Orlando Wedding Advice | Sample Photography Timeline
When it comes to your wedding day, time is of the essence– literally. You only have so many hours in the day and everything will be over before you know it. Not to mention you are booking your wedding photography & videography on an hourly basis so it’s extra important that we maximize our time together. My goal as a photographer is to document everything that is important to you and the most crucial element to this is having enough time to do so.
Here are some helpful time estimates to keep in mind when creating your wedding timeline. Of course if you have a wedding planner or day of coordinator on board (which I highly recommend!) this is something that they will help you with! Otherwise I am happy to sit down with you and help you get your timeline nailed down as well. :)
Just so you have a good idea, here are some estimates of time I’ll need to document everything perfectly for you:
- 60-90 minutes – Bride/Groom Prep
- 10 minutes – Ceremony Decor Photos
- 30 minutes – Family Photos
- 30 minutes – Bridal Party Photos
- 30 minutes – Bride + Groom Photos
- 15 minutes – Reception Decor Photos before guests enter
Of course there are just estimates– every wedding is different! This is why it’s so important to ask for guidance when you are planning things like “what time should hair & makeup be done?” or “what time should our ceremony start?”. That’s what I’m here for so don’t hesitate to ask me!
These are some things I’ve seen in the past that can impact how much time we need to capture everything for you that you may not have thought of.
- Large bridal parties or family groups
- Getting ready in different locations or far away from each other
- Wedding Dress with a corset/lace up back
- Ceremony & reception at different locations
- Sunset time* (especially during the Fall/Winter months)
- Travel time with traffic between different locations
- Road closures or special events taking place near your venue (Especially common in downtown Orlando!)
*P.S. If you’re on a time crunch as well because of an early sunset time, you might want to consider having a first look which I’ve also written about recently on the blog. ;)
Looking for more timeline advice? Check out these 4 helpful timeline tips for a stress-free wedding day also on my blog!
At the end of the day, a solid timeline will not only help alleviate stress and allow to fully enjoy your wedding, but it’s also going to ensure that your photography and videography team are able to fully capture everything that you’ve worked so hard on! :)
Author: Elle Baez, Orlando wedding photographer & tattoo aficionado