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Bruce Lee
Wedding Photography Schedule Made Easy
“You must be shapeless, formless, like water.
When you pour water in a cup, it becomes the cup.
When you pour water in a bottle, it becomes the bottle.
When you pour water in a teapot, it becomes the teapot.
Water can drip and it can crash. Become like water my friend.”
-Bruce Lee
Mr. Lee could have been a describing a typical wedding photographers day with that quote. It’s a fitting statement. I could count one one hand how many weddings have gone exactly as planned over the last 20 years. So, while I will give my bride’s a schedule, down to the minute, of how I would prefer the timing of the day would progress, I quote Bruce Lee. Schedules are given to relieve a bit of stress and let family and the wedding party know when they are expected for pictures. If we do not follow the wedding photography schedule on the big day it is no big deal. As long as we are able to catch up at some point of course.
So, here is a typical wedding photography schedule that I would give to a client when the wedding ceremony and reception are located at the same location:
- 12:45 pm Bride Getting Ready (We start at the last 5 minutes of hair and makeup. So, our goal is that hair and makeup should be finished at 12:50 pm.)
- 1:20 pm Groom Getting Ready
- 1:30 pm Bride with Family and Bridesmaids (45 minutes, then go hide. Be sure flowers are available)
- 2:30 pm Groom with Family and Groomsmen (25 minutes)
- 3:00 pm Ceremony (30 minutes)
- 3:45 pm Altar pictures -All Family, All Bridal Party (20 minutes)
- 4:10 pm Formal Pictures with Mr. and Mrs.(45 minutes to 1 hour)
- 5:10 pm Ready for grand entrance to reception
Here is a typical wedding photography schedule that I would give to a client when the wedding ceremony and reception are located at the different locations:
- 12:45 pm Bride Getting Ready – hotel address (We start at the last 5 minutes of hair and makeup. So, our goal is that hair and makeup should be finished at 12:50 pm.)
- 1:20 pm Photo crew departs for Ceremony location (Travel time 30 minutes)
- 1:30 pm Bride with Family & party depart for Ceremony location (Travel time 30 minutes)
- 1:50 pm Groom Getting Ready –ceremony address
- 2:10 pm Bride with Family and Bridesmaids (45 minutes, then go hide. Be sure flowers are available)
- 3:00 pm Groom with Family and Groomsmen (25 minutes)
- 3:30 pm Ceremony (30 minutes)
- 4:05 pm Altar pictures -All Family, All Bridal Party (20 minutes)
- 4:25 pm Formal Pictures with Mr. and Mrs.(45 minutes to 1 hour)
- 5:25 pm All parties -Depart for reception address (Travel time 30 minutes)
- 6:00 pm Ready for grand entrance to reception
Once we are at the reception I leave all scheduling up to the Master of Ceremonies or D.J.. I approach, introduce myself and get the timeline.
Travel time aside, here is a short review of the amount of time I like to have for pictures:
- Bride with family, bridal party and individual pics – 45 minutes to an hour
- Groom with family, bridal party and individual pics – 25 – 30 minutes
- Altar pictures 20 minutes
- Formal pictures of the newlywed 45 minutes to an hour
If your client is willing to see each other before the ceremony you can add extra time for pictures. One way I use to help sway their decision to see each other before is to show them a few First Look shots and how they look in a finished album.
If you are a Southern California Wedding Photographer you will eventually find yourself at the Orange County Mining Company. Iconic and full of character. This was a first for me though, that is… it was a first that I had photographed where the entire event was at the Orange County Mining Company. I didn’t even know they had ceremonies, up to this point I had only photographed receptions here.
The great part of it was, Paloma and Eric are a super couple! Very willing to anything even though occasionally they looked at me like I was a bit crazy. Maybe they are right. I think we got some unique shots though and really happy with them. Both Paloma and Eric are creative and artistic in their own right. I knew at the engagement session this couple was a photog’s dream.
