The Breakdown of an Efficient Wedding Day Schedule

1. Photos of the bride getting ready as well as wedding details
2. Photos of the guys getting ready either at a hotel or the church
3. The Wedding Ceremony!
4. Family photos
5. Bridal party as well as Bridesmaids and Groomsmen
6. Bride and groom portraits
7. Cocktail hour
8. Introductions
9. Toasts
10. Cake cutting
11. First dance along with mother-son dance and father-daughter dance
12. Guests dancing
13. Bouquet and Garter
14. 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

• • Detail shots of wedding dress, shoes, rings, jewelry, invitation, bouquet, and any other unique wedding details

• • 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

• • Lace up or zip up of wedding dress and putting on veil if wearing one

• • Putting on garter, shoes, and any jewelry

• • A variety of candid and posed images of the bride alone

• • Brief photos of the bride with any family

• • Brief photos of the bride with bridesmaids

• Bride leaving home or hotel

The Groom Getting Ready

½ hour for

• • Details of the groom’s attire. Tie, shoes, watch, cufflinks, and suit

• • Groom and Groomsmen getting ready at the venue

• Brief photos of the groom with groomsmen

½ hour for

• • 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)

• • Bride and Groom- Both individually and together

• • Bride with bridesmaids

• • Groom with Groomsmen

• Full bridal party

Early Reception Events

½ hour for

• • Introductions

• • Maid of honor speech

• • Best man speech

• • Blessing

• Cake cutting

Usually, after dinner starts, everyone sits down for an hour for dinner. After dinner…

First Dance

½ hour for

• • First dance (One of my favorite times of the entire day)

• • Mother son dance

• Father-daughter dance

Dancing

1 1/2 – 2 hours for

• • Dancing
  • Bouquet Toss

• • 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!