At the time of writing this I have photographed over 250 weddings. Some small and intimate, others with guest lists of over 150 people. The one thing weddings of all sizes have in common is that timing affects how the day will run. The last thing you want to be doing on the day is worrying about the sun going down and not having enough time for photos. Having your ceremony in the middle of the day in full sun isn’t ideal either when it comes to photos. 

Making sure you’ve got enough time put aside for photos will absolutely make my job easier and ensure you get those dreamily-lit photos we all love. I’ll give my recommendations for different parts of the day and how much time I’d ideally like. Keep in mind however sometimes the times may be out of your control so just go with whatever is possible.

Should you do a cake cut? First dance? Have an unplugged ceremony? These are all choices that are totally up to you. Don’t do what other people tell you to do, it’s your day and the one time that you should absolutely do what you want.

GETTIN’ YOUR HAIR DID

THINK LESS PINTEREST AND MORE YOU.

Things that can help me get shooting quickly include:

  • having all dresses out of plastic and preferably not on wire hangers (unless you want them photographed on wire hangers)

  • detail items like shoes, rings, perfume etc grouped together in one spot so someone doesn’t have to go looking for them when I need them

As my style is documentary there is no need for the guys to pretend to shave or get dressed a certain way, we will literally just photograph whatever is happening as it is happening. We may just direct you to move closer to the window for light. But no cheesy posing necessary!

If you are wanting photos of you both getting ready, I like to arrive at person no 2’s location one hour before they are leaving for the ceremony, so working backwards I’d be at person no one’s location about 2-2.5 hours before (depending on how far they are from the ceremony location). I like an hour with each person.

Should you get ready in a hotel room or your house?

I say wherever you feel comfortable. Sure COMO The Treasury has a beautiful calming and peaceful aesthetic but photos of your home may be more memorable for you.

CEREMONY

DON’T LET YOUR GUESTS MELT IN THE SUN.

Unless you are having a church ceremony whereby the start time is determined by the church, I’d highly recommend pushing your ceremony to later in the day. You basically need to avoid the harsh midday sun and about three hours after noon, anytime from 4pm onwards in summer is ideal. You can absolutely ask me about this before you lock in your ceremony time, I’m more than happy to help.

As a general guide I like to be photographing portraits in the last two hours before sunset. So check your sunset time for the time of year and you can work back from there. I’ll include a timeline breakdown at the bottom of the page for you.

Do you need a plan B if your ceremony is outdoors? YES. We cannot control the weather and it can literally rain any day of the year. It’ll be way less stressful for you if you do have a plan B.

Should you have an unplugged ceremony? There is only one right answer and it is the opposite of no. It’s become a trend to get photos as events happen or to be the first to upload these wonderful moments on social media. BUT, there is nothing becoming about a sea of hands holding up phones as the bride is walking down the aisle. I get sneak peek photos to you during the week after your wedding so the way I see it, you should be the ones posting the first newlywed announcement photo of yourselves (not someone with a blurred iPhone shot of the bride walking down the aisle posting it up on Facebook as she is still walking down the aisle). Uh huh.

That aside, don't you want everyone to be there, enjoying and being in the moment? Heck yeah you do!

Ask your celebrant to announce that the ceremony is unplugged before it commences.

CONGRATS & FAMILY PHOTOS

HUG IT OUT. SERIOUSLY

I’d recommend allowing about 15 minutes for congratulations after the ceremony because you’re going to have a lot of people wanting to show you some love! If you have a huge guest list you can politely accept hugs and quick congrats and move through the long line quite quickly. I don’t recommend skipping on the congrats because these moments make for some of my favourite photos.

You want to allow half an hour for family photos, although it doesn’t usually take that long. Still, allowing half an hour will mean if the ceremony runs over you will still have time for this.

Think of someone who will know the majority of the people in these groups (a sibling or someone in your wedding crew) and ask them to keep the list, and then they can round the groups up on the day. No need to give me the list since I won’t know anyone on it. I co-ordinate with your delegated list-keeper on the day so you don’t have to worry about any of this. 

If you have other groups you’d like to have photos with like perhaps school, work or university friends, I recommend we take these at reception. You can always grab me for photos at any stage.

Make a list of groups you’d like to have in your family photos. I recommend keeping it to family, and as a guide 8-10 groups maximum. It might seem fun compiling a list of 20 groups beforehand but after you both stand there smiling for all these photos you may just hate yourself. And you’ll definitely hate me. I have an example list for you at the time of booking to help keep this manageable.

The all group shot IS DEAD. I am personally not a fan of this shot as in all honesty you’ll wind up with a photo where everyone two rows behind you will be barely visible. The ROI is not worth the effort. Photos of people mingling and laughing and having fun are way more memorable, and we get plenty of these during the congrats and at the reception. So I don’t do the all group shot. If you absolutely and must have this shot, let me know. I can recommend photographers who can deliver. :)

PORTRAIT SHOOT

The best time of the day for portraits is in the last two hours before sunset when the light is soft and dreamy and romantic.

I’d recommend you arrange drinks for the portrait shoot so it becomes a time for you to hang out with your closest and relax after a busy morning. 

How many locations?

I’d recommend one or two. If you have too many you’ll just feel like you’re getting in and out of the car for photos. We want this hour to be more about you all hanging out with some fun photo opportunities thrown in. Besides, I’ll be on the lookout for cool backdrops at the locations too to mix it up.

BRING A SHIT BOTTLE OF BUBBLES TO SPRAY

What if it rains during the portrait shoot? Do not worry, we will make it work. You can arrange for some clear umbrellas if you like, really to make it more comfortable for you. But I will find sheltered spots to photograph you if need be and quite honestly, cuddling one another under an umbrella is a fun way to get close. Basically, do not stress about this because you’ll have a plan B for the ceremony if outdoors right? Right.

RECEPTION

What time you have your speeches is up to you, however in my experience most people giving a speech prefer it to be earlier in the evening so they can get the nerves out the way earlier and they don’t have to wait too long to have a drink (no one wants a drunk speech-giver). 

Lately it’s become quite common to see the speeches kick off right after the couple enter the reception. Perhaps mingle for a bit, wait for the entrees to come out, then let the laughter commence. 

Also there’s no need to break the speeches up. Time them all in one hit, and I’d recommend giving speech-givers a 5 minute limit (because the ones that are chatty will still go over that).

PLS, NO NUTBUSH

Whether you have a cake-cut is totally up to you. No need to allocate 5 minutes for it though as it literally takes a minute. Just time it right before you head to the dance floor for your first dance.

If you are wanting some dance floor action to finish up the story of your day in your photos ask your DJ to play 3-4 popular tracks immediately after your first dance. Songs that people know the words to and are fun to dance around to work well. This is the time everyone is itching to hit the dance floor and when I get the best shots. Leave the slow songs for later.

MY RECOMMENDATIONS ON TIMING

GETTING READY - 1 hour with each person

POST CEREMONY - 15 minutes for congrats and 30 minutes for family photos

PORTRAIT SHOOT - 1 hour, preferably sometime within the last two hours before sunset

DANCE FLOOR - Half an hour, or 3-4 kickass tracks post first dance

*** A timeline example if sunset is at 6.30pm ***

CEREMONY 4-4.30pm

CONGRATS + FAM PHOTOS 4.30-5.15pm

PORTRAIT SHOOT 5.30-6.30pm (allowing for travel from 5.15)

RECEPTION WEDDING PARTY ENTRANCE 6.45pm