planning the wedding day timeline tips from Rochester's top wedding photographer Heather McKay

Planning the Perfect Wedding Day Timeline

Congratulations on your Engagement and thank you for choosing McKay’s Photography to document your wedding day. With nearly two decades of wedding photography experience I offer my guidance to all of my booked wedding couples.

I’ll just let you know that in most cases 8-hours of coverage is best. The exception is if you are having 200 guests, a large Bridal Party (more than 5 on each side), multiple venue locations with over a half hour drive in between, or other wedding day plans.

I will document your wedding day prep…. through the beginning of all the crazy dance party… and leaving after you all become a hot mess.

Probably the number one question I get asked about wedding planning is about planning the wedding day timeline. As a hands-on wedding photographer, I prefer to guide you to the realities and logistics of your unique event so there are no surprises. For you or for me.

Together, we will meet 30 days prior to the wedding day to discuss the final timeline of your event and nail down all logistics.

Plan Your Perfect Wedding Day Timeline

Preparation:

Typically, I will arrive at the Bride’s preparation location at least an hour before the ceremony, unless otherwise noted.

Please cut the tags off of the dress, and hang on a fancy padded hanger (I will provide).
Also, please have all of your details in one location if you would like photographs of these important items (shoes, jewelry, headpieces, heirlooms, etc.).
I will move things around when I arrive, to find the best location.

Typically, I like to get you ready in a nice open room with a large window. If you have your own ideas, I am always open to making the images important to you and your family.

Ceremony:

I prefer to arrive at the ceremony location at least 30 minutes prior to the start time in order to set up and get venue details.

The Groomsmen should arrive at least 45 minutes prior to the ceremony time.
After the ceremony, I will leave you around 15 minutes to greet your guests unless you have a receiving line. If you plan on having a receiving line, plan on at least an hour. There are a lot of alternative receiving line options if you are interested!

Formal Portraits:

The more time you allocate towards this part of your day, the more thorough and focused I can be on producing the best possible quality.

That being said, after years in the business, I have this part of the day down to an art. The couple stays where I place them and then I add and remove family members.

Like an assembly line, if everyone is on time and paying attention, this can go very fast!

I recommend a minimum of one hour for formal pictures.

We will take 20-45 minutes for the families
20-40 minutes for the Bridal Party
20-40 minutes for the Bride and Groom.
If your family or Bridal Party is large or unorganized, please over estimate the time necessary.

Also, add travel time (including getting lost). Alternate locations are always welcome, but not needed.

Delegating a “family wrangler” is helpful if we do formals after the ceremony.

Please be sure that Grandparents (and their drivers) know to keep them after the ceremony!

If your wedding is in the evening, all formals should be done prior to the wedding itself.

After the ceremony, I will steal you away to get the newly wed images, as those carry more energy after the wedding has taken place.

The only formal images that I believe are a “must-have” are of the Bride with her parents/siblings/grandparents and the Groom with the same.

If you have Godparents or other special guests, please allow extra time and notify me/them before the wedding day.

If I’m working on a list of extended family portraits (aunts/uncles/cousins), then I’m not taking candids or creating magic…..

Reception:

I will stay through the last of the formal reception events and I will find you before I leave. Unless you have chosen Full Day coverage, I will not stay all night.

If at any time during the day we fall behind on portraiture, I will make every attempt to get those images during the reception.

Please feel free to find me during the reception if you would like additional pictures taken of friends or family, but please do so before I pack up for the night. The same goes for your parents. I am happy to capture an image of them with their siblings/parents!