So often I’m asked the question, How should I set up the perfect wedding timeline to get the best photos and experience on my wedding day?
After 15 years of shooting, I’m confident in my trusted timeline rule and want to share it with you and all the soon to be bride and grooms out there!
The 1/2 Hour Rule!
Things are hectic on a wedding day and many things go into play when trying to get all of the necessary and desired photos. This is my basic guideline that takes into consideration all the things that go wrong and all the situations that arise. This considers needing to track down a specific missing relative when it’s family portrait time. How about when mom spills something on her dress and needs time to clean it. When bridesmaids aren’t on time. Groomsmen still at the golf course when we’re supposed to be doing their pre pictures. Or, one of my favorites, the bride meltdown prior to the wedding, including needing to redo makeup! If you use this basic rule, there should be enough time in your day to capture all of your photos, do it in an unrushed manner, and even enjoy it! …even if things are technically not running smoothly. The 1/2 hour rule allows you to have enough time to get what you need and makeup for what you didn’t get at any other point.
So here it is! The basic formula is 1/2 hour for all your basics. Decide what you want in your wedding photos. Do you want candids? Do you want family portraits? Bridesmaid photos? After you have a good idea of which photos you do and don’t want use this guide to decide how much time you should a lot and when to a lot it.
Accessories and getting ready 1/2 hour
Posed bride and bridesmaids 1/2 hour
Groom and Groomsmen 1/2 hour
Family Portraits 1/2 hour
Bridal Party 1/2 hour
Bride & Groom 1/2 hour
Receiving Line 1/2 hour
This will almost always work while planning. One thing you should take into consideration is if you’d like to do many photos at different locations after the wedding. If so, you may need to add 1-2 1/2 hours, depending on the distance from one place to another and how detailed you’d like to get.
12:30-1 Accessories & Getting Ready
1- 1:30 Posed Bride & Bridesmaids
1:30- 2 Groom and Groomsmen Photos
2-3 Wedding
3:30 Receiving Line
3:30-4 Family Portraits
4-4:30 Bridal Party
4:30-5 Bride and Groom
Travel
5:30 Entrance to Reception
6 Dinner
Just remember to take travel into consideration! You can add in 1/2 hour for First Look should you decide to do one.
I’m so happy I could share my 1/2 hour rule. That being said, there are a lot of questions you might still have. I’d love to be there to help you in deciding what will be perfect for you on your wedding day. Feel free to call or email me for help.
