Wedding Timeline For A First Look
Wedding day timeline for a first look. Everything you need to know when planning your wedding with a first look.
Stress Free Wedding Day Timeline For a First Look
1:00-3:30 pm Photographer arrives for getting ready photos
3:30-4:10 pm Formal photos including first looks, family, wedding party, and couples portraits
4:30-5:00 pm Get ready for wedding ceremony
5:00-5:30 pm Wedding ceremony
5:30-6:30 pm Cocktail hour
6:30-6:45 pm Introductions and first dance
6:45-7:45pm Dinner, and toast during salads before the main course
6:50-7:00 pm Golden hour photos
7:45-8:00 pm Parent dances
8:00-10 pm Open dance floor
10:00 pm - Sparkler exit
My typical wedding day starts well before I start shooting. I like to check in with my couples around 11 am, say Hello, confirm start times, and get room numbers. It's a wedding in the Boston area. I will leave 3-4 hours before my start time.
1:00-3:30 pm Getting Ready :
I like to start getting ready photos no less than 90 minutes before the bride & groom are completely done getting ready. This gives me time to photograph wedding details like your invites, wedding dress, jewelry etc… During this time I’m photographing candids, toasts, and opening gifts. As well as last minute hair and makeup touch ups.
3:30-4:10 pm First Look / Formals:
A little preproduction goes a long way. Before the wedding, I gather a list of essential family photos you’d like me to take. No matter the size of the family, I’m confident I can complete your family photo list within 15 minutes. I then spend about 10 minutes with the wedding party. I keep these photos simple. The last 10 minutes of the hour are spent taking some relaxed portraits of just the two of you.
4:10-5:00 pm Relax:
It’s always nice for the couple and family to have a few minutes to relax and freshen up before the ceremony. I use this time to get all my camera equipment ready and walk around the ceremony location to see where the best light is.
5:00-5:30 pm Ceremony :
Once guests start to arrive at the ceremony location we start taking candids of people. When you have two photos I like to have us spaced out a bit to give you many different angles and coverage. Before the ceremony starts I like to speak with the person who will be marrying the two of you. Of the things that will give awesome photos is giving me access to roam a bit. I don’t need to be standing right next to you but being able to have 360 degrees access to the ceremony location allows me to create unique photographs. Once the ceremony starts, I look for unique angles, emotions, and light.
5:30-6:30 pm Cocktail Hour:
At this time, I am documenting all the different conversations of guests. Also, I like to take details of the room, food, and some overall scene-setting shots.
6:30-10pm Reception:
The reception is one of my favorite times of the day! Everyone is there to party and have a good time, which makes for great photos! I’m there to document the reception as it unfolds, including, first dances, toast and dancing photos. If there are any other requests we can take this at this time as well.
