CREATIVE DIRECTION.
STYLING &
PHOTOGRAPHY
Based on a 4:00 pm summer wedding, time stamps can be adjusted accordingly and based on different seasons.
With our extensive wedding experience, we created the perfect timeline that can be easily adjusted to your dream day. Every wedding event is unique on its own, below guideline is for our modern wedding day brides.
Based on the scheduling of traditional European weddings. this list should provide a 95% realistic timeline. It’s crucial to keep in mind that while
planning your gorgeous wedding, you should always remember to have fun on this day and enjoy every moment of it.
Not every aspect of life, but especially one of life’s biggest celebrations, was meant to be tied down into a” time frame” so keep in mind to always allow room for “out-of-scheduled” in-the-moment events.
Adjust the below list to your special day,
1 p.m. Photographer/s and Videographers will usually arrive.
The wedding photographer/s should arrive 1 ½ + hours before the bride is ready. During this time, the photographer(s) can get detailed shots of the venue, location shots, and décor. It’s also a great opportunity to capture the dress, rings, invitations, etc.
2: p.m The Groom and groomsman arrive
Based on experience the groom and his best men will arrive at their private suite and start getting ready. For the groom, it’s usually customary to be ready 30 min before the ceremony would start. Welcoming their guests as they arrive.:
3 p.m. Bridesmaids only are Ready; Bride’s Hair and Makeup Is Complete
The bridesmaids (as well as the mother of the bride and any other bridal suite VIPs) should be dressed and ready by the time the bride’s hair and makeup is complete.
This way, everyone can be in the background of the photos featuring the bride getting dressed.
NOTE: Makeup should start well before the photographer/s arrives. The bridal styling should start in the middle of everyone els. To be on time or not rushed, Its always advised, don’t start before or last from all the bridesmaids. The Bridal hair and makeup will take usually the longest.- allow a full 1-hour hair styling & 1 hour MUA. (ask your stylist for the time frames)
If your looking for the elegant chic photographs of everyone together in matching robes, pencil these in after hair and makeup but before the bridesmaids put on their dresses. ( usually requires 10-15min)
3:15 p.m. Bride Gets Dressed
Once you’re mostly dressed, the photographer will capture timeless bridal getting-ready photographs, its also a perfect opportunity for intimate moments of your maid of honor (and maybe bridesmaids, too) helping you zip up your dress and slip on your shoes. Make sure your mom or mother-in-law has a role, too! Perhaps she helps with your earrings and jewelry or adjusts your veil.
3:45 p.m. Bridal Portraits
Once you’re fully dressed and ready, the photographer will focus on capturing some bridal couture photographs of only you in your beautiful dress.
Allow an extra 10 min before leaving for the ceremony, based on different locations or venues your coordinator or wedding planner will fetch you when all your guests have arrived.
4:00 p.m. First Look
Based on your bridal questionnaire beforehand. If you opted in for the first look the photographers will set up a special moment where you and your Dad/Mom/sibling or partner see each other for the first time, creating an intimate moment that you will cherish forever.
4:15 – 5:10 p.m. Ceremony
This is the time block that varies the most for weddings, The time really depends on the type of ceremony you’re having. Typically, non-religious ceremonies last around 20-30 minutes, while religious-based ceremonies can last up to an hour or more.
5:15 -p.m. Confetti and cocktail hour
(We try to give couples a 10-15min break with their guests and each other) We like to change the timeline to capture the couple’s portrait before the family photographs.
While your guests enjoy their time during canapes and cocktail hour, the two of you escape for some post-ceremony photos with the photographer. After which your groomsman and bridesmaids will join up
(Preferably allow 2 hours for photographs)
5:30 Bridesmaids and Groomsman
These photos are meant to be casual and fun and to create stylish group shots together, If you want any special shots, such as toasting with Champagne, make sure you have the props ready (clean flutes &, cigars for the gents for instance).
5:50 p.m.(ish) Sunset Photos
This timestamp usually lasts 30-40 min. And depending on how many photos you want to take, you can join cocktail hour halfway through or spend some time in the bridal suite having appetizers and drinks privately.
TIP: you can use “Timeanddate.com will give you the exact sunset time on your date and location to the minute. We find it is almost always completely accurate,”
The actual time of sunset varies widely, depending on where and what time of year you’re getting married. In the winter months, pre-sunset photos may need to be scheduled for around 4 p.m.
6:15 p.m. Wedding Party and Family Photos
“Have your family meet, dressed and ready, in the location of your venue set aside by your photographer at about 6 p.m. Make sure a close family member or MC has a shot list of every family combination you want to be included in your family portraits, depending on family sizes. We suggest only the closets or immediate family, although its not set in stone. Family pictures time frame can range from 30min to 1 full hour, depending on your family photo list provided.
7:15 p.m. Guests Invited to Dinner
MC will Let guests know based on your reception and menu that it’s time to move into the reception dining room—
MC- usually opens with a first speech with house rules, and the grand entrance welcoming.
7:30 p.m. Grand Entrance and First Dance
“Timing works great if you go from your grand entrance right into your first dance
.”This keeps the formalities and the fun going. You can dance for a full song for your first dance, or fade out two minutes in. You can also add a dance set consisting of three to five songs after the first dance to get the energy up before dinner.” Chat with your DJ for some ideas
7:45 – 8:00 p.m. Welcome Toasts From Hosts
The first two toasts in the wedding reception timeline are considered welcome toasts and they are typically offered by the newlywed’s closest relative or friend.
8:00 – 8:30 p.m. Dinner
Time to take a breath—and eat!
8:30 p.m. Bridal Party Toasts
As dinner is wrapping up, the best man and maid of honor can offer their toasts during this slot of the wedding schedule. “For all toasts, set a time limit and recommend advising your speakers to stay within that limit.
This is also a good time for the newlyweds to say a few words and thank their guests for coming.
8:40 – 8:50 p.m. Parent Dances
“I recommend doing them immediately after the toasts, and then transition into an open dance floor. After the last official dance, switch to high-energy music and have your band or DJ encourage everyone to join you on the dance floor,”
9:30 – 9:45 p.m. Cake Cutting, Bouquet Toss, and Garter Toss
First up is the cake cutting(IDEA: you can also do your cake cutting during the cocktail hour and canapés)., followed by bouquet toss and garter toss. Getting all the usual formalities out of the way you can enjoy every minute of dancing and celebrating with your guests
9:45 p.m. Open Dance Floor
Dance until the night ends!
