Wedding Day Logistics & Timelines
PLANNING WEDDING DAY LOGISTICS & TIMELINES
If you’ve been following my blog for a while, you know how much I’ve written about the importance of planning timelines and logistics when it comes to your wedding day. You’ve probably read my posts about planning sufficient portrait time and the benefits of doing a first look on your wedding day. They both touch upon how wedding timelines and logistics are incredibly important to plan out so you can maximize the enjoyment of your day!
Your wedding day is a once-in-a-lifetime event, and naturally, you want to soak up every moment while ensuring you get beautiful photos to cherish forever. One of the biggest factors that can impact your photography—and how much time you have to enjoy your celebration—is your wedding day timeline.
If you’re getting married on-site at your venue, your photography timeline will need to account for all the key moments of the day, including your ceremony, cocktail hour, and reception. The choices you make about your timeline can determine whether you get to enjoy the full cocktail hour or need extra time for photos post-ceremony.
The Cocktail Hour Dilemma: Enjoy It or Spend It Taking Photos?
Cocktail hour is a special time when guests mingle, sip signature drinks, and enjoy delicious hors d’oeuvres. For couples who do a first look, we love to see the newlyweds head right into cocktail hour as soon as their ceremony ends. Portraits will have already been done, so they can maximize the time with their guests. Arturo and I have seen it time and time again; by the time the cocktail arrives, the newlyweds are hungry and want to savor the food and drinks they’re paying for!
For couples who don’t want to do a first look, that means we’ll have to break up the portrait time, doing as many photos as we can before the ceremony, and any remaining ones after. This often looks like taking photos of Partner A with their side of the wedding party and family members, followed by photos of Partner B with their side of the wedding party and family members. After the ceremony, we take any remaining wedding party and family photos that both partners are needed for, followed by newlywed portraits. While this is completely doable, it does require careful planning and may mean missing out on some of that relaxed, celebratory vibe.
The First Look: A Game-Changer for Your Timeline
If you want to enjoy your cocktail hour and still get all the must-have portraits, consider doing a first look. A first look is when you and your partner see each other before the ceremony in a private, emotional moment that’s beautifully captured by your photo and video teams. Here’s how it benefits your timeline:
Maximizes your time with guests: You’ll take most of the day’s portraits before the ceremony, so after you say “I do,” you can head straight to cocktail hour and celebrate!
Eases nerves: Many couples say seeing each other before the ceremony helps calm pre-wedding jitters.
Allows for more portrait variety: Without the rush of squeezing all photos into cocktail hour, you’ll have time for more creative and relaxed portraits in different locations.
Receive more photos: Opting for a first look not only makes for a more relaxed photo timeline but also allows us to capture (and therefore deliver) more portraits in your wedding gallery. Our couples who have done a first look usually receive about 40% more photos in their wedding galleries than those who skip it.
No First Look? Consider a Longer Cocktail Hour or a TIME Gap
If a first look isn’t for you, that’s totally okay! Just be mindful that you’ll need extra time for photos after the ceremony. To make this work smoothly, you can:
Extend your cocktail hour to 90 minutes instead of 60, giving us ample time for portraits.
Add a gap of time between the ceremony and cocktail hour to allow for photos before guests transition to the next part of the celebration.
Every wedding is unique, and the key is to build a timeline that aligns with your vision. Whether you choose to do a first look or not, planning ahead ensures a stress-free day where you can focus on celebrating with your loved ones while still capturing all the moments that matter.
We’re here to help guide you through this process, so don’t hesitate to ask for recommendations! With the right timeline in place, you’ll have a wedding day that flows effortlessly—giving you the best of both worlds: stunning photos and unforgettable memories with your guests!
There are countless details to consider when planning your wedding, and I hope this post helped give you some additional insight to your wedding photography!
ABOUT THE PHOTOGRAPHERS
Shaina Lee Photography is a husband and wife photography team serving Connecticut, New York, and beyond. We specialize in timeless, elegant, and romantic weddings while celebrating all couples in love.
Are you planning a proposal, engagement session, or wedding?
