Wedding Day Timeline

One of the most difficult parts about planning a wedding is creating the wedding day timeline. Most couples aren’t sure how much time to schedule for certain aspects of the wedding and often find themselves running behind, causing them to stress on the wedding day. Your wedding day is supposed to be fun. You spend a TON of time planning it, you need to enjoy it and not stress on the day.

To help do that, it is important to have a timeline for the day. This timeline needs to have “extra” time built in to allow for things that may run late. Below is a sample timeline that we provide our clients to get them started on the planning process. It is important to reach out to your vendors for their suggestions to help you refine this timeline based around time that they need.

This timeline assumes a 6pm start time for the ceremony. You have have to adjust this time based on the time of year you are getting married. For instance, if you get married in Florida in the winter months, sunset will be 6pm or earlier. If you want to finish the ceremony before dark, you will need to start before 6pm. In the summer, sunset is around 830pm, so a 6pm ceremony would likely work better, but you can adjust that earlier/later as necessary. Just adjust the timeline along with it.

9:00 AM - Rise and Shine!

Start your special day with a sense of calm and excitement. Have a wholesome breakfast and take some time for yourself. Meditate, practice yoga, or simply enjoy a quiet moment with your thoughts. Surround yourself with positivity and visualize the beautiful day that lies ahead.

11:00 AM - Hair and Makeup

Gather your bridal party and head to the beauty salon. Trust your chosen hair and makeup artists to transform you into the stunning bride you've always envisioned. Allow this time for bonding with your bridesmaids and sharing stories of your journey together. We recommend that you, as the bride, get ready in the middle of your bridal party. Hair and makeup is the one thing that often takes longer than expected. If you go last and hair/makeup is running behind, you will delay things. If you are in the middle, the hair and makeup artists can go a bit faster on the remaining bridesmaids, as theirs isnt as important as yours.

1:00 PM - Lunch and Finish Hair/Makeup and Start Getting Ready

Return to your bridal suite or home for a light lunch and some final touches while getting ready. This is the perfect time for your photographer to capture candid moments of laughter and anticipation with your closest friends and family.

2:30 PM - The Groom and Groomsmen Prepare

While you and your bridal party are getting ready, don't forget about the groom and his groomsmen! They can enjoy a casual brunch together before getting dressed in their stylish attire. Encourage them to capture some pre-wedding photos, showcasing the excitement of the day.

3:00 PM - First Look and Photos

The moment has come for your first look! Meet your partner in a secluded spot before the ceremony, allowing a private and intimate moment between just the two of you. Your photographer will capture the raw emotion of this special encounter. Follow it up with a photo session with your bridal party and family members.

4:30 PM - Ceremony Setup

As the guests start arriving at the ceremony venue, make sure everything is in place. Double-check the floral arrangements, seating arrangements, and any other decor details to create the perfect ambiance for your "I do" moment.

6:00 PM - Ceremony Time!

Step into the spotlight and exchange your heartfelt vows in front of your family and friends. Let the love and support of your loved ones surround you as you officially tie the knot. Remember to stay present and take in every second of this beautiful moment.

6:30 PM - Cocktail Hour

After the ceremony, while you and your partner have a brief private moment, your guests can enjoy a cocktail hour. They will be treated to drinks, hors d'oeuvres, and pleasant conversation while you're taking formal photos or simply relishing each other's company.

7:30 PM - Reception Grand Entrance

Make a grand entrance into your reception venue as a newlywed couple. This is the time to let your personalities shine through - choose a song that represents your love story, and enjoy the applause and cheers from your guests.

8:00 PM - Dinner and Toasts

Sit down to a delicious meal with your loved ones. This is also the perfect time for heartfelt toasts from the best man, maid of honor, and any other close friends or family members who wish to share their well wishes.

9:00 PM - First Dance and Open Dance Floor

It's time for your first dance as a married couple! This special moment will be etched in your memories forever. Afterward, invite your guests to join you on the dance floor as you celebrate and groove to the music.

10:00 PM - Cutting the Cake and Late-Night Snacks

Cut the cake together, and don't forget to share a sweet bite with each other. Treat your guests to a late-night snack station to keep the energy high on the dance floor.

11:00 PM - Farewell and Send-Off

As the night draws to a close, bid farewell to your guests with heartfelt gratitude for being a part of your special day. A sparkler send-off can add a touch of magic to the end of the evening.

As you will notice, this timeline provides A LOT of time before the ceremony for getting ready. This will allow you a stress free day as there is ample time in case of a delay. This also provides you plenty of time with your photographer to allow them to create the portraits you hired them to create.

We always recommend a first look for this reason. It allows you to get most of the bridal party and couples portraits before the wedding, leaving the family formals and sunset type portraits for after the ceremony. This will help keep you from spending 2 hours after the ceremony taking pictures.

