LOVE NOTES

How to create a timeline for photography.

One of the most important things you should do during planning is creating a timeline. If you aren’t sure how to do this, give me a call. We would love to help, and we have lots of experience in this area!

A couple of things to consider…

If you are restricted by a certain amount of hours at your venue, you’ll need to decide what’s important to you. 

You should also take into account the time of year you are getting married if you are interested in sunset portraits or if you are considering a dramatic exit.

If you are getting ready at a different location, be sure to factor in travel time-keep an eye on the weather, construction, and traffic. 

Make a list of everything you want to do on the day of…

• Getting ready
• Ceremony 
• Cocktail hour for more pictures
• Entrance
• Dinner
• First dance
• Dancing 
• Send off

This is just a suggestion to get you started. You can find a more detailed list here. 

Usually at first glance of a timeline, I’ll see that the couple has given about 30 minutes for each list item. In my experience, you won’t need 30 minutes for each activity. 

Usually, the activities go quickly. The things that take the longest would be pictures, ceremony, dinner, & sometimes speeches. Be sure to let those giving speeches know what their time limit is if you are capping the speech time. I’ve seen speeches go on and on 😉

A good way to save time is to have the wedding party eat right after the entrance. While they are eating, the guests can get food. 

Once the guests sit down to eat, cut the cake. At that point, everyone is seated with dinner & can watch while they eat.

Move right to the toasts or dances while everyone is still seated. Then onto games or garter/boutonnière toss. 

After these things are for lack of a better term-“checked off”, then the bride & groom can start to mingle, or have a drink & relax for a minute. 

Remember, there’s no right or wrong. It’s your day!! We’ll help however we can-just let us know what you need!