WEDDING TIMELINE
w/o a first look
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 CLASSIC WEDDING TIMELINE
We need to start saying that we’re big fans of first look (we can explain why here); but if you’re planning to skip it, it’s totally ok for us, of course! Remember, we can photograph your day in any order. Also, this timeline is focusing on photography: so, it can vary depending on how many hours of service you choose to have with us. This works mainly for a 10 hour service, starting at 1.30 PM and finishing at 11.30 PM: of course, if you prefer having us there with you for fewer hours, you can decide to have your coverage start later on int the day, or to stop it before dinner. Alternatively, you can always add more hours to your service, even on a short notice. You’re in charge!
Make your day unique and special, just as you want.
CLASSIC TIMELINE
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!
Let's Create your OWN
First dance and party
Sunset photos
Getting ready
Aperitif
8.30 PM
10.30 PM
2 pm
5 pm
7.30 pm
10 pm
4 pm
5.20 pm
1.30 PM
Dinner
Cake cutting
Details shot
Core formal groups
Wedding ceremony
Detail photos
15-30 MINUTES
1.30 PM
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!
PRO TIP: You can gather all the details in one place before we even get there, so that we don't need to bother you looking them up all around the room.
Getting ready
1 HOUR AND A HALF
2 PM
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.
PRO TIP: If possible, get ready in a place with lots and lots of natural light (for exampe by a big window): this light is soft and flattering, we absolutely love it.
Ceremony
1 HOUR
4 PM
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!
PRO TIP: plan a ceremony exit strategy! When you walk out together, we strongly recommend to go straight to the aperitif and don't "get stuck" in the crowd: this way, you'll be able to greet and kiss your guests in a comfortable area, with shade and seats for those who need them, and your aperitif will get started on time!
2 HOURS
Aperitif
5 PM
Eat, drink and have fun with your guests! But realistically, if you do want to dedicate a bit of time to your couple photos, you will need to mind the clock a little bit.
PRO TIP: keep in mind that your caterer will need everybody to be ready for dinner to be served at a certain time, with as little delay as possible: the logistics of cooking large amounts of excellent food demand a bit of punctuality on your part!
Core Formal Groups
15-30 MINUTES
5.20 PM
We personally recommend to dedicate a short time during the aperitif to a few Core Formal group photos with your closest loved ones: parents and grandparents, siblings, groomsmen and bridesmaids. After this is done, we'll be around capturing the scene and any other photos you or your guests will ask for.
PRO TIP: If you like the idea, we could also take a single group photo of everyone together sometime during the aperitif: it could be a cool and easy souvenir of everybody who was there on your big day!
20-30 MINUTES
Couple photoshoot
6 PM
We would love you to think of this moment as a funny and chill part of your day, where you can finally catch your breath and be alone (but still with us, unfortunately, sorry!). We don't need to go far away for these photos: we just need to find a quiet spot around your venue, so that you can relax and enjoy the moment with a bit of privacy and silence.
PRO TIP: If possible, we will try us the time your guests will take to move from aperitif to dinner for these photos, so that nobody will be waiting for you and you will seamlessly join them in time for dinner!
Dinner
2 HOURS AND A HALF
8.30 PM
It's time to eat! If you're planning to have speeches during your dinner, please let us know, so we can be aware of how much time will take. We'll also take a break to eat at the same time of yours, so that we can rest a little bit without missing important moments.
Pro tip: If possible, talk with your caterer to inform them about how many speeches there will be, and how long each of them will take! This will ensure that the kitchen will be ready to handle your timings at their best.
Sunset couple shoot
10-15 MINUTES
8.30 PM
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.
PRO TIP: if you want to try and catch the sunset, keep it in mind when writing down your timeline. It will help the caterer and any speekers to plan accordingly.
Cake cutting
30 MINUTES
10 PM
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!
PRO TIP: always keep in mind that people will follow you! So you get to decide when things get started by just starting them! If you want more time for partying and dancing, after eating your cake go straight to the dancefloor, everyone will follow. Trust us, it's a superpower for one day, and you two have it!
First dance and party
15-45 MINUTES
10.30 PM
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!
PRO TIP: we always try to kiss you a proper Italian goodbye before leaving, but don't be mad at us in case we don't: you might be so much in the moment, having so much fun in the middle of the crowd, that we will decide not to interrupt the party... don't worry, you'll hear from us quite soon!
WANT TO KNOW MORE ABOUT A FIRST LOOK WEDDING TIMELINE? CLICK HERE!