One of the biggest worries a Bride has when planning her wedding is her timeline.  Sure, you’ve been to a lot of weddings, but how many of us really pay attention to timelines if it’s not our day?  No one.  When you book a wedding with me, I can promise you a few things.

1. I will take great care of you.

2. I will subtly dance and definitely sing along quietly to myself while photographing your guests dancing.  And

3.  I am always here to help in any way I can.  The biggest way I can help is with working out your timeline.  I’ve been to a lot of weddings.  A Lot.  I’ve seen what works and what doesn’t.  I am always more than happy to peek over your timeline as you work on it or meet up to go over it to make sure it makes sense.

Here are a few easy tips:

1. 6 hours is a great amount of time if your ceremony and reception are at the same venue.  Even better if you are getting ready there too.  But, it will more than likely not be enough time if your ceremony and reception are in separate locations.  This is one day you aren’t going to want to be unnecessarily rushed and it’s totally worth it to add an extra hour or two to your photography timeline if you think you may need it.

2. I need to arrive at least one hour before you have to leave for the ceremony.  There are a lot of things that need to be documented in that time frame that you probably haven’t even thought of.  You may think it’s not that big of a deal now, but getting into your dress for the first time in front of your friends and Mom is a big deal and your 50 year old self will be kinda mad at you if you didn’t have that photographed to show your kids.

3. When thinking about how much time is needed for photography between the ceremony and reception, at least an hour and a half is ideal.  Sounds like a lot, huh?  Think about the last wedding you were in.  Family formals were about to begin.  The photographer is probably checking the lighting or setting up light stands.  You’ve been in charge of gathering the family members and no one knows where the Bride’s Brother is.  And Grandpa headed out to the car, because he didn’t think he was in the photos.  We have to allow time to gather family members and set up each posed family portrait.  This can be very quick, but it can sometimes take a while.  Mine usually go pretty smoothly (knock on wood), because I always ask you for a final list of family formals before your wedding.  On average, family formals take about 30 minutes, as long as you keep your list to about 15 combinations.  After family formals, we move on to bridal party photos.  In that time, I will take a few different types of photos of the entire bridal party as well as some of just the girls and some of just the guys.  I will also take a photo of the Bride and each of her Maids and the Groom and each of his Men.  I can typically get this done in 30 minutes.  I may be small, but I can command a crowd when needed ;)  Then, ahhhhh, it’s your turn.  First we stop for a minute so you can soak it all in, and then we start taking photos of you and your new Husband or Wife.  This is your time.

4.  Many Brides and Grooms keep me for about 15-30 minutes after the formals dances (ie. First Dance and Parent Dances).  Why?  Because that way, I can get some fun dance shots where people are dancing to Motown or Brown Eyed Girl rather than at 11pm when your Aunt is dropping it to Lil John.  Trust me;  someone will document that ;)

Are you feeling better about your timeline?!  To get a better idea of what I mean, I created a mock timeline below.  You are not limited to these; they are just examples.  If you are getting ready near your future Bride or Groom, I would be more than happy to photograph them before as well, we would just need to make sure there is enough time before.  Or better yet, you can add a second shooter and they will stay with your other half :)

Happy Wedding Planning and Happy Timeline Making!  If you have hired me for your day, I am always here to help!  And if you are looking for a photographer, I am available for worldwide travel – erin@erinschmidtphoto.com

*Fab high five action shot taken by Alora Brown.