Post # 1
Member
4581 posts
Honey bee
I’m trying to finalize my day-of timeline as I’m getting to the point where various vendors are asking me what the plan is for the day and I hate to keep saying “I don’t know!”
The things I know for certain: 1. Hair and makeup appointment is set for 10:00 AM – I was told it should take two and a half hours, at most, for my girls and myself.
2. Flowers are being delivered to the venue at 1:00 PM.
3. The ceremony will begin at 3:30 PM.
So, my current thinking is to head straight to the venue from hair and makeup (about a 20 minute drive) and get into my dress, then do our first look around 1:30, immediately followed by bridal party portraits up until around 3 – 3:15. Then we’d just need to maybe grab a few more shots after the ceremony.
Does this sound like enough time? Obviously, I plan to check in with my photographer on this matter as well but I’d like to get some opinions as to whether this sounds reasonable or if I need to seriously tweak my timeline. Thanks!
Post # 4
Member
73 posts
Worker bee
Looks like enough time to me, but how many people are there going to be after your first look? Do you have a must have shot list for that time slot? If so, for example if you have a picture with each Bridesmaid or Best Man and your Maid/Matron of Honor, then make sure you have enough time to take a bunch with each girl, etc. Also, have you thought of taking pictures with your family (parents, grandparents, siblings, etc.)? This needs to be addressed soon so that family knows not to leave since they’re needed at a certain time and place for pics.
Post # 5
Member
2583 posts
Sugar bee
That looks like plenty of time to me, though your photographer is definitely the one that will know best about the timing.
Personally, I wouldn’t want to do bridal party pics and definitely not family pics after the first look and before the ceremony- the first look is supposed to calm nerves, get out the emotions, and prepare you guys. Family pictures would just make me go crazy again, though maybe wedding party would be okay.
Post # 6
Member
1826 posts
Buzzing bee
That’s pretty much the exact amount of time we allowed for first look and formal portraits and it was spot on perfect. We started with the first look at 3:30 (we did a few getting ready pictures before that as I got dressed at the venue) followed immediately by formals; we finished up at 5:00 and went back inside to relax before the start of our 5:30 ceremony. It was just enough time without feeling rushed. We did a few more pictures of just my hubby and I after the ceremony but it only took about 15 minutes.
That being said, I had a bridal party of 3 on each side so we didn’t have huge numbers of people to accommodate. If your bridal party is pretty large, I’d factor in an additional ten minutes per person (it didn’t take quite that long with each girl but with the switching in and out, you would probably want to allow for that).
Post # 7
Member
4581 posts
Honey bee
Thanks for the replies. We also have 3 on each side, and I personally don’t think family portraits will stress me out very much – I don’t have any siblings or anything, just my parents and grandmother, if she’s there early enough for pictures.
We’ll have a few minutes after the ceremony to get any pics we missed, but we’re only having a 45 min. cocktail hour and we’re making our grand entrance at 4:30. So while we plan to keep the ceremony short and sweet at no more than 15 – 20 minutes, if it goes over or starts late, that limits our time for wrapping up photos, hence why I want to get as much out of the way as I can prior to the ceremony!
Post # 8
Member
566 posts
Busy bee
Sounds like you have enough time even if somethig runs longer than expected. I have to get working on the timeline. It’s so tricky.