If you like the idea of organizing your day around a romantic and intimate moment between the two of you before your ceremony even starts, go ahead and read this page! A quick disclaimer: what follows is just some recommendations based on our experience, not a manual! Trust your gut and do whatever you feel right: you can get ready together or separately, you can skip any part of this timeline or change it to make it your own. You can do any kind of less traditional things, such as walking down the aisle together as a couple, if that’s what you want! You don’t have to throw your bouquet, have a first dance, kiss at the aisle unless you want to. Make the day utterly and completely yours.
Now, let’s talk about this timeline.
If you’re feeling a little bit lost when planning your wedding, don’t worry: it’s completely normal. You may feel like there’s so many things to plan, decide and think about, and it can get a bit overwhelming! This is why we want to lend you a hand by showing you an example of what a smooth, well timed wedding day can look like. Of course, every wedding is unique, but there definitely tends to be a pattern, and it’s very useful to know it in advance!
We strongly encourage you to have a timeline, so the day will run smoothly and you’ll be sure of having time for all of the important moments you want to fit into it. Of course there are several ways to build a wedding timeline, these are our suggestions based on our experience built up over the years at many, many weddings.
The First Look Timeline
We are big, BIG FANS of first looks! If you’re not sure about having a first look, you can read our two cents about it and then decide what you prefer for your wedding day.
First looks are a (relatively) new and modern trend in weddings: having compared many weddings that began with a first look with others that didn’t, we started to think that it can have a very positive impact on the rest of the day (see the points below). And, most importantly, it’s just a great way to quickly meet each other before the ceremony, with no other people or distractions around. It’s a very romantic, once in a lifetime moment, and one you will not regret having.
We totally get you if you would instead just not see each other before your ceremony, but we will note here the benefits we think a first look brings to the table, based on our experience.
THE BENEFITS
You get to spend more time together on the day of your wedding, and your first moment seeing each other will be more candid and relaxed. We want this moment to be all yours. We’ll take photos for the first few minutes, but then we encourage you to spend some alone time together. During this short break, you can check out the venue, catch up on your morning, and take a moment for yourselves.
Our couples often ask: does this ruin the moment I walk down the aisle? The answer is NO. If anything, it adds to it: having already met each other, you’ll be more relaxed when walking down the aisle, and you’ll live the moment at your very best. Plus, you’ll get to live and remember both of these two special moments!
With a first look, you will have an opportunity to see each another, gaze lovingly in each other’s eyes, and calm your nerves, so you can be fully present in your ceremony. Instead of one look, you get two! It’s extending your moments, not taking them away.
After your ceremony, you’ll immediately be able to join everyone at the aperitif, with no need to hurry. You’ll mingle with your guests without a care in the world, instead of needing to fit couple photographs in your aperitif time – we took care of them during your first look, remember?
Sometimes, a first look leads to the perfect occasion for taking formal portraits with your close family before the ceremony: if your loved ones will be ready and waiting for you, we will take care of it in no time! This will free up your time after the ceremony for your wedding events & guests.
You get more photography time during your day, instead of crunching everything into the small timeframe after the ceremony. You’ll have even more time to have fun and relax.
It allows us time to capture your venue setting with no rush, while you get some true alone time in between your first look and ceremony.
Finally, here’s how a timeline built around a ceremony starting at 4pm looks like.Remember, this is just an example. If you want to, make your own timeline and share it with us!
KEEP SCROLLING
Our job is to tell the story of your day, so we really love photographing the tiny, little things that make it special and truly "yours".
Here's a few details we can photograph: rings, dress, shoes, invitations, perfume, tie, bowtie, shoes, cufflinks, cologne, boutonniere, vest, socks, belt, pins, shoes. You can set aside all the things you care the most about, and we'll use some or all of them for a nice composition!
This is when you get used to the camera and to our presence! Surround yourself with good music, good people, and enjoy this moment of relax and laughter as much as you can!
If you're concerned about the background of your photos, try to declutter your room a tiny bit - if you thrive in chaos don't worry, we can manage it! If you want to do a "first look" with any family members when you're all ready, make sure that we're aware of it, so that we can be prepared for that moment.
We will choose the best spot for your first look when we'll be there with you, with an eye to the lighting and venue layout. You don't need to plan anything in advance! Don't worry; it's going to be very simple, natural and exciting!
Consider making your first look into a special "alone moment" for you two: wIthout others around you'll be fully present for one another, and we'll be able to follow it up with a tiny photo shoot quickly and easily!
After your first look we will have time for some couple photos! It's not work for you, and you certainly don't need to be a professional model. You should think of this moment as a fun, relaxed part of your day to spend together, and we'll take care of the rest, so just enjoy it!
After your first look, there will be a moment when your closest family as well as best men/maids of honor we'll be more or less gathered together for the ceremony. This is the perfect time for some beautiful formals. This way, all of the most important photos will be taken care of before the ceremony even starts, and you will have so much time to live your day and enjoy your guest's company, as well as each other's.
A small break is perfect for catching your breath before the ceremony! Sit down for a bit, relax, and spend some time without us photographers around. The day is long, and you won't regret slowing down a tiny bit to live it all at your best! In the meantime, we will get ready for documenting the ceremony, and we'll spend some more time photographing beautiful details and views of your venue.
Now is the time! The most meaningful moment. This is about you two and that's all, so just enjoy it without thinking of anything or anyone else. Try walking down the aisle slowly, so that you can truly enjoy the beauty of this fleeting moment, and kiss as long as you feel like. Look at your partner in their eyes. That's all!
With this "first look" timeline, your aperitif time won't be packed with "to dos" (i.e. couple and formal shots). So, drink and have fun with your guests! That's it ;)
It's time to eat! If there's any planned speeches at dinner, please let us know, so we can be aware of how much time they will take. We'll also take a small break to eat at the same time as you, so that we can rest a little bit without missing important moments.
First of all, this is not crucial: by now, we will have already taken many beautiful couple earlier in the day. So, if this won't happen due to the weather, venue location, or logistics (for example, a speech at the same time) you're not missing out on anything! If there's a good occasion, we'll let you know and try our best to capture it! Be aware, sunset doesn't last long and light changes quickly, so if you care about these pictures, you'll need to come with us when we'll tell you it's the moment.
You ate, you drank, you had some wonderful moments with your beloved... now it's time to get the party started! If you're doing a full fledged cake cutting, try choosing a nice, well lit spot for that, and again... no preset rules! Chop it, eat it, smash it on your face, do whatever you hearts tell you!
And now, it's time to party with your friends! Whether you're having a first dance or not, embrace the moment and go have fun with your guests. If you're planning to have us documenting this part of the day, we won't need too much time to take plenty of photos: things move fast on the dance floor! So, don't worry if your time with us is almost finished...it will be more than enough!
This website uses cookies so that we can provide you with the best user experience possible. Cookie information is stored in your browser and performs functions such as recognising you when you return to our website and helping our team to understand which sections of the website you find most interesting and useful.
Strictly Necessary Cookies
Strictly Necessary Cookie should be enabled at all times so that we can save your preferences for cookie settings.
If you disable this cookie, we will not be able to save your preferences. This means that every time you visit this website you will need to enable or disable cookies again.
