gorgeous colors & cooler temperatures. but make sure you have a rain plan!
Spring is a great wedding season IF your venue has a solid rain plan for your ceremony! You can expect lots of colors, lush greens and cooler temperatures! There is a great amount of daylight, (the sun sets around around 6:30-8, don't forget daylight savings!) that you can have a late afternoon wedding and still get that fantastic light!
tons of natural light, but you have to brave the heat.
Summer weddings give you the most amount of available light, sometimes until 8:30pm! This is both a blessing and a curse. You can have a much later ceremony with tons of getting ready photos, but the light can be quite harsh outdoors until around 5:30pm. If you want your romantic portraits to be at the most flattering time, consider stepping out of your reception for 20 minutes during sunset.
the most temperate, predictable weather- but high demand for vendors.
Fall is the most popular time for weddings, which means vendors book up quickly! If you’re able to snag a Fall date look forward to cooler weather and gorgeous colors. Sunset times change drastically during this season, from 7:45pm-5:30pm (curse you daylight savings!) So we’ll be in touch to create the perfect timeline.
great for finding discounted vendors, but very limited natural light
Winter weddings are great! Usually you can find discounted prices on lots of wedding vendors. However, they do come with a little more planning. Usually we’ll only have light until around 5:30pm, so earlier weddings are much preferred! If you’re still doing a late afternoon ceremony I highly recommend a first look otherwise we won’t be able to get many formal portraits.
building the perfect timeline
Making a timeline is usually one of the biggest stressors for wedding planning- which is why I like to to be super hands on during the process. I'm happy to either assist and give feedback or create a whole timeline from scratch based on your wedding questionnaire.
However, it's usually necessary to have a general, vague timeline early on. So here are the 3 main factors to consider before deciding on the timing of: my arrival time, ceremony time, and my departure.
take a look
Great! Plan for 1 hour of photo time before your ceremony (30 minutes for first look + couples photos, 30 minutes for wedding party,) and 1 hour after ceremony (30 minutes for family photos, 20 minutes for just married/sunset photos, and 10 minutes of buffer time).
Subtract 1 hour + ceremony length from sunset and you'll get the optimal ceremony start time.
yes we're having a first look
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Sweet! Plan for 2 hours of photo time after your ceremony. (30 minutes for family photos, 30 minutes for wedding party, 40 minutes for couples photos, and 20 minutes of buffer time.
Subtract 2 hours + ceremony length from sunset and you'll get the optimal ceremony start time.
no we're not having a first look
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Great! Then my day will begin with getting ready shots, usually spending about 1.5 hours with the girls and 30 minutes with the guys.
Without detail shots, I usually arrive about 10-15 minutes before you're done with hair and makeup.
no, not a huge priority
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Awesome! Then my day will begin with detail photos, then moving on to getting ready shots. I usually spend about 1.5 hours with the girls (not including details) and 30 minutes with the guys.
Factor in about 30-40 photos for those detail shots first thing in the morning.
yes, they're a must have!
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Totally! However, that means you either, won't get photos of your exit or we'll do a staged/controlled exit. As it sounds, this is when we gather your wedding party and family outside during the reception to do a fake sendoff. Benefits? You get those photos without paying for full day coverage and you don’t have to worry about your hair and makeup as you tear up the dance floor because after your “exit”, photos are done! We can also make your entrance more grand (with bubbled or streamers) if you don't want to leave your reception for a staged exit.
no that seems like a lot of hours
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Detail shots are those gorgeous photos of your dress hanging or invitation suite with all your rings. But they take time, allot 30-40 minutes if these are a big priority to you. To make the process smoother, have all your details items gathered in one spot (including all 3 rings).
Photographer arrives, photographs details
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1:30pm details
I start photographing getting ready photos about 10 minutes before makeup is done. We'll do a few photos of your finishing touches. Then I move on to robe shots, popping champagne, etc.
getting ready photos
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2pm getting ready
These are some of my favorite photos of the day. Usually mom, sister or bridesmaids will help you into the dress. It's always a super sweet, emotional moment.
Getting into the dress
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2:40pm getting ready
Okay, these are also some of my favorite photos of the day. Just like a normal first look, but with your family or wedding party. It can be with dad, mom, siblings, whoever! It's always incredibly sweet.
family & friends first look
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3pm family first look
Now I'll do the second half of getting ready. If I have a second photographer they'll already be focusing on the guys all morning, so I'll just stay with you! This is super helpful if we have a shorter amount of time before the ceremony.
