Time-Saving Tips to Help Your Wedding Day Run Smoothly

Your Wedding Timeline

Moria Photography, Lexington Kentucky Wedding Photographer

 

Your wedding timeline is such an important factor in your big day. I want to take a moment to talk about the things that I have found that, in my personal experience, help a wedding day go smoother and some tips on how to best manage your time to get the most from your wedding photos. Here are some time-saving tips to help your wedding day run smoothly.

Hair and Makeup

First, you need to decide on a hair appointment time and location. You’ll need to decide on the number of hair stylist and makeup artists you think you will need in order to accommodate how many bridesmaids and groomsmen you have, as well as time for the bride and groom to get prepared for the wedding. The best way to estimate this time is to do a test run on the bride in advance, and if resources are available, do the same for bridesmaids, and multiply the general amount of time it takes by the number of bridesmaids, then add the bride’s time (the bride typically will take longer to get ready).

 

Details

At some point, the photos of the bridesmaids getting ready are going to be redundant. There will be so many photos of applying eyeshadow, the it will be more beneficial for me to move around and take some shots of your beautiful decor. I’ll do a sweep of every area that is decorated, and if the cake(s) are set up, I will take photos of it, and the empty ceremony and reception areas. I will also take photos of your dress, shoes, rings, garter, jewelry or any other items you would like photographed. I do these by default even if I’m not asked.

The bride should get dressed after getting her hair and makeup finished if a first look is desired. Even if there is no first look, and solo bridal portraits are desired, we can sneak away and take those now while everyone else finishes up getting ready.

The First Look

There has been a new wedding trend going around called “the first look” in which the bride and groom have a private, intimate moment to share together before the ceremony. Not only does this allow them to let go of their emotions together, but it is also a great way to save time on group wedding party photos after the ceremony. If the bride and groom have already seen one another, we can knock out many of the essential wedding party shots before the ceremony, meaning less time spent away from your guests after it.

I do prefer that the bride not be the last to get ready, though it has traditionally been a trend to do so, as we can always do touch ups to fly away hairs and small details on makeup right before she makes her grand entrance to the ceremony. If the bride has her first look while bridesmaids are still getting ready, everyone is doing something that is contributing to the big day, or everyone has a job at hand to take care of, which will also save time later.

Immediate Family Photos

If the immediate family of the bride and groom are ready and available at the venue when the wedding couple is ready, we can take some of the needed photos of the bride with her parent(s) and siblings, and the groom with his immediate family as well. If the couple chose to have a first look, we can also take care of the photos of the couple and the groom’s family, and the couple with the bride’s family. This will give more of an intimate, less-rushed look to the photos.
If the immediate families are not available, it is no problem to move immediate family photos to directly after the ceremony.

Groom With Groomsmen

Let’s face it: the girls are going to take a little longer to get ready than the guys are. This is why I like to hide the bride and bridesmaids (if there was no first look) and take the men out for their group and individual photos with the groom first. This will save time between the ceremony and reception.

Bride With Bridesmaids

Next, we will trade off and hide the groom and groomsmen so the girls can have their turn in front of the camera!
However, if there was a first look, there is no need to hide anyone, and we can now take photos of the full wedding party and mix up the poses.

The Wedding Ceremony

This is the big moment! I’ll be in the aisle or some other meticulously planned location to get the best shots of you walking down the aisle and two becoming one!

Receiving Line

Many couples opt out of a receiving line directly after the ceremony to wait until the reception and greet the guests table by table. Receiving lines can take a while if you have several guests, and while it is wonderful that you have so many supportive loved ones in your life, sometimes it can be a very time consuming part of your day, and the first guests through the line must wait for the receiving line to end, as well as all the photos to be taken.  If you would rather have a receiving line, though, it may be a good idea to offer appetizers or cocktail hour to tide over the guests while we capture your memories!

Family Photos

Next comes family photos. You’re going to want to request that all family members that we have previously mentioned at your consultation to stay behind at the ceremony area and await instruction after all other guests have been directed to the reception area.

At this point, I ask that there are no cameras present until the reception. I find it difficult to get everyone’s attention, especially when it comes to children when someone they are familiar with is behind me. Between a stranger or someone they know and love, they’re not going to be looking in my direction, and it can throw off the photos. Other cameras also cause complications with posing. I want your images to be a perfect representation of your Big Day!

The Elderly:

I prefer to take photos that will include the elderly first. I just feel this is respectful not only in case of health conditions, but I just feel it is more respectful to them.

