Dear bride,

Planning a wedding can be overwhelming, especially when it comes to creating a photography timeline that accommodates the diverse cultural aspects of your special day. While providing an exact template is challenging due to these unique elements, I can offer you some ideal time frames to consider. Although these durations may seem long when written down, it’s important to remember a few things.

Firstly, your wedding day will pass by in a blink of an eye. Cherishing every moment becomes crucial, and allowing ample time for photography ensures that your precious memories are beautifully captured. Secondly, it’s common for weddings to run slightly behind schedule due to various factors, so it’s wise to plan with some buffer time in mind. Lastly, I want to assure you that the photo sessions will be enjoyable and engaging, making the time spent feel like a breeze.

By considering these factors, we can create a photography timeline that accommodates your unique cultural aspects and ensures that every moment is beautifully documented.

CEREMONY DETAIL AND VENUE

Ideal Time Allotment – 30 minutes

Ideal Location – Ceremony Site
Ideal Time of the Day – Morning or Afternoon
Advice – If you have a second photographer for your wedding, please allow 30 minutes for the second shooter to take pictures of the ceremony site, completely set up with no guests or vendors in the area.

Before you have the guests seated, it’s important that we are there to capture the complete setup of your ceremony site so we can capture the scene at its best.

GETTING READY DETAIL SHOTS

Optimal Time Allocation: 30 minutes Recommended Time of the Day: Morning Ideal Location: Bridal Suite or Hotel Suite

Suggestion: Setting aside a minimum of 30 minutes for capturing intricate details ensures that we have ample time to capture the images of your dress, rings, shoes, bouquets, and other significant elements of your special day.

Sometimes, the hotel room may be too cramped or lack the desired aesthetic. In such cases, we might suggest venturing outside the room, perhaps to the lobby or even outdoors, to capture stunning shots of your dress.

GETTING READY

Optimal Time Allocation: 60 minutes for Bride to get ready and 60 minutes for Groom to get ready

Recommended Time of the Day: Morning or Early Afternoon

Ideal Location: Bridal Suite or Hotel Suite

Suggestion: During this time, our goal is to capture close-ups of the makeup and hair application and candid moments featuring the bride, bridesmaids, groomsmen, and their preparations for the day. It’s important to note that these moments are often filled with emotions and joy, so it’s best not to rush through them. Ensure anything you do not want in photographs is tucked away.

Our lead photographer will be dedicated to capturing the bride’s preparations, while our second photographer will focus on the groom. Although it typically takes less time for the groom to get dressed, plenty of incredible moments are shared between the groom, his family, and friends during this period. These interactions are valuable and deserve attention, ensuring that no precious memories go undocumented. If the bride and groom are getting ready at the same time, we recommend a second photographer to help prevent moments being missed, as having only one photographer means that the photographer will need to go back and forth between bride and groom.

INDIVIDUAL PORTRAITS

Ideal Time Allocation: 30 minutes for Bride and 30 minutes for Groom

Recommended Time of the Day: Morning or Early Afternoon

Ideal Location: Bridal Suite, Hotel Suite, Venue Lobby, or Venue Garden

Suggestion: Immediately following the getting ready section is the ideal time for capturing individual portraits of the bride and groom separately. This timeframe is advantageous as the makeup and hair are freshly done, and the day has yet to become too hectic.

First Look

Ideal Time Allotment – 20 minutes
Ideal Time of the Day – Morning or Early Afternoon
Ideal Location – Venue Garden, Empty Venue Hallway (shaded areas with natural light)

Advice – The first look should be around 15 minutes. During this time, the bride and groom enjoy seeing each other for the first time on the wedding day. While the actual first look might only be 5-10 minutes, the rest of the time is spent on a few basic portraits of the bride and groom.

Bride with Bridesmaids and Groom with Groomsmen

Ideal Time Allocation: 15-30 Minutes for bride with bridesmaids and 15-30 minutes for groom with groomsmen

This section is just for the girls and/or just for the guys. Individuals and group shots with your bridesmaids or groomsmen. Lastly, we understand the significance of your wedding party to you, so we make it a point to capture individual pictures with each of your bridesmaids or groomsmen. These portraits hold a special place in your heart and document the unique bond you share with each wedding party member.

WEDDING PARTY PHOTOS

Ideal Time Allocation: 30 Minutes Recommended

Ideal Time of the Day: Early Morning or Late Afternoon (If around mid-day, a place where there’s shade)

Ideal Location: Venue Lobby, Venue Garden, Beach, Park

Suggestion: Allocating approximately 30 minutes for wedding party photos is ideal. During this dedicated time, we can capture a variety of shots in different poses. We begin with classic photos that focus on capturing great expressions and ensuring optimal lighting.

