Let’s be real with each other for a moment… Wedding planning can be so confusing & overwhelming. If you’ve never planned a wedding before there isn’t a reason for you to know what you’re doing. Among the 1,000 decisions you’ll have to make one of the biggest will be your timeline.
One of the things we walk everyone of our #KAcouples through is how to plan their wedding photography timeline. We’ve seen countless wedding days and know what works & what doesn’t. So, to help you out here’s a few tips we’ve learned in our years as wedding photographers:
Prioritize
Your wedding day will only allow you so much time for photos. Taking light & how many hours you’ve paid your photographer for it’s important to break it down to what’s most important. Plan ahead if you have an extra big family or bridal party to include time for that. If you’re really excited about sunset photos as husband & wife, then set that time aside. Really it comes down to what’s most important to you.
Leave Wiggle Room
The number one tip we have for you today is to not shortchange yourself. You won’t want to make your day feel so busy & stressful by cutting it close on time. Your wedding day will already be flying by. Leave some wiggle room in case someone is late for photos, hair & makeup goes over time, or if something else were to happen. Better to leave extra time than to be rushed on your big day.
Consider All Your Options
There are a lot of different categories for photos you can include in your timeline. We break down every wedding day into at least these following photo sets: wedding details, first look, couples photo, bridal party, family, ceremony & reception. Breaking it down even further we also love making time for sunset photos or husband & wife photos. It’s a time to celebrate the fact you’re married & let it all soak in!
Just think through all these categories & options. What is important to you? Want to add a first look with your dad or bridal party? Are you bringing your pets? Make sure to let your photographer know if you’re wanting to add any of these. You can also ask for more ideas!
Trim It Down
We’ll try to say this nicely… you don’t need a photo with every 3rd cousin. Yep, we said it. Don’t be afraid to cut out photos you don’t really care about or consolidate. Want a photo with all your aunts & uncles? Make it a group photo and save yourself 5-10 minutes! It’s totally worth it.
You can trim down several parts of the day like this. Some family photos and photos with friends can be saved for the reception. Just ask your photographer for their recommendations.
Make Time For Yourselves
Don’t let the day pass you by without creating a little alone time. With all that’s going on: all the people hugging you, the party, the photos… make time for you & your spouse to just soak it all in. Whether that’s a private meal, 5 minutes alone after your first look, or sunset photos you won’t regret it.
Blessings,
Katie & Alec
If you’re looking for more tips for wedding planning check out our blog series just for brides here!