Children:

Next, we will do photos that include the kids! If you have children yourself, nieces or nephews or other special little ones you want included in your formal photos, this is the time to do them. As a parent myself, I understand that children get restless and hungry after a long day, and you want to get their best personalities on camera. (Have the flower girls, ring bearers, or any other children in the wedding party stick around for the formal wedding party photos if they were not taken earlier in the day).

Other Family Photos:

These will be photos of your parents, siblings, etc. that we may not have been able to get to earlier in the day due to time constraints or other factors.

Wedding Party Photos

This is the time we will be taking the full wedding party photos, including the couple, all bridesmaids and groomsmen, ring bearers, flowergirls, and any other important members of your crew! After some posed photos, and some fun, crazy shots, everyone but the bride and groom will be dismissed to the reception (or to a designated area if you plan to be announced; this will give everyone time to freshen up), and the fun begins!

The Wedding Couple

Even though we probably got some beautiful photos if you chose to do a first look, you’re going to want extra images with different lighting and locations at your venue. We’re really going to get creative and show off your love and happiness as a newly-wed couple–and of course we will want to show off your new bling!

Announcement Into the Reception Area

If you hired a DJ or MC and gave them a list of your wedding party, or if you’d just like to go in by yourself, this is a fun and exciting moment where all eyes are back on you, and your spotlight (sometimes literally!) is all on you.

Special Dances

The announcement can lead smoothly into the first dance. You can have your wedding party stand or be seated while you and your new bride/groom share your first dance as a married couple! Next, you may want to do any other special dances, such as the Father-Daughter dance, the Mother-Son dance, or the wedding party dance.

Thanks/Toasts

While everyone is already seated after witnessing the dances, if you plan to give short speeches to thank your guests for coming and get them excited for the rest of the reception, this is a great time!

Now, get ready for some love and laughter from the toasts of some of the people who know you best: the Best Man and Maid of Honor!

Eating

It is traditional for the wedding party to eat first, and I hope your guests have been able to wait for our photos to be completed before eating (hence, the cocktail hour or appetizers come in handy here!). I typically jump in line right behind the wedding party (in a buffet style setting). I like to synchronize our schedules by eating at the same time you do, so I’m not eating while you’re dancing, and I’m not taking photos of you and your guests with full mouths!
From my experience, it is easiest to call table by table to go get their plates if you are doing a buffet-style dinner. This also works especially well so that when you are finished eating, you can make your rounds to each table that is probably also finishing up to thank your guests for coming, if you decided to skip the receiving line.

Cake Cutting

While this can come before or after the dancing, you may want to take into consideration the hours some of your vendors, such as photographers, videographers, caterers, cake decorators (if they’re staying to assist with the cake) are hired to be there. You want to make sure the big events of your day are captured, and will need to prioritize the rest of the night based on what is most important to you.

I think that while he guests are still seated and not on the dance floor just yet, it is an ideal time to cut the dessert (cake)! This way, everyone will have a good view.

Dancing

It is time to get the party started! I’ll be running around the room taking pictures of your guests having the time of their lives. This is where personalities shine, and everyone can let loose.

v33

Bouquet/Garter Toss

You can request that your DJ stop the dancing for a moment, and while everyone is up already, you can have him announce to pull all the single ladies and men out of the crowd for the bouquet and garter toss!

Any Additional Photos

If there are some thing that we didn’t take care of during the day, or you have special friends or family members you’d like a photo with at your reception, additional photos can be taken now.

Sendoff

Whether you have bird seed, a sparkler exit, bubbles, or just hopping in your get-away-mobile, your guests can see you off and you are ready to start your new life together as a married couple!

 

 

Check out some of my wedding photos at https://moriaphotography.com/portfolio

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Moria Photography
Lexington Kentucky Wedding Photographer
Lexington Kentucky Photographer
Lexington Kentucky
Lexington Wedding Photographer
Kentucky Wedding Photographer
Kentucky Wedding Photography
Lexington Wedding Photography
Moria’ Photography
Central Kentucky Photographer
Eastern Kentucky Photographer
Kentucky Photographer
Lexington Wedding Photographer
Wedding Photographer
Lexington Kentucky Wedding Photographer
Lexington Kentucky Photographer
Lexington Kentucky
Kentucky Wedding Photographer
Kentucky Photographer
Wedding Photographer
Lexington Kentucky Wedding Photographer
Lexington Kentucky Photographer
Moria Photography
Lexington Photography
Lexington Wedding Photographer
Lexington Wedding Photography