Having a timeline ensures we capture everything you diligently plan for your big day, and that it all goes smoothly. Here are some ideas for time ranges to help plan our your big day. Every day is unique, so you timeline may not look like this one. Feel free to send us a love note (sacredharborphoto@gmail.com) if you have questions, comments, suggestions, or would like to discuss your big day!
GETTING READY
1 - 1 . 5 Hours
During the getting ready portion, we capture important details and begin to tell the story of the wedding day: hair/makeup, the gang, jewelry, the dress, florals, rings, ties, shoes, the groups getting ready.
FIRST LOOK
1 / 2 - 1 Hour
We love first looks because they give us more opportunities for photos. Some couples choose to involve family and the wedding party in first looks to get some of the formal photos completed early. Most first looks are shot at a different location than the formals later in the day.
CEREMONY
1 5 Minutes - 1 . 5 Hours
We take photos unobtrusively during the ceremony from different angles and locations throughout the ceremony venue. It’s important to check with your venue if they have any photography policies or restrictions.
FORMAL PHOTOS
1 / 2 - 1 Hour
Depending on whether you’re doing a first look, have many people participating in formals, or would like multiple locations, formals can take up to an hour.
NEWLYWEDS & WEDDING PARTY
1 5 Minutes - 1 . 5 Hours
We encourage our couples to factor in some private time for photos of just their wedding party and themselves. These photos are best to do after family formals. Some couples head to a different location than the formals, while their guests head to the reception.
COCKTAIL HOUR
1 / 2 - 1 Hour
If you’re having a cocktail hour, you can let us know if you’d like that covered. For weddings with two photographers, this is a great opportunity to get additional photos of your guests.
RECEPTION
2 - 6 Hours
We capture all of the big events: the first dances, blessings, toasts, cake cutting, bouquet toss. We love getting the group shots and the sweet moments, as well as the best dancing shots! Our goal is to show you your friends and family sharing your joy. Depending on the timeline of reception, and whether you’re planning an official exit you’d like photographed, the photographers may not need to be at the reception the entire time.
This is one sample timeline for a wedding day; there are so many more configurations of the different element to make your day unique! Send us a love note with any questions you have about how long different parts of the day may take, and if you're looking to incorporate something different.
