What time should we be ready?
It is out goal to document your wedding as it unfolds authentically. Most of our couples choose to have us begin at tail end of their hair or makeup appointment. Following a few shots of hair/makeup, perhaps we’ll grab a quick shot of the girls in their robes (or similar) and get the bride into the dress. Our arrival time is recommended to be approximately 3 hours prior to the ceremony if you will be seeing one another pre-ceremony for a first look and portraits. If you will not do a first look and all portraits will be taken post-ceremony, it is recommend we arrive 2 hours prior to the ceremony. If drive time is needed from a salon to the venue, please be sure to account for this by adding the time needed for transportation, to the start time. Please see a more detailed outline of the options below.
If there will be a first look.
Couples who prefer to accomplish all portraits prior to the ceremony should schedule their hair and makeup appointments to allow them to be dressed and ready for portraits no later than 2-2.5 hours prior to the ceremony. If drive-time is needed from a salon to the venue, please be sure to account for this by adding the time needed for transportation, to the start time. The following images will be taken pre-ceremony:
- Preparation/getting ready photos.
- First look.
- Bridal portraits.
- Groom portraits.
- Bride with bridesmaids.
- Groom with groomsmen.
- Entire wedding party.
- Bride and Groom.
- Details of the ceremony/reception.
*all family photos will be taken post-ceremony. Please be sure to communicate well to all family members that are needed for photos.
*The time needed to complete post-ceremony pictures when the couple has chosen a first look is approximately 10-20 minutes. Please consider this when finalizing your timeline.
If you prefer to do portraits post ceremony.
Couples who prefer to wait until after the ceremony for the portraits with the couple need to schedule their hair and makeup appointments to allow them to be dressed and ready for portraits no later than 1-1.5 hours prior to the ceremony. If drive-time is needed from a salon to the venue, please be sure to account for this by adding the time needed for transportation, to the start time. The following images will be taken pre-ceremony:
- Preparation/getting ready.
- Bridal portraits.
- Groom portraits.
- Bride with bridesmaids.
- Groom with groomsmen.
- Details of the ceremony/reception.
Post ceremony the following images will be taken:
- Entire wedding party.
- Bride and Groom.
- Family Photos.
*The time needed to complete post ceremony pictures when there is no first look is approximately 45-60 minutes. Please consider this when finalizing your timeline.
Other important information.
Please let your event designer/florist know when and where you’ll need your bouquets, boutonnieres and corsages delivered. For couples doing a first look, this is 2.5 hours prior to the ceremony and for traditional couples it is 1.5 hours prior.
Please have your dress hanging, shoes, jewelry and other special details you would like photographed out and ready.
Please provide us with a timeline for your day and complete out family formal/wedding questionnaire, which will be automatically emailed to you 60 days before your wedding.
As always, please contact us with any questions/concerns!
Sample Photography Schedules.
If the couple will see each other before the ceremony (also known as a first look):
1:30-2:30: Bride’s hair appointment (please confirm this will be adequate time for your desired look with your hair stylist).
2:30: Florist delivers bouquets.
2:30-3:30: Brides makeup appointment. Mother of Bride, or anyone you would like present while you get in your dress should be getting dress at this time.
2:45-3:15: Photographers arrive and begin to photograph the finishing touches of hair/makeup as well as photograph details and attire such as rings, invitations, dress, shoes, etc. Pleases make these items available if you wish them to be photographed.
3:15-3:30: Any desired love note exchanges, family first looks, or photos of the bridesmaids + bride in getting ready attire such as robes, etc can be done here.
3:15-4:00: Second photographer will photograph men getting ready (this can include shaving, hair and him getting his attire on with his groomsmen and/or family).
3:30-4:00: Bride gets into her dress.
4:00-4:10: First look.
4:10-5:00: Bride and groom portraits.
5:00-5:30: Wedding party photos.
5:30-6:00: Couple takes a break before the ceremony.
6:00-6:30: Ceremony.
6:30-6:50: You’re married! Family photo time! (Time may vary depending on how many family photos you requested. This time frame allows for about 5 groupings of 8 or less)
6:50-7:00: Couple joins cocktail hour OR finishes any remaining photos. This is where we can make up time if there were any unforeseen delays before the ceremony.
7:30: Reception begins!
If the couple will keep tradition and wait to do photos post-ceremony:
3:00: Florist delivers bouquets.
3:30 All bridesmaids, Mother of Bride should be completely done with hair/makeup. Bride should finishing makeup at this time.
3:30-4:00: Photographers arrive and begin to photograph the finishing touches of hair/makeup as well as photograph details and attire such as rings, invitations, dress, shoes, etc. Pleases make these items available if you wish them to be photographed.
3:30-4:00: Mother of Bride, or anyone you would like present while you get in your dress should be getting dress at this time.
4:00-4:10: Any desired love note exchanges, family first looks, or photos of the bridesmaids + bride in getting ready attire such as robes, etc can be done here.
4:00-4:20: Second photographer will photograph groomsmen portraits
4:10-4:40: Bride gets into her dress.
4:20-4:40: Second photographer will photograph groomsmen portraits
4:40-5:00: Bride and Bridesmaid portraits
5:15-5:30: Bridal portraits
5:30-6:00: Couple takes a break before the ceremony.
6:00-6:30: Ceremony.
6:30-6:50: You’re married! Family photo time! (Time may vary depending on how many family photos you requested. This time frame allows for about 5 groupings of 8 or less)
6:50-7:00: Wedding party photos
7:00-7:30: Portraits of the couple
7:30: Reception begins!
Things to consider.
- Remember to add time for transportation if you’re getting ready location is separate from your ceremony site OR if your ceremony location is different from your reception.
- The standard family photos (immediate family and grandparents) take about 20 minutes to complete. If you would like to include extended family, we will likely need additional time.
- Being timely will help keep the two of you stress free and ensure our time allocated for photos will not be compromised. It is important to communicate well with your hair/makeup artists as well as your family and wedding party. Be sure to help them understand what is expected of them!