Timeline tips from a photographer
Firstly I need to make this clear.. We are not a professional wedding planners. Our job is to take amazing photos and videos! So we can concentrate on what we’re good at we HIGHLY HIGHLY recommend all our clients work with a day of planner that can help them build their timeline, their shot list their coordinator/producer on the big day. There’s nothing worse than being worried about logistics on the day of your wedding. Let the professionals handle that so you can focus on celebrating with your loved ones.
Planners we recommend:
If you would prefer to build your timeline yourself we have put together this page with all our knowledge and tips to assist you. There’s also an example timeline at the end of the page that you can personalize and send back to us.
We also recommend sending us a shot list if you have specific shots that are really important we capture. If you have a planner they can help you organize this and make sure all these moments are captured on the day. If you choose to forgo a planner I would suggest asking someone close to you to manage this list so we can focus on taking the photos.
Getting Ready
Ideal Time Allotment – 1 hour
Ideal Time of the Day – 2 hours before the ceremony WITHOUT a First Look or 3 hours before the ceremony WITH a First Look.
Ideal Location – A space with lots of natural light either in your home, an Airbnb or a hotel room
PLEASE NOTE: HAIR & MAKEUP FOR THE WHOLE BRIDAL PARTY + YOURSELF SHOULD BE FINISHED ON OUR ARRIVAL. HAIR & MAKEUP DELAYS IS THE #1 REASON WHY WEDDINGS RUN BEHIND SCHEDULE WHICH CAUSES STRESS AND LESS TIME FOR PORTRAITS.
Here's a simple formula that gives us the best canvas for capturing stunning shots. Clean spaces + lots of natural light = beautiful photos. Please make sure you do your best to prioritize lighting and choose tidy environments.
Having at least 1 hour for details ensures that we have plenty of time to get that perfect photo of you getting ready as well as document the dress, rings, shoes, bouquets, and the other details of the day. Keep in mind that these are some of the most emotional and fun times of the day, so you don’t want to cut it short.
If you would like us to take some beautiful flat lay photos of your invitations please remember to bring these with you. Ask your florist if they can drop off some loose stems to style with this. If you have a certain color scheme going bring your own fabric to shoot on like a linen or velvet to match your color theme.
We often see our couples getting ready in overcrowded messy rooms which can create a stressful environment before the ceremony. If you know your space will be small we recommend limiting the amount of people you get ready with or if you have a large bridal party look into getting an a-joining room or a larger airbnb instead.
Please organize a quick clean up before we arrive to minimize mess/clutter in the background of your photos/video.
If you would like to do a first look with a parent this is the perfect time to add this into your timeline.
Individual Portraits
Ideal Time Allotment – 30 minutes
Ideal Time of the Day – Morning or Early Afternoon (Before the Ceremony)
Ideal Location – A space with lots of natural light either in your home, an Airbnb or a hotel room.
Right after prep is the best time for individual portraits of the couple (separately). The day hasn’t gotten hectic yet so we can take our time and get those perfect portraits. This is also the perfect time to get portraits taken with your immediate family
Keep in mind that the window lighting in most bedroom/hotel rooms creates a unique look that can’t be duplicated in any environment throughout the rest of the day.
If you are having an extended video created this is the best time to schedule in reading your wedding day letters.
First Look Session
Ideal Time Allotment – 30 minutes
Ideal Time of the Day – Morning or Early Afternoon
Ideal Location – Venue Garden, Empty Venue Hallway (shaded areas with natural light)
If you choose to do a first look we usually spend around around 30 minutes shooting. During this time, the couple enjoy seeing each other for the first time on the wedding day. While the actual first look might only be 5-10 minutes, the rest of the time is spent on portraits of the couple.
We highly recommend a first look here's why:
A first look will calm your nerves. If you’re the type of person that gets nervous around crowds, doesn’t like to be the center of attention or gets anxious rather easily a first look is great. We’ve found that most clients are super nervous just before the ceremony, and those that thought they wouldn’t be suddenly get a little freaked out. Lets face it, your wedding is probably one of the biggest days of your life. Depending on how involved you are in the process and your personality type, there can be a lot of internal stress built up to that moment of seeing each other for the first time. Don’t let me freak you out though; you can definitely get through it. However, doing a first look will give you peace of mind knowing that your significant other will be there for you to help calm those nerves. Time and time again we see the stress fly away just after the couple sees each other for the first time. It’s almost like a weight is lifted off their shoulder and the rest of the wedding day activities are a breeze.
We especially recommend a first look for winter weddings as the sun sets around 4:30 meaning you may run out of time for those golden hour shots later.
