Wedding planning from scratch is definitely a daunting task, since it’s most people’s first time. Just trying to figure out what an appropriate schedule is for the day can cause anxiety. Being experienced wedding photographers, we’ve decided to create four generic wedding day schedules that we’ve seen over the years that just works. Each schedule include most of the same items, with the schedule shifted either before or after one another. Our diagram will hopefully also help you decide how many hours you may want to hire a wedding photographer.
Here are a few questions you can ask yourself while planning:
Do I want Getting Ready photos? We usually require about an hour to get the detail shots of the dress, rings, flowers, shoes, etc. We capture the final touchups of makeup, getting dressed, candid group shots, gift exchange, and any other traditions you might want to share. With two photographers, we can split up between the bride and the groom.
Do I want First Look or stay traditional? Some couples want the First Look photo session where the couple see each other for the first time somewhere private. Some couples want to be traditional and see each other for the first time down the aisle. Both are great ideas in their own way, although sometimes a tight schedule might dictate one over the other.
Family photos are a must! We totally think that family photos are crucial to your wedding day, since it’s not everyday that people travel far and can reunite all in one special occasion. We highly recommend scheduling it immediately after the ceremony since everyone is already together, without the temptation of food and drinks. Additional group photos can always be taken during cocktail or reception. To make the session most efficient, it is best to have a list prepared and read out loud.
Guide us with portraits! We always make sure you get the best bridal portraits with the amount of time given to us. The more time the better of course, everyone feels more relaxed and not rushed. However, we also work very well with a strict timeline since we can direct and shoot very fast. Depending on the wedding venue, we can shoot on-location or drive to a nearby park/location for additional scenery. We also make sure to respect your time to relax during cocktail hour, since that may be the only time you can have a real meal!
How long do you stay till? We make sure to stay through all of your wedding traditions such as toasts, cake cutting, and some dancing. We don’t need to stay through a whole night of dancing as the images get repetitive, and the guests start to look a little looser.
Click here to view the above Wedding Day Templates in PDF
We have created a copy of our own wedding day schedule for you to download and modify to your needs. Click below to download a Google Sheet template for your use.
Google Sheet Template 1
Google Sheet Template 2
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