Your Wedding Timeline

A photo guide to your day…

Full-day wedding coverage tells the story of your day in images. From getting ready to the grand exit, from keepsake portraits to candids to details to environment, I offer photojournalistic documentation blended with editorial-style guidance and posing during key moments. I’m an emotion hunter also looking for symmetry, beauty, realness, and the essence of your love. Here’s an idea of what this looks like…

Getting Ready

There are some truly beautiful, funny, and special moments during the private times you may choose to share with close friends and family. Whether you get ready together as a couple or separately, I recommend not skipping these final moments before the day gets going. There’s also the possibility of adding on a empowerment session here.

*I recommend 60-90 minutes at the end of the getting ready portion of your day, culminating in putting on your outfits, and moving toward the next events.

Key Shots:

  • styled collection of your sacred items (rings, invitations, vow books, florals, special clothing and adornments, heirlooms, gifts, etc.)

  • candid moments of you, and your support crews

  • final touches of hair & makeup artistry

  • putting on the dresses and/or suits

 

Pre-Ceremony

There are many options for couples wanting a non-traditional approach to their wedding day or to enjoy more private pre-ceremony time, before the guests arrive. Here are some ideas you might consider as you design your ideal day of photo documentation:

  • Some couples are choosing the “First Look” and seeing each other (or other loved ones/parents) for the first time privately

  • Some are exchanging their vows privately before the public ceremony

  • If you choose to see each other before the union ceremony, and the time of day and location is good for lighting, we may be able to do some Couples Portraits as well, or if staying separate, perhaps individual portraits

  • I offer a Ceremonial Cacao Blessing and Opening to give you some time to set intentions for your union, encouraging connection, heart opening and nourishment

  • Wedding Party Photos are also an option, either separately or together

 

The Ceremony + Venue

Ahhh, the part of the day when you do the thing! From a redwoods circle to city hall to a weekend retreat, wherever you’ve chosen to join in union and celebrate is nearly as important as who, too! I like to have enough time to document to scene before people arrive, capturing the florals and design that so much effort has gone into.

Your ceremony is about you. Some people do 5 minutes, some 45. Some are formal, some are silly, some listen to music, some read poetry. Let your intuition guide you when you think about this union part.

*This is another time a second shooter is so vital to capture multiple angles and crowd reactions.

Key Shots:

  • Environmental, venue and landscape/nature

  • Empty, fully decorated ceremony and reception areas

  • Guests arriving

  • Walking down the aisle

  • Ceremony invocations and events

  • Exchanging rings or other ceremonial items

  • The First Kiss

  • Crowd reactions

 

VIP Photos

I always highly recommend family and group photos, if you desire them, to be scheduled directly after the ceremony, while the rest of your guests are off to enjoy cocktail/mocktail hour. This is because your desired photo groups will be a captive audience post-ceremony, and not scattered to get refreshments or find you (ask your planner to have catering bring drinks and apps over to you and this group, for more patience and enjoyment).

I always advise my couples to be aware that your families may take this portion seriously. There’s often some stress as several people start throwing out more suggestions and combinations and requests, since this is often seen as a family reunion by family.

I’m here to help you get through YOUR desired shotlist and wrangle people, which can often take longer than most people think. You can minimize stress by taking into account your loved ones’ needs beforehand, and also setting boundaries around how much time you want to take up and which shots and groupings are most vital.

 

Couples Portraits

The creative portrait session is a special time to share together, and to create a keepsake that will hang on your walls to remind you of the feeling of this day. It may also be one of the only times you will be alone together for a while after the ceremony, amidst the bustle of the reception and party guests.

I highly recommend setting aside portrait time to ourselves in nature, either at the venue or nearby, during golden hour (this is generally 1-2 hours before sunset). Sometimes this means you dip out during dinner, or from cocktail hour, depending on your timeline flow.

20-45 minutes minimum is requested.

Key Shots:

  • individual portraits of each of your in your finery

  • creative couples portraits

  • environmental shots

  • posing guidance and interactive suggestions

 

The Party

Phew! Are you ready to dance?

Now you can let loose a bit, sit down to dinner and drinks, hear from your guests, and party! Unless you have a grand exit you want captured, I recommend ending your party coverage somewhere after your first dances. Hour two or three of dancefloor photos tend to all start looking the same (and greasy and drunk-eyed hehe), so this is where it’s great to get the iPhone’s out!

Some ket shots to consider:

  • Toasts and Speeches

  • First Dances

  • Dessert table

  • Cake cutting

  • Open dance floor magic

  • Closing ceremony or exit

 

Sample 8-Hour Photo Timeline

1:30-2:30 Getting ready candid photos + details

2:30-2:45 Outfits on and final touch-ups

3:00-? Private Vows/Cacao/Individual Portraits/Group Photos?

4:20-5:00 Guest arrival (venue + ceremony details)

5:00-5:20 Ceremony

5:20-5:30 Couple alone time, first union photo?

5:30-6:30 Social Hour (separates guests from family/friends)

5:30-6:15 Family/Friend Group Photos

6:30-6:40 Seating for dinner service

6:45-8:00 Dinner service (couple + photog served first)

7:05-7:50 Couple sneaks away for Golden Hour Portraits

8:10-8:20 Speeches/toasts (while couple finishes dinner)

8:30-8:40 First Dances

8:45- Dancefloor opens

*8:45 sunset time

9:00-9:30 Desserts, tosses, special events, party!

9:30 Photography coverage ends

Tips:

  • Move forward and backward from your ceremony time when planning your timeline (and please avoid getting married in full sun in the early afternoon! I can’t fix your sweaty squinting and shadowed eyes)

  • Allow padding between events and movements to allow for things to fall behind without disrupting the rest of the timeline. Someone or thing always runs a bit late!

  • Schedule family formal group photos right after the ceremony while they’re a captive audience

  • Make time for Couples Portraits and Individual Portraits. Yes, your wedding day is about the friends and family, but honor and document yourselves in this moment, too.