Happy Monday and happy first day of June! This year is just flying by! We have had an amazing 2015 wedding season so far and there is so much more to come!

Today’s Monday Moment is for current and future brides and we are talking about photography timelines. When it comes to planning out your day it can be a tad bit stressful. If you have a wedding planner, which I highly reccommend, then they will help you develop your timeline and we will work with them to plan out when photos will take place. If you don’t have a planner, which a lot of our couple’s don’t, then Matt and I will create that for you. The timeline process can feel like a daunting one, but that’s where we come in and shoulder that for you. We want your day to be fun, relaxed and stress free! Here are some things to consider and be aware of when you are planning your timeline:

*Allow extra time for getting ready. There will more likely be something that takes a bit longer than expected.
*If you have a lot of bridesmaids, then I suggest have more than one hair stylist and/or makeup artist getting them ready.
*Travel time. If the ceremony and reception are in two separate locations, allow for some extra time there.
*Allow some extra time for your photographer to capture the details of the reception before the guests are allowed inside.
*Have a family formal shot list and a family member who knows pretty much everyone there to help gather people. Make sure that everyone who will be in those photos knows where to be.
*Leave some time for portraits. Those photos of the two of you are important ones, so have some time to get those photos.
*Have all your details in one place for when your photographer arrives, i.e. shoes, dress, jewlery, invitations, rings, etc.
*Have your dress on a wooden hanger. It seems like a little thing, but it makes a difference for the look of the photos of your dress.

*LASTLY. Relax and enjoy this important day of your life!

I wanted to include a sample 8-hour timeline that might help you in the planning process.

June Wedding – First Look

2:00 – Matt and Sam begin photographing details, hair, and
makeup. Bridesmaids get ready.
2:00 – Matt photographs guys details and grom getting ready.
2:30 – Bride starts getting into dress.
2:45-3:00 – First look
3:15-3:50 – Bride and groom portraits
3:55-4:25 – Wedding party photos
4:30 – Everyone is tucked away
4:35-4:50 – Sam and Matt photograph reception details
5:00-5:30 – Ceremony
5:35-6:00 – Family Portraits
6:05-6:25 – Bride and groom portraits
6:30 – The party begins!
8:00-8:10 – Sunset photos (It’s the best light of the day so I highly suggest
we go out for a few more photos.)
10:00 – Bride and groom exit. Matt and Sam leave

June Wedding – No First Look

1:30 – Matt and Sam begin photographing details, hair, and
makeup. Bridesmaids get ready.
2:15 – Bride starts getting into dress
2:45 – Bride and bridesmaids are dressed and ready for photos
2:45-4:00 – Sam photographs bridals then bride and bridesmaids
3:00-4:00 – Matt starts photographing the guys detais, a few getting
ready shots and then groom/groomsmen photos
4:00 – Everyone is tucked away
4:00-4:20 – Sam and Matt photograph reception details
4:30-5:00 – Ceremony
5:10-5:25 – Family Portraits
5:30-6:10 – Whole bridal party photos and couple romantics
6:15 – The party begins!
7:45-8:00 – Sunset photos (It’s the best light of the day so I highly suggest
we go out for more photos.)
9:30 – Bride and groom exit. Matt and Sam leave

I hope that helps and gives you some things to consider when planning out your timeline!

Just for fun, here’s a sneak peek of Chad and Christine’s wedding that will be coming to the blog soon!