this day only happens once, so don't rush it.


I believe that every couple deserves to have a relaxed and fun wedding day, which means that you can't try to squeeze every moment into 6 hours or less. I will be there two hours before you are fully ready to take detail photos and capture all of the fun getting ready vibes and stay for one hour of your dance floor. That's enough time to see all of your friends and family get down on the dance floor before the drinks and sweat take over.

 

give the morning its moment...

 

so the evening can be everything

The morning of your wedding truly sets the tone for the rest of the day.


This is also the time of day where it's easiest to get off timeline and be late, so give yourself more time than you think necessary and hire professionals who can stick to a schedule.


Genuine and heartfelt candid moments can only happen when you give them the space to.

 

do you want to do a first look?

 

First looks help determine the structure of your day. If you want to get your formal portraits done before the ceremony, I suggest that you do one. If you would rather see your fiancé for the first time walking down the aisle, then opt to do your photos after the ceremony.


There are pros and cons to both. It all depends on what your wedding day priorities are. Either way, you will have a day full of joy and love! 


Still not sure? Read my blog all about First Looks to help you determine what's best for you.

formal portraits

1. Couple Portraits


This is the time we spend getting photos of you and your fiancé together, as well as solo portraits. If you took advantage of your complimentary engagement session, then you've already gotten practice in front of the camera and can just have fun!

2. Wedding Party


This tends to be the funniest part of the day because you and your closest friends get to hang out and pose for photos together. We'll get the traditional smiling shots as well as some fun candid ones.

3. Family Portraits


Your families have been there through it all and this is the moment they have been waiting for! These tend to be the photos that people treasure even more as time goes on. I'll ask you to build a shot list so we can get through them efficiently.

have your cocktails and drink them too

during cocktail hour

Longer cocktail hours are becoming popular at weddings because this is the first chance that you have to spend time with all of friends and family that you invited to celebrate with you!


If you didn't do a first look then we'll spend the first part of this time doing formal portraits: family, wedding party, and couple. Then, when we're done, you'll still have time to grab a drink and join the party.


I highly suggest that you serve some sort of appetizers during this time to hold people over before dinner.

 

Reception

 

Once cocktail hour is over, each piece of the night flows into each other to build your entire reception: first dances, dinner, speeches, dessert, and dancing!


Don't forget that your vendors will need a break too. I (and any other team members) will eat dinner at the same time that you do so that we can be ready when the action picks up again.

TIMELINE EXAMPLE

12PM

 

DETAILS

Make sure your detail box is ready to go and has everything in it!


Read my blog all about what a Detail Box is and what you can include.

1PM

 

GETTING READY

This the time when we can get some really fun and creative shots! If you hire a second shooter, we will split up and each party will have their own photographer.

1:30PM

 

FIRST LOOK (OR NOT)

If you have private vows or gifts for each other, this is the time that you'll exchange those.


As an example, this timeline will assume you're doing a first look. If you do not want to do one, shift all of the portraits to after the ceremony during cocktail hour.

1:50PM

 

COUPLE PORTRAITS

It's sometimes helpful to have your Maid of Honor join us to help hold your bouquet and fix your dress in between shots.

2:30PM

 

WEDDING PARTY

Make sure your wedding party is ready to go: girls have their bouquets, boys have their ties, etc. If you hired a second shooter, we will do the individual parties at the same time and come together for the whole group so you can have more time to relax before the ceremony. 

3PM

 

FAMILY PORTRAITS

Making sure that you have a list of each group you want photographed together will make sure this part goes smoothly.


Photos will be done 30 mins before the ceremony begins so you can hide while guests start arriving.

4PM

 

CEREMONY

This is it! You'll exchange vows and rings, do your first kiss and maybe even another one in the middle of the aisle.


I suggest that you practice your first kiss(es).

4:30PM

 

COCKTAIL HOUR

We'll either go right into family portraits or into signing your marriage license. After that, you join the party!

6PM

 

first dances

Following your grand entrance with your first dance is seamless and gets people's attention.

6:15PM

 

DINNER & toasts

Photographers will eat during this time and be ready for when the first speech begins.

8pm

 

dancing & dessert

The cake will be cut, and the dance floor will officially be open!

9pm

 

coverage ends

After an hour of dancing, you'll get everything you need. It's when the energy is highest and the hairdo's haven't completely fallen out yet. If you are doing a grand exit and want photos of it, then you can add additional hours - you probably won't need more than 2.