In the months leading up to the big day my clients frequently ask how they can organize their wedding day timelines to get the absolute best from their wedding photos. Over the many years that I’ve been shooting weddings, I’ve definitely learned a lot along the way. I’ve decided to put together a resource with some tips that I feel are essential to making your wedding photography flow as smoothly as possible and help to provide you with lasting moments that you can look back on for years to come. Please note these suggestions take into account photography coverage lasting anywhere from 6 to 8 hours.
Getting Ready PHOTOS
(Recommended Time: 45 mins to 1 hour)
Getting ready is such a fun part of the day to shoot! It’s a great opportunity to capture some really nice candid moments of the couple surrounded by their family and friends as they anticipate the day ahead. This time also helps to re-connect my clients and I to one another and let folks know that I’m there to have fun and help out however I can. This is also a great time to document all of the details before they've been exposed to the long day. I love shooting wedding dresses, shoes, bouquets and boutonnieres, programs, and all of the little decorations that you've worked so hard on.
For the best getting ready photos, I recommend picking a well organized room that is basking in natural light. If you’ve added a second photographer, we’re happy to split up and document both of you during this time.
First Look Photos
(Recommended Time: 15 to 20 minutes)
First looks are super popular these days. It's an amazing moment to capture candidly and a nice way for the couple to relieve some pre-ceremony jitters. It also provides the chance to capture the joy of seeing one another for the first time away from all the guests. It also can help free up your timeline a bit and allow you and your partner to take portraits with family your wedding party before the ceremony. Although first looks are nice they are definitely not necessary, I love shooting the traditional approach too.
Wedding Party Portraits
(Recommended Time: 20 to 25 minutes)
These photos can happen at a number of different times throughout your day. Depending on where final preparations are happening, these photos can take place once you're all ready to go. If you opt for a second photographer, we can split up and save time and shoot both sides independently. If you are opting for the first look, these portraits can happen after we've spent some time with just the two of you. Alternatively, these portraits can also take place after your family portraits and before your reception.
Family Portraits
(Recommended Time: 30 to 40 minutes)
Formal family portraits are that part of the day that most couples know needs to happen but often fret about how it will happen. I always encourage couples to set aside anywhere from 30 to 40 minutes for this portion of your day. If we're able to keep the groupings to an essential minimum (immediate family) then this part of the day can go smoothly and often be wrapped up before our allotted window of time. I try my best to expedite this process in order to get you and your guests back to celebrating. Before your wedding day, I'll ask you to provide me with a list of family groupings that are important to document. More often than not family portraits happen immediately after the ceremony. Keep in mind if you do opt for a first look, family portraits can happen before the ceremony too.
Couple Portraits
(Recommended Time: 20 to 30 minutes)
Beyond the first look it’s always nice to take some time with you and your partner to shoot some portraits of just the two of you. Best case scenario is that we are given a minimum of 20 minutes around sunset. Some couples look at this as a quick mini session that takes place around the venue. If a couple is looking to create something really special I’m always down to travel nearby to a designated spot to work away from the bustle of the event and really focus on the couple. Obviously if we travel elsewhere a more generous time window will be needed.
Dance Floor Photos
I love being there when the dance floor opens up and people start to really cut loose and have fun. Taking photos of your friends and family getting low with Lil’ Jon makes my day and my clients are always so pumped to see photos of their grandma on the dance floor. I find that an hour or so of dancing coverage usually does the trick.
Sample Wedding Day Timeline
When building your timeline it’s important to think about light and how it will look on your wedding day. I often suggest to check out what time sunset is on your wedding day and build your timeline around that. This helps to ensure that nice golden light (“magic hour”) for your couple portraits. Of course, I’m always flexible when it comes to timeline logistics. If we can’t quite get the timing right, that’s OK. We’ll still get great photos. Depending on your venue and the weather, we might need to make adjustments.
It’s also important to consider light during your ceremony. How does the light hit your ceremony location? Will you and your guests be in bright sun or a mix of half shade and half sun? If you can pick a time when your ceremony takes place in the shade that’s awesome otherwise aim for when the sun is up and behind you and your ceremony location.
Below is a basic summer timeline for 8 hours of wedding photography coverage. For more details and logistics and for an easy to edit wedding day timeline download one from me here.
| 1:45pm | Photographer arrives | Chris Brodell |
| 2:00pm - 2:30pm | Getting Ready Photos | Photographer |
| 2:30pm - 2:45pm | First Look | Photographer |
| 3:00pm - 3:30pm | Wedding Party Photos | Wedding Party |
| 4:00pm - 4:30pm | Ceremony | Officiant |
| 4:30pm - 5:30pm | Cocktail Hour | Catering |
| 4:30pm -5:10pm | Immediate Family Photos | Photographer |
| 6:20pm | Dinner begins | Catering |
| 7:20pm | Toasts | DJ |
| 8:00pm | Couple portraits | Photographer |
| 8:30pm | Sunset | |
| 9:45pm | Photographer departs | Photographer |
Every wedding is different and every couple has different priorities. These are simply some things to think about. As you begin to plan your wedding day, please don't hesitate to ask me any questions you might have or check out my wedding guide. I want to help you make your day enjoyable and stress free!