Wedding Day Timeline Guide and Template

Getting Ready Photos

Capturing the finer details of your wedding day is a crucial part of preserving its essence. Typically, we kick off the day by focusing on these details. These details often include your paper suite (think invitation, save the date, and envelopes), jewelry, shoes, fabric swatches, heirlooms, garter, and, of course, the engagement and wedding rings.

To ensure a smooth process, I request that you gather all the detail items you'd like photographed and have them prepared and grouped together. A neat trick is to place them in a bag or shoe box in advance and designate someone to hand them over.

If our schedule includes capturing your "getting ready" moments, I recommend tidying up the room where we'll be working prior to my arrival, if possible. Little touches like making the bed, disposing of any clutter, stowing away suitcases, and keeping snacks out of sight can significantly enhance the ambiance of your photographs.

Finally, when it comes time to put on your dress, many brides opt to have a loved one, whether it's their mother, sister, Maid/Matron of Honor, or best friend, assist with zipping up the gown. Setting aside a few minutes for this moment can be a great idea.

To First Look or Not To First Look?

When it comes to planning your wedding timeline, one decision to consider is whether to incorporate a first look into your day. The first look is a beautiful, intimate moment where the bride and groom see each other for the first time before the ceremony. One of the key advantages is that it allows for incredibly emotional and candid photographs capturing your genuine reactions. It's a chance to connect privately amidst the whirlwind of the day.

An advantage of doing a first look is that it allows you to schedule formal group photos prior to the ceremony, instead of afterwards. This means more time for you to enjoy your guests and the festivities during cocktail hour after the ceremony.

However, some couples prefer the tradition and suspense of seeing each other for the first time at the altar. It's a personal choice that can add a unique touch of anticipation to your ceremony. Ultimately, whether to have a first look or not depends on your vision for your day.

If you want to have a private moment with your fiance prior to the ceremony, but don't want to see each other - you could consider doing something like a private vow exchange, or read a letter to each other from around a corner.

Something else to consider could be doing a first look with a parent, siblings, or your friends!