Photo by Jess
Wedding Day Guide
Welcome to the Photo by Jess family!
We are going to have so much fun creating a gorgeous library of authentic, timeless images of you and your person. I want you to be obsessed with every photo and a little prep work goes a long way.
You will find helpful tips as you scroll down, as well as what you can expect when it comes to the wedding photography timeline.
Once your wedding timeline is finalized, you can submit my Wedding Details Form.
I will reach out to you about a month before the wedding to send a reminder with this link.
Example Timeline
2 hours- Bride getting ready & portraits.
30 min/1 hour- Groom getting ready & portraits.
1 hour- Traditional ceremony.
20 minutes- Family photos.
1 hour- Formals & wedding party.
15 minutes- Venue decor.
45 minutes- Cocktail hour.
1.5 hours- Dinner & speeches.
1 to 2 hours- First dance, dancing, cake, bouquet & garter.
A first look will only take a few minutes at the beginning of your formal hour.
Also, consider the time spent driving between locations.
Effortless visuals come from intentional planning.
A good timeline isn't about cramming the day full, it's about making sure there's space to be in it. Rushed days don't feel romantic. Time isn't only about more photos, it's about letting the day unfold naturally.
Getting Ready + Details
I normally start with the getting ready photos 1-2 hours before the ceremony or first look if we're at one location. 2 hours before is best if we will also be taking photos with your bridesmaids, take bridal portraits and have to drive to the ceremony site. Remember, putting on your dress and accessories alone takes about 20 minutes.
I recommend getting ready at a location filled with natural light and, if possible, keep the space free from clutter so there are no distractions in your photos while you're finishing hair/makeup and putting on your dress. Remember, your locations ARE your photos. Spacious hotel rooms work great. If hair & makeup are already done when I arrive, that will not be an issue since we will stage a few photos.
It would be great if you could put your rings, jewelry, shoes, veil, perfume, invitations, vows, or other keepsakes together in one spot for me, along with your dress, so I can make sure to photograph all the important things without interrupting your hair and makeup process. Don't forget to get a wooden hanger or dress form mannequin for your dress (plastic hangers don't look great). If you have the option to have your bouquet delivered to your getting-ready location, that would be great since we will also take a few bridal portraits once you're dressed (if the location and time allows). Make sure that your bridesmaids, parents, anyone helping you, are fully dressed before you put on your dress.
If the grooms' preparation photos were agreed on; his list of items could include his shoes, socks (if they're unique), cuff links, tie/bow tie, pocket square, cologne, vows, ring (if not with yours already) and anything else that is special. The groom should be about 80% ready when I show up. The groom's photos can take about 30 minutes on average, and we would need to adjust the bride's start time to capture both. Please consider the driving time between the locations.
A tip for the groom and groomsmen; keep your pant pockets empty throughout the day. Phones, wallets, keys, etc. will make your pockets look bulky in the photos.
Scheduling
Your ceremony time will direct how the day will lead. If it's early enough, great. We can take your formal photos between the ceremony and the reception. But if your ceremony flows into your dinner, you should probably consider having a "first look" if there isn't going to be enough time for your formal photos. Another reason would be if it will be past sunset when the ceremony is over. A first look is very intimate and will be a very special moment shared between you two. I will help guide you through it and make sure it's set up and done beautifully. It in no way takes away from the moment when you walk down the aisle. Getting the formals done beforehand will also allow me to cruise through the festivities with candid shot's that you'll love. Plus, it usually allows me to sneak into the reception area during cocktail hour, or before guests arrive, so that I can photograph all your hard work for the decor!
If you would just rather have your photos taken during cocktail hour, I'm good with that too. Just make sure you make time for your formal photos. Being rushed takes away from the creativity and variety. 1 hour would be ideal, but no less than 30 minutes.
Family group photos are usually done immediately after the ceremony, and can take about 15 to 20 minutes on average. Make sure you let them know so that they will be ready. Hunting down people will slow us down.
Photos with your bridesmaids & groomsmen can take up to 20-30 minutes if it's a large group, in addition to the time for formals of just you two. It's a good idea to have your wedding party photos taken following the first look, if we go that route.
If you choose a traditional aisle reveal; all I ask is that you keep your ceremony time, formals and sunset time in mind when planning your schedule. Daylight is crucial to getting amazing portraits. Making sure we have daylight, and allow for driving time if we have to go to a separate location for formals, is also vital to ensure that portraits are not rushed, and not rushing allows for creativity in the different areas the venue or location offer.
Golden hour/sunset photos are still a must IF the venue location is set up for it! During the last ten minutes before sunset, I would love to sneak you two out for a few photos. Think of it as a little break for just the two of you to embrace. Trust me, these are quick and worth it!
Send-Off Ideas
If you are planning on having a night time send-off at the reception; what you might not know when you see all those fun exit photos on Pinterest... is that most of them are mock exits. This can be done with your guests, or with just your wedding party and immediate family. That way you are not having to disrupt the dance and pull everyone out, and you won't have to worry about guests who will be leaving early. This allows me to have more control over these shots, all while the party can keep going. In most cases, no one even notices you're missing for a few minutes. This is the best option for those who want these photos but your dance doesn't end until after midnight.
Sparklers are the more common choice for night time send-offs. If you plan on using sparklers, get the big ones! Having a small torch will be a life saver when it comes to lighting them at the same time and if there is wind. Some alternative choices to sparklers that photograph great are LED fiber or ribbon wands, LED foam sticks, light-up bubble machines, lantern release or rice paper confetti canons, lots of streamers, just to name a few.
An alternative to a night time send-off is to have one when you walk out of the ceremony, and all of your important people will already be there. This is done either in front of the church, or walking down the aisle for outdoor ceremonies. For daytime send-offs, rice paper confetti works beautifully. It's biodegradable and eco friendly (dissolves with water). It's lightweight and slow-falling nature creates stunning and long-lasting photo opportunities (unlike heavy rose petals that fall a lot faster). Other choices that work great are bubble machines, confetti canons, streamers, dried lavender or herbs, or ribbon wands.
If you decide to have a send-off, tip is to give your guests plenty of what you will be using; fists full of rice paper, double sparklers or wands, etc.
Extra
Keep in mind that there is no need for me to stay until the end of the dance. Dancing/mingling photos only become repetitive after a short while, and I don't stay past midnight. I will be done for the day once the key highlights of the evening are done (I.e. the first dance, cake cutting, toast, bouquet toss, etc.) or when my booked time is up, whichever comes first. The only time I stay after the key highlights are done is when we planned for a send-off.
In case the timeline falls behind on your wedding day and you need another hour at the last minute, we can do that too. The invoice will be sent the following day and will be due upon receipt.
If the forecast is calling for rain, fear not because rainy days can still be beautiful, and is rumored to be a sign of good luck! I recommend getting a few clear umbrellas on Amazon. Rainy days may require a bit more flexibility and creativity, but there isn't any reason why they can't be as beautiful as sunny weddings! I will always have one clear umbrella ready for my couples though if light rain is expected.
I hope this little guide serves as a resource for you as we plan and prepare for your wedding day. If you need help with recommendations on other vendors or ideas, let me know! As the photographer, I get to see almost everything since I am the the one who's there from beginning to end.
So happy you chose me to photograph your big day! I don't take it lightly and I am so excited for you both. I want you to know that I am here for you throughout the wedding process, and I will help however I can! If you have any questions along the way, whether they are photo related or not, please feel free to reach out to me at any point.
Happy Planning!
-Jess
