YOUR AWESOME GUIDE TO
WEDDING PHOTO PLANNING GOODNESS
Gosh, well let’s get things right out of the way the best wedding timelines are planned capably alongside their vendors, but the key ingredient is this: you are definitely allowed to stress well in advance, but you don’t have to lose your mind on the day. Do all your planning, get a great timeline, feel the burn - then relax! If you don’t like stress at all, get a wedding or events planner, or a friend to help you. Otherwise, let awesome vendors (ahem, like me) offer some friendly advice.
My philosophy is so super simple: every couple should be able to be present and in the moment on the wedding day. Making memories and feeling all the feels is so important. Your vendors should be able look after everything else. You only get one day out of the rest of your life to enjoy this.
Here is just a short guide with a portion of the information I offer to my clients. Most of the time I am pretty hands on with the timeline, so I hope this helps. After reading, feel free to download your free copy of your fancy timeline template at the bottom.
1-2 weeks before the big day
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Take care of yourself.
Photo List ?
It's almost here!
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I cannot emphasise this enough: look after yourself, especially the night before - limit alcohol consumption, drink plenty of water and get sleep. You can party all night long on your wedding day. This is the day you have been waiting for and you need your energy. Also! PLEASE PLEASE stay out of the sun or lather up on SPF the week of your wedding day. Trust me, I have seen some burn and peel disasters that even makeup cannot hide. Be vigilant!
Within 1-2 weeks before wedding day, let’s catch up for a chat either in person, or over the phone. If I can make it to the rehearsal, I will be there - but hopefully we can meet in person within days before either way. Also, I always send out a handy wedding planner and questionnaire way ahead of the date so you can coordinate your timeline better.
I do not require a specific photo list of all the details. I find it helpful to just work with just a basic timeline. Besides if I spend the entire day ticking off boxes in a photo list, I will miss all the magic. If you have specific requests – such as a pet, or house, or heirloom, let me know so I can cover it. Otherwise, I pretty much cover the whole story as it unfolds.
GETTING READY
What time does the photo guy turn up ?
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Every photographer/videographer is different, but if you book a full day with me, my rule of thumb is to turn up to your getting ready location 3-4 hours prior to the ceremony time. So, if the ceremony is at 3pm, I will be there at 11am-12pm. However, this may depend upon logistics, travel time, how far each partner’s getting ready location is from each other, and also whether or not you want a first look or bridal party photos prior to ceremony. If it's an elopement of part day, my arrival time will be discussed. Mock timelines have been mapped out below.
What do you need from me ?
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Please have dress, suits, shoes and accessories hanging or laid out in a clean room with tags off. For suits and shirts, just make sure everything is pressed before photographer arrives! When I first arrive I will spend some on photography of rings, shoes, ties, invitations, flowers, and any other accessories or jewellery. Just make sure they are all ready to roll – out of bags, tags off etc.
Flowers in the morning...
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If you have any flowers that you’d want in photos such as bouquets or boutonnières, or button holes make sure those flowers are with you when photos start. Best to have them delivered to the getting ready location before the photographer turns up so they can take photos of them.
Getting ready locations...
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Handy advice on getting ready locations: For full day bookings, coordination between getting ready locations will be discussed depending on travel times. To make best use of your vendors (and if you have a timeline squeeze), have both partners getting ready within relatively capable or close driving distance. If that’s not possible, we just need to discuss the timeline so we can capture both partners’ getting ready.
MORE GETTING READY
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Notes on hair and makeup...
When should I be ready by?
For humans wearing a wedding dress, ideally you will want to be ready to get into your dress on ONE HOUR (minimum) before we have to leave for the ceremony (depending on travel times). Probably no later. Indeed, the more time you have the better. Simple reason: it can take time to get your dress on and do final touches, and the photographer (and or videographer) will want to get photos of those moments. Leaving enough time to get reactions from bridal party, parents or friends after you're dressed is always a highlight in any album. So the more 'buffer' time the better.
I have seen enough to know - that its all very chill and fun in the motning, then all of a sudden we have 45 mins to be at the wedding and we aren't even dressed! Eek! You don't want to rush or feel frantic, so make sure hair, makeup and getting dressed is on time.
If you don’t have a bridal party, or a small bridal party we can definitely be flexible with time.
The two most important pieces of info: 1) how many people are getting something done, and: 2) what they’re getting done. Once you have this information, ask the salon, stylist, etc. how long each session takes and work back from there. For example, one bride and four bridesmaids - if each is getting hair and makeup, it’ll probably take four to five hours (maybe longer) for both hair and makeup. For example, a 2 p.m. be ready time (ceremony time at 3pm), you’d start hair and makeup appointments at 8 a.m. with a six-hour window for hair, makeup, dressing, and buffer.
