Dear Brides & Photographer Friends,

This blog post is for both of you <3 <3

Lets chat about Wedding Timeline because it is not one of the mostttttttttt, but THE MOST important thing when planning a wedding (for brides) and setting expectations of the clients & getting things done (for photographers).

those who Fail to Plan,
Plan to Fail!

That’s exactly why I love talking to each bride and discuss their wedding timeline way in advance. This gives me insight of their plans, how the wedding day will unfold, & helps me not to miss any details.

While discussing the timeline, I always ask all the vendors’ names for credits, give tips and insights of the wedding to my brides and answer any questions/concerns they might have. I also make sure to let them know how much time I need for specific section of the photoshoot and to keep some grace time for prayers, late makeup artist, hairstylist, mishaps, etc.

Following are some of the questions I always ask my brides and write them down.

1. Is the bride getting ready at a salon, the venue, bridal room, or hotel suite?
   • helps me determine travel time to/from the ballroom.
2. Who is the makeup artist, makeup start & finish time.
   • Is the makeup artist doing makeup on family members or only the bride? This can make/break the entire timeline.
3. Who is the hairstylist, hair start & finish time.
4. Is the groom coming for the photoshoot before or after the ceremony?
   • Brides, feel free to read my recommendation about first look – it is super useful, promise!
5. Ballroom/kosha ready time.
6. Expected number of guests. Expected arrival time.
   • helps me plan how much time I have for the ballroom decorations’ photos.
7. Bride’s entrance time.
   • helps me know time for bride-groom’s photoshoot from her prep until her entrance.
8. Any entertainment, singers, performers, Zaffa, belly-dancers, violinist, etc.
   • anything the couple spend time/effort/money on must be documented.
9. Groom’s entrance time.
   • I also ask if the groom is coming in alone or with family/friends. Helps me choose the right lens in advance 😉
10. Cake cutting & drink exchange times.
11. Family photos time.
12. Expected exit time.

I hope this post helps you plan the wedding day even better. If you have ANY questions, please feel free to leave them in the comments below and I’d be moreeeeee than happy to answer them.

Love,
Your UnOfficial Bridesmaid & PF (photographer friend) 😉
~ Rima