If you decide to do a first look, it basically means you can get all your pictures done and out of the way. Seeing each other before the ceremony lets you finish all your couple portraits, bridal party portraits and family portraits. So after the wedding all you have to think about is actually attending your own cocktail hour and mingling with guests who are eager to congratulate you. It also provides you with a back-up time slot to finish your portraits just in case something kept you held up earlier in the day.
It doesn't take away from seeing each other as you walk down the aisle. I’ve seen incredible moments at the ceremony just moments after doing a First Look. If the emotions are really there, they are going to come out regardless of whether you do a first look or not. Seeing each other privately before the ceremony is much different than seeing each other in “Let’s Do This” mode as all your best friends and closest family members are watching.
Bridal Party Portraits
Ideal Time Allotment – 30 - 45 minutes
Ideal Time of the Day – Morning or Afternoon
Ideal Location -Venue Lobby, Venue Garden, Beach, Park, Off-site Location
Wedding Party Photos should be around 30 minutes to 45 minutes. During this time, we get a variety of shots in a variety of poses. We start off with the basic, classic photos focused on great expressions and lighting. Then we move into a set of fun and creative shots.
Couple’s Portrait Session
Ideal Time Allotment – 45 minutes
Ideal Time of the Day – Late Afternoon (Sunset)
Ideal Location – Venue Garden, Beach, Hotel Lobby, Park
Couple session should be around 45 minutes and should take place ideally 30 to 45 minutes before sunset. This is the best time in terms of lighting.
It also allows us to capture the awesome scenic shots with colorful skies. If your wedding is in downtown or in an area with tall buildings, it’s not as important for us to have this specific time frame (although it still helps)
If you booked your venue because of the spectacular view of the ocean or the gorgeous vines in the winery, it’s essential to follow this advice in your timeline.
Immediate Family Photos
Ideal Time Allotment – 20-30 minutes
Ideal Time of the Day – Morning or Afternoon
Ideal Location -Venue Lobby, Venue Garden, Beach, Park, Off-site Location
Immediate Family Photos should take another 30 minutes depending on your family size.
Plan on 3 minutes per group on average. For example, if you have 10 groups, schedule in a 30 minute time slot. We all know how much weddings mean to the immediate family, and we want to make sure we’re capturing enough pictures with them.
Have a relative or close family friend with a loud voice coordinate the groups from a shot list.
Ceremony Details
Ideal Time Allotment – 20 minutes
Ideal Location – Ceremony Site
Ideal Time of the Day – Morning or Afternoon
Please allow 20 minutes for us to take pictures of the ceremony site, completely set up with no guests or vendors in the area.
Before you have the guests seated, it’s important that we are there to capture the complete set up of your ceremony site so we can capture the scene at its best.
Reception Details
Ideal Time Allotment – 20 minutes
Ideal Time of the Day –During Cocktail Hour
Ideal Location – Reception Site
Please allow 20 minutes for us to take pictures of the reception room, completely set up with no guests or vendors in the area.
Similar to the ceremony details, this is the only opportunity we have to capture the beauty of the reception room prior to guest arrival.
Drone Footage
Ideal Time Allotment – 45 minutes
Ideal Time of the Day – Before Getting Ready or Sunset Portraits
Ideal Location – Venue Location
If you would like to add drone footage onto your package you need to factor an additional 45 mins in your timeline.
TIMELINE TO CUSTOMIZE AND SEND BACK
2PM GETTING READY
(Please insert Address here)
Toward The Moon Arrives (Please assure your hair & makeup team has finished)
Invitations + detail flat lat photos.
Lots of candid fun shots, drinks, food etx
Group bridal party photos in robes etc
Wedding Couple get dressed
Individual Portraits
3PM FIRST LOOK
(Please insert Address here)
Bridal portraits solo followed by group shots
4.30pm Family photos
5:00pm Entire wedding party hide to prep for ceremony
Towards The Moon document guests arriving and prepare for ceremony
5:30pm CEREMONY
(Please insert Address here)
6:00pm COCKTAIL HOUR
(Please insert Address here)
Extended family photos straight after ceremony
Towards The Moon documents reception styling during cocktail hour
Portrait of Wedding Couple in reception space before everyone enters?
7:00pm RECEPTION
(Please insert Address here)
Guests are invited into reception space
First Dance
Hora
Tarantella
Guests seated for salad
7:30/7:45pm
Salad course
Toasts during Salad course
Parent dances
Dance set to follow
8:45pm Dinner service
Dance Set to follow
9:30pm Cake cutting (private, unannounced, with Towards The Moon)
10pm Towards The Moon coverage concludes.
Once you have finalized your timeline please send us a copy so we're completely prepared for your big day! I hope this was helpful :)