Check out these tips below that will help dictate the time you should allow for each event and activity throughout your wedding.

These tips and tricks have been devised from seven years of photographing weddings, and tracking the general time it takes most weddings to accomplish each part. Of course each day is different and unique, but this can at least give you a standard timeframe

Getting Ready Photos:

• Please allow 1-2 hours to account for enough time for the photographers to meet the bridal party, warm up with their equipment, assess lighting and composure, and well as capture the most essential details of the bride and her girls! The essence of these details includes dress, jewelry, shoes, makeup, fashion, flowers, candids, & much more!
• Have photographers arrive 1 hour before the bride puts her dress on, to allow for time of the details listed below, and the candid interaction between you and your family
• Account for travel time from getting ready location to ceremony!

Ceremony:

• Account for time of the receiving line
• There is always a transition period for your family members that are in your family portraits, between the ceremony, and their portraits. Depending on their directions, it can sometimes take an extra 5-10 minutes to wrangle everyone, make sure no important member of the family is missing.

Family Portraits:

• See Shot List below for helping in deciding which photos to take!

• These can either be done before the ceremony (if the bride and groom see each other before then,) or after the ceremony. It usually works best if the bride and groom notify each member of the family that will be included in the pictures, to be ready at the appointed time to hop in and out fairly quickly, so we can get on to the fun activities of the day! This usually takes approx. 30 minutes, depending on how many different portraits are needed. I usually recommend that we start with grandparents so that they do not have to stand up for a long period of time, and from there, work from the largest group with the most people, to the smallest group with the least amount of people.

Bridal Party/ Bride & Groom Solo:

• This is usually the time when the bridal party splits from the rest of the guests, and we travel to several appointed locations to get more wedding party, as well as bride and groom shots. Depending on travel time from ceremony to the reception, please allow for 1.5-2 hours to accomplish this, so that we are not rushing and can enjoy the time together!

Reception:

• Timing is easy-going from here, I promise! Usually the bride and groom work out the timing for any traditions like the cake cutting or garter toss with the venue and I will be ready to capture each one. Once the dancing typically starts, about 1 hour is needed to get all those fun, goofy moves from Uncle Harry and hoping in the air from groomsmen before the day is complete!

Shot List:

Bride’s Family (Add or Subtract Names as Needed)

1. Bride with Mother & Father
2. Bride & Groom with mother, father, siblings
3. Bride & Groom with mother, father
4. Bride & Groom with bride’s entire family (aunts, uncles, etc)

Groom’s Family (Add or Subtract Names as Needed)

1. Groom with mother, father
2. Groom and bride with mother, father, siblings
3. Groom and bride with mother, father, siblings, and their kids
4. Groom and Bride with groom’s whole family

WEDDING PARTY LEAVES WITH BRIDE & GROOM:

1. Photography Location: Choose what picks best for you, but in reasonable distance from the reception.
2. Photography Location:
3. Photography Location:

HELPFUL RESOURCES FOR YOU:

• 10 Most Common Wedding Mistakes (And How to Avoid Them!)
• How to Guarantee Your Wedding Guests Have Fun at your Wedding!
• 4 Surprising Ways Facebook Can Ruin Your Wedding
• How to Manage a Large Wedding Party

Don’t yet have a wedding photographer for your wedding? No problem! Contact me today for a FREE quote on packages and prices! We offer varying prices and packages, as well as custom designed photography packages to fit your budget!

Traverse City Wedding photography by Lux Light Photography, captures beautiful and intimate portraits for your wedding, engagement, family, newborn, and boudoir photography session in all of northern Michigan, including Traverse City, Petoskey, Inn at Bay Harbor, Crystal Mountain, Homestead Resort, Bowers Harbor, Mission Table, Glen Arbor, and Charlevoix!

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