Let me start by saying this, there are absolutely no rules when it comes to your wedding day. While I’ll walk you through what a typical timeline might look like, please know that your wedding is yours, and your day should feel exactly the way you want it to. Every timeline I create is customized to you and your priorities, your vibe, and what feels most like you two. This post is just to give you a little behind-the-scenes peek and a general idea of how a wedding day might flow from my point of view.
Getting Ready – All the Special Details
I usually arrive about an hour to an hour and a half before we need to leave for portraits or the ceremony. This gives me time to capture the getting-ready moments and all the details that make your day unique: your dress, rings, jewelry, invitations, shoes, extra cut flowers, and anything else that’s meaningful to you.
You might want to bring along a few thoughtful touches: a custom hanger for your dress, your favorite perfume, personalized vow books, or heirloom jewelry from a parent or grandparent. These sentimental items add so much richness to your story and make for gorgeous photos. The below photos were taken at Four Seasons Hotel St. Louis & Silver Oaks Chateau.
If we have a second photographer, they’ll either stay with me for more coverage or head to your significant other’s location to capture their getting ready process. Whatever feels right for your day. We’ll also photograph your crew hanging out before everyone gets dressed, followed by that beautiful moment when you step into your dress or suit and the excitement starts to build. The below photos were taken at Rivercity Casino & Hotel.
One of my favorite things to do is have a little dance party during getting ready! It really helps work through any nerves and makes for some fun memories!
Should We do a First Look or Keep it Traditional?
Next up is the decision to do a first look, or not. There’s no right or wrong answer here. It’s totally about what feels best to you. One of the biggest benefits of a first look is that it gives you more time together on your wedding day. It can also help calm any nerves and let you share a private, emotional moment before the day gets going. You’ll get to see each other for the first time surrounded only by your photographers (and videographer, if you have one).
Some couples choose to exchange private vows or gifts during this time, which can make it even more meaningful. On the other hand, if you’re more traditional and want that first look to happen down the aisle—that’s equally beautiful.
You can also do first looks with parents, grandparents, bridal party, etc.! The below photos were taken at The Ritz-Carlton, St. Louis.
Ceremony & Family Photos
After the ceremony, we typically roll right into family photos. These usually take about 20–30 minutes, depending on the size of your families and how many combinations you’d like. We’ll create a custom shot list ahead of time to make this part smooth and efficient. No guesswork and no missed moments. If you’re doing a first look and want to knock out family photos before the ceremony, that’s absolutely an option too!
I also love to encourage couples to consider an unplugged ceremony, which simply means asking guests to keep their phones and cameras tucked away during the ceremony. This allows me to capture your vows and emotions without distractions—and your guests can be fully present with you in that moment.
Portrait Time & Bridal Party Photos
After family photos, we’ll head into portraits. We’ll plan this part carefully ahead of time, choosing the best location(s), factoring in travel time, and making sure we capture all the people and details that matter most to you. I typically photograph the full bridal party first, then have them head back to the party bus so your couples portraits can feel more private and relaxed.
If we’re lucky with the light and timing, I love sneaking you out during the reception for a few golden hour portraits. These take just 10–15 minutes and give you dreamy, glowy photos with that perfect sunset light.
Reception Coverage
Once we arrive at the reception, I’ll capture all the detail shots before the room fills up: your table decor, florals, signage, and everything you worked so hard to design. From there, I document the reception events as they unfold: your grand entrance, dinner, speeches, first dances, and any other traditions or surprises you have planned. The below images were taken at Marriott St. Louis Grand and Ameristar Casino Resort and Spa.
I typically stay until about 30 minutes after the last major “event” (such as special dances or bouquet toss, etc) of the night so I can capture a good chunk of the dance floor fun and celebration. If you’re planning something special, like a sparkler exit, a private last dance, or a surprise after-party, I’m always available to stay later to cover those moments too.
Nighttime or venue, Off-Camera Flash Shot – A Dramatic Twist:
After dinner and before the night winds down, we can decide if there’s a cool spot for a nighttime off-camera flash shot. These photos are more dramatic, edgy, and artsy, perfect for couples looking to add a wow factor to their album. This typically happens during the reception after the dancing starts to pick up, giving you both some breathing room to slip away for just a few minutes.
These shots are fun, and they help balance the more traditional shots with something that’s visually striking and unique to your day.
Teamwork Makes the Dream Work
I also work closely with your other vendors: your planner, DJ, videographer, and venue staff to make sure the day runs smoothly. That collaboration behind the scenes helps ensure nothing gets missed and that we’re all working together to give you the most stress-free, seamless experience possible.
A Note on Buffer Time
I always recommend building in a little extra cushion time throughout the day. Whether it’s time for a bathroom break, grabbing a snack, or just taking a breath, having that flexibility helps keep the day stress-free and allows us to stay relaxed if anything runs behind. Spoiler: something usually does, and that’s totally okay.
Your Day, Your Way
At the end of the day, my biggest goal is that your wedding timeline feels right for you. I’ll help you plan, guide you through the process, and be there every step of the way so you can stay in the moment and soak it all in. Your job is to enjoy every second and mine is to keep your day running smoothly and make sure those seconds last forever in photos.
Have questions or want to talk about what your timeline could look like? I’m always here to help you build a day that’s truly yours.
Click this link to fill out the contact form and let’s start plannig your day!
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