Day-of Photography Timing

How many bridesmaids do you have? If the hair/makeup artists are able to get the entire bridal party done by like noon without having to start hair/makeup at 3am, I think it would be a smart idea to get those pictures done before the ceremony! Otherwise, if the bridal party won't be done in time to do photos before, the groom and groomsmen can always do their photos before the ceremony, and that will still free up some time during cocktail hour.


For golden hour, is changing back into your ceremony dress just for golden hour pictures an option? If it's too time consuming to switch between the two, you could also wait to change into your reception dress until after golden hour pictures.

I have done bridal pics before or after the ceremony. Considering that your ceremony is around 2 ish and the sun is setting at 7:49 I think that is a large gap in between and you will probably want to wear your dress a little longer. I think maybe so some bridal party pics before and do some more after. Maybe do a first look with dad? Mom can be there helping you get ready so you can for sure do some pre ceremony pics prior. How long is your ceremony because I see an hour and half? Some ceremonies are short and to the point and some that usually last that long are catholic mass weddings. I will say that the cocktail hour should follow the ceremony right after. So for that time is when you can take post ceremony pictures then go straight to dinner.

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Girl you hit the nail on the head, Catholic wedding

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LOL I have been to one and a Greek orthodox wedding so I know how that goes ha ha. I even saw one virtually. I would say do some pre wedding bridal pics as I feel that is a little common. I know for me alone by HMUA is giving me a three hour span before I need to be at my venue and she thinks it can take about 2 hours just for me so factor in if your bridesmaids are getting their hair and make up done too. That is to give me an hour to get to my venue which is a bit far and in case traffic or whatever. I would say latest for you to get hair and make up maybe 10:30 and that depends on all you are getting. I would mani/pedis the day before. Time to get to the venue and get ready even if the HMUA is coming to you then maybe 11:30. Usually cocktail hour is when you will have time to take some more pics with your hubby, parents or bridal party. If you want to wear your dress for golden hour which is almost three hours after dinner starts and you want to wear a reception dress for your first dance then I would say you need to push back the frist dance. Maybe do dinner at 5:30 so that is plenty of time for eating, then golden hour pics, change into your reception dress and do a first dance before cake cutting? At the end of the day your photographer is the best because I thought I could do my ceremony at 5 since sunsets at 5:42 and our ceremony will be like 15 minutes tops and she said that we should actually do it at four so plenty of sunlight pics before golden hour so consult with them.

I personally think it would be a better idea to get as many photos out of the way as you can so you have more time to enjoy your wedding or so that you aren't rushed with photos overall

Do y'all think being ready by 1 would give enough time for photos? We are setting up our venue that morning so I told the hair and makeup person I as the bride could start getting ready at 10, but she could start on other girls first. I would think 3 hours would be enough for me to get ready, but I've never been in a wedding before so idk.

I don't have the exact location but we will be renting a house a couple miles from the church, which in turn is a couple miles from the reception venue. Barring an insane amount of traffic (which is unusual for this area), everything is 5 minutes apart.

I have 7 BMs, I think 5 of them are getting hair (they are all doing their own makeup).

View Quoted Comment Definitely double check with the photographer, but I think taking bridal party pictures from 1-2pm would be enough time! You might even be able to get the bridesmaids and bride photos from 1:00-1:30 and the groomsmen and groom photos from 1:30-2:00, which would save a ton of time for other pictures after the ceremony. Again, check with the photographer because they would know timing best, but to me, it seems doable, especially since all locations are so close to each other.

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I should mention we have two photographers we will have getting ready photos of both of us.

View Quoted Comment Even better! I think in that case, you'll have plenty of time to do wedding party pictures before the ceremony!