Post # 1
Member
155 posts
Blushing bee
I’m sure this questinon has been posted a million times but i really need help ! Thinking about this has been stressing me out big time. It’s time to transfer all of this from my mind to paper ! I feel so behind, by this time (a bit under 5 months) i should really have an idea of how things will flow the day of my wedding.
Here’s what i know:
I have four bridesmaids, they will arrive at my house ready (2 of them are my sister and cousin and they’ll be there the whole time).
I will not have a first look (cultural thing).
Ceremony will be from 5:30pm-6:00pm (i will most likely write 5:00pm on my invitations b/c i am Dominican and most Dominicans have a habit of always arriving late for some reason. Haha seriously).
Cocktail hour 6:00pm-7:00pm (During this time we will go to a nearby lake for photos)
Reception 7:00pm-11:00pm
The venue is 15-30 mins away from my house depending on traffic. And everything (ceremony,cocktail hr,reception) will be held in the same venue, different rooms.
We are not having a receiving line (need to maximize time for pics) and instead will go to each table to greet guests and take a pic with them (10 tables). I did this before for my 15th bday and it worked out great and saved time.
I can figure out the reception timeline, but i’m not sure by what time i should be ready and how/when to take photographs. We will only have 1 photographer.
Post # 4
Member
719 posts
Busy bee
- Wedding: August 2014 - South Bonson Pier & Community Centre
@MrsC2014: how far away is the lake? an hour for travel and photos does not seem like a lot. have you asked your photographer? they typically have a good idea of timelines.
Post # 5
Member
155 posts
Blushing bee
@_Adelaide_: Yay someone !
I haven’t been to the lake yet but our venue manager said it’s about 5 mins away driving. Yeah that’s what worries me the most that there isn’t enough time for photos. Any suggestions ? I haven’t discussed this with my photographer yet and probably won’t be able to until late December or early January. I just want an idea at least. My MUA wants to know by what time i have to be ready and i also need peace of mind.
Post # 6
Member
738 posts
Busy bee
Are there any spots at the venue that would be ideal for professional pictures? Has your photographer been there/done other weddings there? That’s a good starting point. You don’t need something spectacular in the background; a small field, a patio, something unique to your venue would work as a wonderful backdrop to your photos. This would save you the hassle of traveling even just a short distance. Also, since everything is already happening at the venue, would it be weird for you to leave your guests that are all already there?
Just throwing some things out there to help you think outside the box!
Post # 7
Member
719 posts
Busy bee
- Wedding: August 2014 - South Bonson Pier & Community Centre
@MrsC2014: we’re going to be done with everything half an hour before the ceremony, so i would add half an hour, plus travel time, and then some buffer time for eatting, photos, putting on the dress, and then that’s when you need to have your makeup and hair done by!
Post # 8
Member
155 posts
Blushing bee
@starz88962: Yes, photographer has done other weddings at the venue. There are no spots for pro photos at the venue. It’s not an ugly place but it’s just a standard wedding hall. The inside is better than the outside but inside lighting isn’t ideal for photos.
And no i don’t think it will be weird 🙂 We will exit the ceremony first, like it’s usually done, and guests will exit the ceremony and be directed to the cocktail hour room. When we exit we will go straight to the limo and go take photos. In the meantime guests will enjoy plenty of hors d’oeuvres and an open bar so i don’t think it’ll be weird and i don’t think they would mind at all.
Post # 9
Member
155 posts
Blushing bee
@_Adelaide_: Thank you, i’ll try calculating things that way and see what i get 🙂
Post # 10
Member
2942 posts
Sugar bee
Would your photographer have any time for photos prior to the wedding? We have 3 hours scheduled before our wedding for ours (but we are doing all of ours before the wedding, my mom and I both hate cocktail hours where you don’t see the couple). You don’t need to see your FH, you can just get the ones with just you and the girls done and you and your parents. It will save on time later.
If you only have an hour for photos, have a list, have that list to everyone, have a coraler to get everyone ready for the next photo. Keep it moving.
When/where are you doing your hair? Makeup?
Since you gave your guests a 5:00 start time, your wedding party should be at the cermony site no later than 4:45 to greet those that arive on time. If you don’t want to see people, getting there early will give you more time to hide away in a private room.
Post # 11
Member
1755 posts
Buzzing bee
Assuming your April date you list is accurate, the sun is only just staring to set a little later and you could easily be in a situation where the light is nearly gone and your photos won’t be what you have in mind. If you’re hoping to have outdoor photos and a first look is out of the question, then I’d seriously consider pushing your ceremony back to an earlier time. Or find indoor locations for your photos at your venue instead.
Post # 12
Member
155 posts
Blushing bee
@Cappugcino: I didn’t even think of that ! Ahhh 🙁
The earliest i can have it is 5:00pm … i’ll talk to my photographer and see what we can do about this.
Post # 13
Member
155 posts
Blushing bee
@Misswhowedding: I’m getting my makeup and hair done at my house. When ? Still not sure but i need to decide ASAP. My MUA needs to know. I just need to calculate things, count backwards from the time i need to be at the venue.
My photographer will be available the whole day. She’ll be at my house taking photos of me getting ready, of the dress, etc.
I could definitely get some photos out of the way before the ceremony, that’s a good idea. And then during cocktail hour take photos with FH, photos of both of us with the bridal party and such. I will definitely have a list of required photos !
Do you think i should just give guests the actual starting time (5:30) and hope everyone, or most, will be there?
Post # 14
Member
2942 posts
Sugar bee
Yes. I know it sucks if people arrive late, but I would be much more worried about being a good host to those that respect you enough to show up on time.