~ Sample Photography Timeline for a 2pm Saturday Wedding ~
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We created this timeline to give our clients a tool to figure out exactly how much coverage they need. We have filled in sample times to give you a feel for how much time the entire process takes. Use the blank lines to the left to enter your own times and be sure to fill in the blank lines with the time that you want the photography to begin and to end.
Time Event
____ 9:30am Bride and Bridesmaids arrive at salon.
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____ 12:00pm Pictures w/Groom & Groomsmen (for the sake of this timeline, this is when the photography begins).
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____ 12:45pm Exit Groom (Groomsmen stay), enter Bride and Bridesmaids for pictures.
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____ 1:30pm Bride goes back into waiting area as guests arrive.
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____ 1:30pm Photographer gets shots of the guests arriving and detail shots.
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____ 2:00pm Ceremony begins.
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____ 2:30pm Ceremony ends.
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____ 3:00pm Formal pictures of Bride and Groom together followed by formal pictures of the entire bridal party. This is where it starts getting long, because you suddenly remember that you want pictures of the bride and the groom and his nieces, and another with just your nephews, and another with all the nieces and nephews.
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____ 4:00pm Leave for reception (the couple who booked for only 4 hours just ran out of coverage).
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____ 4:20pm Arrive at reception.
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____ 4:25pm Bridal party is announced by the DJ and make their entrance.
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____ 4:45pm Exhausted and hungry Bride and Groom finally get to sit down and eat. (Usually at this time my assistant and I will take a 15 minute break).
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____ 5:10pm Cake cutting and eating.
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____ 5:30pm Toast.
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____ 5:45pm Bride and Groom's First Dance.
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____ 5:50pm Father-Daughter dance/Groom-Mother dance.
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____ 5:55pm Bridal Party Dance (the couple who booked for 6 hours just ran out of coverage).
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____ 6:15pm Bouquet toss.
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____ 6:30pm Garter toss.
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____ 6:45pm Bride and Groom finally get to spend time with family and friends.
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____ 8:00pm Bride and Groom leave.
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There are variations on this theme of course, if the wedding and reception are at the same place it cuts down on travel time, The number of bridesmaids and groomsmen a couple has will have an effect on how long the formal photos take. Some brides and grooms will have a "dollar dance" or other meaningful events at their reception, this is why we suggest a minimum of 6 hours of coverage, with 8-10 hours being ideal for the Bride and Groom who want every minute covered.