Planning your wedding day around the photographs
A good timeline is the cheapest way to better photographs. Here is a plan that works, and the reasons behind it.
A good timeline is the cheapest way to better photographs. Here is a plan that works, and the reasons behind it.
Plan for photographs to start about an hour to an hour and a half before you leave for the ceremony. It is the calmest part of the day and full of details — the dress, the rings, the shoes, a letter. Put the rings, the invitation and the flowers together in one place and everything goes faster.
Ask whoever leads the ceremony to step aside for the kiss, so nothing stands between you and the camera. If you would like an unplugged ceremony, ask your guests beforehand — their phones will not be in the photographs.
Do them straight after the ceremony, while everyone is together. Write down the groups you want — usually eight to twelve — and choose one person who knows both families to gather people. Plan about fifteen minutes. Send me the list at least 14 days before the wedding.
Twenty to thirty minutes, ideally in the last hour before sunset; it can be split into two short slots. See sunset times by month.
Cake, speeches and the first dance: tell me the order so I am in the right place. Sparklers and a first dance at dusk make some of the most striking photographs of the day.
| Time | What happens |
|---|---|
| 16:00 | Getting ready |
| 17:30 | Ceremony |
| 18:00 | Family group photos, then drinks |
| 19:30 | Couple portraits in the golden hour (sunset about 20:25) |
| 20:30 | Dinner and speeches |
| 22:30 | Cake and first dance |
From getting ready to the party is a full day (10 hours). A half day (6 hours) covers getting ready to the first dance with a shorter morning or evening, and an elopement (2 hours) covers the ceremony and portraits.
Twenty to thirty minutes is enough, ideally in the golden hour; it can be split into two short slots.
Usually eight to twelve groups, about fifteen minutes straight after the ceremony, with one person who knows both families helping to gather everyone.
Dates go early for May, June and September. Send the date, the place and the feel you have in mind — I reply as soon as possible, guaranteed.
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