Wedding Photography Schedules

Bruce Lee

Wedding Photography Schedule Made Easy “You must be shapeless, formless, like water. When you pour water in a cup, it becomes the cup. When you pour water in a bottle, it becomes the bottle. When you pour water in a teapot, it becomes the teapot. Water can drip and it can crash. Become like water my friend.”                                                                                                 -Bruce Lee

Mr. Lee could have been a describing a typical wedding photographers day with that quote. It’s a fitting statement. I could count one one hand how many weddings have gone exactly as planned over the last 20 years. So, while I will give my bride’s a schedule, down to the minute, of how I would prefer the timing of the day would progress, I quote Bruce Lee. Schedules are given to relieve a bit of stress and let family and the wedding party know when they are expected for pictures. If we do not follow the wedding photography schedule on the big day it is no big deal. As long as we are able to catch up at some point of course.

So, here is a typical wedding photography schedule that I would give to a client when the wedding ceremony and reception are located at the same location:

1. 12:45 pm Bride Getting Ready (We start at the last 5 minutes of hair and makeup. So, our goal is that hair and makeup should be finished at 12:50 pm.)

2. 1:20 pm Groom Getting Ready

3. 1:30 pm Bride with Family and Bridesmaids (45 minutes, then go hide. Be sure flowers are available)

4. 2:30 pm Groom with Family and Groomsmen (25 minutes)

5. 3:00 pm Ceremony (30 minutes)

6. 3:45 pm Altar pictures -All Family, All Bridal Party (20 minutes)

7. 4:10 pm Formal Pictures with Mr. and Mrs.(45 minutes to 1 hour)

8. 5:10 pm Ready for grand entrance to reception

Here is a typical wedding photography schedule that I would give to a client when the wedding ceremony and reception are located at the different locations:

1. 12:45 pm Bride Getting Ready – hotel address (We start at the last 5 minutes of hair and makeup. So, our goal is that hair and makeup should be finished at 12:50 pm.)

2. 1:20 pm Photo crew departs for Ceremony location (Travel time 30 minutes)

3. 1:30 pm Bride with Family & party depart for Ceremony location (Travel time 30 minutes)

4. 1:50 pm Groom Getting Ready –ceremony address

5. 2:10 pm Bride with Family and Bridesmaids (45 minutes, then go hide. Be sure flowers are available)

6. 3:00 pm Groom with Family and Groomsmen (25 minutes)

7. 3:30 pm Ceremony (30 minutes)

8. 4:05 pm Altar pictures -All Family, All Bridal Party (20 minutes)

9. 4:25 pm Formal Pictures with Mr. and Mrs.(45 minutes to 1 hour)

10. 5:25 pm All parties -Depart for reception address (Travel time 30 minutes)

11. 6:00 pm Ready for grand entrance to reception

Once we are at the reception I leave all scheduling up to the Master of Ceremonies or D.J.. I approach, introduce myself and get the timeline.

Travel time aside, here is a short review of the amount of time I like to have for pictures:

1. Bride with family, bridal party and individual pics – 45 minutes to an hour

2. Groom with family, bridal party and individual pics – 25 – 30 minutes

3. Altar pictures 20 minutes

4. Formal pictures of the newlywed 45 minutes to an hour

If your client is willing to see each other before the ceremony you can add extra time for pictures. One way I use to help sway their decision to see each other before is to show them a few First Look shots and how they look in a finished album.

#Phototips #WeddingPhotographySchedule #weddingphotography #Phototimeline #Weddingschedules