I love a good timeline. It is a great way to ensure you have adequate time to accomplish what you wish to, especially in terms of photography, on your wedding day. As much as I would love to be able to squeeze forty family portraits into fifteen minutes, odds are that is not going to happen.
The timeline for the wedding day is it a clear communication of what to expect, not only for the couple and the photographer, but also for the bridal party and family involved in the portraits. One of the most consistent problems I encounter on wedding days are people not being where they need to be when they need to be there. It is impossible to photograph someone who is not present. The timeline can be used to clearly state who needs to be where and when they need to be there.
* Communicate, communicate, communicate. Be sure you tell everyone involved in portraits or any event in the wedding where they need to be and when, in addition to providing them with the timeline. The great thing about technology today is just about everyone has a smart phone, so in lieu of passing out paper copies of the timeline, email/text everyone a copy of the timeline.
* Be sure to take travel time into account. If there is a twenty minute drive from the ceremony to the reception, give yourself time to get there.
* Don't forget the receiving line. Often this is overlooked. Couples plan on going straight from the ceremony to a location for some fun post-ceremony formals and forget to plan the half hour-forty five minutes for the receiving line. If you are not having a receiving line, and are instead greeting guests at their tables during the reception, the same tip applies. Give yourself time to get around to and talk to each table of guests.
* If you are choosing to not see each other before the ceremony, we suggest forgoing the receiving line following the ceremony. It will allow additional time for the formal portraits following the ceremony and help to prevent you from feeling rushed.
* Be realistic when mapping out your timeline. It takes time to photograph the formal bridal party and family portraits. We could rush everyone through and get it done quicker, but we want to make sure everyone is looking their best and the portraits turn out beautifully. I typically recommend 2-3 hours of time during the day for formal portraits.
* Be sure every detail needed for your portraits will be there and ready when you need them. Make sure your bouquets and boutonnieres will be there prior to the portrait start time. If you are doing a first look, have your rings on hand to wear during the formal.
Traditional (Not seeing each other before the ceremony)
12:00 - Getting ready candids of Bride with bridesmaids and Groom with groomsmen
12:45 - Travel to church
1:15 - Formal portraits of Groom, groomsmen, and groom's family
1:45 - Formal portraits of Bride, bridesmaids, and bride's family
2:15 - End formal portraits, clear sanctuary, Bride and Groom relax while photographers capture candids of guests arriving and wedding day details
3:00 - Ceremony
3:45 - Receiving line
4:15 - Formal portraits in sanctuary with Bride and Groom together, bridal party, and both families
4:45 - Leave church for local park
5:00 - Portraits at local park
5:30 - Leave park for reception
5:50 - Arrive at reception venue
6:00 - Grand entrance
6:10 - Cake cutting
6:30 - Meal is served
7:15 - Toasts begin
7:45 - First dance, followed by father-daughter and mother-son dances
8:00 - Dance floor opens
9:00 - End photography
Modern (Pre-ceremony "First Look")
12:00 - Getting ready candids of Bride with bridesmaids and Groom with groomsmen
12:30 - Travel to church
12:45 - First look
1:00 - Formal portraits in sanctuary with Bride and Groom together
1:20 - Bridal party portraits
1:45 - Family portraits
2:15 - End formal portraits, clear sanctuary, Bride and Groom relax while photographers capture candids of guests arriving and wedding day details
3:00 - Ceremony
3:45 - Receiving line
4:00 - Leave church for local park
4:15 - Portraits at local park
5:30 - Leave park for reception
5:50 - Arrive at reception venue
6:00 - Grand entrance
6:10 - Cake cutting
6:30 - Meal is served
7:15 - Toasts begin
7:45 - First dance, followed by father-daughter and mother-son dances
8:00 - Dance floor opens
9:00 - End photography
It is important to note, that wedding do not always run exactly according to the timeline. However, timelines are a great way to map out the day and are a great communication tool.
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