If you’ve been planning your wedding, you know first-hand how many things there are to consider when it comes to the day. From the music and table set up to wedding favours and transportation for guests, it adds up quickly!
That’s why most couples create a wedding day timeline. One created for the wedding party, photographer, videographer, etc., where each step is broken down into time slots so you can ensure everything is running smooth and you don’t miss a single moment.
And sure — there are lots of perks to wedding timelines. But they can also be tricky. Limiting yourself to a strict schedule can take you out of the experience. From a photographer’s perspective, it can also reduce the number of candid moments as you’re not focused on taking in your wedding day!
And here’s the truth: if authentic candids are important to you on your wedding day, you need to create space for them!
I know most advice couples receive is about taking the time to enjoy your wedding day. But no one really shares tips on how to make that happen. So, after years of experience, many many hard drives with wedding day galleries and reflecting on my own wedding, here are some tips on how to truly make the most out of your wedding day:
1. Don't Make Your Timeline Super Tight
I touched on it above, and my Type A planners might not want to hear this, but planning your wedding down to the minute can stop you from enjoying your day! Try to only outline the important events and moments you don’t want to miss (like sunset photos, for example).
2. Ask Your Photographer For Timeline Help (Which I Do!)
If you’re worried about the pace, you can always ask your photographer! They’ve done tons of weddings, so they have a lot of insight into timelines that work. I love assisting my couples in this process to help create an outline you are happy with!
3. Think About Location Travel
It’s important to really think about the location travel of your wedding day! Are you leaving the ceremony location for more photos? Dreaming of doing a first look at a quiet park? Need a photo at the place where you had your first date? Adding in different locations is totally okay, but make sure to map it out ahead of time and choose locations that are all nearby, so you aren’t stressed about timing and can have fun while you’re there!
4. Identify Your Core Values
It’s your wedding and we’re living in it! That means you can make this day whatever you want, and you can prioritize what is important to you. When it comes to photography, if capturing those gorgeous, sickening editorial shots is a must, then amazing. I got you. If it’s more important to have time spent with your amazing guests and not schedule a bunch of photo ops, that’s perfect too! Knowing what you value more will help you prioritize what you want to do that day.
5. Spend Time With Your Guests
I can't stress this one enough! Your guests are amazing. They do cool things when they're surrounded by your love. They dance, they cry, they feel. With so much excitement during your wedding day, it’s easy to forget to check in and spend time with them.
And the truth is — your guests are all coming together maybe for the first time, maybe for the last time. They're all together in this one moment. Will that ever happen again? They've come for the celebration of partners finding each other to love one another at their best and their worst. And damn, that's pretty magical. As a photographer, I value capturing moments with your guests because you see the authentic joy between you and them.
One place outside of the reception to mingle with your guests is during cocktail hour (and this also makes for great photos!). This plan works well for couples who decide to do a first look and photos before the ceremony.
6. Be a Part of The Dance Floor
As a newly married couple, it’s easy to get pulled away and distracted from the celebration once everything comes to a close. But as a photographer, being there and capturing your guests truly enjoying themselves, smiling and feeling the joy of your day is one of the most incredible things to witness! And we see that allll on the dance floor. Being with them at that moment and experiencing all the joy possible is a feeling you will never forget. Take in all the love and have fun!
Weddings can create a lot of pressure, but no one’s wedding is the same because people are not the same! You can truly make this day whatever you want it to be, and it doesn’t need to be about all the big performances. Of course, if you want that, that’s okay!
Above all, my goal as a wedding photographer is to have my couples blown away at the captured evidence of all the incredible, special, dreamy and touching moments that happened on their wedding day. Moments that they’ll cherish forever. Your photographer (like me) can help you map out all the things you value in your day and give helpful advice to ensure you’re having the wedding you always dreamed of with your love.