Here’s My Advice As A Wedding Photographer: Hire a Wedding Planner/Day-Of Coordinator!
If you’re planning a wedding soon hire a wedding planner!! I promise, during your wedding day, the last thing you want to think about is if we’re on schedule, who needs to be where for family portraits or why is my seating chart not up?
When it’s your wedding day you should have every single detail taken care of! A wedding planner or a day-of coordinator will keep your day on track and keep you both feeling at ease so you can truly soak in these moments with your family and friends!
Your planner will give every vendor a timeline of the day. Along with everyone’s important phone numbers to contact if needed. They are also in charge of contacting each vendor (before your wedding) and making sure they know where and when they need to be somewhere for set up or break down. They manage the load in and the load out to be sure that you are not fined by the venue for violating your contract. Your planner will also act as an on-site manager for your team to help mitigate any problems that could arise on the day of.
Some things I think you should have on your wedding timeline for a smooth and transitional day are:
Allow buffer time for traveling to the venue or getting ready space. Truly, each part of your timeline should have a buffer. Things happen all the time, so allowing more time in each section of your day ensures more of a smooth timeline. But back to day of traveling buffer, if your wedding party is traveling to the venue or a location close to the venue (ahem I highly recommend booking a venue where suites are on site) always allow more time than you think is needed. Factor in traffic, parking, etc.
Your hair and makeup schedule should also have a block of time just for buffer or touchups before you walk down the aisle.! If your artist is also doing hair or makeup for your bridesmaids, mother, mother of the groom, etc. you want to make sure each person has extra time!
Have a first look. Your planner has the timeline perfectly laid out for both you and your partner to have the intimate and quality time before your ceremony and your videographer and photographer are able to capture what they need too! You’re also able to knock some bride and groom portraits out of the way! Also, this might be the only few minutes that the two of you will be alone for the bulk of your wedding day. Let yourself relax and enjoy it!
Typically directly following your ceremony and during cocktail hour is your family portraits time. Your photographer will have a list of names you have provided and will photography those immedate family members. I highly recommend sending out a message to everyone on this immediate family list the day before the wedding. By telling them that they need to stay behind after the ceremony you alleviate having to locate your missing family members for that photo. Just think, the faster the family photos go, the more time they can enjoy cocktail hour — oh, that also means you and your partner can join them at cocktail hour!
Pst, heard of the saying “On Time Is Late” 😉
What are your tips and advice? Let me know in the comments!
Getting married soon? Thinking about Eloping instead? Let’s get in touch and see how I can best serve you both on your wedding or elopement day.
