A Typical Wedding Day Timeline
What is up and happy days my friendss! Today’s blog topic is for all those planning or starting to plan that 2022 / 23 wedding, A Typical Wedding Day Timeline from a Professional Wedding Photographer
I’ll be running through what a typical timeline looks like for an 8-10 hour wedding day from a professional photographer’s point of view and then some of my best tips and tricks for planning your timeline!
Getting Ready
Getting ready photos are where most wedding photographers will start their day. I suggest having your photographer arrive at the tail end of your hair and makeup being finished and before everyone is dressed. During this time period, I’ll also grab detail shots of your rings, invitations, shoes etc.
Time estimate: 1 hour
First Look
First looks are becoming more and more popular and you have a couple options for these, 1. The classic first look with your partner 2. first look with your bridesmaids or 3. First look with your parents or all three if you’re feeling super spicy ;)
First looks are usually done right after the bride gets in her dress and before the ceremony.
Time estimate: 10-20 minutes
Bridal / Family Portraits
Now this is where things have started to shift in the last couple of years. It’s becoming more typical for couples to do all their bridal and family portraits BEFORE their ceremony when in the past it’s been traditional to do them immediately following the ceremony. Here’s my two cents: I LOVE this. Not only are you getting all your most important photos done when you’re still feeling your freshest, now you get to actually enjoy that cocktail hour your paying for instead of leaving your guests hanging for a few hours!
Time Estimate: 1-2 hours (depending on party size and locations)
Ceremony
And now it’s time to get down to business; ceremonies can be anywhere from 15 minutes to an hour and a half depending on your style and beliefs! Short and sweet is definitely more my vibe but I won’t back down from any style!
Time Estimate: 30 minutes
Entrance / Cocktail Hour
If you did your bridal portraits and family portraits before your ceremony, YAY! Now it’s time to enjoy some mingling with your guests and to take a freaking breath! If you didn’t, now would be the time you and your party jets off for bridal and family portraits while your guests head off to cocktail hour. Most people will let their guests flock to their reception venue and do then do a grand entrance with your bridal party
Time Estimate: 30 min - 1 hour
Speeches
Speeches aren’t for everyone but they are always my favourite part of your wedding day. Whether we’ve connected over wedding planning or just meeting the day of your wedding, your peoples speechless WILL bring tears to my eyes, I promise. I highly suggest pushing your people out of their comfort zone to write a small speech to share with you on this special day, ESPECIALLY if you’re paying for a videographer!!
Time Estimate: 2-5 minutes per/person
Dinner
I might have spoken too soon when I said speeches were my favourite part of your wedding….. when in reality, I LIVE for wedding food. One thing that I noticed has becoming really trendy the last few years are food trucks! Maybe not everyone’s style but is a great (maybe more cost effective?) option for the more backyard style wedding. I’m the least picky person on the planet and will be MORE than happy with anything you stick in front of me, and on that note…. don’t forget to FEED YOUR VENDORS!
Time Estimate: 1 hour
Cake Cutting
Cake cutting is still pretty standard in the weddings I’ve shot the last couple years. Other popular items are cupcakes and even donuts, I think the most unique style of desert I’ve seen in my days is a donut wall!
Time Estimate: 15 minutes
First Dances
One of the most important moments of the day are first dances with not just your partner but with parents or any other special people in your life. These are moments with your loved ones that’ll cherish forever. First dances can be slow and intimate, maybe a full choreographed duet is more your style or just a good meet in the middle!
Time estimate: 2-5 minutes per dance
reception / Partaaay
And while most 6-8 hour wedding days will usually end at the first dance for photographers, pushing into the 10-12 hour range you can have your photographer stay into the party time!
Your wedding timeline will be catered to what YOU value most on your wedding day, so give more to the spots you feel are more important than others and make sure to COMMUNICATE this to your photographer and work with them to create a perfect timeline.