Wedding Photography – Planning Timings

An experienced professional photographer should plan timings with you as second nature, as light varies in direction depending on the season, sunset times vary, the moon, the tide etc. This is another indicator of how professional your photographer is. If the photographer you are hiring doesn’t go into micro timing details, you need to voice some concern with them.

Key timings need to work around the photography to ensure you get the best out of your wedding photography.

-       Bridal Preparations  Photographer arrival time.

o   You need at least one hour of photography coverage

-       Travel time from Bride location to Groom location

-       Groomsmen preparations or waiting at venues shots  timing

o   If the Groom is at the Ceremony venue the photographer needs to be there at least 1 hour before the ceremony start time. This gives them time to photograph the Groom and Groomsmen and to recheck the location.
-       Bride arrival time

o   Photographer needs to be waiting where you will drive up to

-       Ceremony start and end time

-       Group shots start and finish times

-       Travel time

-       Location Photography timing to and from

-       Reception time (when they expect you to be there)

The best way to plan a wedding schedule to capitalise on your photography, and to avoid running out of light, time, or both,  is to start with the Sunset time and work backwards. Most people don’t consider actual travel times and this messes up their plans.
Example:

o   This is the time you need to hire the cars until

-       Travel time to get to reception: ?  20min to 30min

o   The best way to calculate travel times is Whereis or Google Maps

o   Also consider if there will be peak traffic or road works

-       Sunset – 6pm

-       Location Photography – 5pm to 6pm

-       Travel time from Ceremony venue to Photography Location – 430pm to 450pm

-       Family and Friends Group shots – 3pm to 4pm for large groups

-       Best Ceremony Time – 230pm for 30min ceremony

-       Photographer and Groom arrival time at Ceremony venue – 130pm

-       Travel time from Bridal Preparation to wedding venue – 1pm to 130pm

-       Bridal Preparation Photography – 12pm to 1pm

o   Bridesmaids need to be dressed and made up by 12pm

o   Bride needs to be getting makeup final touches

o   The make-up and hair stylists need to be instructed that they are to be finished by this time, in this example 12pm, no exceptions, there lateness will just kick on through the day and effect everyone and everything else. If they run late you will miss out on getting the most out of your preparation photography and not get many set shots.

Xpose’ photography are professional photographers from Brisbane, who specialise in weddings, as part of our service we automatically come up with timings that will work the absolute best, to capitalise on your photography package investment. We will take everything into account, including weather several days out from you date, tides (if applicable), sunset and the moon phase. This is to ensure that you have a stress free, unhurried day and can relax.