Wedding Day Photo Timeline

The day of your wedding will always be a fond memory in your heart, but it’s important to have physical reminders of the fabulous celebration as well. Beautiful photos that document every important moment make the best memeries, and this simple guide will help you plan your wedding in a way that will allow for amazing pictures to be taken.

Planning is the key to a successful operation, so if you want to get beautiful pictures, you need to be sure you set aside enough time to make them. Note that the best shots require natural light, so consider the season and daylight hours when planning your timeline.

Here is an example of what it should look like;

Morning

• Details: 30-45 minutes
  These are the pictures of the rings, dress, shoes, venue and other objects that will help to tell the story of this memorable day.

• Get ready photos: 60 minutes
  Photographer to arrive at least an hour before the scheduled end of your get ready session so that he or she will have enough time to take detail shots as well as get ready shots of both the bride and groom.

Late morning - early afternoon

• Individual portraits: 30 minutes for each bride and groom
  These pictures will need to be taken immediately after the get ready session, so be sure to allocate enough time for this shoot before the ceremony.

• First look and couple session: 60-90 minutes
  This session is optional, though it’s getting more popular by the day. The first look is a very intimate experience for the happy couple and pictures turn out to be truly magical. see more information below

• Wedding party photos: 45-60 minutes
  The length of this session will depend on the size of the wedding party. You will need to discuss the guest list with your photographer beforehand and determine the kinds of shots you want to take.

• Family photos: 45-60 minutes
  This is another session that directly depends on the number of people involved and your personal preferences regarding the pictures.

Afternoon

• Formal shots with extended family: 30-45 minutes
  This session can be shorter and it can take place either before or after the ceremony.

• Ceremony and venue: 60 minutes
  Shooting the ceremony is a challenge as the environment often works against the photographer. Look up some tips in the part of this guide dedicated to wedding ceremony photography.

• Couple session: 60 minutes
  Be sure to choose the location in advance. The sun can move quickly, so we will need to stay ahead of schedule when it comes to sunset.

Late afternoon - evening

• Reception and venue: 30 minutes
  The venue will need to be photographed before the guests are seated.

• Couple receptions send off: 15 minutes
  A wonderful way to finish your photo day. Nothing finishes a wedding night like sparklers or neon lights!

"Getting Ready" Pictures on Your Wedding Day

Getting ready photos will take a special place in your wedding album as they show the beginning of your story on this most special of days. To make sure these pictures come out truly stunning, you will need to plan every detail and arrange your getting ready session in a manner that will allow for the taking of great shots.

Choosing the Right Room

The room where hairdressers and makeup artists will work their magic on you is the most important consideration for a getting ready shoot. You will need to keep this in mind when looking for the perfect wedding venue.

The most important consideration for a photographer is the lighting. Therefore, you should search for a venue that will provide you with a room that has plenty of natural light during the time of the day when the preparation will take place. Don’t forget that natural light changes depending on the season. If you book a venue 6 months in advance and the getting ready room is perfect at this time, it may not be this way on the day of your wedding.

Getting Ready Photo Tips

Great lighting and a spacey room aren’t the only things that matter for making gorgeous getting ready pictures. The following tips will help you ensure this shoot turns out perfect:

• Get your hair done before your makeup.
  Photographers can take amazing shots of an artist applying your makeup but the work of a hairstylist doesn’t look that great on camera. Therefore, it’s best to get your hairdo out of the way first and invite a photographer after it’s done.

• Get all the details in one place.
  Decide which details you want to get photographed and collect them in one place for the photographer to work with the objects while you are getting ready. Ask one of your bridesmaids to put your dress on a hanger and take it to the photographer as dress shots are some of the most important during the details session.

• Wear something nice.
  A bride will need to wear something comfortable before she puts on her gorgeous dress. Choosing original or matching outfits for the bride and bridesmaids can make the getting ready photos more interesting. Cute PJ’s with custom prints or matching robes are great options to consider,

More tips for great bridal prep photos

• Keep the room uncluttered.
  Don’t allow your getting ready room to turn into a storage. Keeping it as uncluttered as possible is essential if you want to get great photos. It saves times removing water bottles and other unwanted objects in the photos post-production.

• Allow only the closest friends and relatives into the room.
  With a makeup artist, hairdresser, photo crew, bridesmaids, and closest family, the room will be overcrowded by default. Have a talk with your wedding party in advance to make sure that people stay away from the room to allow for pictures to be taken. Add some “alone with photographers” time to your wedding timeline.

• Don’t forget about the groom.
  The groom’s getting ready may not be as elaborate as the bride’s but it needs to be documented as well. Be sure to plan your timeline in a way that will allow the photographer to take pictures of you both before the first look session.

• Discuss your creative ideas with your photographer.
  Do you have some special ideas or a dream you’ve had since you were little? Discuss these things with your photographer and see if you can come up with some special way to make those images live through your photo shoot. Adding some themed shots will liven up your wedding album. Another popular idea is of documenting the moment when the bride pins a boutonniere to her father’s jacket. Think of these things beforehand and communicate your wishes to your photographer so that you can be sure that the pictures live up to your dreams.

This is the part of the shoot where you should let you and your photographer’s imagination go wild to create incredibly beautiful images.

Start with discussing the portrait session with your photographer a few weeks in advance. This way, the professional will have the time to come up with some creative ideas that you will need to talk about closer to the wedding day.

Show your photographer some intimate moments. Hugs and kisses help tell the story of your love, so you’ll need to engage in some displays of affection before the camera. If you feel too shy or uncomfortable about this, discuss the matter with your photographer. We will be able to offer some tips and poses that will help you relax and get into the mood of the story you are telling through these images.

Thinking of incorporating some props into the shoot? It will be easier to choose the objects that can “enhance” the atmosphere if you are making a themed couple portrait session. However, even if there is no special underlying theme, you can use some objects to make original shots. For example, large puzzle pieces with your names fitting together perfectly, or objects that display your interests, like a guitar or some sports equipment. Remember that these photos must not only reflect the mood of your wedding but also show the bride and groom as the two unique people that they are.

Consider a First Look

A “first look” is a photo shoot that takes place before the ceremony when the bride and groom see each other for the first time. Many couples choose to document this special occasion as these moments are filled to the brim with emotions, which allows for taking incredible photos.

This photo session should be private to enhance the sense of intimacy and connection between the soon-to-be-married lovers. Allow about 30 minutes for this shoot in your planning to prevent running late with the ceremony.

If you decide to have a first look shoot, keep in mind the following tips:

• Be yourself.
  This session is all about the feelings that brought the couple together. You shouldn’t put any undue pressure on yourself and try to pose or hold back happy tears for the camera. Just be yourself and think of nothing but your love for your partner, whom you will soon join in marriage.

• Choose the spot in advance.
  Natural expressions and reactions are a must, but the setting is something you should arrange in advance. Choose a secluded, well-lit spot where you can enjoy this special moment of privacy before the ceremony.

Night Couple Photos Tips

Close off the day with taking a few special photos before the end of the reception. Night shots can look incredible, but you will need to arrange this mini-shoot with your photographer in advance so we are prepared. Finding an amazing background is the key to making killer night portraits. Be sure to drop by your venue during the night to look for the best spots.