Starting Your Wedding Day Timeline
Planning a wedding in the UK can be a daunting task, but with careful planning and preparation, you can ensure that your special day is everything you dreamed it would be.
I am a Wedding Photographer covering Suffolk, Essex and Norfolk who has been photographing weddings for several years now. I keep in touch with couples throughout their journey, but most importantly I provide a wedding guide to give you the in's and out's of how to craft your wedding day timeline so it runs effortlessly on the day. I have written this blog with some key tips, but I understand every couples journey is different. Don't fret, I get together with my couples weeks before their day to firm up their timeline, offering advice and suggestions on making it work for them.
Here are some keys elements that are worth thinking about at the very outset of your wedding journey.
What is a Full Day Coverage?
When thinking about your day what is it you want to capture and how do you want your story told. These are key things to bear in mind when planning how your day will pan out. Leaving enough time at these important stages will alleviate some of the stress and allow you to enjoy your day. For most photographers full coverage is 9-10 hours. So as an example of how this might impact your timeline, say you want sparkler or fireworks at the end of the day, however if you have a summer wedding it doesn't get dark enough for fireworks until nearly 10pm. Meaning if you want this captured and you have 10 hours you need to think about whether you would like a later ceremony, say 3pm to ensure its all captured.
This seems like an obvious one, but rarely do I see enough time being left for the bridal party to get photos together, have a dance to some feel good music or just toast to the day. Leave a good half hour, especially if you plan on giving gifts to each other. Its a beautiful moment to treasure.
LEAVE TIME TO
CELEBRATE
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Is there plenty of space and light for all of your wedding crew to fit. Will you need to take turns in front of the mirror. Is there plenty of window light or will you all be elbowing each other out of the way for that flattering day light.
The space you are
getting ready in
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Make sure you chat to your Makeup Artist and Hair Stylist to ask how much each style will take. I have sometimes seen not enough time being left and it all becoming a tight squeeze. Rather than starting at the crack of dawn your creative team will get in additional pairs of hands to make this go smoothly.
the number of bridesmain,
men or persons
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BRIDAL PREPARATION TIMELINE
that traditional, sometimes awkward gap, between ceremony and food
There are an endless different number of opportunities and entertainment you can provide during this part. It generally involves lubricating your guests with some type of alcohol or drink and lots of tiny canapes.
Here is of course the best time to get the formal posed group shots, the ones your Nan has repeatedly asked for. I don't know many people who love them, however when you start to think about these remember it can take 5 minutes per group photo. So I recommend no more than 9 or 10 on your list. Think about whether you want to serve drinks before or after doing group shots, I have often seen a large amount wasted as people put their drinks and then wander off afterwards having forgotten.
a modern Fine art documentary style
with your timeline should things not go as they should and make the most of the time when they have it. Of course if you can, I would recommend a wedding co-ordinator if your venue doesn't provide one. They are absolutely invaluable if you have quite a jam packed day. If you can't divide out your tasks between friends and family. You can make up little cards with a list of responsibilities for each person to keep in their bag through out the day. I've seen this work really well.
I have devastating news for you, not often does it follow your planned timeline, it doesn't matter how meticulous you get. Events will unfold as they are meant to. Whether that's a speech that goes on too long, it happens to rain just at the wrong time or dinner is delayed for one reason or another. Therefore I encourage you to leave an extra 15 or 20 minutes between scheduled events. It really comes in handy to have an experienced wedding photographer like myself than can flex
Remember, it rarely goes to plan
RELAXED WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHY
Thats why you need
suffolk wedding photographer, covering essex and Norfolk
I will do everything in my power to make sure your day runs effortlessly.
I hope this helps you in planning your day and gives you a little more information as to how the photography works in amongst your day. Any questions please do get in touch!