Getting ready, round 2
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3:20pm getting ready
Finally y'all get to see each other! I will have a first look spot already scouted and ready. I prioritize 1. good lighting and 2. privacy. A lot of the times family members want to watch the first look, but I highly recommend this being a moment with just you and your partner. During the first look I'll play some music, just relax and enjoy the moment.
First look
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4pm first look
After your first look and some couples photos, we'll bring out your wedding party. This is another time when having a second photographer is great because I can focus on one half of the group, with my second focusing on the other. (That way 1/2 of y'all aren't just waiting around). We'll get a few large group shots, a variety of each party, and individuals with everyone.
Wedding party photos
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4:30pm wedding party
After wedding party photos are done you'll all go back inside to freshen up. If we have extra time before the ceremony we can do some family photos. But if I don't have a second shooter I'll go photograph the reception space before guests arrive. This means it's super important that the space is ready with flowers & candles!!
in hiding/reception photos
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5pm reception photos
It's time to get y'all married!! For the ceremony I like to be as unobtrusive as possible. For the beginning processional, I'll be up at the front capturing y'alls faces, but after that I move to the back where I stay. I prioritize shooting natural light, but if I think I might need flash I'll clear it with you beforehand.
Ceremony
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5:30pm ceremony
After your ceremony it's nice to have something for your guests to do while you take photos. If you want photos of your guests enjoying cocktail hour a second photographer is a must. A great perk of doing a first look is often you can join your cocktail hour if you'd like!
cocktail hour
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6pm cocktail hour
I usually recommend doing these at the ceremony location, so everyone can stay put, it saves so much time! For these photos I'll just follow your shot list. Factor in about 2 minutes per grouping. To save on time, I recommend sticking with around 10 total groupings- any non-immediate family we can get during the reception!
family formals
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6pm family formals
Even though we already did photos at the beginning of the day with your first look, I always like to do a couple around sunset. This will be the most flattering, glow-y light. And I like capturing you at different stages of your day! Sunset time will obviously drastically change throughout the year, so this time might be after family formals or we will sneak away during the reception.
sunset portraits
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6:30pm sunset photos
After couples photos I like to let y'all relax for a few minutes. Not only does this give me time to go inside and set up my lights for your entrances, but it also is a truly alone period of time after your ceremony. Once you've been announced some people like to go straight into your first dance, some like to sit down for dinner. Totally up to you!
entrances
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7pm entrances
There are tons of options for toasts. The biggest factor is whether you're having a sit down meal or buffet. For sit down meals, I like to have toasts at the very beginning before food is served with your blessing/welcome speech or about 20 minutes in, after vip tables eaten. For a buffet I recommend holding off until all tables have served themselves, otherwise it can be loud & distracting.
Dinner & toasts
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7:15pm dinner & toasts
If you didn't do your first dance upon entry, now is the time for your first dance! Followed by any of the traditional dances (father/daughter, mother/son). One of my favorite dances and a great way to get people on the dance floor is the anniversary dance. It makes me emotional every time!
Special dances
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8pm special dances
If you're down, I always love sneaking out for some photos towards the end of the night. You've gotten a little champagne in your system, you're feeling relaxed. These photos will either be right at sunset or while it's already dark, so will create some fun, creative and unique images for your gallery! I don't want to pull you away from the party for too long, so these are usually take 10 minutes.
sunset/night time portraits
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8:30pm night time photos
Once the party's underway, the DJ will announce when it's time to do any of your special events (cutting cake, bouquet toss, garter toss, etc.)
cake cutting & bouquet toss
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8:45 cake cutting
Depending on whether you want me to stay for your full day, will depend on whether you have photos of your grand exit or if we do a staged/controlled exit as spoke about before.
exit
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11pm exit
Detail shots are those gorgeous photos of your dress hanging or invitation suite with all your rings. But they take time, allot 30-40 minutes if these are a big priority to you. To make the process smoother, have all your details items gathered in one spot (including all 3 rings).
Photographer arrives, photographs details
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1:30pm details
I start photographing getting ready photos about 10 minutes before makeup is done. We'll do a few photos of your finishing touches. Then I move on to robe shots, popping champagne, etc.
getting ready photos
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2pm getting ready
These are some of my favorite photos of the day. Usually mom, sister or bridesmaids will help you into the dress. It's always a super sweet, emotional moment.
