The Breakdown of an Efficient Wedding Day Schedule
- Photos of the bride getting ready as well as wedding details
- Photos of the guys getting ready either at a hotel or the church
- The Wedding Ceremony!
- Family photos
- Bridal party as well as Bridesmaids and Groomsmen
- Bride and groom portraits
- Cocktail hour
- Introductions
- Toasts
- Cake cutting
- First dance along with mother-son dance and father-daughter dance
- Guests dancing
- Bouquet and Garter
- Night photos (If time permits)
Your Wedding Day
One of the most challenging parts of your big day is coming up with a wedding schedule. When I plan a wedding schedule, I try to maximize the time we have for photos, while also giving you time to enjoy your wedding day, and factoring in a little extra cushion time just in case something ends up taking a little longer than normal. I want to take full advantage of any location that you choose while keeping the day as stress-free as possible. Throughout the years that I have been a professional Naperville Wedding Photographer, I perfected this schedule and it works perfectly for me. With that said, this time frame may not work for every photographer.
The Bride Getting Ready
1 – 1 ½ hours for
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- Detail shots of wedding dress, shoes, rings, jewelry, invitation, bouquet, and any other unique wedding details
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- Candid photos of the bride and girls getting their makeup and hair done. This the best time to get creative candid photos that express the feeling of the wedding day
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- Lace up or zip up of wedding dress and putting on veil if wearing one
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- Putting on garter, shoes, and any jewelry
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- A variety of candid and posed images of the bride alone
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- Brief photos of the bride with any family
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- Brief photos of the bride with bridesmaids
- Bride leaving home or hotel
The Groom Getting Ready
½ hour for
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- Details of the groom’s attire. Tie, shoes, watch, cufflinks, and suit
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- Groom and Groomsmen getting ready at the venue
- Brief photos of the groom with groomsmen
½ hour for
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- Setup at wedding venue
- This time is meant for you and your significant other to relax as well
The Ceremony!
½ – 1 hour for
- Ceremony – I realize that every wedding ceremony is different. Some are short and some are longer, that is why this part of the schedule is more of a range and can be adjusted. If you are having a full mass, they tend to be around 1 hour.
Family Photos and Bridal Party
½ hour for
- Family formals at the wedding venue
1 – 1 ½ hour for (Most of the time, these photos will take up cocktail hour leaving enough time for the bride to bustle her dress)
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- Bride and Groom- Both individually and together
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- Bride with bridesmaids
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- Groom with Groomsmen
- Full bridal party
Early Reception Events
½ hour for
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- Introductions
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- Maid of honor speech
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- Best man speech
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- Blessing
- Cake cutting
Usually, after dinner starts, everyone sits down for an hour for dinner. After dinner…
First Dance
½ hour for
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- First dance (One of my favorite times of the entire day)
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- Mother son dance
- Father-daughter dance
Dancing
1 1/2 – 2 hours for
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- Dancing
- Bouquet Toss
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- Garter Toss
- I also like to sneak out for 5 minutes for some unique night time photos outside
Based on this schedule, 9 hours for photography usually works out perfect. If there is a bit of traveling in between venues, I would recommend going with 10 hours just to be safe.
There is no such thing as a one size fits all wedding schedule and I feel that is what makes a wedding so exciting. Every wedding and every couple is different. This photography schedule is meant to work as a guide and should be modified to fit your wedding day.
Sometimes things take up more time than usual, so we will have to plan accordingly.
CONTACT ME I would love to hear about your wedding details and come up with the best schedule for your wedding!
An Example Schedule
Here is an example of a basic wedding schedule where the wedding ceremony starts at 4:00 pm. This schedule is centered around wedding photography but can be used as a guideline to plan out your full wedding day and reception.
- 10:00am—Hair and Makeup/Getting ready
- 1:00pm—Photographer arrives (Just as the bride is about halfway through getting makeup done)
- 2:30pm—Photographer heads to where guys are getting ready
- 3:00pm—Girls head towards wedding venue
- 3:15-3:30—Guys head towards wedding venue
- 4:00pm—Ceremony Starts
- 4:35pm—Ceremony ends
- 4:45pm—Family and bridal party photos start
- 5:00pm—Cocktail hour starts
- 5:45pm—Move guests into dinner
- 6:00pm—Bridal party announced
- 6:10pm—Cake cutting
- 6:20pm—Speeches
- 6:20pm—Dinner served during speeches
- 8:00pm—First dance, Father Daughter, and Mother-Son Dance follows
- 8:10pm—Dancing starts
- 8:26pm—Depending what time of year, I try to go outside for a quick series of sunset photos
- 9:45pm—Bouquet and Garter (if applicable)
- 10:00pm—Photographer leaves
- —Dancing continues to the end of the reception
Are you in the process of planning your own wedding? I am here to help! Contact Me if you have any questions at all!