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12 PM
Rachel arrives at Bride’s getting ready location and 2nd shooter arrives at Groom’s getting ready location to photograph details including the wedding dress, shoes, rings, stationery, and heirlooms.
Note: Ideally by the time we arrive, hair and make-up is wrapping up. If something is going to delay the beginning of the day, it’s often HAMU.
Details are complete. Rachel photographs final touches of hair and make-up.
2nd shooter photographs groom getting ready.
Rachel photographs Bride slipping into her dress and the girls getting ready.
2nd shooter departs with Groom and Groomsmen for ceremony site.
1 PM
1:30 PM
getting ready
NEXT
2 PM
Groom and Groomsmen arrive at ceremony site. 2nd shooter photographs gentlemen.
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Note: The First Look can take place at the getting ready location, ceremony, or reception location. It’s up to you! Although we’re happy to make recommendations.
Bride and Bridesmaids arrive at ceremony site. Groomsmen are hidden. Groom is taken to first look location.
The first look takes place.
Bride & Groom portraits.
2:30 PM
2:45 PM
portraits
3 PM
Rachel departs with Bride and Bridesmaids for ceremony site.
2:15 PM
Wedding Party portraits.
3:30 PM
Family portraits.
4 PM
NEXT
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4:30 PM
Bride and Groom hidden. Guests begin to arrive. Rachel photographs ceremony details.
Ceremony ends. Any portraits that were not completed are done so immediately following the ceremony as well as a few more Bride and Groom portraits during the best light of the day. Cocktail hour begins. 2nd shooter photographs candid moments.
Bride & Groom joins cocktail hour. Rachel photographs the reception details.
5:30 PM
6 PM
ceremony
Ceremony begins.
5 PM
Note: Family portraits take approximately 5 minutes per grouping. We'll go over your family formals list together to ensure you get everything you need in a timely manner.
NEXT
reception
Reception begins. Introductions, first dance, and a welcome speech is traditional.
6:30 PM
Dinner is served. Toasts are traditionally made between the salad course and main entree.
7 PM
Your hard working photographers will take their one and only break during this time to eat a vendor meal and regroup their lighting gear for the reception.
7:30 PM
Cake cutting followed by father/daughter dance.
8 PM
Dancing begins.
8:15 PM
Photographers depart if no grand exit.
9 PM
Grand exit. Photographers depart immediately following.
10:45 PM
NEXT
how to make your own photography timeline
A great wedding planner will be able to do this for you! I'm here to help, of course, but communicating your needs with your planner is the best thing you can do because they will think of all the things you may not such as travel times, sunset times, family size, and venue requirements. If you are looking at this and just got overwhelmed, contact me and I'll put you in touch with an amazing planner!
To calculate what your day would look like with this timeline, start with your ceremony time and adjust the rest of the times accordingly.
I hope this helps!
start over
learn more »
1 PM
Rachel arrives at Bride’s getting ready location and 2nd shooter arrives at Groom’s getting ready location to photograph details including the wedding dress, shoes, rings, stationery, and heirlooms.
Note: Ideally by the time we arrive, hair and make-up is wrapping up. If something is going to delay the beginning of the day, it’s often HAMU.
Details are complete. Rachel photographs final touches of hair and make-up.
2nd shooter photographs groom getting ready.
Rachel photographs Bride slipping into her dress and the girls getting ready.
2nd shooter departs with Groom and Groomsmen for ceremony site.
2 PM
2:45 PM
getting ready
NEXT
3 PM
Groom and Groomsmen arrive at ceremony site. 2nd shooter photographs gentlemen.
learn more »
Bride and Bridesmaids arrive at ceremony site. Groom and Groomsmen are hidden.
Rachel photographs Bride and Bridesmaids.
3:30 PM
3:45 PM
pre wedding
Rachel departs with Bride and Bridesmaids for ceremony site.
3:15 PM
NEXT
Wedding party is hidden. Rachel photographs ceremony details.
4:15 PM
Guests begin to arrive.
4:30 PM
learn more »
Ceremony ends. Cocktail hour begins. Family portraits begin.
Wedding party portraits. 2nd shooter photographs reception details.
5:30 PM
6 PM
ceremony
Ceremony begins.
5 PM
Note: Family portraits take approximately 5 minutes per grouping. We'll go over your family formals list together to ensure you get everything you need in a timely manner.
NEXT
Note: With this scenario, we will NOT be able to photograph cocktail hour.
Guests are moved to reception site. Bride and Groom portraits begin.
6:30 PM
Bride and Groom Portraits complete. Sunset is at 7pm in this scenario.
7 PM
reception
Reception begins. Introductions, first dance, and a welcome speech is traditional.
7 PM
Dinner is served. Toasts are traditionally made between the salad course and main entree.
7:30 PM
Your hard working photographers will take their one and only break during this time to eat a vendor meal and regroup their lighting gear for the reception.
8 PM
Cake cutting followed by father/daughter dance.
8:30 PM
Dancing begins.
8:45 PM
Photographers depart if no grand exit.
9:30 PM
Grand exit. Photographers depart immediately following.
10:45 PM
NEXT
how to make your own photography timeline
A great wedding planner will be able to do this for you! I'm here to help, of course, but communicating your needs with your planner is the best thing you can do because they will think of all the things you may not such as travel times, sunset times, family size, and venue requirements. If you are looking at this and just got overwhelmed, contact me and I'll put you in touch with an amazing planner!
To calculate what your day would look like with this timeline, start with your ceremony time and adjust the rest of the times accordingly.
I hope this helps!
