Wedding Day Photo & Video Planning Strategy and Timeline Checklist.
Photographers and videographers’ start time depends primarily on the Bride and Groom photo session - length and when it will take place (before or after the ceremony). We strongly recommend reserving at least 45min to 1 hour for the B&G photo session. If you have a big bridal party (more than 4 on each side) then you have to reserve some time for them too.
Let's break down the coverage so that it is easier for you to determine the start and end times:
Wedding Day Planning Strategy
1. Getting ready: 90 minutes (2 hours for photo & video packages).
2. Bride should be completely ready 30 minutes before the photographer leaves for the ceremony (or B&G photo session).
Makeup Note A: Please advise your makeup artist that the bride is the last to go. The bride’s hair and makeup should be completed about 40 minutes after the photo & video coverage start time. For example, if we start at 1 pm, your hair and makeup should be completed by 1:40 pm.
Makeup Note B: Please advise your makeup artist to use natural light for all their needs. Have the makeup done in front of the window. Natural light is the best! Using artificial or mixing artificial and natural light does not produce pleasing skin tones in photography and videography.
3. Bride & Groom Session: 1 hour
4. Bridal Party - Up to 20 minutes
5. Family Pictures - About 30 minutes (Less if we are doing small immediate family only)
6. For families of 15 people and more it is always a good practice to provide a list so that we don’t forget anyone.
7. Photographer has to be at the ceremony venue at least 30 min before the ceremony starts.
8. Videographer has to be at the ceremony venue at least 45 min before the ceremony starts.
Wedding Day Tips
1. Please take into consideration travel times ( Very important! If not factored in travel time will cut your photo session time). Example: If on a regular day, it takes you 10 minutes to get from point A to point B on the day of the wedding it will take you 20 minutes or more!
2. Try to keep the getting ready area with as little cluttered as possible. (Makes a HUGE difference and saves time)
3. If you don't mind seeing each other it is always a good idea to do a B&G photo session before the ceremony (first look).
4. Ceremonies at houses of worship. The best time for the family pictures is right after the ceremony. For ceremonies at the venue, the best time for family pictures is during the photo session after the first look.
5. STRONGLY ADVISED - if possible try to avoid having the Bride and Groom photo session take place during the cocktail hour!
6. Each location requires at least 15 minutes for equipment setup. For example, if we arrive at the park at 1:30 PM we cannot start taking pictures until 1:45 PM.
7. Please let us know if any special surprises, performances, or sendoffs are planned so that we can plan accordingly.