If you wish to keep it traditional and not see each other before the ceremony, then remove the first look portion and adjust the timeline accordingly. Just be sure to add extra time after the ceremony to get those portraits of you and your husband/wife as well as all the family and bridal party portraits.

A well-planned wedding day timeline ensures that you and your partner can relax and enjoy every moment of your magical day. With a thoughtful schedule in place, you can make the most of each stage, from the intimate first look to the joyous reception. Embrace the journey, cherish the memories, and embark on your new chapter together with love, laughter, and a lifetime of happiness. Here's to your "happily ever after"!

It is YOUR wedding!

The idea that the wedding is yours doesnt seems simple, right? Afterall, it is you that is standing at the alter, who else can claim it is their wedding? Certainly no one. But this is more about the planning process rather than the actual ceremony itself.

Having been a wedding photographer for the past 18 years, we have photographed hundreds of weddings. One theme continues to creep into weddings we photograph. The couples plan the day for their guests, rather than themselves. They may choose certain décor. They made choose certain foods. They may choose a variety of other things to make sure their guests have a good time.

But why? Why do couples focus on making sure their guests have the best food, the best service, the best time at their wedding, rather than focus on things that they might want instead? Why do couples sacrifice their desires if they feel the guests might not like it?

A perfect example of this is the portraits taken during the wedding. One comment we get all the time is, “How long do portrait take after the wedding? We dont want our guests to sit there too long waiting on us?”

The problem here is that most couples value photography and the images their photographers create for them. Most would say that is one of the most important things on their wedding day. However, they dont want to take to long for fear of the guests getting bored. If its something that is important to you, why does it matter if the guests have to wait? If its important to you to have portraits you LOVE, why put a time limit on it? Why not let the photographer take the time that they need to get the images that YOU want? Afterall, after the wedding is over, the portraits remain, the guests do not.

This can be true for a number of other things as well, not just photography. The point here is that its important to remember whose wedding it is. Everyone wants their guests to have a great time. They want to have the “wedding of the year” that is talked about. However, the reality is, your guests attend a wedding after yours and then it becomes the wedding of the year, not yours. So all those things you decided on to appease your guests, dont really matter after the wedding is over.

What really matters is that you remember that it is YOUR wedding. It is YOU that has to enjoy the wedding day. It is YOU that the day is for. Make sure that you dont sacrifice too many of your visions to give the guests the wedding you think they want… and make sure it is the wedding that YOU want.

Capturing Timeless Elegance: Choosing the Perfect Wedding Photographer

Your wedding day is a once-in-a-lifetime event filled with precious moments that deserve to be captured in all their timeless elegance. Choosing the perfect wedding photographer in is an essential decision that will ensure your memories are preserved beautifully. In this blog post, we'll guide you through the process of selecting a skilled and experienced wedding photographer who will capture every detail of your luxurious wedding with artistry and finesse.

Start with Style: Begin your search for a wedding photographer by considering their style of photography. Do you prefer classic and timeless images, or are you drawn to a more contemporary and artistic approach? Look for photographers whose portfolios align with your aesthetic preferences and capture the essence of luxury weddings.

Experience and Expertise: When it comes to documenting your special day, experience matters. Look for wedding photographers who specialize in luxury weddings and have a track record of delivering exceptional results. Experienced photographers understand the unique challenges and requirements of high-end weddings and can capture your day flawlessly.

Portfolio Review: Take the time to review the portfolios of potential photographers carefully. Look for consistency in their work, paying attention to composition, lighting, and attention to detail. A photographer's portfolio is a visual representation of their skill and artistic vision, helping you assess if their style aligns with your vision. Ask to see albums that feature complete weddings and not just a select few of their favorites. This will ensure that their work is consistent throughout the entire day, not just a few great images.

Personal Connection: Your wedding photographer will be by your side throughout your special day, capturing intimate moments and emotions. It's essential to have a personal connection and feel comfortable with your photographer. Schedule a consultation or engagement session to get to know them better and assess if you have a rapport. Your photographer is the only vendor that you will work with before, during and after the wedding is over.

Package Options and Pricing: Wedding photography packages can vary significantly in terms of coverage, hours, prints, albums, and additional services. Consider your budget and prioritize the elements that are most important to you. Request detailed information on package options and pricing to ensure they align with your needs. Consider a photo album rather than just getting digital images. Photo albums will last forever, whereas over time, digital images degrade and become obsolete. A photo album creates your first family heirloom that can be passed down generation to generation.

Communication and Professionalism: Effective communication is key to a smooth and enjoyable experience with your wedding photographer. Assess their responsiveness, willingness to listen to your ideas and preferences, and their ability to provide guidance throughout the process. A professional photographer will be organized, prompt, and dedicated to delivering exceptional service.

Choosing the perfect wedding photographer is a crucial step in preserving the memories of your wedding day. By considering factors such as style, experience, portfolio, personal connection, packages, and professionalism, you'll be well on your way to finding a skilled and experienced photographer who will capture every cherished moment with the utmost artistry and finesse.