Wedding Day Timeline For a First Look

1:00-3:30pm Photographer arrive for getting ready photos

3:30-4:30pm Formal photos including first looks, family, wedding party, and couples portraits

4:30-5:00pm Get ready for wedding ceremony

5:00-5:30pm Wedding ceremony

5:30-6:30pm Cocktail hour

 6:30-6:45pm Introductions and first dance

6:45-7:45pm Dinner, and toast during salads before the main course

6:50-7:00pm Golden hour photos

7:45-8:00pm Parent dances

8:00-10pm Open dance floor

10:00pm - Sparkler exit

My typical wedding day starts well before I start shooting. I like to check in with my couples around 11am say Hello, confirm start times, and get room numbers. Its a wedding in the Boston area I will leave 3-4 hours before my start time.

1:00-3:30 pm Getting Ready :  I like to get to start getting ready photos no less than 90 minutes before the bride & groom is completely done getting ready. This give me time to photograph details like your invites, wedding dress, jewelry etc… During this time I’m photographing candids, toasts, opening of gifts. As well as last minute hair and makeup touch ups.

3:30-4:30 pm First Look / Formals : I believe a little pre production goes a long way. Before the wedding I gather a list of important family photos you’d like me to take. No matter the size of the family I’m confident say that I can complete your family photo list within 15 minutes. I then will spends about 10 minutes with the wedding party. I keep these photos simple. The last 15 minutes or so of the hour is spent taking some relaxed portraits of just the two of you.

4:30-5:00 pm Relax : It’s always nice for the couple & family to have a few minutes to relax, and freshen up a bit before for the ceremony. I use this time to get all my camera equipment ready. Walk around the ceremony location to see where the best light is.  

5:00-5:30 pm Ceremony : Once guests start to arrive to the ceremony location we start taking candids of people. When you have two photos I like to have us spaced out a bit give you many different angles and coverage. Before the ceremony starts I like to speak with the person who will be marrying the two of you. Of the the things that will give awesome photos is giving me access to roam a bit. I don’t need to be standing right next to you but being able to have 360 degrees access to to the ceremony location allow me to create unique photographs. Once the ceremony starts I look for unique angles, emotion, and light.

 5:30-6:30 pm Cocktail Hour:
At this time I am are documenting all the different conversation of guest. Also I like to take take details of the room, food and some overall scene setting shots.

 6:30-10pm Reception: The reception is one of my favorite times of the day! Everyone is there to party and have a good time, which makes for great photos! I’m there to document the reception as it unfolds, including, first dances, toast and dancing photos. If there any other request we can take this at this time as well.

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