If you’re getting married, no one needs to tell you that there are a lot of moving parts on the big day. From keeping the champagne cold to making sure your family is all in line for photos, it’s enough to run anyone ragged in the months leading up. If you don’t get your timeline right, moreover, you could lose out on valuable photo ops, a mistake you can’t make up for later. No one wants that! Luckily, a few simple timeline tips can help your Central Florida wedding run much more smoothly.
Block Out Getting Ready Time
Rather than telling yourself “We need to be ready by 3,” plan a specific timeline of events. Hair and makeup from 1-3 PM, for instance, followed by a first look exactly at 3 PM, followed by the ceremony at 3:30. This will make your Orlando wedding photography plan much more successful, and the wedding overall.
Block Out the Main Time Periods on a Checklist
While a typical Central Florida wedding day involves hundreds of small moments and different photos, here are the main phases:
Getting ready: Hair, makeup, dresses, suits, you name it. Capture these special moments to make that wedding album feel real later on.
First look: The first time the groom sees the bride is a special moment. If you choose to have that happen candidly, while the bride walks down the aisle, that’s great. Or you can take a quiet half hour before the ceremony instead.
Ceremony: Exchanging vows must be caught on camera!
Décor: Your reception has been decorated to a turn before guests arrive, so if you want to get photos of it before the crowd descends, this will need to happen before the ceremony. (Or right after, if guests are in transit for a few minutes.)
Cocktail hour: Traditionally this follows getting hitched, and is a charming time where toasts get made and guests get (hopefully only a little) tipsy.
Dinner: You may want to get some photographs of plates and happy guests, or you may prefer your photographer to eat during this time so they can be ready for the real action once dinner is over. It’s something to discuss during your meeting with them.
Cake cutting: Often the happy couple’s favorite pictures are from this time, so choose an Orlando wedding photographer who knows how to capture those moments best.
Sunset or night photography session: Your location and time of day will determine whether you take these photos, so ask your photographer about them.
Dancing: This is when some of the most amazing, candid and memorable photos happen, so make sure you book a photographer who can stay for at least part of it.
Departure: Some people plan a little something for departure, whether that’s a boat or car exiting the scene, some fireworks, or even a horse and buggy. Obviously you’ll want to get that on camera!
Put Someone Trustworthy in Charge of the Checklist
Who is in charge will depend on the kind of help you have that day. If you have a wedding planner, that’s an obvious person who should have the checklist. Anyone else who is heavily involved – the maid of honor, mother of the bride, etc. – should also have one. And your photographer should get one beforehand so they can keep the photos on track as well.
A photography timeline meeting can help ensure your wedding runs according to plan. Before you book a Central Florida wedding photographer, make sure they offer a sit-down planning session so you don’t miss any of those cherished moments on the big day. Have questions? Feel free to get in touch and learn more!
New here? My name is Zac Wolf. I’m a New England and Orlando wedding photographer capturing your love through joyful, vibrant, and honest wedding, elopement, and engagement photography. I use my blog to share tons of vibrant engagement, elopement, and wedding photo ideas for inspiration, along with honest tips for wedding planning coming from a wedding photographer with over a decade of experience in the wonderful world of weddings. It also gives you a chance to see what it would be like to work with me as your wedding photographer. I would love to work with you one day! Contact me here.
About Zac Wolf Photography: New England and Orlando Wedding Photographer
Hi, I’m Zac, a New England and Orlando wedding photographer capturing your love through joyful, vibrant, and honest wedding photography. I make magic with your photos––regardless of the venue, the weather, or how you feel in front of the camera––I know how to make your photos look how you feel.
With me as your wedding photographer, you can enjoy the present moment of your special day and count on me to capture everything you’ll want to remember in the years to come. My 10+ years of experience as an engagement, elopement, and wedding photographer in Central Florida, New England, and across the country means I know how to make the process go as smoothly and easily as possible for you.
I can’t wait to capture your love. Let’s work together.