Ceremony timing totally depends on what type of ceremony you want to have! Non-religious, simple ceremonies are typically 20 minutes tops (even if you write your own vows!), while many religious or Catholic Mass ceremonies are a full 60 minutes.
|
The lighting at your ceremony location is also suuuuuper important. If you get married outdoors at noon, the light will be extremely harsh. This can cause harsh lines of light on your faces and squinting.
|
Start time is key!
With a first look we recommend a ceremony start time 2 hours before sunset. Without a first look, you'll want a start time at least 3 hours before sunset which will ensure that we will have plenty of time for all of your portraits afterwards. If you are holding the ceremony indoors, it is always best to have bright, even light at the altar. |
Simply put: you should do one!!
With everyone carrying cameras with them, we 10000% understand and love that guests want to capture the moments of your wedding for themselves! However, it makes it easy for guests to become distractions to the pros or even step right in the way, blocking our view of important moments. Guests are often glued to phones instead of being in the moment with you! Unplugged weddings have never been more important than now. We highly recommend having an unplugged ceremony!
Here’s what to do and why:
With everyone carrying cameras with them, we 10000% understand and love that guests want to capture the moments of your wedding for themselves! However, it makes it easy for guests to become distractions to the pros or even step right in the way, blocking our view of important moments. Guests are often glued to phones instead of being in the moment with you! Unplugged weddings have never been more important than now. We highly recommend having an unplugged ceremony!
Here’s what to do and why:
Signage!
Consider having a sign outside your ceremony asking people to put their phones away. This one is one of our all time favorite signs! But the most popular one reads "Choose a seat not a side, we are all family once the knot is tied." Yes, it is cheesy, but it's the one we see the most! |
Remind people to be present.
Throughout the day, we usually give people a moment to take their photos quickly, then we take our photos. However, we have no problem telling folks to give you space when needed or asking them to step aside if they are in our way (especially during the ceremony). Any distraction has the potential to derail the timeline. However, during the reception, cell phones are definitely welcome! |
Avoid crowding.
It is super helpful to have your officiant dismiss guests to cocktail hour and ask family to remain for photos. The goal is that with a smaller group of people to manage, we can get through the family photos as quickly as possible so everyone can party. A large group of distracting and chatty guests crowding around taking cell phone photos while we try to work will likely prevent us from completing all the photos in a timely manner. |
It is super duper important to set aside time on the schedule so we can capture these ceremony AND reception set up and room design details, because these are the things that get moved, disrupted, and/or changed around when guests arrive for the event.
|
We want to capture them in their original pristine state, just as you envisioned them! You work incredibly hard on your wedding design, and your coordination/venue team make it all come to life. Once your guests arrive, it won’t look the same again!
|
It is easiest when the wedding is all at one location, but as long as we receive clear communication about set up timing and photo time is scheduled for us, we should be able to capture plenty of lovely detail photos at separate ceremony and reception locations.
|
You can spend your time playing lawn games or simply socializing with guests and eating while we capture candids, or you can do some (or all!) of the traditional events: a grand entrance, a first dance, toasts, table visits (this will get you photos with every guest!), bouquet/garter toss, shoe game, anniversary dance, money dance, cake cutting, parent dances, hora, and finally, open dancing!
Let us know what kind of reception you want to have!
Let us know what kind of reception you want to have!
Here are some other things to keep in mind:
Guest Consideration
If you have a lof of elderly guests that will not be staying until the very end, make sure you schedule the cake cutting at a relatively early time so that they can be a part of it. Grandparents love to be there for this sweet tradition! |
Keep it Moving
Chat with your coordinator/DJ about how you can plan your reception in a way that will keep guests engaged and moving all night, with no lulls in the party! |
End of the Night Photo
We will take you out at the end of our coverage time to get a creative and dramatic photo of you two. See some of our favorite examples here! |
