND CLUTTER IN A SEPERATE ROOM.
HAVE A NICE HANGER FOR YOUR WEDDING DRESS.
Dress, suits, rings, shoes, flowers, invitation suite and all other details.
Allow 20 minutes for these details to be captured for both the bride and groom.
Once the photographer arrives at the brides location and assistant shooter to the groom, they will collect all the details (please have everything in one place to make it easier to capture everything).
We photograph all these details prior to the wedding party getting dressed.
Therefore, hold off getting dressed early so the photographer is able to get these detail shots.
Bride and groom preparations with the bridal party
Allow approximately 1 hour for groom prep to be photographed.
Allow 2-3 hours for bridal prep as hair and makeup takes longer. (additional time if you have a large bridal party).
For the Bride - Make sure you give yourself enough time for hair and makeup. Schedule in your hair and makeup to arrive early and finish up an hour prior to leaving your location for the ceremony. This will give you some buffer time in case things get held up a little (which does happen) and will also give your photographer time to capture all your small details, bridal portraits, group photos and candid shots of you all getting ready.
For the Groom - The photographer will arrive at your location and start to capture all the details first. We suggest that everyone is showered and that all items are together in one room with lots of natural light. The photographer will then capture candid shots of the groom and groomsman getting ready. Followed by groom portraits and group shots.
The photographer will need to leave ahead of the bride and groom to capture the ceremony setup before guests arrive.
Ceremony details and venue setup.
Prior to guests arriving, the photographer will arrive at the ceremony to capture the entire completed setup.
UTILIZING DIFFERENT TYPES OF SPACE AND LIGHT EXPLAINED BELOW:
EVEN LIGHTING: This is one of our favourite types of lighting for ceremonies. Under a canopy of trees, or in the shade will result in diffused and soft light (as pictured above). Overcast also achieves the same result, but unfortunately we can't control the weather.
HARSH LIGHT: This is the trickiest light to work with. If you can't help but work with direct sun (as pictured above). Please position the sun behind the altar. Your guests might need sunglasses, but at least you won't have unflattering and inconsistent shadows.
INSIDE LIGHT: Try not to position the alter right in front of a window, unless you have good fore-light (as displayed above) Otherwise you will become washed out and shadowed. Multi-directional light is ideal.
The Ceremony
Allow approximately 30 - 45 minutes.
Ceremonies average at around half an hour depending on what elements you have chosen to include in your ceremony.
Congratulating the couple and guests mingling.
Allow 15 minutes.
When the ceremony is finished, the photographer will capture the congratulations and exit of the bride and groom as they come down the aisle.
Family Photos
Allow 20 - 45 minutes depending on the length of the family shot list.
The family photos will be taken at the ceremony location. You will need to allocate someone who knows all the family members to assist in gathering family groups from the list.
This will happen immediately after the ceremony because everyone will be together. I will choose a shaded outdoor spot for these, unless weather dictates otherwise.
Location Photos
Allow 1-2 hours for location photos if time permits. (At least 1 hour)
Having an hour or two after your ceremony for the bridal party photos and your bridal portrait session is ideal, especially if you have a large bridal party.
It's best to capture these photos when the light is softer, usually a few hours before sunset.
Reception venue setup and details
Prior to guests arriving, the photographer will arrive at the reception to capture the completed setup and details.
Bridal party arrival to reception
Once your guests have all arrived at the reception, the photographer will capture the arrival of the bridal party.
At the reception
The photographer will capture guests, cake cutting, the speeches and the first dance.
Depending upon your chosen wedding package and the hours included, you can arrange the formalities of the reception, to allow time for your photographer to capture them.
All images in this guide were taken by Affordable Adelaide Photography.