Don’t forget any other members of your family or friends who want in on hair and makeup. They typically can get their hair and/or makeup done later in the day because they don’t need to be ready for photos as early as the couple or any wedding party.
Please tell your stylists and makeup artists up front about how many people are going to be in their chair, so they can book enough time and people to get through this.
CEREMONY TIME!
First look or traditional?
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When do you want to see your partner? There is either a “first look” (a private meet-up between the couple before the ceremony followed by bridal party photos), or when one person proceeds down the aisle?
The Pros of First Look Wedding Photos: (a) You can get your couple and bridal party photos taken before the ceremony. (b) The anticipation of seeing each other for the first time on your wedding day is private.
The Cons of First Look Wedding Photos: (a) You'll have to start getting ready much earlier. (b) Some prefer the emotional impact with a reveal to partner at the ceremony in front of friends and family. But if you are private people, this might be overwhelming.
After the ceremony!
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After the ceremony: and after all the congratulations, there is usually the option of a large group photo of all the guests before they all run to the bar. Family photos: usually 30-45mins minutes - it's best to get these done right after the ceremony also, so your family can relax and enjoy the rest of the day. More info on this below.
Couple and wedding party photos.
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I don't believe in taking photos all day and keeping you away from your family and friends. Let's make this fun and easy. Having said that, wedding party and couple photos before or after the ceremony can be anywhere from 1 to 2 hours - at the venue or off site. This all depends on if you're having a first look, or you have something special planned (e.g a helicopter ride up the hills). But all of this will be discussed ahead of the wedding day. I am always a keen location hunter, but if I am unfamiliar with the venue, I will do my research. If you have a preference for photo locations, we will do our best to consider travel time and logistics.
Golden hour or evening photos
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If weather and time permits, I always love to do a second round of couple photos in the evening near or around the venue - usually during dinner time when there are no speeches. If the light is gorgeous - which it usually is - we can make some serious magic. Coordination is best made between your photographer, planner, timeline, and MC.
SUPER BASIC TIMELINE EXAMPLES:
SUPER ROUGH TIMELINE EXAMPLE #2 (FIRST LOOK)
7am - Makeup and Hair ( 1 Bride | 3 Bridesmaids )
10:30pm - Photographer turns up at getting ready locations.
12:30pm – First look and bridal party photos.
2pm – Phew take a breather and freshen up.
2:30pm – Guests arrive.
3pm – CEREMONY
3:30pm – Ceremony ends
3:40pm – Large group shot
3:45pm – Family photos
4:15pm – Phew take a breather you’re ready to roll!
5:30pm – Announce bridal party at reception
6pm – Dinner and party.
Evening couple photos (time depends on time of year)
SUPER ROUGH BASIC TIMELINE EXAMPLE #1
9:30am Makeup and Hair ( 1 Bride | 3 Bridesmaids )
12pm – Photographer turns up at getting ready locations.
2:30pm – Guests arrive.
3pm – CEREMONY
3:30pm – Ceremony ends – lots of hugs and kisses from guests.
3:40pm – Large group shot
3:45pm – Family photos
4:15pm – Phew take a breather and grab a drink or a bite
4:30pm – Bridal party photos
6pm – Return to venue – announce bridal party
6:30pm – Dinner and party!
Evening couple photos (time depends on time of year)
HOT TIPS
HOT TIPS
HOT TIPS
HOT TIPS
SPARKLERS
Sparklers can be a lot more challenging than you think to organise (especially with alcohol involved). I've seen more accidents than successes (I have actually seen hair catch on fire). Please let your photographer know you are planning to do this well in advance (put it in the timeline) and don't expect it to be a spontaneous triumph. You will need a butane lighter (regular lighters don't work efficiently enough) and you will need all ears as your photographer coordinates this . Best to plan this before the first dance, before things get rowdy.
cake cutting
There's a new trend that is catching on: cutting your cake upon arrival back to reception (before dinner and speeches). I love it! It’s really fun, you arrive, the crowd is already energised, and you walk right in and smash it. Look, the evening can drag on and it’s tough to find the right spot (and enough of the crowd’s attention) to do this. In addition, your caterers can get to cutting up the cake and planning dessert ahead of the meals.
