Wedding Day Timeline for Photography
At sable park photography, we never dictate what your
wedding day timeline should be. But, a well-organized
day can go a long way into getting the best wedding
photographs possible.
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The classic wedding below works very well. Fee free
to tweak it however best fits your needs.
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A few weeks before your wedding, we'll set up a meeting
to go over all the final details and create a flexible photography
plan for your wedding day.
3 hours before ceremony - Photographers Arrive
As soon as possible, I like to check in with you and introduce you to the 2nd shooter. Then, while you're getting ready or just relaxing into your day, we'll start photographing details like jewelry, flowers, attire, decorations and other items of special importance. We also use this time to find the perfect spot for your first look (if you choose to have one).
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Tip - Giving us two sets of your invitations will allow us to photograph the front and back at the same time.
2 hours before ceremony - Getting Ready
This is the time when we love capturing candid images of you and your friends getting ready for your wedding day. You are making final preparations, getting dressed, and bursting with excitement.
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Tip - Don't panic if you've forgotten safety pins or scissors. We bring a supply box with everything from aspirin to wet wipes for just such emergencies.
6 Hours before ceremony - Packed and Prepared
I've finished packing camera bags and wedding kit, printed notes and important information in preparation of the day's shooting.
1 hour before ceremony - First Look / Wedding Party Portraits
A favorite moment for many couples is the first look. It's 10-15 minutes where you can spend some quiet reflection time together in anticipation of the ceremony and celebration to come. It's also a fantastic time to get some beautiful portraits of the two of you. If you decided not to do a first look, we'll use this time for portraits of you and your wedding party (the 2nd shooter will be doing the same with your fiance).
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Tip - Not only is 'first-look' a wonderful way to be close to your partner before the ceremony, having one generally means extra photos of the two of you, AND it gives you the option of taking wedding party photos before the ceremony, leaving more time to socialize with guests during cocktail hour.
15 minutes after ceremony/receiving line
Because we will stay out of your guests way during the ceremony, we may want to take some close-up shots of your ring exchange, or other small details AFTER the ceremony is completed. So we may ask for about 5 minutes or so to recreate these moments strictly for photos.
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Tip - This is a good time to have your families start to gather for family photos.
30 minutes after ceremony
After you've had a chance to catch your breath, get a drink of water and sign your marriage license, we like to take about 30 minutes to capture traditional family portraits, 30 minutes for wedding party portraits and 30 minutes with just the two of you.
For family portraits, we recommend 8 or fewer groups, as each group will take 4-5 minutes to shoot.
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Tip - Make of list of people in each photo and designate someone to gather those people. That way when one group is being photographed, the next group is assembling.
30 minutes before ceremony - Guests Arrive
Most couples like to wait for the ceremony to begin out of sight of their guests. This a perfect time for us to capture the excitement your guests are feeling as they arrive for the ceremony.
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Tip - Consider having an 'unplugged' ceremony and having your guests put away their cell phones and cameras until the reception. We'll give you great photos of your ceremony and attentive guests.
Ceremony
During the ceremony, the 2nd shooter and I will strategically position ourselves to capture multiple vantage points without blocking the view of your guests.
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Tip - outdoor ceremonies provide a beautiful backdrop for an aerial photo of you and your wedding guests. At the completion of your ceremony, have your guests stand and turn to the rear of the space and we'll happily take a photo from above.
Wedding Reception/Dinner
Your guests will be ready to start the celebration. Let's not keep them waiting. Will there be a Grand March? We won't take many photos while people are eating, but we'll be sure to capture toasts and other events.
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Tip - Feed your photographers and other on-site vendors as soon as possible once dinner starts. That way when you're finished eating and ready to move on to other activities, they are ready also.
After Dinner
After dinner, John will cycle through the dance and dining areas while the 2nd shooter operates the photo booth. Depending on the time of year, we may have an opportunity for gorgeous sunset photos of the two of you.
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Tip - If you are planning a late-night event, like a 'sparkler send-off' consider staging it earlier in the evening before most of your guests have departed.
Looking for a wedding or portrait photographer?
Lets see if we're available on your wedding date, and schedule a free engagement session if we are.
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Or check out how much clients have loved their experience with us.