The Day, Running Order
I thought it might be a good idea to write this blog as it's not every day you plan and organise a wedding so this is a sample wedding timeline, and what that looks like from the perspective of a wedding photographer. Hopefully, you can take an idea of this/why timelines are so important. Plus, you might be able to use this when making some decisions when planning your wedding! Timelines can vary depending on the time of year you are getting married, the biggest thing is in winter we have less light so earlier ceremonies have a major advantage.
Not only weddings are all different due to, style, more formal, less formal, going more party the list goes on, this is for all couples!
Here’s how it may look on paper if your ceremony is at 12 pm, is a registry wedding and everything is in one location
Hair & Makeup 8:00-10:45 (More bridal parties allow more time and less, well less time is needed)
For two grooms this can take less time but if you are having, ladies as part of your wedding party, please consider the timing for them. I have done weddings when the 2 grooms are getting ready together and apart. (If you decide on having your preparations apart please consider your timings for me to be able to capture you both)
Your Photographer arrives 10am
Getting Dressed 11-11:20
Getting Into Your Suits 11-11:20
For 2 beautiful brides, if you decide on having your preparations apart please also consider the timing for me to be able to capture you both, especially if you would both like a first look.
Final detail photos, 11:20-11:45
Registrar final checks with you at 11:45
The Ceremony 12 pm (20-30 minutes for a registry or 45 minutes to 1 hour for a church ceremony)
After the Ceremony 12:30-1:15 (confetti, group and formal photos)
Reception Drinks and Canapés 12:30-3 pm
Your Wedding Portraits 1:30-2:15
Mingle with Your guest 2:15-3 pm
Wedding Breakfast entrance 3 pm
Speeches 3:15-3:45
Meal 3:45-5:30
Evening Guest arriving 6/6:30
Cut the Cake at 7 pm
First Dance 7:10 pm
Now Everyone On The Dance Floor and Party!
Let me break it down for you a little bit more, but something to remember as you read this is that there are no 2 weddings alike so please don't worry if this doesn't match your plans, also this will change if you are getting ready in another location for your bridal prep, or your wedding is in 3 different location with the ceremony being somewhere else too. One last thing I want to say is we may have to change the timeline as we go due to weather conditions but don't worry I will do my best to give you what you want whenever I can, I will keep you updated with anything you need to know so you can make the final decision that best suits you with all the information to hand to make the informed decision.
Hair & Makeup
You wake up feeling excited and anxious. Today’s your wedding day! You grab a coffee & light breakfast and get started with pre-wedding activities. First things first- hair and makeup. You might choose DIY (like me) or get some professional styling. If you’re having your hair and makeup professionally styled, you can plan on it taking around an hour. That’s just for you. If you have bridesmaids, add an extra 30-45 minutes per. (top tip wash your hair the night before not the morning of your wedding)
When I arrive to start documenting your day, I start by “setting the scene”. I want to tell the story of your day as it actually happened, so when you look back on your photos you can re-live it over and over. All the details matter- where were you at? What were you doing? What was the weather like that day? Who was with you? What was the energy/mood like?
Getting Ready For the Ladies
I’m a believer in allowing extra time for unplanned stuff, maybe your hair and makeup take a little longer than you expected or...
I always recommend that you have everything ready detail-wise to photograph so when I arrive you don't have to stop to gather things together, this could be things like the jewellery you will be wearing, your wedding shoes, the perfume that you have chosen, wedding invitation, your something borrowed, new and something blue?
Getting Ready For The Boys
For the guys, I can do as much or as little as you want. I can take photos of your details, suit hung up, shoes, tie, cufflinks, watch.
Some couples do not want all the traditional shots just a few and others more so always let your photographer know and allow timings for example photos of dad seeing you ready for the first time.
Before the Ceremony
If you are having your preparations at another location just allow extra time to get there for obvious reasons such as traffic and ask the cars that will take you all there to be early too, so they don't have any traffic issues, and please have a parking place arrange so I can park nearby and not miss a thing.
The Ceremony
A typical ceremony with a registrar lasts 20-30 minutes always allow time to speak to them before the ceremony this is so they can check all the paperwork is correct. For some ceremonies, a church wedding can be 45 minutes to an hour or more.