Seal Beach has a few gems. The Old Ranch Country Club is one of them. Beautiful grounds with stellar views. At the right time of day, this is a very photogenic place. I was excited when I met with Valerie and Net and they told me about their day and their choice. A great looking couple and the Old Ranch? Gonna be awesome.
Well, I was right. It was a fantastic day with tons of shooting opportunities. So much so, I didn’t want to stop. Valerie and Net are incredible to work with and this goes down as one of my favorites.
A few years back I met Wendy at another wedding. Her sister had hired me to photograph their wedding. I had such great time with them I new Wendy and Chris’s wedding would be the same. It was great to see their friends and family again.
The Eagle’s Nest, the country club at the Navy Golf Course has gone through a tremendous transformation. I use to golf here with my Dad. He still golfs here every Sunday. Golf, not really my thing but I do own clubs and enjoy hanging with my Dad.
The Museum of Latin American Art (MOLAA) is on the top of my list for favorite places to shoot a wedding. I was lucky when Angela and Damon came down to talk about their wedding as that was their venue of choice too. A great couple and a fantastic party. Damon is a musician and he and his band absolutely killed it at the reception. I was popping of frames like I had space to spare. Quickly realized I needed to save some for the rest of the reception.
Had an incredible time. Incredible couple, awesome location.
The Museum of Latin American Art is a SoCal destination that should not be missed if you are into art. I have been there many times and lucky for me I get to shoot there a bit too. I have photographed the founding family, the president and the event coordinator along with more than a few weddings. I really get excited when I have an event here. They run smooth and organized (and, the food is always great!)
Sarah and Russ had their wedding here. Along with a fantastic party, the ceremony was a very touching event.
Christina from The Events Boutique did her thing. As usual it was stellar. From flowers to food and keeping all of us vendors in line, she rocks!
I met Katie a few years back when she was a Bridesmaid at Michelle and John’s wedding. I knew right away the only way I could describe Kaydee was Firecracker. A “Life of the party,” type girl and I liked her immediately. When I got a message years later saying she was to be wed I knew I had to be the photographer. I am so happy Kaydee and Jolie selected me. Jolie seems to be a perfect match. A strong woman with drive.
John and Michelle were also at the wedding and it was great to catch up. I found out that the man who caught the girdle and the lady who caught the bouquet met at John and Michelle’s wedding and started dating. Later they were married. Funny, I have never heard of that actually coming true.
Another interesting bit of miscellaneous info for you: My very first wedding that I photographed alone was many years ago. It was also at the location that Kaydee and Jolie had their wedding. The Newland Barn. Which for those keeping score, did a fantastic job both times.
I had such a blast!
San Juan Hills Golf Club has beautiful grounds. A lovely lake, nice foliage and overall seems like it was landscaped with a wedding photographer in mind. With a beautiful couple like Eric and Stacey you can’t go wrong.
Day started off great but if you look at the pictures, one of the ring bearers was not a fan of wedding photographers and really did not know how big he was. But, throughout the day he performed and did a great job. I thought he would warm up to me but nope, he wanted to get a chomp on me instead. So it is with photography, you do what you can to avoid the bites but if the shot is there you take it.
A fantastic Catalina Island Wedding to photograph. Travel to an event is not often a highlight but typically a source of stress. Being stuck in traffic or having difficulty finding parking are some of my biggest fears when it comes to shooting events. In this case a trip to the islands aboard Catalina Express was awesome. We (Photographer extraordinaire Matt Fukushima and I,) got to relax and check out the dolphins.
Lina, Ricardo and their bridal party were amazing. I often feel like I am working the bridal party to death and they are ready to party at the reception but this bridal party was perfectly willing to get some fun shots.
The event was coordinated by Catherine Machado of An Event Two Be who was an excellent source for getting to the island and around the island, even helped pick out some killer spots for photos.
Special shout out to the neighbors who let us utilize their incredible porch for a fun group shots of the ladies!
Catalina Island Wedding
Catalina Island Wedding
Catalina Island Wedding
Catalina Island Wedding
Catalina Island Wedding
