When planning, pay attention above all to transfer times and to the daylight, which varies greatly by season. The shoot ideally doesn't fall in the harsh midday sun, but in the later afternoon or the evening, when the light softens. Here is a proven flow with guide times.
Getting ready: the details
Around 30 minutes
Lay out all the important details in a spot with plenty of natural light: dress, shoes, flowers, rings. That lets me start straight away. It helps to have one person keep everything within reach. While I photograph the details, first images of the preparations already happen. This applies to both sides, I capture the details for both of you.
Getting ready: the preparation
Around 60 to 90 minutes
Then comes getting dressed. I ask everyone who should be in the pictures to be ready before it starts. Keep the room as tidy as possible, it makes for nicer images. If you can, add an extra empty room, or rent a house or loft altogether, more space, more light, less clutter. For the groom I also plan time, often a second photographer handles this in parallel.
The ceremony
30 to 60 minutes
Time to marry. Civil ceremonies usually last around 30 minutes, church ones 60 minutes or more. Enjoy this moment, it's over faster than you think. At the end comes the couple’s exit.
Group photo, reception and congratulations
Around 45 minutes, depending on guest numbers
Right after the exit, the big group photo of all guests works well, before anyone is holding a glass. Then the reception begins, and guests offer their congratulations in parallel. Find a shaded spot with a nice background. As a rule of thumb: guest numbers divided by two gives roughly the minutes the congratulations take.
Couple portraits
Around 60 minutes
Still during the reception we begin your couple photos, a good moment for some time as a two. Only my assistant and I are present. We start a little apart so we're undisturbed, then slowly move back towards the party. And if it rains? That often makes for the strongest images of all, with soft light, an umbrella and reflections outside or intimate and warm indoors. I have a plan for any weather.
Family portraits
Around 30 minutes
Best outdoors, for naturally looking images. A list of the groups you want and one person who helps organise make this part quick. We start with the immediate family right after the ceremony.
The laid table
15 to 30 minutes
Plan at least 15 minutes before the guests enter the room, so I can photograph your festively laid table untouched. For a grand reveal, where you enter the room in front of the guests, allow 30 minutes.
Golden hour, first dance and party
The golden hour, about an hour before sunset, is the best time for extra portraits, warm and golden. Then you open the dance floor. From here my schedule is loose, I work with natural light and flash to capture the first dance and the party. To finish, a short outdoor shot with champagne or sparklers late in the evening is worthwhile.
