Hey everyone. Kaylinn here. :-) As the Studio Manager, one of my goals is to help our couples plan a photo-friendly timeline on their wedding day. Anytime a bride asks “What is the ONE thing I can do to get the best wedding photos possible?”… “Plan a good wedding day timeline!” is my answer. These 10 wedding photo tips will keep your wedding day on schedule.
“What makes a good wedding timeline”, you ask? Plan MORE time than you think you’ll need for everything. Weddings are unpredictable. Plan a timeline with wiggle room for dress bustling, makeup retouching, groomsmen running late, finding Uncle Leo for formal family photos, etc! Avoid having to cut your photo time short in order to make up for time lost somewhere else. If your hair/makeup person says she needs 1 hour, plan an hour and 1/2. If it typically takes 15 minutes to get from your hotel to your ceremony site, plan for 30 instead.
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I recently came across a great article on WeddingPhotography411 entitled “The Top 10 Reasons Brides & Grooms Run Late on Their Wedding Day.” It’s a great list with lots of helpful info for those of you who are planning your wedding timelines right now, so I wanted to share it with you guys. :-) Here it is:
10. Hired Transportation: When you hire a limousine or classic car for your wedding day, make sure you purchase ample time to get to your destination (just in case there is traffic or other delays!)
9. Underestimated Travel Times: San Antonio traffic can be brutal (especially down town)! Check ahead of time for possible road closures due to city-wide events like The Battle of Flowers Parade or Fiesta (We San Antonians like to party! And parties cause traffic!)
8. The Groomsmen: It’s not always the ladies who are tardy. Guys run late just as often! Don’t learn how to tie a bow tie on the day of your wedding; practice your skills before the wedding day. It’s common for bridesmaids or groomsmen to have a cocktail before the wedding, but go easy! :-) Drinking too much can make taking pictures far more difficult and time-consuming.
7. Too Many Family Group Shots: Too many family photos (as well as unplanned groups) can take lots of time. It’s important to speak with your family members ahead of time and decide which groups you would like photographed. That way, we can arrange your family shot list ahead of time in a way that is efficient and stress free!
6. Poor Communication With Family: The biggest mistake a bride and groom can make is waiting till the rehearsal dinner to inform their family/bridal party of the time they need to arrive for pictures on the wedding day. Ideally, this should be done at least two weeks in advance. It’s also a good idea to RE-remind everyone again at the rehearsal dinner. An email with a schedule of when and where to be is also a great tool for getting family and bridal party members to arrive on time.
5. Family Members Arriving Late: If you have family members who are habitually late, it’s a good idea to fib a bit on what time they need to arrive for pictures. We suggest 30-45 minutes depending on their tardiness.
4. Allow Sufficient Time To Dress: Getting into your dress, attaching your veil and putting on all your jewelry will take more time than you think, so make sure to allow plenty of time to get dressed.
3. Bridesmaids at the Salon: If you are getting your hair and make-up done at a salon or location other than where you will marry, it’s a good idea to drive yourself or travel with just one other bridesmaid. You and your maid of honor should be the first ones in the chair and the first ones finished. That way, you will still be on time (even if other bridesmaids or family members are running behind).
2. Hair: Depending on the your hair and your wedding-day hairstyle, ample time needs to be allowed for the beautification process. The longer your hair, the more time you should allow for curling, pining, and styling. Ask your stylist how long your hair will take, and then add at least 30 minutes to that estimate (just in case!)
1. Make-Up: Make-up and hair are the top two reasons why brides run late. Allow plenty of time for your hair and make-up and tell your hair and make-up people you need to be done one full hour before you really do. That way, you’ll be able to take your time getting dressed and taking photos (without feeling rushed or stressed!)
…there you have it! Ten tips to help you stay on time on your wedding day! And of course, I’m always here to answer your questions and give advice about your wedding day timeline (about anything really!) Feel free to call or email me anytime, that’s what I’m here for! To read more of our tips for clients, click here!
Article: Wedding Photography 411
Photos: Bend The Light Photography
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Bend the Light Photography specializes in wedding photography and engagement portrait photography in San Antonio, Texas and surrounding areas. San Antonio Wedding Photographer.
