You said YES, the ring is on, and the date is set…but now what? Even with a wedding planner, there are still so many details to decide and planning a wedding can seem overwhelming. From our perspective as your wedding photographers & videographers, here are a few things to consider regarding timeline and checklist.
Getting Ready
- 45 minutes at groom’s location + travel time to the next location
- 1-1.5 hours at the bride’s location
- Majority of the makeup and hair is finished prior to our arrival
- Set aside the suit, dresses, shoes, pieces of jewelry, stationery, flowers, etc. for us to document
- Prioritize natural light such as large window and clean environment. The last thing you will want is a messy background in your beautiful photo. Consider borrowing a friend’s place, book a hotel or Airbnb
- We always recommend the use of a professional makeup artist that has a good understanding of the types of makeup used for photos and video. We can provide recommendations at various price points
- If you wear glasses, then it is likely you will have a reflection in your glasses. Consider wearing contacts or contacts + fake non-reflective lens
Ceremony
- Consider a technology-free ceremony! Ask your officiant to request that technology not be used during the ceremony. It keeps everyone fully engaged and allows them to capture this special moment with their hearts
- The aisle is your runway! Take your time, smile, and look around
- Make your first kiss count. We recommend kissing for a few seconds so we can capture this beautiful moment from all angles.
- 10 minutes packing up + travel time to the ceremony (we will need to arrive at the ceremony 30 minutes before the bride to set up and get detail shots)
Portrait Time
- Consider swapping out heels with flats during travel
- If there is a chance of rain, be sure to bring umbrellas (we can provide clear ones) and rain boots. A post-wedding / editorial shoot can be added as an option
- 10 minutes packing up + travel time to reception (we will need to arrive at the reception 45 minutes before the grand entrance to set up and get details shots)(Ideally, we arrive after setup but before your guests enter)
Reception
- If possible, try to set aside 15 minutes during the golden hour (1 hour before sunset) for a few more photos / video
- Please ensure that we have a seat somewhere in the main area so we can react and document the reception as the evening unfolds
- Ensure you considered every part (cake cutting, bouquet/garter toss, dances, speeches, etc.) of the reception you would like to be documented before the end of your coverage.
Did we miss anything? Please hesitate to ask a question.