There are so many factors that go into planning a wedding day that can be totally overwhelming…I know it in full, because first I WAS a bride, and then I helped coordinate and plan multiple friends weddings, and now I photograph them! And one thing I have learned about being a wedding photographer is that you wear MANY hats as one!  So I always try to help my brides as much as possible with various aspects of planning- ESPECIALLY the timeline! It can absolutely make or break your wedding day- and your photographs!

There are many parts to the timeline of your day, but I am talking about the most essential-to-wedding-photography one today…PORTRAIT TIME!  These blocks of time may be split up throughout your day depending on if you decide to do a first look or not, but the amount of time needed is the same!  Disclaimer–these are totally just MY preferences as a photographer, I’m sure each wedding photographer would have slight differences depending on the way they shoot and what they prioritize, but for me, this is what gives you the most quality images for what you have: a day with a LOT to fit in and not a lot of time to do it! My brides have been SO amazing and given me so much time to give them many amazing portraits and I am so grateful for it! There are 3 areas I am going to talk about in this post: Family Portraits, Bridal Party Portraits, and Bride and Groom Portraits (my favorite)!

1). Family Portraits.  This one varies a bit more than the others depending on your family size. But generally, most weddings with a well organized plan can accomplish these images in 25-30 minutes!  You want to make sure your photographer has the breakdown of who you want images with (I prefer by name so I can call and organize people myself without the bride having to do this stressful job!), and even more importantly, you want to make sure someone has told those family members who does- and who does NOT- need to stay! There is nothing worse than Great Aunt Jane and her husband and 5 kids sticking around because they think they are going to be in pictures, only to never be called up, or someone not being there that you wanted. I usually ask my brides to assign someone from each side- often the moms- to make sure everyone knows when and where to go, and to run interference if needed!
I generally tell my brides that I can accomplish 10 different set-ups in this time frame. So, for example, Bride+Groom and Brides parents is 1.  Add brides siblings is 2.  Add Grandparents is 3, and so on and so forth. Unless you are wanting individual pictures of various strands of your family (you, your sister, and just her kids- then your brother and just his kids, etc), 10 is usually enough! If you will need more, I generally recommend adding 3 minutes per extra grouping!

Remember–you can always do large extended family shots at the reception, called out by the DJ early on! This is a GREAT way to save time and get the job done in an easy way.

2). Bridal Party Portraits! Now, something to keep in mind here and with the bride and groom portraits is location–you want to make sure to include travel time in your timeline!  Generally, I love to have 35 minutes for these.  It can be broken up- maybe 10 minutes with just bride/bridesmaids and just groom/groomsmen before  the ceremony in the event of no first look, and then 15 minutes together afterwards can get a wide variety of images that the bride and groom will love.  These pictures are SO important to me, and important to make sure there is enough time for, because you don’t often have ALL your closest friends from various walks of life in one place- and it is so fun!  Less than 35 minutes total can make it very difficult to get a good variety of styles (which I love!) and also to get individuals of the bride with each lady/groom with each guy, which I think is such a nice thing to have!  This IS an area where you can do with less time though if needed, or if the timeline gets tight the day of- it is possible to get at least 2 good poses in 5 minutes if you have to!!

3). And of course, bride and groom portraits! Now, I REALLY love these- because these are the ONLY moments the bride and groom really get together (and semi-alone) in the day. And THIS is such a big part of what the day is about- these two, loving each other! SO there is my disclaimer. I love to have 45 minutes with my bride and groom! This also could be split up- 15 minutes at sunset, and 30 during earlier portrait time. Could I give a little variety of beautiful images in 15? YES.  Would I do it if needed, or if it was what the couple wanted? YES!  But I think this is SUCH a good area to make a priority if you are investing in great photography!  These are the images that may stay up year after year in your home, after kids take over other frames.  These are the images that generations will look at and remember and hear stories about, more than anything else. They are so symbolic, so important, and so fun!

If you work your photographer to make your timeline ahead of time, you can ensure that you won’t miss any important time with your family and friends there to celebrate and love you- which is a huge priority for me as a photographer! It can seem like a lot of time to give…but as a bride and groom, you will never regret giving your photographer extra time to work with- it will result in more creative and meaningful images that you will treasure the rest of your life!