wedding guide
If you have gotten this far, you have already decided that I am the one for you. I am so excited that you have chosen to share your big day with me.
This guide is to assist you in your preparations and so you know what to expect when we show up on the day.
timeline info
Getting Ready Partner 1: 1-1.5 hours
One hour if wearing a suit or one and a half hours if wearing a dress or similar
Travel between Partner 1 and 2
Please over estimate
Getting Ready Partner 2: 1-1.5 hours
One hour if wearing a suit OR one and a half if wearing a dress or similar
I need to leave paartner 2 early enough to get to the ceremony at the very least 20 minutes before ceremony start time. In order to capture the ceremony setup (ceremony setup is not always possible as often large numbers of guests will arrive before I do and will be gathering in the ceremony area) and decor, guests arriving and partner 1 greeting guests
Travel to ceremony venue - please again over estimate
Ceremony: 30 minutes
a usual civil cermony is approx 30 minutes - but of course allow for however long you are advised by your celebrant.
Family Photos : 30 minutes
immediately after ceremony 30 minutes, this also includes hugs and congrats from your fam and friends.
Portraits: 1 hour
One hour including 30 minutes with bridal Party & 30 minutes couple alone
Reception: 1-2 hours
One to two hours is usually enough to cover formalities such as cake, first dance and speeches and also group photos of your guests. However this will also depend on the reception timeline. Ultimately how long I stay depends on what you both want covered. I suggest shorter if your family and friends are on the quiet side and long if they are wild dancers.
Sunset: 15 minutes
15 minutes for a quick photo shoot
*also don't forget any other travel times that my need to be included if you are not spending the day at 1 venue, such as;
Between Ceremony and Reception
To Portrait locations
Between portrait locations
Getting ready
- A large room with bright natural light (big windows and light colours walls and decor) is ideal for getting ready photos.
- Co-ordinating prep outfits look amazing, consider co-ordinating pyjamas or robes, however this is not a necessity.
- I aim to arrive when both parties are almost ready.
- Anyone wearing a suit please be ready in pants, socks and shirts when I arrive (unless you have getting ready outfits that you want photographed). We will do photos of ties, jackets being put on.
- Hair and make-up should be done when I arrive. You don't have your shoes and dress on. We will photograph you getting into your dress as well as putting on all your jewellery and shoes with or without help of your family and/or friends
- Both parties please have any details you want photographed ready, altogether in one spot in the room. Some items to consider could be aftershave, perfume, invitations, rings, buttonholes, bouquets, jewellery and any thing else you want to remember.
- If you have time declutter the room where you are getting ready, try and pick the room with the most natural light. Also don't stress about this doesnt happen, we will work it all out once I arrive and look around.
ceremony
- Try to have the aisle and all the chairs centred with where you plan on standing.
- Don't stand too close or too far from the first row of chairs.
- Take your time walking down the aisle.
- Keep a good gap between each bridesmaid and then yourself. This will allow for better photo opportunities. I know you are excited and I really want to capture that so please take a nice pace and try to keep your head up.
- If your ceremony and reception are 1 hour or less apart I highly recommend a first look. A first look is when we take the majority and Bride & Groom portraits and Bridal party portraits before the ceremony.
Video - Faz @iconicpicturesmelbourne
Celebrant - Abbie @abbiefrewcelebrant
Celebrant - Wendy @wendydoesweddings
Food Trucks- Sonia @happycamperpizza
Food Truck - @Smokey_boiz
