{"id":124,"date":"2009-02-27T14:21:37","date_gmt":"2009-02-27T21:21:37","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.bestforbride.com\/wordpress\/?p=124"},"modified":"2020-12-24T19:28:06","modified_gmt":"2020-12-25T00:28:06","slug":"wedding-day-scheduling-timing-logistics","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.bestforbride.com\/bridal-shop\/27\/wedding-day-scheduling-timing-logistics\/","title":{"rendered":"Wedding Day Scheduling Timing and Logistics"},"content":{"rendered":"
One of the most important areas in which couples planning their weddings usually need advice is with respect to the day\u00e2\u20ac™s schedule, especially as it relates to the Wedding Photography.\u00c2\u00a0 After all, most of them have never been married before. \u00c2\u00a0Your wedding day is akin to one day on a movie shoot – and as complex.\u00c2\u00a0 So, a properly planned day means less stress, as well as the ability and flexibility to deal with the unexpected.\u00c2\u00a0 As the Wedding Photographer, regardless of what is happening, I will always shoot whatever is available (working under pressure and unideal circumstances is the job of any useful Wedding Photographer).\u00c2\u00a0 But, as with other things, good Wedding Pictures benefit from a relaxed bride who does not feel rushed.\u00c2\u00a0 As I say, \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Happy Bride, Happy Day\u00e2\u20ac\u009d.<\/p>\n
Even under the best of circumstances it is a challenging day for the bride and groom:\u00c2\u00a0 (a) They have probably not had a very good night\u00e2\u20ac™s sleep, heading into probably the most eventful day of their lives (which runs 14-20 hours); (b) They are making the biggest commitment of their lives (which hopefully entails no doubt whatsoever :-)\u00c2\u00a0 ); (c) They are juggling the egos, insecurities and relationships within and between their families; (d) They are praying for the weather to hold up; (e) Hopefully they have delegated the myriad tasks throughout the day to reliable and capable people, otherwise they find themselves constantly having to be involved in areas they shouldn\u00e2\u20ac™t have to worry about; (f) I could keep going here, but you get the idea\u00e2\u20ac\u00a6<\/p>\n
The point is, you can and should have fun on your wedding day.\u00c2\u00a0 Good planning will go a long way to making that possible.\u00c2\u00a0 Time allocation is critical to two parts of the day: (1) Bride\u00e2\u20ac™s Hair and Make-up (with the bridesmaids often in tow).\u00c2\u00a0 It is well worth making the appointment earlier because I can\u00e2\u20ac™t tell you how often the bride is rushing to put on the dress in time to get some pictures taken and then to head off for the ceremony.\u00c2\u00a0 Hair and Make-up can easily take longer than expected – regardless of what they tell you.\u00c2\u00a0 Besides, you\u00e2\u20ac™re probably going to be up early in the morning anyway, so you might as well get down to business.\u00c2\u00a0 If you are ready ahead of time you can relax.\u00c2\u00a0 You don\u00e2\u20ac™t want to be rushed and stressed out when the day has barely begun. (2) Pictures (Family, Wedding Party, Couple).<\/p>\n
How much time should be allotted for between the end of the ceremony to the time the wedded couple must appear at the reception?\u00c2\u00a0 Depends.\u00c2\u00a0 Here are some questions that must be answered before you can come up with a number:<\/p>\n
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How much mingling time is there going to be right after the ceremony?<\/li>\n
Is there going to be a receiving line right after the ceremony?\u00c2\u00a0 If so, how many guests?\u00c2\u00a0 If you have 200 people it will take at least 45 minutes.<\/li>\n
Where are the pictures going to be taken, at the ceremony location or at a park?\u00c2\u00a0 If the latter, how far away is the park?<\/li>\n
For Family Pictures are all the family members going to be driving to the park?\u00c2\u00a0 That can take time and some people end up taking forever to get there.\u00c2\u00a0 Additionally, the size of the families (or more accurately, those who are going to be in the pictures) affects how much time is required.<\/li>\n
Is there a Videographer?\u00c2\u00a0 If so, additional time will be required.<\/li>\n
Depending on the time when the post-ceremony pictures begin, how much quality light is going to be available once we get to photographing the newly married couple (can anyone say, \u00e2\u20ac\u02dcmost important pictures\u00e2\u20ac™).\u00c2\u00a0 If it\u00e2\u20ac™s a bright day, there is more leeway with light, but you can\u00e2\u20ac™t count on that.\u00c2\u00a0 Also, what looks like \u00e2\u20ac\u02dcenough\u00e2\u20ac™ light to you, may not be great from the photographer\u00e2\u20ac™s perspective.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
Here is a typical Wedding Day scenario: Ceremony starts at 3pm.\u00c2\u00a0 Finishes at 3:45.\u00c2\u00a0 15 minutes of mingling.\u00c2\u00a0 Family Pix taken at the ceremony site – average sized family – 30 minutes.\u00c2\u00a0 Couple and Wedding Party drive to the park.\u00c2\u00a0 Including travel time and walking into the park, pictures commence 30 minutes later.\u00c2\u00a0 Wedding Party Pix – 30 minutes. Couple Pix – 45 minutes.\u00c2\u00a0 Drive to Reception Hall – 20 minutes.\u00c2\u00a0 Arrive at Hall at between 6:30 to 6:45.\u00c2\u00a0 Total time from end of the ceremony to arriving at the reception – about 3 hours.<\/p>\n
Possible issues: (1) The Couple do no get to enjoy cocktails with their guests before dinner; (2) If there is a Receiving Line then the post-ceremony activities will be rushed and\/or dinner will need to be pushed to 7:30; (3) If it\u00e2\u20ac™s a darkish day, there might not be very good light for the Couple Shots if they are done last (which is usually the case); (4) If the Family Photos are taken at the park there may be some delays if everyone doesn\u00e2\u20ac™t arrive at the park on time; (5) If there is a Wedding Videographer<\/a> you can add 30-45 minutes to the schedule, which, like the Receiving Line, puts pressure on the schedule.<\/p>\n