There are multiple variables that play a part in the timing of your wedding photos. There are some key questions to think about when determining the amount of time you'll need for your wedding coverage.
-Are you seeing the groom before the ceremony (aka First Look)?
-Are you doing bride / groom photos before the ceremony?
-Will the bridal party photos be done before the ceremony?
-Are you going to do family formals before the ceremony?
Once you've answered these questions you'll be able to start a basic timeline. This will make scheduling hair and make-up appointments a little easier.
Let's start working on your timeline (get your pencil ready).
Start with your ceremony start / end time.
-For a traditional Christian ceremony allot 30 minutes (if it ends up being shorter than that you'll be AHEAD of schedule which is a great way to start!).
-For a full mass allot 1.5 hours.
-If you aren't planning to have a full mass allot 45 minutes.
As a rule of thumb, if you think your ceremony will only last 20 minutes you had better add another 20 minutes.
First Look:
I always recommend that the bride and groom see each other before the ceremony. This not only allows us to get ALL of the photos done before the ceremony, but it also helps calm nerves. This guarantees you will have plenty of time to party and you won't leave your guests waiting forever.
Please know that if you would prefer not to do the first look that is OK. This is YOUR wedding and we will help make your wishes reality.
Getting Ready:
We recommend having no more than 1.5 hours of getting ready shots. The only person we would want to shoot from beginning to end is the bride and some brides prefer that we don't do that much. If you don't like how you look without your hair done or make-up on then you are not going to like those types of photos on your wedding day.
Bride / Bridesmaids:
I prefer to have 45 minutes for these photos, just to be safe. However, I can usually get them done in less than 30 minutes. Please note, it will take much less time to photograph 3 bridesmaids as opposed to 7.
Groom / Groomsmen:
Same as above
Bride & Groom:
If you are planning to see each other before the ceremony plan on the first look taking about 15 minutes. We will give you a few minutes alone after to spend with one another.
After the first look we would move in to the bride and groom shots. I could take FOREVER doing these shots! I like a minimum of 30 minutes and an hour would be ideal.
Family Formals:
The family formals include immediate family only. If you want photos with other family members we can try to squeeze those in at the reception. A great idea would be to have the DJ announce these photos...then you don't have to look around for uncle Joe and aunt Susie.
So who is included in this category?
-Bride, Groom
-Parents, Grandparents, Great Grandparents, Siblings
-Your children
-Spouses of your siblings and their children
-Step-Parents, Step-Siblings, and Step-Grandparents
These photos normally take 15-20 minutes, but we would like to have 30 minutes just to be safe.
So you don't want to see each other before the ceremony?
If you do not want to see each other before the ceremony and we only have an hour for photos afterwards the timeline would look like this:
-Getting ready: 30 minutes
-Bride & Groom: 20 minutes
-Family Formals: 30 minutes
-Bridal Party: 10 minutes
I would suggest that all of the individual bride / bridesmaids and groom / groomsmen shots be done before the ceremony.
Other things to consider:
-Are you release your guests from the ceremony / having a receiving line?
This takes A LOT of time so be sure to plan accordingly. In reality, you should plan on at least 45 minutes for this. Especially because there will be family members that you haven't seen in a long time and they will be chatty.
A traditional church wedding (with ceremony and reception at the same location) will normally need at least 6 hours. If you are having a cocktail hour, dinner, and dancing, then I would recommend at least 8 hours.
Now Catholic weddings are in a league of their own. You will most definitely need up to 10 hours of coverage. The ceremony is much longer and the reception tends to be, as well. Often times the ceremony and reception are at different venues, so you have to schedule for travel time.
Sample Timeline:
Below is what a typical wedding that starts at 2:30 would look like...
10:30 - Getting Ready
11:15 - First Look
11:30 - Bride & Groom
12:15 - Full Bridal Party
12:30 - Bride & Bridesmaids
01:00 - Groom & Groomsmen
01:30 - Family Formals
02:00 - Photography Prep Time
02:30 - Ceremony Start
03:00 - Ceremony End
Leave for reception venue
03:30 - Cocktail Hour
04:30 - Bridal Party Announced
-Toasts
-Cake Cutting
-Prayer
-Dinner
-Bouquet / Garter Tosses
-First Dances
-Dancing! Yay!
06:30 - Photographers Leave
If you are planning to have a full dinner, dancing, bouquet / garter tosses, etc - 2 hours is plenty of time to capture each of those. It's good to keep things moving, otherwise, guests will start to get bored.
Remember...this is only a guide. We will work with your specific schedule as your BIG day approaches.
Can't wait to work with you! :) Be sure to contact us with any questions you may have!
