Wedding Scheduling Guide
What To Expect On Your Big Day
Hi Again
Things are getting real now and it’s time to plan out your day and lock things down. As you can imagine, your schedule and flow of the day can affect, well, a lot. We want great images, great light, no mess, no stress, and a good schedule can give us all of that.
Every wedding day is very different and there are many things to factor in. Some of those being: Are we having a first look? What time is sunset that day? When should our photo coverage start? How long do family photos normally take? Is there a rain backup plan? etc. The good news is, I'll be there to capture it all no matter what. The even better news? I'm giving you all the tips and tricks I can possibly dream up so that you can feel confident about your photos and general rundown of the day well before your actual wedding date.
SAMPLE SCHEDULE
I usually like to start with a good backbone for the schedule and go from there. I ideally take your sunset time and your ceremony time and work backwards from there. Remember that we'll always want to factor in buffer time for each 'photo event' so that it leaves time for travel, candids, and everything in between. This sample schedule is based on a 5:30PM ceremony with a 7:00PM sunset time.
2:00 PM | COVERAGE BEGINS
(shooting details and get ready)3:15 PM | FIRST LOOK
(20-30 minutes) 3:45 PM | BRIDAL PARTY PHOTOS
(30 minutes)4:15 PM |FAMILY PHOTOS
(20-30 minutes)5:30 PM | CEREMONY6:30 PM | COUPLES PORTRAITS
(20-30 minutes) 10:00 PM | COVERAGE COMPLETEHere’s The Breakdown
Getting Ready
I’m usually with you for about an hour or two while you are getting ready. Here’s what to expect during that time:
Lighting | Windows and natural light are crucial. Getting ready photos are a perfect way to start the narrative of your day and good lighting can really help capture those moments. The ideal lighting would be a room with large windows and enough light coming in brighten the room evenly with the lights off.
Location | I am a big fan of renting out homes on AirBNB or getting ready at cozy bed and breakfast versus hotel rooms (which unfortunately are usually full of no-smoking signs and questionable chairs/carpet choices). Although some hotels are more boutique in style, some provide less than ideal lighting. If you need a second opinion or are unsure of a getting ready location, shoot me an email and I will let you know if it’s an ideal location to start your day.
Timing | I usually start shooting you and your bridal party once hair and make-up are about 80% complete. Before that, it's all about the details so please make sure your accessories (invites, shoes, dress, etc.) are all ready to be shot (you too fellas!). I also like to save 5-10 minutes to do some solo portraits of each of you once ready, so just be aware of that. If I'm shooting solo, I'll bounce back and forth between each of you. If there's two of us, my second will most likely be with the boys.
PRO TIP | Please have your dress out of the bag and on a hanger before I arrive on your wedding day. It's a huge time savor.
the first look
I'm a huge fan of the first look. Of course it's totally up to you, but having a first look is both really special and really nice for your schedule.
Timing | On average, the first look is about 20-30 minutes. If you are getting ready in different places we'll want to decide where we are doing the first look and factor travel time into the schedule. This is something I'm happy to help you figure out. It can be as simple as a hallway, or as dramatic as a covered forest area.
If it’s not your thing | That’s totally fine! This is your day, and I’m here to document your special moments no matter what.
Family photos
I like to have a shot list for family photos to avoid that awkward moment of tying to photograph a divorced couple together etc.. I will send you over a questionnaire about a month out from your wedding and you can supply me with a list then.
Timing | Plan for about 20-30 minutes total for immediate families. If you do want extended family photos with aunts, uncles, etc., we typically do those right after the ceremony during cocktail hour and those should be pretty speedy.
Location | Usually this should be a convenient location, easy for grandparents to get to, and a way for people to step in and out of the photo with you.
PRO TIP | It is usually a good idea to tell your family to arrive 15 minutes before they actually need to be there to avoid those inevitable late comers (there always is!).
Couples portraits
Sunset portraits are one of my absolute favorite parts of the wedding day to shoot. You've settled into the vibe of your day and have allowed the comfort of being freshly married and celebration fall over you. The light is perfect at this time, and I want to give you some good portraits, so let's regroup around sunset time and make it a priority to pause. Give me 15-20 minutes to document you both regathering, hugging, enjoying each others' company.
Frequently Asked Questions
HOW LONG DOEST IT TAKE TO GET OUR PHOTOS?
It takes about 4-8 weeks depending on the time of year your wedding is. I carefully go through the whole slew of them, edit every last keeper, and get them to your inbox. I promise it's worth the wait! Remember that you also get sneak peak images the day after your wedding!
WHEN DO WE PAY YOU?
The final balance is due one week leading up to your wedding. You'll receive an invoice via email as a reminder. If you decided to get any add ons (i.e. - albums, rehearsal dinner, engagement session), those costs will be added to your remainder payment.
WHAT IF IT RAINS?
We will always make sure to have a backup plan. Just please be a little more flexible in terms of changing up the flow of the day if it's calling for rain. For example, if thunderstorms are called for 5PM, let's make sure hair and make up get done quickly and that we fit in all of our important photos before the rain comes. You can always do makeup touches afterwards!
DO WE FEED AND SEAT YOU AT THE WEDDING?
Yes please! I pack snacks to sneak in during the day, but a dinner would be great. Please communicate with your caterers and venue coordinate with this so they know when and where to feed me and my assistant if I have one.
DO YOU NEED A SHOT LIST?
For family photos, yes. For everything else, no. However, please let me know about any details or things that are unique to your day so that we are all on the same page!
WILL YOU RIDE IN OUR PARTY BUS/LIMO WITH US?
If you want me to, I'm there. Talk with me beforehand so I can plan out my car/ride situation. These are things we go over in our 'week of' phone call. It's to get us all on the same page with your day and make sure little details like this are worked out ahead of time.
CAN WE ADD ON THINGS AFTER WE ALREADY BOOKED?
Of course! Albums, engagement sessions, boudoir shoots (you heard right ladies!), rehearsal dinners can all be added on later at the a la cart price.
WHAT DO YOU THINK ABOUT VIDEOGRAPHERS?
I think they can be a great addition to your day, but it's important that they work well with the lead photographer and understand how to maneuver around and with us. Some helpful things to ask your videographers are: do you use light equipment throughout the day (as in will there be a chunky tripod plopped down in the middle of our ceremony), how may are there (you really don't ever need more than two people), and how do you approach a wedding day side by side with the photographer.
DO WE NEED TO KNOW OUR PHOTO LOCATIONS AHEAD OF TIME?
Rest easy, you don't have to worry that much. I scout locations based on light and texture mostly. If you have some special places you'd like to shoot definitely let me know, but otherwise I’ll run a few ideas by you and have some backup plans as well :)
WILL YOU BE ANNOYED IF WE CONTACT YOU A LOT LEADING UP TO THE WEDDING?
NEVER!! Please keep me posted on all things wedding related. Usually the best ones I shoot are the most communicated!