The Ideal Wedding Day Timeline Primer

By NYC Wedding Photographer Angela CappettaPictures by Angela Cappetta The Ideal Wedding Day Timeline Primer. What does this mean exactly? From an NYC wedding photography point of view, a wedding day timeline looks different for each and every wedding. Attached below are a few examples of differing wedding day timelines below. I could explain what every wedding day was like from a photography standpoint, but it really is better to show you.

Joan and Egee's Wedding Day

5:30 Guests arrive. Drinks on roof and 6th floor. (No formal photographs)

6:00 Angela arrives. Candids on roof

6:15 Five minute warning

E&J hides in the bedroom. George, Adrien, and Liz bring people down to their seats.

6:30 Ceremony milestones as follows:

Guests begin the ceremony with humming. Joan and Eve enter from BR.

Remarks contextualizing Joan and Eve’s story.

Rings are brought by Adrien and Emily.

Handfasting with Hebrew Blessing.

Explain the “Yichud,”

Vows, rings, kiss.

Recession

7:15 Yichud on the roof with Angela for dusk marriage photos.

7:30 E&J make their entrance. Angela comes down first to signal it.

Toast by Eve's sister Liz and 8 others during dinner, including "Imagine" sung by Lesley Gore; last toast song by CatherineDessert service/cupcake picture with TaraCandid dance pictures

“Must have” candid reception photos as follows:

1) Andy the DJ

2) E&J Adrienne

3) Pool girls: Joan, Joelle, Luisa, Lesley A.

4) Big candid family photo during a reception at a table, brides to organize it on the spot

8:30-8:45 DJ announces cake cutting w/Tara. Cake cutting and dessert service.

9:00 Official end of Angela's time.

 

Below is another wedding day timeline. Always ensure that wedding photography must-have shots are well managed ahead of time.

2:00 PM BRIDE, GROOM & BRIDAL PARTY ARRIVE AT REBAR (2-5 PM REHEARSAL/SET UP, HAIR/MAKEUP FOR BRIDE AND MAID OF HONOR)

4:00 Angela and team arrive

5:00 PM LINEUP BRIDAL PARTY FOR PROCESSIONAL

5:00-5:30 PM CEREMONY SHOOT EVERYONE SEATED, PROCESSIONAL(group shot), RINGS, KISS, RECESSION

5:30-6:00 PM GUESTS HEAD TO COCKTAIL HOUR

FORMAL FAMILY SHOTS against a brick wall in the main room:

1. H&M, H's parents, M's parents, Ginny, Nick, Nate, James & Ericka, Janet & Richard, Stephen4.

H's parents

M's parents

M, Ginny, Nate

6:00 PM WEDDING PARTY JOINS COCKTAIL PARTY FOR LAST 30 MINUTES

KIDNAPPING WITH H&M FOR SOLO PORTRAITS (ANGELA & Allison together)

walk to the F York street train for pics in turn style area. Try for the roof of rebar to shoot bridge-in-background pics

6:30 PM

Angela and Allison will follow H&M in to cover the end of cocktails

H&M announced, straight into the first dance

6:35 PM BUFFET OPENS --” grazing all night” type of dinner

7:15 PM Toasts as follows:

1. Nate –Best man

2. Ginny (MOH, Helene's sister)

3. Richard (Aunt's boyfriend)

4. Helene's Dad Mr. Jurgens

5. Linda, Michael's mom will toast on behalf of Michael's grandfather

7:30-8:00 Fast dance set -candids

8:00 PM Father-daughter dance / Sam Cooke song

8:30 PM Cake cutting

9:30 OPEN BAR ENDS-COFFEE IS SERVED

Must-Have Still Life Shots:

ROOM wide view, populated okay.

MARGARITA BAR inside lounge (signature drink)

ORIGAMI FLOWERS

CUPCAKES and showpiece cake too cute

FAVORS Jordan almonds, chalkboard explaining the significance of 5 Jordan almonds

Important to note, every wedding day timeline, even City Hall wedding photography, should include a disclaimer at the bottom so that expectations are managed. You can't wave a wand and make everything go the way you want it.

For example:

DISCLAIMER: Photographer will make every effort to provide a work product in conformity with the Itinerary for the event and to produce all photos that Client requests, however full conformity with the Itinerary or Client requests are not guaranteed. Photographer recognizes the importance of Client-requested photo opportunities. Nevertheless, the Client recognizes that Photographer maintains artistic independence and that human error, limitations of equipment or venue, interference, acts of God, or communication breakdown can thwart the Photographer’s intentions. Photographer and her assistants or agents cannot guarantee that all requested images or photos on the Itinerary will be delivered and are not responsible for such omissions.