A lot of people don’t realize how important having a well thought out timeline for your wedding day is! Having a bad timeline causes people to rush because it wasn’t thought through well enough and then a lot of things fall behind. This is one thing I make SURE to avoid because I want to make sure NONE of my couples feel that way on their wedding day. I personally customize timelines for every wedding so you end up with the pictures you deserve! Here are a few tips I always tell my couples in order for their day to run as smoothly as possible. 

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-Sunset portraits are the most romantic and beautiful portraits to have because that is when the light is softest and glowiest! I always try to do sunset portraits at every wedding because they really are magical and the photos that will stop you in your tracks! (This is DEFINITELY the time of day I start jumping up and down during portraits!) However, knowing what time the sun sets is crucial because there is a small gap to get the portraits you want. I always try to start photographing these portraits about an hour before because the light still looks glowy and pretty. 

Also… if your ceremony is outdoors, you want to plan the start of the ceremony AT LEAST two hours before sunset. For example, if sunset is at 8pm you want your ceremony to start ideally around 5:30 or 6pm. Otherwise, the harsh afternoon sun will create speckly light that leaves you with hot spots on your face and clothes and deep shadows on your body and the ground. Trust me… coming from someone who has spent YEARS studying light… This is THE MOST unflattering light to be photographed in.

-If you are NOT doing a first look this is where things can get a little tricky. If you plan your ceremony start time too close to sunset without a first look… there is really no way to squeeze in all the additional portraits afterward because the light will be gone! Think about it, after your ceremony you need portraits of you and your spouse, bridal party photos, family formals, etc! As a natural light photographer, my main light source is the sun, so when it sets I don’t do any more portraits. If you want portraits with glowy light and you’re NOT doing a first look you need to plan ample time to get all the necessary portraits done afterwards. For example, if sunset is at 7pm the ceremony needs to start at 5pm the latest! This way I have around an hour and a half to do all the portraits. 

Also… When a bride and groom choose not to do a first look I recommend at least a 90 minute cocktail party before the reception. This way I have 30 minutes for family formals and bridal party, 30 minutes with the bride and groom, and 30 minutes for reception/cocktail hour detail photos.

I always try to add in an additional 10 minutes for everything I plan on the timeline just in case things fall behind. Because if they do… we’re technically still on schedule! 

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One more thing I wanted to add, if this stresses you out or makes you feel overwhelmed, don’t worry about it at all! Like I said before, I help each and every one of my couples create their timelines. I go over everything and proof it before. The only things I need from you are the basic things like if you are or are not doing a first look, and the general times like what time you’re getting ready, ceremony start time, reception start time, etc. It sounds stressful but in reality it’s not. It’s just good to be organized!