Wedding Photography Timing - Planning it Well

One of the questions I get asked the most with wedding photography, is how to plan a good flow of photography on the day.  So here is my attempt to answer the question....

1. FOCUS & FLOW

Your wedding day is a celebration of your love, with all the people you love the most. Rather than trying to get all the 'right' photos, focus on a flow of events that will give you and your guests the most enjoyable experience. This will result in beautifully real images!

2. FOLLOW THE LIGHT

That amazing light that makes everything magic happens in the 20mins before and the 10 mins after sunset.  So 'Google' when the sun sets on the date of your wedding, and try to organise your timeframes to allow you that half hour alone outside.  In summer, this might mean that you kick off the reception before you quietly slip out.  People will be enjoying the food so much they won't even know you were missing.

3. TAKE A MOMENT OUT

So much planning, and the day goes by so fast!  Please make sure you give yourselves a little window of time, to sit down and take it all in. 

4. A SAMPLE TIMEFRAME

These are the average amounts of time I would ideally give myself at every station.

45 MIN     Grooms Preps

90 MIN     Brides Preps

20 MIN     Pre Ceremony (guests arriving, groom waiting, bride arriving)  

40 MIN     Ceremony

60 MIN     Post Ceremony (mingling, group shot, family shot, congratulations)

15 MIN     Pre Reception (reception details, cutting cake, first dance)

45 MIN     Bridal Party

60 MIN     Bride and Groom (you might break this up into two parts depending on sunset)

60 MIN     Reception (everyone at their tables, enjoying food, beginning of speeches)

Main differences to this time frame would occur if utilising a second shooter for Grooms Preps, or if you would prefer full reception coverage.