Let’s talk about timeline…

Thank you for taking the time to read this timeline guide. Blocking out the timing of your wedding day is one of the most important elements when it comes to getting the wedding photos that you want! After photographing over 100 weddings, I’ve learned what has worked best to give your photographer enough space to document everything well, while also give you a well managed day. Your timeline affects how much time you have to breathe, and with built in space, you'll likely have a stress free day full of memories rather than feeling rushed.

The following are all the main “events” we like to capture during any given wedding day. In general, I like to say that all of these will take about 30-45 minutes. It may take less or more - but that gives inherent wiggle room, since every wedding tends to go behind schedule at one point or another. Maybe someone forgot to grab the bouquets, or hair took longer than expected. As wedding photographers, we’ve seen it all! Which is exactly why we like to make sure there is a little extra space to breathe.

Getting Ready Details

Getting Ready Candids
Formal Dress
First Look
Wedding Party
Reception Details
Ceremony
Family Photos
Married Couple Portraits
Reception Events
Open Dancing
Sunset Photos

You might have noticed that we included the First Look into this set of “events”. First Looks are becoming more and more popular with modern weddings because it gives the couple an opportunity to see each other before the ceremony. When we asked our couples why they opted for a First Look, many mentioned that seeing each other helped calm their nerves and anxiety of the day. It also gave them more time to spend together! Along with this, many couples like to take this time to be more private and share personal vows with one another (and we slap on a zoom lens so we can give them space too, while still capturing the emotional moments 🥲).

Lastly, First Looks allows time for photos to get done before the ceremony, leaving less wait time between the ceremony and reception for guests, and more time for you and your people to be together and celebrate! You can read more about First Looks and if it’s right for you in Part II.

Of course, you absolutely do not need to do a First Look if you don’t want to! If you’ve been dreaming your whole life of the “aisle moment” then by all means, have the aisle moment! If you do not want a First Look, then I would suggest having 2 hours between your ceremony and reception to allow time for Family Photos, Wedding Party, and Married Couple Portraits + travel time.

Getting Ready Details - 45-60 minutes

Chances are, you’ve put some thought into the details you chose for your wedding day. Whether it be the style of the invitations, the cut of your ring, the color scheme of your florals, or the sentimental handkerchief that came from your grandma - these details are worth celebrating and help set the scene of your wedding day.

I like to do these shots right at the beginning of wedding day coverage, while everyone is still busy getting ready. I call this my “photography warm up” as it helps me get a feel for the vibe of your day while getting all my creativity ready to photograph you!

My suggestions for photographing details:

As you prepare for your wedding day, have a designated box to keep all your sentimental/decorative items that you can have ready for when I meet you.

Ideas for what to put in your details box:

Wedding Shoes
Invitation Suite (it’s usually helpful to have two sets + envelopes)
Jewelry
Head pieces or decorative hair pins
Rings (make sure to have all rings available!)
Vow Books or Letters for one another
Perfume bottle + cologne
Ties + pocket squares
Cufflinks

Note: If you and your partner are getting ready in different locations, you can have a separate box for your partner’s specific things - for example: cologne, ties, shoes, pocket squares, cufflinks, anything sentimental to them, etc. can be in a separate box for a different set of details photos.

For bonus points, you can add any of the following:

Any kind of fabric or ribbon that you used for centerpieces
Florals or greenery (you can generally ask your florist if they have extra florals/greenery from making bouquets that they’re willing to give for detail shots)

Getting Ready Candids - 15-30 minutes

The timing of photographing details depends on how many details you have! If details are not your thing, we often will take photos around your venue/location to set the scene of the day and then take more time on getting ready candids.

I don’t always spend a lot of time on candids before final dress - because during final dress is when the emotions really start happening! However, if your wedding party has matching pjs or robes you want captured, this is the time to do it!

Timeline Tip!

One of the main reasons a wedding might get behind schedule is because hair and makeup is taking longer than expected. If you want to get a matching pjs/robes photo, you’ll want to make sure hair and makeup for everyone is done by the time of “getting ready candids” since most people don’t want photos before hair and makeup is done.

Otherwise, the bride is usually first to be done with hair and makeup and is ready for “final dress” much sooner than the rest of the wedding party.

Deciding Your Getting Ready Location

Let’s take a moment to discuss where you’re getting ready. As photographers, we will always say the more natural light the better! Find a space that has windows and, ideally, neutral colored walls and decor. This will make for all details and getting ready photos to look beautiful and have a less distracting background for your photos.

Along with this, determine a space that is out of the way for everyone to store their bags and getting ready materials! We will generally designate a space - by a window of course 😉 - for photos that we will want to keep clutter free for the photos.

Getting Ready Locations in Marquette

There are some spaces that I’ve photographed in multiple times and it’s always beautiful and well lit! They are the following:
VRBO Penthouse with Harbor Views

VRBO Downtown Luxury Condo

Landmark Inn Suite 406 or the Penthouse

You can find many more options on VRBO or Airbnb for getting ready locations. Be sure to look for big windows, neutral and light colored walls, and enough space for people to move around.

Getting Ready Logistics: If possible, it is recommended that both partners and their wedding parties get ready at the same location or nearby to one another (i.e. hotel or ceremony location) if you are interested in having final preparation photos taken of both partners. If you’re worried about seeing each other before you planned - no worries! We are pros at making sure you don’t run into each other :)

If you are local, or have family who is local to Marquette (or where you’re getting married), it can be really fun to get ready at a your or your family member’s house! Same suggestions apply - big windows with lots of natural light makes for much nicer photos. However, we love being able to capture you in place that means something to you. Places of significance and of sentimental value make for even more meaningful photos. Especially when there are dogs around!

Another option, if your getting ready space happens to be small on space or dark, we can always step outside for some pre ceremony photos with your people.

Final Dress - 30 minutes

This is one of my favorite moments of the day, because this is when sh*t’s finally gettin’ real! Though not everyone is super emotional at this moment, if you’re a feeler, you’re likely to start getting the feels when you get into your wedding attire. Everyone is wearing their hearts on their sleeves at this moment, and it’s such a beautiful thing to capture.

Final Dress Tips

Some attire is easier to put on than others. Make sure you test out how long it takes to button, tape, or bustle before wedding day. This can potentially be another time in the day where things run behind due to unexpected challenges with the dress.

Pro Tip: If your dress has a lot of buttons, I recommend having a crochet hook to help with the buttoning! The loops are often very tight and can be hard to get your fingers around.