Family Portraits

Ideal Time Allocation: 45-60 minutes

Recommended Time of the Day: Early Morning or Late Afternoon (If around mid-day, a place where there’s shade)

Ideal Location: Ceremony Site

Suggestion: Allocating approximately 45 minutes to 1 hour for formal group photos is ideal, considering the size of your family.

On average, plan for about 3 minutes per group. For instance, if you have 10 groups, it is advisable to schedule a 30-minute time slot to ensure adequate coverage.

When it comes to deciding who to include in the photos, some couples opt for a picture with all their guests, while others choose to focus on select VIPs to save time. We suggest finding a balanced approach that allows you to capture meaningful moments with a significant number of guests while still managing the time effectively.

To ensure a smooth and organized process, we highly recommend being well-prepared. Create a comprehensive list of desired group shots and enlist helpers from each side of the family to assist in gathering the necessary individuals. This level of organization will help streamline the process, ensuring that all important groups are accounted for and minimizing any potential confusion.

Bride & Groom Couple Portraits

Ideal Time Allocation: 1 hour Recommended

Time of the Day: Late Afternoon (1 Hour Prior to Sunset)

Ideal Location: Venue Garden, Beach, Park

Suggestion: Allocating approximately 1 hour for the couple session is ideal, ideally 30 to 45 minutes before sunset. This time frame ensures the most favorable lighting conditions for stunning photos.

During this period, we can capture scenic shots, taking advantage of the vibrant colors and captivating skies offered by the late afternoon and sunset. If your wedding venue is situated in a downtown area or surrounded by tall buildings, the specific timing may be less crucial (although it still contributes to the overall ambiance).

However, if you chose your venue specifically for its breathtaking ocean view or picturesque vineyards, following this advice in your timeline becomes essential. This way, we can fully leverage the scenic beauty that captured your heart and create remarkable images that showcase the unique charm of your chosen location.

By allowing ample time for the couple session and considering the timing in relation to the sunset, we can create an enchanting collection of photographs that reflect the beauty of your surroundings and the deep connection between you as a couple.

RECEPTION DETAIL AND VENUE

Ideal Time Allocation: 30 minutes Recommended

Time of the Day: Early Evening

Ideal Location: Reception Site

Suggestion: It is highly recommended to allocate a dedicated 30-minute time slot for the second shooter to capture photographs of the reception room. This session should take place when the room is fully set up and devoid of guests or vendors.

Similar to capturing the details of the ceremony, this is the only opportunity we have to document the splendor and beauty of the reception room before it is filled with guests. By reserving this dedicated time, we can ensure that every intricate detail, decoration, and ambiance of the room is skillfully captured, creating a visual record of the venue’s transformation.

This session allows us to preserve the essence and ambiance of the reception area, showcasing the efforts put into the setup and design. It adds depth and context to your wedding album, encapsulating the anticipation and excitement leading up to the celebration.

By prioritizing this 30-minute window, we can capture the reception room’s beauty and create a lasting visual memory of the transformation before the lively atmosphere of your reception takes over.

Grand Entrance

Wedding Party Entrances | 10-15 Minutes

This is the moment where you and your partner get to celebrate being introduced for the first time as the newlyweds that you are.

It’s a time to choose your favorite party song and confidently make your entrance, radiating joy and excitement.

Pick that perfect party song, strut your stuff, and revel in the joyous celebration as you step into this new chapter of your lives together.

First Dance & Family Dances

After making your grand entrance, the spotlight is on you, creating the perfect opportunity to transition seamlessly into your first dance as a married couple. This special moment holds immense significance as you take center stage, showcasing your love and unity through dance. Whether you’ve choreographed an intricate routine or simply embrace the beauty of a slow and tender dance to a sentimental song, this is your time to shine together.

With all eyes fixed upon you, cherish this unforgettable moment as you create lasting memories on the dance floor. It symbolizes the beginning of your journey as a married couple, encapsulating the love, romance, and joy that fills the air. So, embrace the spotlight, revel in the magic of the music, and let your first dance radiate the unique bond that brought you together.

Toasts | 30 Minutes

While your guests are still in their seats, finishing their meal is a great time to go through the toasts. It’s a good idea to start with the Best Man and Maid of Honor toasts and then follow with anyone else you have asked to toast. Bride and groom may also opt to give a speech and thank their guests for being a part of their wedding day.