How to setup the perfect Wedding Day Photography Timeline
Unlock the secrets to perfect timing and picture-perfect memories with our ultimate guide to budgeting time for your dream wedding day photography!
Getting Started
Planning a wedding can be both exciting and overwhelming. Every couple has their own unique vision of what their special day will look like. But with so many possibilities and details to consider, it can be difficult to make the perfect plan. One thing many couples struggle with is figuring out how much photography coverage they need to capture all the important moments of their wedding. That's why we've written an article to help couples understand how to get the best photos for each part of their wedding day, and how much time to allow for each one. Here is an outline of what typically happens on a wedding day. The ceremony and reception are not included because they usually have a set schedule and can't be changed easily. We will talk about the ceremony and reception in another article.
Contents:
- Details
- Preparation
- Individual Portrait
- First Look
- Couple's Portraits
- Ceremony Details
- Group Portrait
- Bridal Party Portraits
- Reception Details
- First look at Reception
- Reception Sneak Out Portrait session
Wedding Photographer
Gregory Hitchcock
Based in Boston's South Shore, and serving all of New England, I offer twenty years experience capturing the unique and authentic story of my client's wedding day. I would like to invite you to click below and have a look some example of my photography as well as what the experience is like to work with me.
Details
Detail refer to capturing the design, look, and style of the bride and groom's outfits, including their dress, suit, and all other items chosen for the wedding day. This group includes shoes, jewelry, heirlooms, flowers, invitations, and of course, the rings. Although 45 minutes might seem like a substantial amount of time, it's important to note that this part of the wedding day often involves finding a separate spot from where you are getting ready and taking the items there to photograph because your area might be too busy.
Tips & Advice
- Allow at least 30-45 minutes for detail photo capture.
- Examples of details include: Flowers, shoes, all jewelry, invitations, programs, dress, suit, socks, and anything else important to your story!
- Please have all items together and ready to go when the photographer arrives.
- Be sure to confirm with your florist when and where the flowers will be delivered. Often times they photograph very will in combination with other items.
- Remember to get a wooden or other selected hanger for your dress. Even the most designer dresses arrive on a plastic hanger inside their bag and that never is a good idea for images.
- Lastly, consider when you need to be dressed and ready to leave, then work backwards from there. The photographer cannot easily photograph your dress or suit when you are wearing it.
Preparation
Preparing for a wedding is often overlooked, but it is a significant part of the day that can create amazing memories. During this time, we will be present in the areas where the bride and groom are getting ready, capturing candid moments as they occur. This is a crucial time, and we do not want to miss any important coverage. It is often the most emotional part of the day and can result in the most memorable images of the entire wedding.
Tips & Advice
- Suggested Time: 60 - 90 Minutes for each the bride and groom.
- Please note that this coverage does not need to be continuous. Often times the bride will need several hours between hair and makeup work. Our typical strategy is to start with the bride, perhaps capture a few candid moments, then see the groom. Then we will go back and forth as needed.
- It can be a large benefit to have both sides of the bridal party prepare at the same location so the photographer can easily move back and forth.
Individual Portraits
Once all of the preparation is complete, the outfits are put on, and everything is perfect, we will capture the individual portraits. These are formal portraits of the bride and groom photographed individually. These can be captured at the prep location, at the ceremony, or somewhere else depending on your tastes, ideas, and the schedule of the day.
Tips & Advice
- 30-40 minutes each for the bride and groom
- Can be done in a variety of locations, but if possible near the prep or ceremony location is beneficial.
- Capturing these portraits directly after prep can be helpful for getting the exact look of hair and makeup.
First Look
If you want to make your wedding day truly unforgettable, you simply can't miss the chance to have a first look. It's an optional but incredible opportunity to create some of the most dramatic and breathtaking images that you can imagine. For those who are not familiar, a first look is a setup where the groom sees the bride for the first time in her wedding dress before the start of the ceremony. The photographers design this reveal to capture the most stunning shots of the couple. The results are nothing short of amazing, and you'll cherish these photographs for the rest of your life. Furthermore, since the first look happens before the ceremony, we can take most of the other portraits too, allowing you to make the most out of your time. This means that you'll have more time to enjoy your cocktail hour and reception without having to worry about taking more photos. So, if you want to make your wedding day unforgettable, a first look is an absolute must!
Tips & Advice
- Recommend Time: 15-20 Minutes.
- Location: An open space, free of distractions, and somewhat private. Remember this is an intimate moment.
- It is very useful to schedule this in such a manner that you have time afterward to complete your couple's portraits, bridal party portraits, and potentially family portraits as well .
- Be sure to read my article that goes more in depth about First Looks: Click here.
Couple's Portraits
This part of the wedding day involves capturing all of the details at the ceremony location. This includes the space itself, inside and out, as well as all of the details that are associated with it. Here we will capture floral arrangements, lighting, the altar, religious items, and all the other objects associated with the wedding ceremony.
Tips & Advice
- Recommend Time: At least one hour about thirty minutes before sunset if outdoors.
- Location: A space that is free of distractions, open to shade, and most importantly visually connected to your wedding.
- If your schedule allows it, a session during the day as well as one at sunset can be amazing and allow for a variety of vibrant portraits.