Getting into the dress
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2:40pm getting ready
Okay, these are also some of my favorite photos of the day. Just like a normal first look, these are just for your family or wedding party. It can be with dad, mom, siblings, whoever! It's always incredibly sweet.
family & friends first look
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3:10pm family first look
Without a first look I like to try to get all separate wedding party photos done before the ceremony. This way we don't have as much to do after the ceremony. A big time saver is having a second photographer during this portion of the day to split our time between each group.
wedding party photos pt 1
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3:20pm wedding party
Without a first look and/or a second shooter, grooms photos will be much simpler. Instead of actually getting ready in the suite, we'll do them when we do the separate grooms party photos, usually outside.
wedding party pt 2
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3:40pm wedding party
After separate wedding party photos are done you'll all go back inside to freshen up. Then I'll go photograph the reception space before guests arrive. This means it's super important that the space is ready with flowers & candles!!
in hiding/reception photos
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4pm reception photos
It's time to get y'all married!! For the ceremony I like to be as unobtrusive as possible. For the beginning processional, I'll be up at the front capturing y'alls faces, but after that I move to the back where I stay. I prioritize shooting natural light, but if I think I might need flash I'll clear it with you beforehand.
Ceremony
next
4:30pm ceremony
After your ceremony it's nice to have something for your guests to do while you take photos. If you want photos of your guests enjoying cocktail hour a second photographer is a must. A great perk of doing a first look is often you can join your cocktail hour if you'd like!
cocktail hour
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5pm cocktail hour
I usually recommend doing these at the ceremony location, so everyone can stay put, it saves so much time! For these photos I'll just follow your shot list. Factor in about 2 minutes per grouping. To save on time, I recommend sticking with around 10 total groupings- any non-immediate family we can get during the reception!
family formals
next
5pm family formals
I usually recommend doing these at the ceremony location, so everyone can stay put, it saves so much time! For these photos I'll just follow your shot list. Factor in about 2 minutes per grouping. To save on time, I recommend sticking with around 10 total groupings- any non-immediate family we can get during the reception!
wedding party
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5pm family formals
Without a first look, these are your first couples portraits of the day! With a slightly earlier ceremony, sometimes these photos don't hit right at sunset, if that's the case we can always sneak out for a few golden-y couples photos during the reception.
couples portraits
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5:50pm couples photos
After couples photos I like to let y'all relax for a few minutes. Not only does this give me time to go inside and set up my lights for your entrances, but it also is a truly alone period of time after your ceremony. Once you've been announced some people like to go straight into your first dance, some like to sit down for dinner. Totally up to you!
entrances
next
6:30pm entrances
There are tons of options for toasts. The biggest factor is whether you're having a sit down meal or buffet. For sit down meals, I like to have toasts at the very beginning before food is served with your blessing/welcome speech or about 20 minutes in, after vip tables eaten. For a buffet I recommend holding off until all tables have served themselves, otherwise it can be loud & distracting.
Dinner & toasts
next
6:45pm dinner & toasts
If you didn't do your first dance upon entry, now is the time for your first dance! Followed by any of the traditional dances (father/daughter, mother/son). One of my favorite dances and a great way to get people on the dance floor is the anniversary dance. It makes me emotional every time!
Special dances
next
7:30pm special dances
If you're down, I always love sneaking out for some photos towards the end of the night. You've gotten a little champagne in your system, you're feeling relaxed. These photos will either be right at sunset or while it's already dark, so will create some fun, creative and unique images for your gallery! I don't want to pull you away from the party for too long, so these are usually take 10 minutes.
sunset/night time portraits
next
8pm night time photos
Once the party's underway, the DJ will announce when it's time to do any of your special events (cutting cake, bouquet toss, garter toss, etc.)
cake cutting & bouquet toss
next
8:15 cake cutting
Depending on whether you want me to stay for your full day, will depend on whether you have photos of your grand exit or if we do a staged/controlled exit as spoke about before.
exit
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11pm exit
6 hour wedding
8 hour wedding
10 hour wedding
sample timeline with first look
sample timeline without first look
sample timeline with first look
sample timeline without first look
sample timeline with first look
sample timeline without first look
additional timelines
10 Hour Sample Timeline
with first look
perfect if
- you have multiple locations throughout the day
- you want getting ready shots of you and your partner.
- you want details of the whole day, from getting ready to tons of dancing shots to your exit.
