Traditional Timeline
Wondering if a traditional timeline is right for you? Here is a sample
What is a traditional timeline?
It is a timeline without a "First Look". A traditional timeline focuses on the bride and groom seeing each other at the end of the aisle during the ceremony and requires time to be set aside for portraits after the ceremony.
Is a Traditional Timeline right for me?
While a "First Look" Timeline allows much more time for portraits on your wedding day, time can still be made for them if you wish to follow the tradition of the bride and groom not seeing each other until the bride walks down the aisle. It just requires smart and careful planning of the wedding day timeline.
When are portraits taken during a traditional timeline?
During a " First Look," portraits are taken earlier in your wedding day, freeing up time after the ceremony and ultimately enabling you to enjoy the reception with your guests sooner. A more traditional timeline bride requires bride and groom portraits to be taken AFTER family portraits. If you are not planning a cocktail hour, your guests could be waiting over an hour for you to arrive to the reception.
Do I have to use this timeline?
No. This timeline is just a guideline as you plan and schedule out your wedding day.
Sample Traditional timeline
Sample wedding timeline for an 8-hour wedding
2:00pm-2:45 PM
Detail shots
Every bride loves having those
beautiful shots of her bridal details. It's an important part of the story and I love shooting all the details-dress, shoes, jewelry, etc. While I'm shooting the details, I am also capturing shots of the bride and her girls getting ready. I normally allow at least 45 minutes for this part of the day.
2:45 PM-3:30 PM
Getting Ready-BRIDE
It's time for the bride to get into her dress! This is a big moment! Diana usually asks the mother-of-the-bride and all of the bridesmaids be dressed by the time the bride is ready to get into her dress. This ensures that everyone will look nice in those images. After the bride is in her gown, she can put on her shoes, jewelry, etc.
2:00 PM-2:45 PM
Getting Ready-GROOM
As Diana is photographing the bridal details, Daniel will be hanging out with the groom and groomsmen. He will capture any groom details-cuff links, shoes, ties, etc. While he is photographing details he will also capture groom portraits.
3:30-4:00 PM
Bride in Hiding
After bridal party portraits are complete, the bride will go into hiding so that early guests don't sneak a peek and the ushers will begin their duties.
3:30-3:50PM
Reception Details
If the reception is in the same location as the ceremony, we will use this time to shoot the reception decor untouched.
4:00-4:30 pm
Ceremony
It's time to get married! Most ceremonies are 30 minutes long. If your ceremony is longer than 30 minutes, we'll make adjustments to the timeline. Cherish these moments! Your ceremony will pass by so quickly!
4:30 pm-5:00 PM
Family Portraits
It's best to shoot all of the family formals immediately following the ceremony because all the family members will be present at that time. We'll need about 30 minutes for family. We recommend shooting portraits outdoors if possible, especially if the ceremony location is dark! Make sure family members are notified beforehand to stick around for the family portraits!
4:30 pm
Cocktail Hour
If the ceremony and reception are in different locations, we recommend having a cocktail hour outside of the main reception area if possible so that we can grab some great shots of your reception before the night begins.
5:00 PM-5:30 pm
Bride & Groom Portraits
After the First Look, we will begin taking romantic portraits of you guys! I will find the locations for these shots as well! As we shot these portraits, the bridal party can start making their way to join us!
5:30 PM-6:00 pm
Bridal Party Portraits
We will shoot the entire bridal party together and both the girls and guys separately. Make sure to have someone put the boutonnieres on the guys before they arrive for portraits.
6:15 pm
Introductions
This is when the bridal party lines up for introductions and the party begins! By this part of the day, the timeline isn't as strict. And we begin focusing on the reception events.
6:25 pm
Dinner
This is the time to take a minute to eat and drink. Wedding days are long, and your party is just beginning. We will also be eating while you and the guests eat.
7:30 pm
Dancing Begins
Enjoy the music, greet guests, and get out on that dance floor. Also, try not to laugh at our awkward dance moves on the side lines.
10:00 pm
Grand Exit
We include 8 hours of coverage so that we can be present for the main events of the reception and some of the dancing. If your party is still rocking and you're not ready to call it a night, you can either add additional coverage or plan a faux exit with just your bridal party.
Honeymoon time!
Please contact us with any questions about your timeline or needs for your wedding timeline