Timeline Guide
This 8hr timeline guide is just that, a guide. Meant to help you envision the flow of your day. Over the course of our time together we will work through and customize your specific timeline. We want you to have the day you want, it doesn't have to be based on what is usually done or what tradition calls for, we can talk through any vision you have. With this guide, you can see how we shoot each part of your day and how long certain aspects take based on our experience. We usually set up a time to chat the month of your wedding to finalize everything.
Details:
When we arrive we check in see how you're doing, and start with the detail shots. We will grab your dress, the details you have set aside as important or meaningful. the invitation, the rings, maybe an heirloom, jewelry, perfume, shoes, veil, etc. Whatever you decide you would like to be apart of your story. We will remind you in advance to set these things aside for us.
Hair and makeup finishing touches:
We have no doubt your hair and makeup team will take good care of you and make sure you are on time. However we do recommend the bride not being last, while your girls may be apart of you getting ready photos, you are the star of the show and it will only go on if you are ready for it, and we will not move you into your first look or ceremony unless you feel totally fabulous.
Candid moments with friends and family:
Most brides love to have their mom or besties help them into their dress, shoes, or help with jewelry. We love it, we will choose an area that makes sense to finish getting ready in, however we do not set all the shots up. We encourage interaction and take photos of the moments that unfold. We may direct if people are feeling a little unsure of what to do, but we want you to stay present in all the moments.
Individual portraits:
These happen in a more candid way for us. You seeing yourself all ready, or you taking those deep breaths before walking down the aisle or seeing your soon to be husband for the first time. We also take some when we do the bride and groom photos, due to location.
Hour One
Details/getting ready
First look prep
Hour Two
Gift/letter exchange:
This is something that is totally up to you two. We love to know of any special ideas you have so we can make sure we put it in our minds to capture.
First look setup:
We usually scout out a little location once we arrive for your first look, Bryant or second shooter will be with the groom at this point. We try to find a private place where friends and family can watch from afar if desired. We highly recommend this being private, while the day is a desired celebration with friends and family, a few private moments really slow things down and add to your core memories.
Travel to first look if needed:
Depending on where your first look location is, sometimes couples have a really beautiful spot in mind where they want to take couples portraits. If this is something you are interested in doing, remember to designate a friend to drive, ‘cause we can only take one of ya.
Alternative first look:
Some want to make their first look the ceremony, which can be really special, however here are some things to keep in mind.
You won’t see each other for most of the day. All the portraits will be after the ceremony and you will most likely miss your cocktail hour. The time spent on portraits will be less, which is ok. but its good to keep that in mind if you are wanting some quality photo time at your venue.
Having a first look will not take away seeing each other as you walk down the aisle. Emotions are still strong, and it will still feel like the first time.
Interested in the first look being the ceremony?
We can create a customized timeline with that being the priority, just let us know.
Hour Three
Portraits of you two & wedding party
Bride & Groom portraits:
Once we have given you some space for your first look and you feel all the emotions of what this day means, we start some bride and groom portraits. This is a very low stress, relaxing time of the day. We stay in tune with how you are feeling and make sure how we spend this time is enjoyable and results in beautiful photos. The time spent here can be anywhere between 30 minutes to an hour.
Bridal Party Portraits:
We will inform your bridal party when to arrive, so your portraits can be a little more private if preferred. These portraits take around 20-30 minutes. We will do individual shots if desired, and some candid, some posed shots of you and your whole crew.
Alternative Portrait options:
Perhaps the idea of a solid 30 minute or hour portrait session sounds like too much. An alternative is to have mini sessions through out the day.
For example:
10 minutes of you two when you have your first look.
10 minutes around cocktail hour with drinks in hand!
10 minutes at sunset for those romantic, fire moments.
5-10 minutes at the end of the night, with some direct flash and the celebratory vibe.
Just keep in mind that we will kindly and mindfully be pulling you away for these photos, but how we approach this makes it feel fun and still allows you to be present in your celebration.
Family portraits/touch up for ceremony
Hour Four
Immediate Family Portraits:
We will ask in advance for a short, organized family shot list, so you don’t have to worry if you’ve missed anyone! That way you can just interact with family and let us take on the rest.
Assign a helper:
While we try our best to remember which one is aunt Margaret and what uncle George looks like, it can be helpful to assign a bridesmaid or groomsmen to assist in rounding up the family members.
Time needed
These usually only take 20 to 30 minutes. We like to leave room for natural interactions. Most family is seeing you two for the first time and want to congratulate, hug, kiss, tear up, and we don’t want to constantly rush that because we are on a time table. These are the moments that matter!