I always position myself to capture your ceremony in a natural, documentary and beautiful way. From walking down the aisle (walk slow
and make sure no one is in front of you so I can capture every emotion and expression) to the reactions when you see each other, the reactions of your parents and guests, to your first kiss as a married couple. I always say never to look at me during the service. This sometimes can not be done if I have been given strict instructions from the person who is doing the leag part of the wedding therefore if you don't want this to happen to speak with them in advance at the time of booking with them and a few days before so its fresh in there memory.
After the Ceremony
If there are hugs and tears I will be looking out for them so I hope no one shies away. From this point, we can gather everyone together for a confetti photo and then straight into a large group shot if possible. I would then say if possible to go straight into your formal photos before everyone disappears this can be done much quicker this way. I am not trying to rush this part but this can be a stressful time for everyone and can feel like it is taking longer than you thought. This way it can be fun and quicker to move on to the drinks and mingling which everyone wants to do. (best to have a list prepared in advance I ask for a list a few months before)
For more tips check out my blog I have done this section alone.
Reception Drinks, Canapes, Guest Entertainment
If your ceremony and reception are in the same place, and we are not driving anywhere to take photos, this means more time to mingle and have fun with your guests. We will adjust time and locations due to the weather conditions, but this is where we will take your family and wedding party photos, Then we go do your couple’s photos. Just remember, the longer we have to do your couple’s photos, we can go to different locations within your venue and have more fun, and beautiful photos too.
If your ceremony and reception are at different locations, or if you plan on travelling to a separate location for photos, you’ll need more time. If your guests have food, drinks and a little entertainment, they’ll be having a great time while you will have an even better time taking your photos I promise!
Ideas for guest entertainment:
Photo booth
Games
Live music
Firepit/roasting marshmallows
Strolling magician/card tricks
Polaroid cameras
Guest signing book or similar
Time capsule for guests to add advice and well-wishes, that you’ll open on your first anniversary.
Portrait / Sunset Photos
15 to 60 minutes, this can take as long or as short as you like but it's obviously less time few pictures of you both looking incredible and may be all in one location. However, more time, more photos of different spots around your venue or taking a little drive somewhere nearby can be possible if time allows. This might sound silly but this may be the only time you get together and be yourself as the rest of your time you will be mingling with family and friends you may not have seen for some time.
Reception Entrance, speeches and...
Your guests have now been seated and are waiting for you to be announced into the room and ready to move on to the speeches.
If you are having a 3-course meal this can take one and a half hours to two hours. So I take this opportunity to take more photos of the details that are in and around the beautiful wedding venue you have chosen.
The Evening
The evening guests are normally invited around 60/30 minutes before the scheduled time of the cake cutting. After the cake cutting, we go straight into the first dance as a married couple. Any other special dances can follow this, and then it's time for everyone to join you and party all night long!
Of course, every wedding is different with a unique timeline. But I hope this sample wedding timeline gives you some idea when planning your wedding day. Please do not take this blog, that you have to do everything listed above I have done weddings with no first dance and sometimes no cake so no cake cutting, plan the day and enjoy the planning as much as the wedding itself.
Nick Georgiou Photography
If you don't know much about me, well let me try and describe my style as a wedding photographer. My approach is documentary style, I am a very easy person to get on with, which will help put you and your guest at ease. This means if you have fun, I will capture it in my favourite way, candid! We will have fun and it will still be beautiful, I'm always looking for real moments to capture real raw emotion from everyone. The key for me is to let you have the best day and I will work my little legs off to capture it the best way I know how!
If you would like to ask me anything then please get in touch I am happy to discuss things in person or over the phone. If would like to check my availability then please let me know your date I will always aim to reply within 24 hours, unless I am on holiday then it might be 48 hours.
If you are still unsure then please take a look at the wedding galleries I have over 30 wedding galleries, enough I think to help you see my style and if it's perfect for your wedding day. If you would like to see my wedding packages then click here to see my options I can also create a personal package if you prefer. I hope you are ready to contact me I always love meeting new people and hearing all about their amazing wedding plans, so please get in touch.
