Shaking off the Traditional Timeline for a Stress Free Experience
Hey there, friends! Let’s chat about the benefit of ditching the traditional timeline for your wedding day, shall we? Now, it’s pretty standard for every wedding photographer to want to help you craft the perfect timeline for your big day. And hey, a well-organized timeline can definitely ease some of the stress. But let’s keep it real – not everyone thrives on a super rigid schedule. And brides, the last thing you need is to feel like you’re in a time crunch on your special day.
Shake, shake, shake it off: Traditional Timeline Version
So, here’s my take on it. Instead of sticking to a photography timeline with minute-by-minute instructions, let’s shake things up a bit. Say goodbye to the traditional timeline and hello to a more laid-back approach. Here’s what you really need to focus on:
1. Photography Coverage Time: How long do you want your photographer around? Knowing when they will arrive and depart is important. Especially if you want specific aspects photographed (like your mom buttoning your dress).
2. Your First Look: Decide if you’re opting for a private first look or if you prefer to have this down the aisle. If you’re opting for a private first look, you’ll want to pick a general timeframe to ensure you’re hidden when your guests begin to arrive.
3. Your Ceremony Start Time: Pretty self-explanatory, right? This will likely determine the rest of your timeline (at least the start and end times for your photographer)
5. Your Most Important Events: While you don’t need a super strict schedule, it’s wise to have a general idea of when things are happening. Having a rough order of events in mind helps your vendors to know exactly what you want to happen during your wedding day. (Example: If you want to do a bouquet toss before your grand exit, you don’t want your DJ pushing for the toss at 6:00 pm)
6. Your VIP List: You (and your photographer) need to know which people MUST make it into a photo with you, either formally set up or on the dance floor.
Bringing together a stress free timeline
Let’s break it down further. Picture this: you’ve booked an eight-hour package, starting at 1:00 PM for a 4:00 PM ceremony. Here’s how it could play out:
1:00 PM: Your photographer arrives at the getting ready suite to capture all those special details. Meanwhile, your squad is having a blast getting dolled up.
2:00 PM: While I’m busy photographing your details and hopping back into your suite, Jake is flitting between the ceremony site, reception site and your groom’s suite, capturing all those exciting details and shenanigans.
2:45 PM – 3:00 PM: We’ll help you into your dress, share some laughs, and maybe even toast to the day ahead.
3:10 PM: If you’re opting for a first look, now’s the time! After the first look, it’s all about those stunning couple portraits. We’ll sneak in some shots with your wedding party and VIP list too.
4:00 PM: Ceremony time! After the ceremony, We’ll whisk you away right after for a quick “just married” photo session while your guests head to cocktail hour, then it’s off to join the party.
4:45 PM: We’ll sync up with your DJ to keep things flowing smoothly, but other than that, it’s time to let loose and enjoy the celebration! It’s likely they’ll have a schedule of events, but the strictness of that is up to you! If dancing is a priority, be sure to pick a DJ who can keep the party going.
9:00 PM: The photography portion of your wedding day wraps up with some beautiful shots of you and your VIP crew gathered together on the dance floor. Whether you choose to keep partying it up or decide to split for your honeymoon, you’ll rest assured knowing your memories are in good hands and you got to spend the entire, wonderful day enjoying your spouse and guests!
By ditching the traditional timeline, you can create a more relaxed vibe for your day, giving you the freedom to go with the flow and savor every moment. So let’s toss out the rulebook and make your wedding day as unique and stress-free as you are!
