Wedding day timeline: A guide to keep everything on track
Your wedding day is probably the only time in your life where you and your partner have your best friends and family around you for an entire day — make the most of it. While I understand that to some degree the show must go on, if a couple's schedule isn't wildly jam-packed, it gives them time to really soak in the day. I try and encourage my couples to leave margin on their wedding day. Instead of rushing off to the next thing, being able to celebrate and connect with those they love will allow for unexpected, wonderfully unique moments that can be captured and remembered for generations to come.
Here’s a couple of tips I’ve learned over the years, and I hope they help you have a flawlessly smooth and relaxed day.
1. Allow time for congratulating
This is my number one tip for couples when it comes to getting the timings right post ceremony: allow enough time for you and your guests to celebrate. Whether it’s in the timeline or not, once you’ve tied the knot and float back down the aisle on cloud nine, your guests are going to shower you with love and affection — and why shouldn’t they? This is one of my favourite parts to capture. There’s plenty of emotion, it’s unfiltered and there’s a window of opportunity where I almost become invisible. It’s all about you connecting with your guests and time seems to stand still… only it doesn’t. So it’s important to have factored this into the timeline so you aren’t having to rush off for family photos, catch that last bit of light or tick another box on the to-do list. It’s an amazing part of the day that deserves its own moment to shine — let that be reflected in the timeline.
2. Have an event planner or friend help keep things on track during the day
Having someone help run the day can have a positive impact on your big day. Keeping an eye on timings, gentle prompts to keep on track and the ability to divert unimportant questions and irrelevant stresses away from the couple is a great way to avoid unnecessary stress on the day.
3. Nominate two friends or family members to rally everyone for the group and family photos
The group and family photos are crucial part of the day, but they shouldn’t take more time than necessary. If done correctly, it can be a quick and seamless event that produces a lovely set of photos that’ll have the parents happy and won’t have you pulling you hair out. The key part to this is ensuring everyone is in the right place at the right time, and aware of when they’re up next. Once you’ve sent me your photo list prior to your wedding day, I’ll print copies of it and distribute them to the two helpers, who in turn are able to rally everyone and get through the combinations in an orderly and timely fashion.
4. Set aside 15 mins for a sunset shoot and some time out together
It’s not always possible to catch that golden light straight after your ceremony, but rest assured, your photos will still be stunning if your photographer is good at their job and has done their work and scouted out the locations best suited to the time of day you’ll be shooting. A fabulous little way to put the cherry on top of the cake is to factor in 10 to 15 minutes out of your reception to sneak off for a few quiet moments, making the most of that golden hour and bask in your partner’s love.
5. Use your time wisely. Less getting ready, more partying
When faced with the decision of how to use your package time (if you’re unable to add hours), I always advise my couples to reduce coverage in the morning and allow more time in the evening. Getting ready photos are a beautiful way to capture your closest friends and family, and a great opportunity for us to get to know each other. However, when you’re drafting up your timeline and you aren’t sure how you’ll spend the set hours on the day, I will suggest focusing on evening shots instead. My reason for this is simple: from when I start, up until we finish your portrait session (along with the bridal party), there’s a big focus on the two of you. When we get to the reception, this is where I get to zone in on your treasured guests and get all those quality candid images of the ones you hold closest to your heart. These pictures lend themselves to some of the fondest memories years from your wedding day.