Your wedding is supposed to be the most magical day of your life. It’s when cherished moments will take place, and everyone you love and hold close to you will be united under one venue to watch you and your partner exchange your vows.
With the planning and effort that goes into making sure every detail is just right, it only makes sense to also prep an itinerary with your photographer. Planning out each aspect of the day will help you and your photographer know exactly what moment needs to be preserved in your wedding album.
How can you make sure that everything goes smoothly and none of your big moments are missed out on? Here’s a step by step guide to help you get stress-free photographs of the entire wedding.
Timing is everything
Make sure you give yourself at least half an hour for each phase that is scheduled to be photographed. For example, while the bride and groom are getting ready, you can use this time to take pictures of the décor and the venue.
This is also a good time to request pictures of the dress, ring, and bouquets, especially while there’s daylight.
Preparation shots
A photographer should be present when the bride and groom are ready to capture the “getting ready” shots. This should take at least one hour, and is the most relaxed time of the entire day. This is a good time to get a shot of the bride’s makeup and of the groom putting on cufflinks or his tie.
Candid photographs of the bride and groom with their bridesmaids and groomsmen are a really special part of the collection.
First look shots
It’s entirely up to you if you and your partner want the first look to be before the ceremony or after. Taking the ‘first look’ shots allows you to spend cocktail hour mingling with your loved ones. Otherwise, you’ll have to take your wedding portraits later, and you won’t be able to spend time with your guests.
This is going to take more than an hour, and will be the most elaborate shoot of the day. Make sure you’re relaxed and having fun.
Ceremonial shots
The bride walking down the aisle, the groom’s reaction, and the entire set-up are some of the key moments that should not be missed out. The first kiss and ring ceremony are also momentous occasions that need to be photographed.
This will take as long as the ceremony runs. This is also a good time to get portraits of other family members.
Wedding party
This is the best time to capture candid expressions and moments. You can also be fun and creative and experiment with the shots. But this is also the time when you want to collect the most memories with everyone present.
The allotted time for this is well above an hour, so you can get a variety of poses and with as many people as possible.
Each moment at a wedding is special. There are some moments you might miss but will be a part of your album and you get to relive them then. Our Dallas photographers at Lily Hayes Photography are based in Dallas and will make sure you get to cherish each moment to the fullest. Contact us for more details.