UK Wedding Photographer
Planning your wedding photography timeline is a crucial part of ensuring your big day runs smoothly and that you fully immerse yourself in the day and don't spend it worrying about what happens next. As a professional wedding photographer, I’ve seen how a well-structured timeline can make a world of difference. Here’s a comprehensive guide to help you plan the perfect wedding photography schedule, so you can relax and enjoy your day. I always like to go through itineraries and help create them with every single one of my couples, I am a hands on photographer with the prep before your day!
Start Early: Hair and Makeup Should Be Ready Two Hours Before You Leave
Your wedding day will be busy, and it's easy to underestimate how long things can take. One of the biggest time traps is hair and makeup. To avoid feeling rushed, ensure that your hair and makeup are completed at least two hours before you need to leave for the ceremony. This allows ample time for portraits, “getting ready” shots, and any last-minute preparations. Speak with your hair and makeup artists in advance to ensure everyone is on the same page. This cushion of time will make the morning much more relaxed and enjoyable.
Don’t Rush Your Drinks Reception: Allow Time to Mingle
After your ceremony, the drinks reception is a wonderful opportunity to mingle with your guests. Many couples are tempted to rush through this part, eager to move on to group photos and other events. However, I strongly recommend allowing at least two hours for your drinks reception. This time lets you relax, savour the moment, and engage with your guests both before and after the group shots. Soak it in, have more time doing this so you have less of a lull after your wedding breakfast before your evening reception.
Group Shots: Keep It Simple
Group shots are a staple of wedding photography, but they can easily eat into your day if not planned carefully. I suggest limiting your group shots to either or less key combinations. Each group shot can take up to five minutes to arrange and capture, especially if guests are distracted or hard to gather. By keeping the number of group shots manageable, you ensure that this part of the day remains stress-free and efficient, leaving more time for you to enjoy your celebration. Before your day too, tell your wedding gang that they need to help with the gathering for these photo's.
Also, ask your caterer to plate you as a couple up your own canapé plate - so you don't miss out on any of the tasty goodness.
Speeches Before the Meal: A Stress-Free Option
When it comes to speeches, I always advocate for scheduling them before the meal. Doing so has several advantages: the speakers are less likely to be nervous after a couple of drinks, and it allows everyone to enjoy their meal without any lingering anxiety. Plus, with the speeches out of the way, the rest of the evening can flow smoothly into the fun and festivities. If you really want to read more about click here you can read a blog I wrote about this recently.
Portraits and Wedding Party Shots: After Dinner Breather
While the post-ceremony and drinks reception is an ideal time for some photos, I recommend saving the bulk of your couple portraits and wedding party shots for after dinner, before your evening reception begins. This timing has multiple benefits. Firstly, it gives you a much-needed breather to recharge after a full day of activities. Secondly, the lighting is often better later in the day, offering a softer, more romantic atmosphere for your portraits. Finally, by this point, everyone is more relaxed, and it shows in the photos. This also means you can make an entrance into your evening reception after these, which really brings the energy up.
Kick Off the Evening: First Dance and Cake Cutting
As your evening reception kicks off, make sure to get your first dance and cake cutting done early. After your portraits, you make that entrance and we jump straight into it. These events are significant and set the tone for the rest of the night. By doing them first, you’ll get everyone excited and on the dance floor, creating a lively and joyous atmosphere from the start. It’s the perfect way to ensure that your celebration continues with energy and enthusiasm.
Powys Wedding Photographer
Your wedding day is one of the most important days of your life, and planning your photography timeline thoughtfully will help capture the magic of every moment. Remember, the key is to allow yourself enough time to breathe, enjoy the day, and spend quality time with your loved ones. By following these tips, you'll not only have a seamless photography experience but also a wedding day that you can fully immerse yourself in and cherish forever.
Remember your photo's of your day isn't the reason you're having your day. It's about you, so stick together and mingle together.