ACTIVITIES
If you have an activity or game planned (such as the shoe game or a quiz) try and limit number of games. Speeches can take longer than you think, the venue may have a cut off time, and you don’t want to eat into your timeline and party! Also, if your want to throw a bouquet, do it's while it's still light out - people can't see the bouquet in the dark and neither can your photographer.
FEel all the feels
It may seem like the impossible, but the best thing you can do on your wedding day is let go and be in the moment. You've been working hard to be here, now it's time to hand it over to your capable vendors and helpers. You've been the director of this great show, now it's time for your stage managers' to take the reins.
FAMILY PHOTOS!
Trust me! Family photos can definitely be the hardest part of the afternoon if it’s not organised. I believe it’s so essential to have a recorded legacy in photos – plus they make great Chrissy presents for nana (sorry if you don’t have a nana) - so it's so important to include these in your timeline! How often will you get that group of people in one place at one time?
But I really stress that this portion of your timeline needs to be SUPER organised and efficient. Standing around in the baking hot sun smiling for half an hour or longer has a shelf life.
So make a list! It will be much easier this way, because we can't have you guys stressing about rounding people up. We just want you standing there and looking lovely, while we keep on snapping.
Right after the ceremony there is usually a big group shot of everyone and this is often the best time to get family photos done and dusted right after (and before everyone hits the bar).
More on FAMILY PHOTOS
Make Family Priority
THE WRANGLERS
MAKE A LIST
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Your family photo list will be given to the point/s of contact you have assigned to be in charge of this task – preferably the MC (and even one more person if you think they may need the help). They will be - what I call - THE WRANGLERS! Yes, it will be their job to wrangle all the family for each shot. It will be essential to get each ‘wrangler’ a copy of the family photo list. The ideal wrangler will be assertive but kind; have a big loud voice and preferably a microphone. Do not underestimate the tendency that guests have to wander off and get lost.
A FAMILY PHOTO LIST is absolutely essential to a wedding day timeline. Please don;t leave home without it. If you think you can remember everyone's name and organise them on the spot right right after you went through one of to most important and life-affirming rituals of your life, thing again! Your family photo list should include names of people in each group. Since your wrangler may not know who these people are, writing names down will be so so helpful and save you time on the day. It can help if you add both names and related title to close immediate family members e.g. Mum, Dad, Siblings etc (see examples below).
Please keep your priorities to immediate family. 15 groups is a great number, simple because each family photo, on average, takes two minutes to complete (it takes about 10 seconds for me to click the shutter, and about 1 minute 50 secs to get everyone into shot and compose them). So 15 groups adds up to be around half an hour. Thus, if you want to do friends, work mates, school mates etc, create a second priority list. If we get to it, then that's amazing! There's always an opportunity for non-family group photos if we are running on time (but everything always runs late). Otherwise, we can do friends photos later at reception. In any case, make FAMILY PRIORITY!
TIPS for Family Photos:
Family photo list example...
1/ Commit to ONE side of the family at a time (i.e. bride’s side then groom’s side), as this will save us calling back the same people several times. Keep it clean and simple.
2/ Make sure you get the kids and grandparents out of the way first. From my experience, children have a shelf life and it’s better to get them snapped early in the family group list. And grandparents, depending on their age, may just want chill out in the shade.
3/ Leave enough time in your timeline. While I do suggest 30 mins should be enough, be conservative with the time and leave an extra 10 mins wiggle room, just in case. If we end up with extra time, amazing!
1. Bride + Groom, John (dad), Mary (mum)
2. Bride + Groom, John (dad), Mary (mum), Vanessa + Marcus (sister and brother)
3. With all Groom’s immediate family: Bride + Groom, Jerry, Peter, Vanessa, Mary, John, Marcus.
4. Bride + Groom, with both parents John (dad), Mary (mum) and Andy (dad), Jess (mum).
5. etc etc....
NOTE: apologies to my LGBT couples for the bride/groom standard examples here. I recognise that there are a range of diverse pairings and family dynamics - these list examples are merely for illustrative purposes.
Let’s Have Fun
Let’s Have Fun
Let’s Have Fun
Let’s Have Fun
Again, I just feel it's better to do all your stressing now, so you don't have to on the day. Indeed, it's not even about 'stressing', it's about good planning alongside your vendors. Don't over do it, though - no one does their best work when they are micro-managed - it's a fine balance. You should trust that your vendors are more than capable to run the show. But we do that best with great information. And a good timeline can be essential to all that.
Most importantly: have fun and hand it all over!
The day is going to be what it is, and there's not much you can do about it. Best to embrace it all and love the entire experience as it is. You cannot organise yourself into good feelings.
