A wedding Photography Timetable

Matthew and Sung. copyright Geoff Thompson 2011

Without a doubt a most valuable tool in photographing a wedding is a photography time table.
Below is a sample of the type I developed.
I learnt this from working for a studio many years ago.

Your Business name here.                                                      Phone:

Wedding of_______________________________________Date:……………

* Address where Boys are for pre wedding shots………….Phone:……..
*
* Photographer arrives…………………………………………Time:
*
* Photographer leaves for brides address………………………Time:
* Photographer arrives at Bride’s address……………………   Time:
*
* Brides address:
*
* Photographer leaves for Wedding Ceremony……………........Time:
*
* Ceremony starts at……………………………………………  Time:
*
* Address for ceremony………………………………………………………
* ……………………………………………………………………………………………
*
* Ceremony Finishes……………………………………………Time:
*
* Leave for photo location number 1……………………………Time:
* Address for location  number 1………………………………………………
* Arrive at Photo location  number 1……………………………Time:
* Leave for location number 2 if required…………………….....Time:
* Arrive at this address…………………………………………   Time:
* Address……………………………………………………………………………
* Leave for reception/wedding breakfast………………………   Time:
* At
* Arrive at venue…………………………………………………Time:
* 
* Do mock cake cutting photos…………………………………   Time:
* If this is part of plan.
* Stay no more than hour at beginnings of reception doing some candids and bridal party entrance an some table shots if agreed to.I usually do shots of table settings, cake, detail photography.
*
* Leave for home and rest and then editing:

* Boys in Bridal Party first names:
* Girls in Bridal Party first names:
* Ages of little people if any involved in party:
* First names of parents:
* Mobile Phone numbers for significant people:
* Special requests:
* Address and contact details after marriage:……………………………

I make sure that the Bridal Party, Parents and their Wedding Car Drivers all have a copy of this timetable. Also I like to liaise with whoever is doing video so we are all on the same page.

Work out your travel times as this is critical.

I usually start with a blank proforma with names and date already there and then work backward from the possible or actual time of the wedding and then forward from the time  the ceremony finishes.

At wedding consult I sit down  with customer after I have shown my samples and then discuss this timetable.

I usually allow up to an hour with boys pre wedding,

One hour with girls if a "standard" size wedding party eg. 3 girl attendants.

If more than this I would add on a 15 mins.

 How much light you have at the end of the day is critical although High ISO performing digital slrs are now a big help in this. In the days of film my rule of thumb was to finish outdoor photography no later than 30 mins before sunset.

 I usually suggest about 15 mins be allowed for bridal group shots on or near the front of the Church after the ceremony.

Then I get people to start moving to the location for after ceremony shoot.

You really need a minimum of an hour for after ceremony and pre reception shooting.

That is actual shooting time not including travel.

I find that customers are very receptive to this timetable at quote times as they usually don't have too many clues about how all this part happens and are very happy for your advice and assistance.

Often if the time of the ceremony is not locked in they will be happy to change timing a little so they don't miss out on good light and they allow proper time for travelling.

I find with my years of experience I can hit these in/out times within a minute on most occasions.

Of course if things start to come unstuck that's when you need to consult and think on your feet.

See also the link below to my take on how to make your own app so  you can have this on your phone on the day.

http://geoffthompsonsblog.blogspot.com.au/2015/12/make-your-own-app-for-time-table-for.html