Timeline Tips & Tricks | Our Top 5 Things to Think About When Building Your Morning-Of Timeline

When we first meet with a client, no matter what package purchased, we work with their timeline first to set the planning process up for success! A pattern that we notice, is that a lot of our clients do not think about some important things/events/photos that can take place the morning of their wedding day that can make all the difference and effect their timeline (I mean most have never been married before, so can you blame them?!) Since this has been such a common conversation, we thought that we would list below our top five things to think about when building your morning-of timeline and help those of you building your dream day timeline! xoxo

1. What you want captured by your Photographer and/or Videographer

   • When your photographer arrives on-site the day-of they LOVE to have everything you want captured in terms of detail shots, organized & ready for them so they can use their contracted time as productive as possible! This is a conversation that most photographers will have with clients prior to the big day, but some things to think about that you may want captured in terms of detail shots the morning of can be:

     • Robe/Matching Getting Ready Outfits

     • Invitations/Stationery Items

     • Your Dress Shots (don’t forget a cute monogrammed hanger too to give that extra special touch)

     • Your Rings

     • Gifts for your Bridal Party

     • Those Items for your Something Old, Something New, Something Borrowed, & Something Blue

2. Do you want to exchange a Gift/Card with your Future Husband/Wife?

• A lot of couples like to exchange cards and/or gifts the morning of before seeing one another! This is something you may want captured whether its just on photo, video, or both! Make sure your photographer/videographer knows this is happening, and that your Maid-of-Honor & Best Man are there to help with the exchange!

  • Tip: Don’t forget to do this before makeup leaves just in case the tears are falling when reading the thoughtful card from your almost spouse!

3. Do you want to do a First Look with your Parents/Those closest to you outside of your Bridal Party?

• Now this is something that we are thanked by Parents/those closest to the Bride & Groom (outside of the Bridal Party) many times for thinking of doing this & allowing this special moment on the wedding day! Whether it’s a private First Look moment between the Bride & her Father, or a First Look moment between the Groom & his Mother, this moment always brings a tear to our eyes & it is something your loved ones will cherish forever!

4. First Look with your Bridesmaids

• Now this is one of our favorite moments on the wedding day for the Bride! We always suggest that when the girls are all done with their hair & makeup, and have taken those matching robe/getting ready outfits, that the bridesmaids go into a separate space to get changed, and the bride goes into her room with her MOH/MOB (right after they change quickly) to help her put her dress on (don’t forget to capture those final touches of getting dressed to). Then when the Bridesmaids & Bride are all dressed & ready, we have the Bridesmaids stand in a separate room facing away from the door, we bring the bride in, and then the girls turn around & see the Bride for the very first time! It is such an adorable moment filled with tears & loud screams of joy! Highly recommend adding this into the timeline if this is something that seems perfect for you!

5. Where is your First Look/Ceremony and how are you getting to that location without seeing one another?

• If doing a First Look: We always suggest that the First Look happens somewhere in or near where the Bridal Party is getting ready the day-of! With the timeline, we suggest that the Groom goes to the First Look Location first, and then once Groom is in place (or your planner gives the OK that the Groom is out of the building/not where you can run into him) then the Bride starts to head to the First Look Location. It is VERY important that your Photographers/Videographers communicate on their location so the Bride & Groom do not run into one another beforehand, and if you have a planner (Even better) they can make sure everything is all clear & ready to go before bringing the bride to see her Groom for the first time!

• If Down the Aisle: It is very important to note when the Guys are leaving the getting ready location & when the Girls are leaving their getting ready location. Look up how far each location is from the Ceremony Location and make sure that their arrival times are at least 5 minutes apart before guests arrive. We always suggest the guys going first because they can hide away a lot easier (don’t have to worry about a wedding dress)! When the girls arrive to the Ceremony location, they should wait on the vehicle until they are given an OK by their Planner that the Groom is tucked away & they have the all clear! Definitely don’t want to ruin the moment of seeing each other for the first time, so extra precaution is important! xoxo