Getting ready shots (candid shots of bride and bridal party getting ready, hair and makeup, detail shots of dress, shoes, rings, invitation suite, etc., bride & bridesmaids (as time allows). – about 1.5 hours*
(* I highly recommend having me arrive about 1.5 hours before the bride slips into her dress. Immediately after the bride puts on her dress can be a wonderful time to do some bridal portraits, so if you can add in 10-15 minutes of time for portraits, etc. after putting on your dress that would be the ideal! The getting ready time is where things tend to fall behind - so if you are behind schedule at this point then we would forgo bridal portraits and do some later on :)

If the groom is getting ready at the same place as the bride, I and my assistant and I can move between the two rooms. If the groom is getting ready at a separate place from the bride and you would like groom getting ready shots, I suggest adding a half hour to the 1.5 hours, plus travel time.

Bride + Groom arrive at ceremony location and are tucked away - 30-45 minutes prior to ceremony

Ceremony - 15 minutes to 1 hour (or more)

Family portraits – about 25-30 minutes or 3 minutes per photo 

Bride and Groom Portraits – about 25-45 minutes (more time if doing/driving to more than one location)

Bridal party portraits – about 25-35 minutes (more time if doing/driving to more than one location and more time if have a larger bridal party)

Cocktail hour – bridal party / bride + groom visit with guests 

Photos of cocktail hour, reception space, cake/dessert, tables, guests at cocktail hour, etc. – about 20 - 60 minutes. I always try to photograph your reception space before guests have come into the space and set down purses, etc. So depending on whether your ceremony/reception are at the same place or not, I may or may not be photographing your reception details at this time. If the schedule doesn't allow for me to take photos until after the ceremony, it is helpful to ask your coordinator to wait a bit before allowing guests into the dinner site so that I can get photos beforehand. Every situation is unique so I will work whatever situation I'm given!

Entrance to Dinner

Dinner & Dessert service A few tips on placement of the bride and groom for dinner - it helps if there is some space behind you (i.e. your backs aren't up against the wall) so I can move around you and capture candids of you from different angles. The lighting around you is important - candles and more candles will make for lovely, romantic glow on your faces. The closer the bride and groom's chairs are together the better :) Flowers placed in front of the bride and groom should not be too high, as this will obstruct the view (and shots) of your faces. For example, placing bouquets in vases in front of the bride and groom is not recommended as this is usually too high and obstructs. 

Sunset photos - Bride & Groom - 15-20 minutes 

First Dance (and any parent dances)

Open Dance floor coverage

Photographer departs

1:00pm: Photographer arrives 

1:00pm: Getting ready photos – about 1.5 hours*

2:20pm: Bride gets dressed

2:25-2:35 Bridal portraits or bride with bridesmaids

2:35pm: Bridal party / bride / groom arrive at ceremony location and are tucked away 30-45 minutes prior to ceremony

3-3:30pm: Ceremony

3:45-4:15 pm: Family portraits – about 20-30 minutes

4:15-4:45: Bridal party portraits – about 25-35 minutes

4:45-5:20pm: Bride & groom portraits – about 25-45 minutes

5:20-6:30pm: Photos of guests at cocktail hour, reception space, cake/dessert, tables, etc. 

6:30pm: Entrance to Dinner

6:40pm: Dinner Service

7:45pm: Dessert Service

7:45-8:00pm: Sunset / late afternoon portraits of bride & groom – about 15-20 minutes

8:15pm: First Dance (and any parent dances)

8:20-- Open Dance floor coverage

See more timeline tips from one of Chicago's top wedding planners here.