Ceremony Details
This part of the wedding day involves capturing all of the details at the ceremony location. This includes the space itself, inside and out, as well as all of the details that are associated with it. Here we will capture floral arrangements, lighting, the altar, religious items, and all the other objects associated with the wedding ceremony.
Tips & Advice
- Recommend time: 20 minutes
- Please allow time for the photographer to get into the space before the ceremony but after the staff have completed the setup. Having the opportunity to get into the completed and ready space before anyone else will make all the difference here.
- A good rule of thumb is that you want 20 minutes to shoot the space as well as be done 30 minutes before the start of the ceremony.
Group Portraits
Group portraits are posed shots where the couple is posed with various members of their immediate and extended family, as well as friends. The recommended time allotment for this can vary greatly based on how many groups the couple would like. Please see my suggestions below.
Tips & Advice
- Please take some time to develop a well-thought-out list in advance of all your desired groups and share this with your photographer. You do not want to be trying to remember in the moment, all the group arranges you wanted. That is a recipe for disaster.
- Please allow three minutes per group, then multiply that by the number of groups you have.
- Please develop that list. You do not want to be in the heat of the moment trying to remember combinations.
- Finally, once the list is made, please inform family, friends, and guests of when and where portraits will be captured. That way there is no ambiguity and confusion.
Bridal Party Portraits
During the wedding photo shoot, we take a series of portraits featuring the entire bridal party together. These photos can range from formal to fun and expressive, and we'll cover a variety of poses. Additionally, we'll capture different combinations such as groom with the men and bride with the ladies. Depending on how many people are in your bridal party, the time required for these photos may vary, so we'll make sure to adjust accordingly.
Tips & Advice
- Time: 45 minutes to an hour
- Location: Somewhere that is stylistically representative of your wedding but also large enough to accommodate your entire group.
- Traditionally these types of images have been captured at the ceremony location, if this is your wish please confirm with your venue that the schedule will allow it.
Reception Details
You put a lot of effort into choosing the perfect venue and decorating it according to your preferences for your special day. We would love to showcase these details in your wedding album. Therefore, we kindly request you to allow us to access the space 30 minutes before it is opened to capture photos of the decorations, flowers, table settings, lighting, and other important elements. This would enable us to tell the complete story of your wedding day. You invested a great deal of time and resources to select a venue and decorate it to your tastes. We want to make sure these decisions are capture to tell with the rest of the story of your wedding day. Therefore please allow thirty minutes for us to get into the space before it is opened to capture images of the decorations, flowers, place settings, lighting and more!
Tips & Advice
- Please allot thirty minutes for this images
- It is important to coordinate with the staff of your venue when the room will be complete in relation to when doors will open.
- Furthermore please note that it is common for venue staff not to complete setup of a reception till right before the doors open.
First Look at Reception
The moment when a couple sees their wedding reception room for the first time is truly unforgettable. It's a moment filled with excitement, anticipation, and joy. The effort and time put in to set up the reception room is undoubtedly worth it. From the stunning lighting, to the exquisite decor, to the beautifully arranged tables, every detail has been carefully considered to create a perfect atmosphere for the newlyweds and their guests to celebrate this special occasion. Seeing the couple's faces light up with happiness when they walk into the room is a reward in itself, and a memory that will last a lifetime.
Tips & Advice
- Only requires about ten minutes.
- Please coordinate with staff to reveal room before guests are allowed in.
Couple's Reception Sneak Out
Typically, couples choose to take their official portraits during daylight hours. However, if you have a venue that boasts stunning nighttime views or ambiance, it may be worth considering setting aside some time for a night time portrait session. These sessions can take as little as fifteen minutes and can result in some truly unique and beautiful photos. The contrast of the dark sky against the bright lights of the venue can add a touch of drama to the images, making them stand out from more traditional daytime portraits. Plus, a nighttime session can provide a romantic and intimate atmosphere that may not be achievable during the hustle and bustle of the daytime wedding festivities. So, if your venue offers breathtaking nighttime views, it's definitely worth planning a quick session to capture some stunning photos.
Tips & Advice
- 15 minutes is really all that is needed
- In our experience, this is a prefect break to have after the dance floor has been open for half an hour.
Are you looking for a Boston Wedding Photographer?
Hello! My name is Gregory Hitchcock. I am a wedding photographer serving the greater Boston area. My passion is capturing the story of your wedding day in a manner that is authentic, natural, but also insightful and artistic. Combing this process of elegant photojournalism with an artistic vision I have be refining for the last twenty years, I create coverage of your wedding day that is both true to you as well as beautifully expressed. Every package I offer includes pre-wedding planning meetings as well as an engagement session so that I can ensure your wedding photography perfectly matches your vision! Please take a moment to fill out the contact form below and we will setup a time to meet. Or if you are not feeling the contact form simply drop me an email: Gregory@Gregoryhitchcockphotography.com
Wedding Photographer
Gregory Hitchcock
Based in Boston's South Shore, and serving all of New England, I offer twenty years experience capturing the unique and authentic story of my client's wedding day. I would like to invite you to click below and have a look some example of my photography as well as what the experience is like to work with me.