Wedding Day Photography Timeline: Tips from Your Sacramento Wedding Photographer

Are you working on your wedding day photography timeline? Then you’ve come to the right place! Today, I’ll share all my insider tips for creating a seamless timeline that will keep your wedding day running smoothly and make it easy for your photographer to capture all those incredible photos you can’t stop dreaming about. So, buckle up for a crash course in wedding day timelines!

My Top 6 Tips for Your Wedding Day Photography Timeline

1. Preparing for the big day

Your details should all be gathered in one place, ready for your photographer to start shooting first thing. This means collecting your dress, special (not plastic) dress hanger, stationary, rings, shoes, bouquet, boutonniere, jewelry, veil, tie, perfume, cologne, vow books, and any other small, sentimental, or aesthetic items you’ve put thought into but won’t necessarily see in the big-picture photos.

2. Getting ready

The most important thing here is not to rush. Getting dressed always takes longer than you anticipate once you factor in spandex shapewear, fashion tape, tricky buttons, stubborn laces, uncooperative cufflinks, and temperamental ties. So, give yourselves a little extra time to breathe, look in the mirror, and take yourself in as a bride or groom about to get married. Plus, you just know Mom will cry and need an extra-long hug!

3. First Looks

These are moments I never want to rush. I always allow at least fifteen minutes for the first look.  Take each other in, hug, kiss, laugh, breathe, and really get excited about getting married! Also, while we’re here, let’s grab a couple of romantic shots. Or we can even capture some private vows before you are surrounded by people for the rest of the day

4. Ceremony

If you remember only one thing from this blog, please let it be this: Do not forget to remind your officiant to step out of the way for your first kiss!! This is your moment; no one wants it spoiled by a third wheel in the middle of the photos. So, please, officiants everywhere, remember to move your caboose after announcing the kiss!

5. Family Photos

This is a big one! I know how important it is to capture your people on your wedding day. And I want to help you remember all the people who helped make this wedding happen, who brought you two together, and who helped you become the people you are today. So, give enough room in your wedding day photography timeline to get all those family photos you’ll cherish forever.

6. Dancing

The best way to get incredible, epic dancing photos is to get yourself on the dance floor! When the bride and groom are on the dancefloor, everyone else follows. Also, hire a DJ who can keep a party’s energy up. If your DJ knows how to read the room and select the perfect next song, it’ll make all the difference! Lastly, choose a great, crowd-pleasing, high-energy song to set the tone and start the night’s open dancing.

Bonus Tips from Your Photographer for a Seamless Wedding Day

As you finish ironing out your perfect wedding day photography timeline, here’s a little extra advice to make the day-of photo process as easy as possible:

Bonus Tip #1: Create a fine-tuned list of who you want in family photos

Do this ahead of time and consult the mothers, grandmothers, and any family members who may try to add to the list on the day of. Family photos go so much more smoothly when we have a solid list and don’t stray from it. Of course, we can add extra photos if YOU want to, but it’s best to keep this portion of the day moving quickly so we don’t run out of time to capture everything on your list. Then we can get you all to cocktail hour and on to enjoying the rest of your day. ***Remember, if you want candid photos with your people, cocktail hour is the best time for this!

Bonus Tip #2: Let them know

Make sure that every single person on that family photos list knows that they will be in the family photos. No one wants to chase after Uncle Joe at the bar or spend an extra fifteen minutes hunting down stray siblings!

Bonus Tip #3: The photographer’s helper

Assign a family member or close friend to be my photographer’s helper during family photos. Having someone who knows everyone to help me coordinate groups, collect the right family members for each photo, and double-check that we don’t forget anyone makes the family photo process move so much quicker and smoother. Ideally, we want my second shooter to be at cocktail hour getting candid photos of your guests, and having a family member to assist me with family photos makes that possible!

Bonus Tip #4: First Looks

Finally, here’s my last tip: do a first look. If you’re on the fence about whether or not to do a first look, do it! This way, we can take care of family photos and bridal party photos before the ceremony. Ultimately, this will allow you to enjoy your cocktail hour and get candids with your chosen family, family members, and friends—some of my personal favorite shots of any wedding!

And that’s it! If you take these tips into account while planning your wedding day photography timeline, your photographer will thank you. I know I will! And your wedding photo gallery will be everything you want it to be and your day will be seamless! You can learn more about my wedding photography process and packages here. Then, let’s connect! I’d love to help you plan and capture your big day!