Bride getting ready (approximately just under an hour needed):
- I normally need about 30-45 minutes to get shots of the bride before she puts on her wedding dress. If possible, I like to take photos of all of her accessories prior to her getting ready as well. These include her shoes, jewelry, veil, perfume bottle, wedding invitation, and any other special things she plans on wearing. Then I can focus on the bride and bridesmaids putting on the finishing touches of their make-up and hair.
- Finally, my focus is getting photos of the bride as her mother or bridesmaids help her into her wedding dress and zip/button/tie the back of her dress.
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I typically assign my assistant to photograph the groom and groomsmen as they finish their preparations. If the boutonnieres are available, my second shooter will capture a shot of a groomsman or the mother of the groom pinning a boutonniere on the groom.
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Since men often have refreshments in their room, a photo of the group sharing a toast is always a great addition. With my second shooter focused on the men, I can simultaneously capture images of the bride, ensuring all getting ready coverage is completed within one hour.
First Look or First Touch (approximately 20-30 minutes needed):
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First looks take place before the ceremony and can help ease any nerves by allowing you to see one another privately before the event begins. Alternatively, a first touch allows you to talk to one another without actually seeing each other, typically staged around a door or the corner of a building.
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If you decide to include either a first look or a first touch, I ask that you set aside 30 minutes for my second shooter and me. This time allows us to set you both up, capture the moment, and take portraits of the two of you alone.
Bride and Groom portraits (approximately 30-45 minutes needed):
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If you choose to do a “first look” before the ceremony, we will take several portraits immediately following that. We can also aim to complete a significant portion of the formal family portraits at that time. Later, depending on the timing of the sunset, we can go out for an additional 15-20 minutes to capture portraits in the warm, golden hour light. These sunset photos are typically taken after you have finished dinner while your guests are still eating.
- If you choose not to do a first look, the bulk of the bride and groom portraits will be taken after the ceremony. For couples who want a wide variety of shots, I highly recommend a first look to ensure there is ample time for these portraits.
Bridal party portraits (approximately 20-30 minutes, depending on the size of your party):
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With a First Look: I will photograph the bridal party immediately following your first look and initial couple portraits. Please set aside approximately 20 minutes for these photos.
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Without a First Look: I will split the portraits into two sessions. I will photograph the groom with the groomsmen and the bride with the bridesmaids separately before the ceremony. We will then capture the full bridal party together during the formal family portraits after the ceremony.
Formal family portraits (approximately 20-30 minutes):
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The timing of family portraits depends on whether you choose to do a “first look.” If you do, we will take family photos immediately following your initial portraits and bridal party photos. If not, family portraits will take place immediately after the ceremony.
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Depending on the size of your list, these photos typically take 20 to 30 minutes to complete. My second shooter will help coordinate each group, and I may also ask a bridesmaid or groomsman to assist since they are often familiar with the family members.
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To ensure this part of the day goes as smoothly as possible, please provide a detailed list of the specific family combinations you would like included in your formal portraits beforehand. Having this list ready is extremely helpful and helps us manage the process efficiently since this can sometimes be the most stressful part of your big day!
Ceremony (this varies; it can take anywhere from 20-60 minutes):
- My second shooter and I will position ourselves as discreetly as possible to capture various angles of the bridal party walking down the aisle and all key moments of the ceremony.
Reception/toasts/cake cutting/dancing/grand exit (1-2 hours):
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For couples who are not planning a grand exit, I recommend scheduling my coverage to continue for 45 minutes to an hour into open floor dancing. It is best to plan the first dances, toasts, cake cutting, bouquets/garter tosses, and any other special events before my scheduled end time. This ensures that I capture all the key moments and the initial energy of the dance floor.
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If you would like to have a grand exit captured, I suggest either extending your coverage or adjusting our start time to a bit later in the day.
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Since there are only so many dancing photos you will need, having me remain for more than an hour of open dancing may not be the most efficient use of your budget.
Sample timeline for a 6-hour wedding day:
2pm = Photographers arrive to take detail shots and photos of the bride and groom each getting ready separately
2:45-3:15pm = First Look and bride/groom portraits
3:15-4:15pm = Full bridal party portraits and family formal portraits
4:15-4:30pm = “Hide the bride”. Photographers will take detail shots of the decor, candid photos of guests arriving, and set up for where to be during the ceremony.
4:30pm-5pm = Ceremony
5pm = Sign marriage license. Finish family formal photos, if needed. Candid photos of guests during cocktail hour.
5:30pm = Grand entrance and announcement of the new couple into reception. Go straight into first dance and any special dances with parents.
6pm = Dinner. Photographers eat while the bride and groom eat so that no major events are missed. If there is a good sunset, this is a good time to slip out for 10-15 minutes and take some bride/groom sunset photos.
7pm = Toasts/speeches. Cake cutting. Bouquet and/or garter toss, if doing one.
7:30pm = Get everyone on the dance floor for a big group photo and then ask your DJ to start open dancing with a well-known song while everyone is already on the floor.
7:45pm= If there is a grand exit, the photographers will photograph that at this time or extra time can be added for an extra fee.
8pm = Photography coverage ends.
