Amanda McMahon | Wedding photographer | How a Wedding day works

When we get inquiries, a lot of the time, we help the clients create a rough timeline of what their day would look like. This helps them figure out how many hours coverage they may need and what the ideal timing would look like on our end.  The more time for photos;the better, but we don’t always get that. It is super important, however, to really work with our couples to make sure we are both on the same page and have a very clear cut idea on what is going on and when. Plus, it gives peace of mind for both me as a photographer and the couple to feel assured we know where to be  and at what time.

Here’s how a wedding timeline would ideally look for us (based on the average 8 hour coverage)

10am- Bride gets hair done

11am- bride gets makeup done

*11:30am- photographer arrives and starts shooting getting ready, makeup shots

12-1pm- Detail shots, bride gets dressed

1-1:30pm- Bride and groom first look (where the bride and groom see each other for the first time in private) and portraits

1:30-2:00- Bridal party photographs

2:00- head to ceremony site

2:30- Ceremony starts (usually I am found in the middle of the aisle as the party enters, then move around to get behind bride and groom as they are at the altar)

3:00- ceremony ends/family photographs at ceremony site start (generally, I take 20 minutes for these)

3:30- few more bride and groom shots if time

4:00- reception starts, bride and groom enter, first dance

5:00- Dinner served (we generally will eat  towards the end of serving and then re group to continue with reception)

6:00- more formalities at reception/dancing

7:30- Photographer is done for the night

8:30- reception is done. Typically, we don’t stay right to the end unless the bride and groom have a special exit or request this.

(I didn’t know my thumb could do that!)

So- there you have it.  A few people have asked “Why don’t you stay the whole time at the reception?”

Simple answer: unless the bride and groom want the extra coverage, have a special exit, or just specifically request it, there is really no major need for it.  During the first 2 hours of a reception, there are the formalities (cake cutting, first dances etc) and dancing usually, so we get everything, but generally, unless you want 1000 more dancing photos….couples just dont see the need to keep us there.  We have this 50% of the time.  Half the time we’re there til the end, and half the time, we aren’t. Just a personal preference.

 

Another is “How long do you think we should give for portraits before and after the ceremony?”

Answer:  The more, the better, but we understand everyone has certain restrictions.  IF you’re doing a first look (and we hope you do!) then we typically suggest and hour before to allow for the first look and portraits as well as bridal party shots.  Hour and a half if you can! After the ceremony is when we will do the family shots, typically ranging 20-30 minutes depending on size.

If you’re not doing a first look, then we will do individual bridal party shots (bride and bridesmaids, groom and groomsman) prior to the ceremony and then after the ceremony which would be 30 minutes or more, and then after the ceremony we would ask for at least an hour and a half for bridal party, bride and groom, and family shots.  This is ideal, but is not always the case.

Another tip- If your budget allows for it, get a Day of Wedding Coordinator or wedding planner. For the reason above, no one wants me up under their hot dress bustling, but a girls gotta do what a girls gotta do! When I am needed, I am there.

lots of love,

Amanda