Jun 28
Timing Your Wedding Day
I often get asked how to work out the timing of a wedding day.
I have been fortunate to be a part of approximately 300 weddings so far and, as a result, I have worked out a bit of a formula...
There are some key questions that need to be answered before you can begin to work everything out.
These are:
How long is the service?
How many guests (approx) will there be?
How far is it from your ceremony location to your reception location?
How many people are in your bridal party?
Is there any travel to photographic locations?
The following is a breakdown of how a standard wedding will work, if all runs to schedule, assuming a 4.00pm ceremony and bride getting ready at the ceremony location:
3.20pm - Bride finished getting ready. Bride sees Mum & Dad. All get teary eyed. Risk of make-up being damaged here. Re-application may be needed.
3.30pm - Pre-wedding photoshoot of Bride, bridesmaids and brides parents/brothers/sisters etc.
3.50pm - Photographer finishes pre-wedding shoot and goes outside to photograph Groom meeting and greeting guests.
4.10pm - 4pm cermony actually starts at 4.10pm due to guests holding up things by running late etc. Bride being "fashionably late".
4.25pm - conclusion of 15 minute service.
4.45pm - conclusion of hugs and kisses/congratulations by guests. (80 guests @ 15 secs each = 20minutes)
5.05pm - conclusion of family/formal photographs. (80-100 people will take 20 minutes to complete)
5.10pm - Bridal party leave for location photos. (5 mins to allow for bathroom break, getting to car, etc)
7.10pm - Bridal party arrive at reception
7.25pm - Bride & bridesmaids finish re-applying make-up/freshening up.
7.30pm - Bride & Groom enter reception
Photograph at Matarangi Wharf - Renee and Phil's Wedding - Reception was at The Dunes Golf Resort.
You will be able to change the times around to get a more accurate estimate of your own wedding day timing.
For me, as a photographer, 1.5 to 2 hours for photos after the service is ideal but make sure you talk to your photographer to get a feel for what they think is needed, for them, timewise.
Here is a helpful website that you can plan out your day with for freeeee!
A few more points to be aware of:
Be sure to factor in the return travel time to any potential locations. Travel is the big time-killer on the day. While you are in a car you aren't taking photos. To allow 1 hour for a location shoot and then spend 20 minutes getting there and 20 minutes getting back is not ideal.
Remember, you will be with your best friends on one of the most memorable days of your lives. You should be having fun. It shouldn't be hard work. If you do not allow enough time for the different parts of the day, you will end up rushing around, you will feel stressed and probably look stressed. Plan your day out well. If you are enjoying yourself it will show through in your photographs.
The light will always be better later in the day. 2-3 hours prior to sunset is a fantastic time to start photos.
You will most probably want to get back from the photos and retouch make-up, go to the bathroom etc. These things take a lot more time when in a wedding dress. (depending on the style of dress).
Leaving the guests to mingle for more than 15-20 minutes after the service will inevitably mean they wander off for drinks/bathroom/changing babies/looking around venue etc.
Having a larger bridal party will mean it will take more time getting people in and out of vehicles and in general moving people about. Also, allow more time for photographs if possible.
Family photos rarely take less than 15 minutes and can often take longer if there are large numbers attending the wedding.
Pre-Wedding Photographs at the Ceremony Location
Getting photos at the ceremony location prior to the ceremony usually means doing them before any guests get there so that they don't see the bride prior to the wedding. If guests are getting there from 3.30pm onwards you would need to be finished by 3.15pm. The start time would probably be about 2.15pm. You would need to be dressed and ready by 1.45pm.
I hope all these tips help you plan your day successfully.
Cheers
Steve Sharp