GETTING READY + DETAILS : 3 hours
TRAVEL : 10 minutes
FIRST LOOK : 10 minutes
COUPLES PORTRAITS : 30 minutes
WEDDING PARTY PHOTOS : 60 minutes
TRAVEL TO CEREMONY : 15 minutes
CEREMONY : 30 minutes
FAMILY PORTRAITS : 30 minutes
SUNSET PORTRAITS : 15 minutes
ENTRANCE + FIRST DANCE: 10 minutes
DINNER : 45 minutes
SPECIAL DANCES : 10 minutes
CAKE CUTTING : 15 minutes
OPEN DANCE FLOOR : 2 hours
NIGHT PORTRAITS : 15 minutes
EXIT : 15 minutes
10 Hour Sample Timeline
without first look
perfect if
- you have multiple locations throughout the day
- you want getting ready shots of you and your partner.
- you want details of the whole day, from getting ready to tons of dancing shots to your exit.
GETTING READY + DETAILS : 2.5 hours
WEDDING PARTY PORTRAITS : 20 minutes
WEDDING PARTY PORTRAITS : 20 minutes
TRAVEL TO CEREMONY : 15 minutes
CEREMONY : 30 minutes
FAMILY PORTRAITS : 30 minutes
COMBINED WEDDING PARTY : 20 minutes
COUPLES PORTRAITS : 45 minutes
ENTRANCE + FIRST DANCE: 10 minutes
DINNER : 45 minutes
SPECIAL DANCES : 30 minutes
CAKE CUTTING : 15 minutes
OPEN DANCE FLOOR : 2 hours
NIGHT PORTRAITS : 15 minutes
EXIT : 15 minutes
8 Hour Sample Timeline
without first look
perfect if
- you only have one location all day
- you're having a short and sweet ceremony
- you don't need as many photos of guests on the dance floor and would rather stage an exit and then party!
GETTING READY + DETAILS : 2 hours
WEDDING PARTY PHOTOS : 20 minutes
WEDDING PARTY PHOTOS : 20 minutes
CEREMONY : 20 minutes
FAMILY PORTRAITS : 40 minutes
COMBINED WEDDING PARTY : 20 minutes
COUPLES PORTRAITS : 45 minutes
ENTRANCE + FIRST DANCE: 10 minutes
DINNER : 45 minutes
SPECIAL DANCES : 15 minutes
CAKE CUTTING/TOASTS : 30 minutes
OPEN DANCE FLOOR : 1 hour
NIGHT PORTRAITS : 15 minutes
STAGED EXIT : 15 minutes
8 Hour Sample Timeline
with first look
perfect if
- you have one location all day
- you're having a short and sweet ceremony
- you don't need as many photos of guests on the dance floor and would rather stage an exit and then party!
GETTING READY + DETAILS : 2 hours
FIRST LOOK : 10 minutes
COUPLES PORTRAITS : 45 minutes
WEDDING PARTY PORTRAITS : 60 minutes
CEREMONY : 20 minutes
FAMILY PORTRAITS : 40 minutes
SUNSET PORTRAITS : 15 minutes
ENTRANCE + FIRST DANCE: 10 minutes
DINNER : 45 minutes
SPECIAL DANCES : 10 minutes
CAKE CUTTING/ TOASTS : 30 minutes
OPEN DANCE FLOOR : 1 hour
NIGHT PORTRAITS : 15 minutes
STAGED EXIT : 15 minutes
6 Hour Sample Timeline
with first look
perfect if
- you don't need many getting ready photos and don't want any details photographed
- you're having a shorter ceremony and reception
- you don't have a big family or wedding party
GETTING READY : 1 hour
FIRST LOOK : 15 minutes
COUPLES PORTRAITS : 30 minutes
WEDDING PARTY PORTRAITS : 45 minutes
CEREMONY : 15 minutes
FAMILY PORTRAITS : 20 minutes
ENTRANCE + FIRST DANCE: 10 minutes
DINNER : 45 minutes
SPECIAL DANCES : 15 minutes
CAKE CUTTING /TOASTS : 15 minutes
OPEN DANCE FLOOR : 45 minutes
EXIT : 15 minutes
6 Hour Sample Timeline
without first look
perfect if
- you don't need many getting ready photos and don't want any details photographed
- you're having a shorter ceremony and reception
- you don't have a big family or wedding party
GETTING READY : 1 hour
WEDDING PARTY PHOTOS : 20 minutes
WEDDING PARTY PHOTOS : 20 minutes
CEREMONY : 15 minutes
FAMILY PORTRAITS : 20 minutes
COMBINED WEDDING PARTY : 15 minutes
COUPLES PORTRAITS : 45 minutes
ENTRANCE + FIRST DANCE: 10 minutes
DINNER : 45 minutes
SPECIAL DANCES : 15 minutes
CAKE CUTTING/TOASTS : 30 minutes
OPEN DANCE FLOOR : 45 minutes
EXIT : 15 minutes
