Time allocation in your wedding is a crucial point in planning your wedding day to ensure a smooth and stress-free flow of the day's schedule. With over 600 weddings under our belt, and 10+ years of experience in the wedding industry, we’ve seen what works and what may cause stress to the couple.
Remember!!!
Allow 15 - 20 minutes of buffer time between each part of the day, whether it’s getting ready, travelling, or moving between locations. This gives you space to breathe, fix any delays, and enjoy the moment without feeling rushed.
Here’s a simple guide for your run sheet to help you plan your day with ease.
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Groom / Partner 1 Preparation -
Recommended Time (45 to 60min)
We dedicate this time to capturing the partner 1 and his party in a relaxed, candid style.
What We'll Capture:
- The Details (10-15 mins): We'll start by photographing the key details. Please have your rings, shoes, watch, cufflinks, tie, perfume, and any other special items grouped together for us.
- Candid Moments: We'll capture the natural interactions and atmosphere as the groom and groomsmen get ready, share a drink, or relax.
- Getting Ready: We'll capture the final stages of getting dressed—putting on the jacket, fixing the tie, adjusting cufflinks.
- Portraits: Once the groom is dressed, we'll take a few dedicated portraits of him alone, followed by group photos with the groomsmen.
- Family: If parents, siblings, or other family members are present, we'd love to capture a few photos with them before we depart.
Pro-Tip: A tidy, well-lit room makes a huge difference. We recommend tidying up any clutter (bags, food wrappers, etc.)
Bride / Partner 2 Preparation -
Recommended Time (60 to 90min)
This is one of the most exciting parts of the day, and we want to ensure we have ample time to capture all the beautiful details and emotions.
What We'll Capture:
- The Details (15-20 mins): Like with the partner 1, we'll begin with the details. Please have your dress (hung somewhere lovely), veil, shoes, rings, bouquet, perfume, and invitations ready for us.
- Final Touches: We time our arrival for the final stages of your hair and makeup. This allows us to capture the last touches.
- Candid Moments: This is the perfect time for fun, celebratory photos with your bridesmaids—wearing robes and popping a bottle of champagne is a classic shot for a reason!
- Getting Dressed: A highlight of the morning. We'll capture the special moments of you stepping into your gown and having your parent or Maid of Honor help with the buttons or lacing.
- Portraits: Once you are fully ready, we will take stunning portraits of you alone, showcasing the complete look.
- Group Photos: We'll finish with photos with your bridesmaids and any family members present.
Pro-Tip for Perfect Timing: To ensure a relaxed pace, we highly recommend scheduling your hair and makeup to be completely finished 15 minutes before our team is scheduled to arrive. This allows us to take some mock shots without anyone feeling rushed.
A Critical Note: Travel Time
When planning your timeline, please be generous with travel time.
- Allow time for our team to travel from the first preparation location to the second (if they are different).
- Factor in travel time for everyone (you, your bridal party, and our team) from the preparation locations to the ceremony.
- We always recommend adding a 15-20 minute buffer to any travel estimate to account for traffic, parking, or unexpected delays.
The Ceremony
Our Arrival: We always arrive at the ceremony venue 20-30 minutes before the official start time.
What We Do: This buffer is crucial and allows our team to:
- Set up our cameras and test our positions.
- For videography, this is essential for setting up microphones and audio recorders to capture your vows clearly.
- Capture "establishing shots" of the venue, the decor, and the guests as they arrive.
- Ensure we are in the perfect position, ready for the moment the processional begins.
The duration of the ceremony itself is unique to you, and we'll be there to capture every key moment, from the walk down the aisle to your first kiss as a married couple.
Family & Group Photos - Recommended Time (15 – 20min)
The best time for family photos is almost always immediately after the ceremony. Guests are all in one place, and we can move through the combinations efficiently.
To keep this part smooth, stress-free, and quick:
- Make a List: Short list of the essential family photo combinations you want (e.g., "Bride & Groom + Bride's Parents," "Bride & Groom + Both Sets of Parents," "Bride & Groom + Siblings") etc.
- Appoint a Helper: Nominate a family member or friend (who knows the key people) to help gather everyone. This lets us focus on the photo and allows you to relax.
This preparation ensures we get everyone you want without taking you away from your guests for too long.
Location Portraits (The Outdoor Shoot) -Recommended Time (60 - 90min)
This is our creative time together! It's when we capture those stunning, romantic portraits of you and your bridal party.
- Timing: This session typically takes place right after the Family Photos, before you head to the reception.
- Locations: To make the most of our time and keep the day flowing, we highly recommend choosing one or two key locations that are close to each other.
- Bridal Party: The more people in your bridal party, the more time we'll need for group combinations. We'll work quickly to get the "must-have" group shots first, so you can spend the rest of the time focusing on your portraits.
Pro-Tip: The Magic of "Golden Hour"
If your timeline allows, we highly recommend sneaking out of your reception for just 10-15 minutes during "golden hour" (the hour just before sunset).
This is when the light is at its softest and most magical. The timing changes with the season, but we can plan this when we build your final timeline. These often become the most breathtaking photos of the entire day.
The Reception
Our Arrival: We will arrive at your reception venue 15-20 minutes before guests (or before you arrive). This is crucial for capturing the room, the cake, and all the beautiful décor untouched.
What We Cover: Our coverage is focused on the key formalities. When planning your package hours, we recommend ensuring we are there to capture:
- The Bridal Party & Couple's Grand Entrance
- Speeches & Toasts
- Cake Cutting
- First Dance
- Parent Dances (if applicable)
After the formalities, we'll capture the energy of the dance floor!
Do you need us till the end ?
Unless you have a specific grand exit planned (like a sparkler send-off), you may not need full coverage until the very end of the night.
A Crucial Tip for Perfect Speeches
This is one of the most important pieces of advice we can give for your film and photos.
Please schedule speeches to happen before or after the meal services.
Why?
- Audio Quality: When guests are eating, the sound of clinking cutlery and glassware is impossible to remove from the audio. This will overpower the speaker's voice in your wedding film.
- Guest Attention: Guests are (understandably) distracted.
- Our Coverage: We can't capture the beautiful, emotional reactions of your guests if they are looking down at their plates.
For clear audio and to capture all the laughs and tears, schedule speeches when guests are fully present and engaged.