So you get engaged, pick a venue, have a date and it’s planning bliss! Once you start booking vendors, the stress and questions hit and you get stuck!
Common questions I get:
- When should my hair and makeup artists arrive and conclude?
- When do you need me ready to start photos?
- How many hours of coverage should we have?
- Do you stay the entire day?
- When should the groom arrive at the venue?
- What about my grand sparkler exit, will that be photographed too?
These are all great questions that flow out of a well-created schedule!
The first step in creating a great schedule is to evaluate your priorities.
You should spend the most time on the experiences that are your top priorities so it doesn’t create stress and a busy day that you don’t love. You can have a meaningful memory-filled day without chaos and stress! Every wedding is unique so there isn’t one schedule template for everyone.
Carefully consider your priorities and accommodate your guests accordingly so your day flows smoothly.
More Portrait Time
If you want more time for portraits and don’t want a longer gap between the ceremony and reception, a first look is a great idea! This will ensure you can attend your cocktail hour and your bridal party and family can too.
Having fun with your guests
Having a great party and seeing friends and family who you haven’t seen in a while? Create time during the reception to mingle with guests before the dance floor opens.
Feeling glamorous with professional hair & makeup
If you love glitz and glamor and want to feel gorgeous? Be sure to set aside enough time for the professional stylist team to do the bridesmaid’s and Mother’s hair and makeup before your photos start so it isn’t stressful.
Navigating between venues
Be sure to schedule ample travel and traffic time so everyone arrives at the reception safely and on time. Speak with the shuttle driver to ensure they will bring guests early to not delay the ceremony.
Let’s create your wedding schedule in 4 easy steps!
Step 1
Establish the ceremony time, cocktail hour time frame, dinner service, and the beginning and end of the reception. These are the most important events of the day. All other considerations should support these gatherings happening on time.
Step 2
Establish a clear start and end time for the whole day. This will serve everyone so well that you can tell people when they are expected to arrive and leave.
Step 3
Be clear about travel times between locations if you are traveling throughout the day.
Step 4
Identify when your photographers will start and end. Hey – that is US!
Selecting the start time
- There is no 100% answer, but typically if you are having a first look we will begin 3 hours before the ceremony and if you are not we will begin 4 hours before the ceremony.
- Hair & Makeup – The Bride, Mother-of-the-bride, and bridesmaids should be done with hair and makeup at least 15 minutes before it is time to get the bride dressed. The time that you set to get in your gown is very important. If you are late dressing, this will take time away from pre-ceremony portraits.
Selecting the end time
- This will align closely with dinner service and your formal events (first dance, parent dances, and cake cutting). Once you establish all of those events it will help you establish an ending time.
- How much of a party are you having? Some couples have a massive dance floor and a big party and want it all documented, others want more coverage of the formal events. This is where establishing your priorities is so helpful, so you know which parts of the day you want to be documented.
- Grand Exit? If there isn’t time in the collection you select you can always add more time to your schedule on a per-hour basis to capture it OR do a mini experience with your bridal party during the reception.
