IDEAL PHOTOGRAPHY TIMELINE

How to create a wedding day photography timeline easy. 

For many couples who has to create a timeline for their special day might think it is the most stressful part, and I am here to tell you that it doesn’t have to be. I will list some of the steps here to help you create a smooth timeline so that you can be really enjoy the day. 

With the diversity of the cultural aspects of our weddings, it’s difficult to pinpoint an exact wedding photography timelines. However, there are ideal time frames you should consider when planing your day. 1) the day will fly by, 2) most wedding run slightly behind schedule, 3) we will make those photo sessions fun, and it won’t feel like a long time. 

A 8hr to 10hr timeline is most ideal from a photographers standpoint. For us, this works best to ensure all the key moments of your wedding day are captured and long enough to tell your whole stories of your day. Our 8 hr package included a second photographer to assist me to make things a little more efficient and have more angles.That is also the secret to creating a memorable and treasurable album for your special day. 

The 6 hour coverage is ideal for a small and relax weddings that you simply want to documentary the moments of your special day. With only one photographer, there will be limitations, such as I will need time to photograph the bride, then the groom and in different time, so there is a trade off. Single photographer is not suggested if the wedding has a tight schedule. 

I will start off by listing some of the key elements on a wedding that has to be photographed. 

1) RINGS, DRESS, SHOES AND OTHER DETAILS

Ideal time allotment - 30  minutes

Ideal time of the day - Morning or on our arrival. 

Ideal location - Bridal Suite or Hotel. 

Advice - having at least 30 minutes for details ensures that we have plenty of time to get that perfect photo of the dress, rings, shoes, bouquets and other details of the day. Bride spend a lot of time selecting what they want to included in this very special day, we want to capture all this details for the couple. Please have the things that you wanted to be captured ready for us if possible when we arrived.

2) PREPARATION

Ideal time allotment - 60 minutes

Ideal time of the day - Morning or Early Afternoon

Ideal Location - Bridal Suite or Hotel

Advice - Having an hour of preparation is ideal for our style. During this time, we are getting close ups of the makeup and hair being applied as well as the candid moments and the bridesmaids and groomsmen get ready for the day. Keep in mind that these are some of the most emotional and fun times of the day, so you don’t want to cut it short. 

This is also the best time for Bridesmaids together in robes! Allow 10 - 15 minutes for this. (A Champagne is a great additional)

We can also included the important family members in this session. We want to give a moment for the daughter with the parents, and the son with the parents or any family members that is important to you. 

3) INDIVIDUAL PORTRAITS

Ideal time allotment - 30 minutes

Ideal time of the day - Morning or Early Afternoon

Ideal Location - Bridal Suite, Hotel, Venue Lobby or Garden

Advice - Right after the Prep, this is the best time for individual portraits of the bride and groom (separately). Besides makeup and hair being completely fresh, this is the best time to get some individual portraits. 

4) FIRST LOOK AND DAYTIME COUPLES SESSION

Ideal time allotment - 45-60 minutes

Ideal time of the day - Morning or Early Afternoon

Ideal Location - Hotel or Venue Garden

Advise - The first look should took about 45-60 minutes. During this time the bride and groom enjoy seeing each other for the first time one the wedding day. The first look is really 5 to 10 minutes, but the rest of the time is to capture some simple images and portraits for both the groom and the bride together. 

5) WEDDING PARTY PHOTOS

Ideal time allotment - 45-60 minutes

Ideal time of the day - Morning or Afternoon

Ideal Location - Venue Lobby, Venue Garden, Beach, Park, Off-site Location. 

Advice - Wedding party photos should be around 45 minutes to 1 hour. This is s very fun session that we can do a lot of pose, and fun shots. We will do some basic and classic photos first and then some fun pictures. We know wedding party means a lot to both of you and they are the best friends! We want to capture all those beautiful images with everyone in this session. 

6) CEREMONY DETAIL AND VENUE

Ideal time allotment - 30 minutes

Ideal time of the day - Morning or Afternoon

Advice - If possible, please allow 30 minutes for the second shooter to take some pictures of the ceremony site. Best before the guest is seated.

7) FORMALS (FAMILY AND FRIENDS)

Ideal time allotment - 45-60 minutes

Ideal time of the day - Morning or Afternoon (After Ceremony)

Ideal Location - Ceremony site

Advice - Formal group pictures s would take around 45 - 60 minutes depends on the number of the guests. 

In this session, we recommended the couple to have a list with the groups that you wanted to take pictures with and have someone help announcing their names and round people up to make this session more efficient. 

8) COUPLES SESSION

Ideal time allotment - 60 minutes

Ideal time of the day - Late Afternoon (Sunset)

Ideal Location - Venue Garden, Beach, Hotel Lobby or Park

Advice - Couple session should be around an hour and the best time is 30-45 minutes before the sunset at a place where we can see the sun. This is the magic hour with magical lightings, this allow us to capture some of the most romantic images for both of you. 

9) RECEPTION DETAIL AND VENUE

Ideal time allotment - 30 minutes

Ideal time of the day - Early Evening

Ideal Location - Reception Site

Advice - Please allow 30 minutes for the second shooter to take pictures of the reception room before guest sit down. This is very similar to ceremony details. We want to capture this beauty reception room prior guest arrival if possible. 

10) RECEPTION FIRST LOOK

Ideal time allotment - 10 - 15 minutes

Ideal time of the day - At the end of Cocktail Hour before doors open for guest

Ideal Location - Reception Site

Advoice - This is when the reception space is revealed to the couple for this first time. A great time to capture the true reaction to the amazing decoration and to get some images with it! 

11) COUPLES SESSION SNEAK OUT

Ideal time allotment - 20-30 minutes

Ideal time of the day - Dusk to Night Time

Ideal Location - Areas with interesting lights, fountains, city scapes and mirrors

Advice - During the dance session or before we are done for the day, couples might want to get a few images of the night view, this would be the best time to sneak out and get a few images. 

Additional Tips. 

Table Shots - Table shots are when you go around visiting tables. There are two options for photography during this time. 1) You can take a formal pictures with each tables, or 2) we just simply focus on photojournalism and capturing the smiles and hugs you have with each table. Keep in mind that formal pictures might take a little longer since we will have to arrange after the couple cheers with each table. 

Cultural Wedding - For traditional Asian weddings, there will be a tea ceremony and games. The time line can be arranged depends when the couple want the tea ceremony at, and the location of the tea ceremony.