Alternative Family Portrait options:
We always encourage ones to make decisions based on knowledge of people. If you feel your family will be ready for photos before the ceremony, the location for photos will be easy for them all to get to (perhaps its at the ceremony location) then lets do it before! However if it feels to0 complicated, right after the ceremony works really great as well. We shift how long to about 15/20 minutes and socializing can happen at cocktail hour.
Tip:
Tell the family members that you would like to be apart of the portraits to either remain after the ceremony for photos or the time and location for photos before ceremony. We recommend letting them know individually, announcing it after the ceremony can lead to ones staying who you didn’t intend to be apart of these specific photos. If you have a large extended family and you want to include them, we can do this at the reception. (you can even let them know this before hand, by saying we will do a big fam photo at reception right after first dances) then just have a one big family photo where everyone is included.
Lets breath before the ceremony:
We like to leave a little room before the ceremony to take deep breaths, grab some water or a snack. Touch up hair and/or makeup and slow the moment down.
Travel if necessary:
We also leave room for travel if needed. No matter the day, no matter the location we always try to get you to your ceremony location at least 20 minutes before.
Time to say “I do”
We will capture guests arriving, ceremony details, and all the moments that are happening that you will be excited to see in your full gallery. The procession, seeing each other again, your dad or loved one giving you away, we photograph all these in a way that brings your story to life when you see it again.
How long:
This varies. Some ceremonies are the full hour, some are a half hour. Depends on if you have everyone walking down the aisle, if you are doing your vows in front of everyone, how long your officiants talk is, etc.
Hour Five
Ceremony
Vow exchange alternative:
If you are interested in doing a private vow exchange, the first look is a great time for that to take place. Some have opted to do a little sneak away and do private vows at sunset.
Cocktail Hour
Hour Six
End of Ceremony and transition into cocktail hour
Here is where you walk back down the aisle and take a little time for you two. This can be just five minutes. Soaking up that you just became husband and wife is big, so we recommend you do this. You can decide at this time to either sneak away and have a small private cocktail hour or if you have scheduled family portraits to take place right after ceremony, we still suggest those 5 minutes of alone time. We will take care of rounding up family.
Friends & Family enjoying refreshments:
Here we capture your friends and family enjoying drinks, laughter, food, and each other. Once your family is all done with portraits they can head over to cocktail hour and you can join or choose to have a private cocktail hour and rejoin your guests for the reception portion.
Tip:
Sometimes it’s nice to have some food and a cocktail privately. Friends and family are going to love on you and take selfies and congratulate you, (which is wonderful) However it makes eating a little difficult, and you're going to be hungry! If you want to join your guest for cocktail hour, take 10 minutes or so to eat privately before joining everyone.
Entrances:
Being announced as husband and wife can be super fun in getting everyone hyped for the evening events.
First dance:
Often this is a good time to lead into your first dance. Sometimes it’s nice to break up the evening and do parent dances a little later. Or you can lead right into them after your dance.
Speeches:
To contribute to the flow of the evening, doing speeches part way through dinner is a great option.
Hour Seven
Reception Highlights
Tip:
Speeches are such an amazing way for your loved ones to express love and support. We are not interested in stifling those expressions, however keeping them to 3 minutes or so can aid in the flow of the night. But if dad wants to carry on cause he cant fit all his love into 3 minutes, we will be capturing it all!
Tip two:
Here we would recommend a day of coordinator. While we assist with timelines and the flow of your day. A coordinator is primarily focused on making sure everything (outside of photos and you) runs smoothly. They take on all the questions of the day, so you can just drink, laugh, hug, and celebrate. Check out our recommendations at the bottom of this guide.
Dancing & final moments
Hour Eight
Dance floor fun
So necessary, those dance floor images are the all out celebrating, fun moments and we love being out there capturing these dynamic memories.
Cake cutting
This can be done privately. Meaning you just don’t announce it, you grab us and we capture some sweet, fun cake love. However, you can totally make a thing of it, whatever you are wanting. Only takes about 5/10 minutes.
Tip:
If you are doing a fun exit that you want to make sure is captured we suggest added on more time to your day, so nothing gets missed! We can totally chat about this and what is going to be best for you and your memories.
A final Note
Weddings rarely run exactly on time - and that’s completely ok, Let’s repeat that, it’s completely ok. First of all we build in a natural flexibility so we can adapt while still capturing everything beautifully. This guide is just a starting point. We will work closely with you to build a timeline that reflects your priorities, and overall vision. Remember, we are here for any questions and support. This is an exciting time, so don’t forget to let it be.
Coordinator Recommendations
Danielle - Day of Coordinator
www.ohmydetails.com