Table of Contents

Getting Ready

This is where most wedding photographers begin their day. I suggest having me arrive before your hair and makeup are completed and before everyone is dressed. Keep all your details (rings, invitations, flowers, shoes etc) in one area for when I arrive so I can start there. Once the detail portion is complete I get right into all the fun, timeless moments of you and of course the curated memories with your bridal party.

estimated time 1 hour

First Look

It is my Absolute Favourite… This typically takes place after the bride is ready, just prior to the ceremony. And not to worry I will be sure to scope out the ideal location that will be private and away from guests if you haven’t already done so. This can take place in a number of ways and is something that we are sure to discuss in the process of planning your day.

Here’s where I suggest we start and we will discuss other details further.

The classic first look with you and your partner. Something I Always suggest is if you are planning to do personal vows to one another, take this intimate opportunity to do so. The connection of all the emotions of this time is simply magical.
With your bridal party
First, look with your parents… or go all out and have the whole gang join in. Estimated time 10-20 minutes

Bridal/ Family Portraits

Typically bridal/family portraits were traditionally done following the ceremony. In my experience with wedding photography, it’s becoming more and more common for couples to do all their bridal party portraits following the first look, right before the ceremony, with the family portraits done immediately following the ceremony.

I’m All for this! There are so many wins to this scenario! Not only are your most important photos done when you are at your freshest, but you also get to enjoy the cocktail hour (let’s be real..the appies are the best) with the guests that are present to celebrate you both!

estimate time 1-2 hours depending on party size/locations

Ceremony

The moment you’ve been waiting for has come!! You’re about to walk down the aisle and get married.

Ceremonies can take anywhere from 15 minutes to 1-1/2 hours depending on your style and beliefs

estimated time is 30 minutes

Entrance/Cocktail Hour

If you did your bridal portraits prior to the ceremony and family portraits are done…Winner Winner! Now you get to enjoy time with your guests while taking a minute to catch your breath! Don’t fret, I’m forever scoping the area we are in and if I see something that will be unique and needs to be captured I will kindly ask the couple to join me so as to get that shot.

If you choose to do both bridal and family portraits after the ceremony, now is the time to get that done.

Your guests typically head off to the reception venue for cocktail hour. This is when you and your bridal party will make the grand entrance for the reception.

Depending on how this portion of your day is scheduled there can be 30 mins to 2-hour time gap.

Reception Speeches

Speeches aren’t for everyone but they are a valued part of your day. It’s a time for those your trust to share their memories of you.

Through our time working together over calls and possibly meeting you for the first time at your wedding, it’s always wonderful to hear more of your story which guaranteed will make my eyes leak.

These speeches are golden especially if you have hired a videographer, so ask your people to step out of their comfort zone to write a short speech for your wedding day.

estimate time 2-5 minutes/speech

Dinner

I LOVE Wedding Food. It never fails to amaze me how chefs/caterers can create such a delicious variety of tasting food. It’s great fun to see all the different options couples choose to pick for their wedding meal.

Side note..please don’t forget to feed your vendors.

estimate time 1 to 1-1/2 hours

Cake Cutting

Cake cutting sadly isn’t as popular as it once was in my experience. If you’re wanting to stick with tradition and cut the cake then let’s do that! Other options I’ve seen are cupcakes, individual cookies at a table setting, donut walls, and pies.

estimate time 15 minutes

First Dance

So this is where things are somewhat changing up. As you make your very first grand entrance as a married couple, you lead directly into your first dance as Mr&Mrs. This gives everyone the opportunity to see the first dance and if you have older guests and they want to leave following the dinner, they can do so without missing seeing your dance.

The first dance with parents or special people in your life can follow the couple’s first dance whether you choose to do it with your grand entrance or after the cake cutting.

These moments with your loved ones are times that are cherished forever. I’ve seen fully choreographed dances, your traditional meet in the middle and some styled specifically to the couple

estimate time 2-5 minutes/dance

Paaaartttaaaay!

Typically most 6-8 hour wedding packages end after the first dances are done. Upgrading your package to 10+ hours will assure your photographer time to stay into the party time.