The Ultimiate Wedding Guide

Documenting love all over New England & Beyond

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2 hours
This includes time for getting dressed, flat lays and detail photos.
Typically the brides need 2 hours
grooms can get away with 45mins-1 hour.

details + getting ready

1 Hour
this allows time for you and your partner to have a private moment and capture those important photos together. If you don't plan on doing a 1st look, these photos would be after ceremony.

1st  look and couples pictures 

30 mins
If you plan to have bridesmaids and groomsmen this is where wed get those fun group shots. If you aren't having a wedding party this would be skipped. If you're not doing a 1st look, these would be during cocktail hour.

wedding party pictures

1 hour
Family photos can be the craziest part of the day. This is why I ask my couples for a family shot list. It's a list of every photo combination you want, this helps keep everyone organized and get these photos done quickly. If you're not doing a 1st look, these would be done during cocktail hour.

family pictures

20 mins-1 hour
The length of your ceremony really depends on your preference. More religious ceremonies tend to be longer, or you can choose to just do your vows and ring exchange and wrap it up!

ceremony

1 hour
Here is where guests enjoy small appetizers and cocktails. If you did a first look and finished all your photos, you could enjoy your cocktail hour with your guests. If you didn't do a 1st look, this is when wed do family photos, wedding party, and couples portraits. Though I feel this isn't enough time to get everything done without feeling rushed.

cocktail hour

5-10 mins
This is when you get announced for the 1st time as husband and wife walking into your reception. Some people just have the bride and groom get introduced, others have their parents and wedding party also get introduced.

intros

15-20 mins
Typically each dance is around 4-5 mins. 

1st dance + parent dances

15-20 mins
Speeches are a fun time for your friends or family to say something nice about you and your partner. Tip: have them keep their speech to about 2-3 mins each. 

speeches

45 mins to 1 hour
Finally time to eat

dinner

until the end of the night
Now you get to kick back and celebrate with all your friends and family

open dance floor

10 mins
Typically I recommend doing the cake cut after the dance floor opens so your guests are distracted and you can cut your cake with a little privacy

cake cut

order of events

BRIDE
DRESS
PRETTY HANGER
SHOES
VEIL
RINGS
RING BOX
OTHER JEWELRY
PERFUME
BOUQUET
EXTRA LOOSE FLOWERS
SAVE THE DATES/INVITES/PROGRAMS/ETC
VOW BOOKS


GROOM
SHOES
TIE/BOWTIE
COLOGNE
CUFFLINKS
WATCH


things to have ready for your photographer day of

examples

A timeline is important because it keeps the day moving smoothly as well as helps everyone be on the same page. Timelines can vary based on many factors such as, if you're doing a 1st look or not, your ceremony time and length, order of reception events and much more. Below I will show you an example timeline with how much time should be allowed for each part of the day. This will include buffer time in case the timeline falls behind at any time of the day. 

the timeline


more info

11:00AM DETAIL AND GETTING READY PHOTOS

1:00PM 1ST LOOK AND COUPLES PHOTOS

2:00PM WEDDING PARTY PHOTOS

2:45PM FAMILY PHOTOS

4:30PM CEREMONY

5:00PM COCKTAIL HOUR

6:05PM INTROS INTO 1ST DANCE/ PARENT DANCES/SPEECHES

7:45PM OPEN DANCE FLOOR

10:00PM PHOTOGRAPHER END TIME

full day timeline
example

more info

2:00PM Details + Getting ready + wedding party

4:30PM CEREMONY

5:00PM COCKTAIL HOUR/ Family Photos / Couples Photos / Wedding party

6:05PM INTROS INTO 1ST DANCE/ PARENT DANCES/SPEECHES

7:30PM OPEN DANCE FLOOR

8:00PM PHOTOGRAPHER END TIME

half day timeline
example