Chronicling your adventure shouldn't be left to the whims of chance. As experienced wedding photographers, Jess and I understand the nuances of capturing your unique love story. We are no strangers to the anxiety that may arise just thinking about setting up a timeline. This blog will share insight on what many people choose to include in a wedding day timeline. We feel privileged to capture the cherished moments that make your wedding day.

 

From stolen glimpses to the tender exchange of vows, our goal is to crystallize countless emotions, turning your day into an unforgettable chapter in your love journey. You have undoubtedly put a lot of time and effort into selecting elements to display your style and vision. It should come as no secret that a well-crafted timeline will ensure that your photographer captures the best moments in the beautiful environment you have crafted. You and your guests will also benefit from anticipating every step of your day as it develops.  Here at Louvenir Photography, we cherish the 'Getting Ready' moments as much as the grand ceremony. Our personal and relaxed approach ensures that your story is told vividly through our lenses.

 

The truth is that no wedding is the same. Every wedding has its character and personality because it's composed of you as unique individuals who bring their parts to develop the story of your wedding day. From intimate elopements to grand celebrations, we tailor our photography to your unique style and preferences. For example, at a recent wedding, the bride informed us that their niece would be singing a traditional song that had ancestral significance for them. This kind of personalized detail is what we strive to capture, making your wedding album as unique as your love story.

 

We included that detail in the timeline to anticipate the subtle but significant shift in the action during their ceremony. With that in mind, we understand that the timeline templates you may come across will need modifications. We will always encourage you to sit down with us and your wedding planner to ensure we include elements essential to your story in your timeline. Allowing us to be part of this process ensures that we help you recapture all the time needed to allow the souvenirs of your day to emerge naturally without making you feel rushed.

 

In the following section, we will present you with a timeline that may fit about 85% of most weddings, with some editing to be more tailored to you and your vision. This timeline, refined from our extensive experience photographing weddings across New England, will guide you through the day's flow. The following paragraphs will add some additional details from our perspective to help you understand what we are looking for and what scenes we are setting up to ensure moments build up organically and happen as candidly as possible.

 

A standard ten-hour day may look as follows.

 

12:00 p.m. Louvenir Photography arrives for makeup photos, flat lay, and detail shots, capturing the essence of anticipation and excitement.

1:30 p.m. Bridesmaids Photo Ready

1:45 p.m. Bride Gets Into Dress

2:00 p.m. Bridesmaid and Bride Photos

2:30 p.m. First Look with Bride’s Dad

2:40 p.m. Couple's first look - a moment filled with raw emotion and beauty.

3:15 p.m. Groomsmen Photos

3:45 p.m. Family Photos Begin

4:15 p.m. Family Photos End (Before Guests Arrival)

4:15 p.m. The reception room is vacated with decor set, candles, and uplighting lit - we take this time to capture the meticulous details of your venue.

5:00 p.m. Ceremony

5:30 p.m. Cocktail Hour

6:15 p.m. Sunset Couple’s Photos- utilizing the golden hour to create stunning, romantic portraits.

6:30 p.m. Enter Reception for the first dance and dinner

7:15 p.m. Cake Cut and Speeches/Toasts

7:30 p.m. Father, Daughter & Mother Son Dances

7:45 p.m. Dance Floor Opening

9:45 p.m. Last Song, Guests are guided outside to line up

9:50 p.m. Last Dance (Private for Bride & Groom)

10:00 p.m. Send Off

 

This schedule detailed above is more than a timeline; it's a storyboard for your day. This schedule detailed above could develop into the storyblocks we will describe below to give you a broad idea of how your day could develop. As you read, please remember that these hours are suitable for a wedding day around late spring, summer, or early fall. The daylight changes depending on the season you select, and your ceremony and golden hour portraits may need to be revised depending on your vision for the day. Summer days, for example, give you much more available daylight to play with. We expertly adapt to these variations, ensuring that your photos always reflect the moment's beauty, regardless of the time of year.

 

A warm climate may bring high heat temperatures that you may need to asses while making timeline decisions. Our experience in Boston's varied weather ensures we're prepared for any conditions, guaranteeing stunning photos, rain or shine. Consider giving extra time between events to avoid heat fatigue for you and your guests, which is especially vital in the bustling summer months of Boston.

 

We are always glad to help you with suggestions based on our experience and research about climate and daylight hours. Still, the decision is ultimately yours, and we adapt accordingly. Our adaptability is vital in creating a seamless experience for our clients.

 

The first section of your photographic journey starts long before the ceremony. Our approach is to blend in, capturing candid moments that reflect the genuine excitement and anticipation of the day. From 12:00 p.m. to 2:30 p.m., We capture your family's expectations and excitement as you and your bridesmaids get ready. We keep in mind the minor, intimate details that often go unnoticed but add so much to the story of your day. These candid images, from makeup photos to detail shots, add depth to your wedding story. It's also when we capture the heartfelt first look with the bride's father and or mother, a moment often filled with tears and laughter.

 

Next, we have the optional first look for you two from 2:40 p.m. to 3:15 p.m. Many charmed moments arise during this time, and we ensure we capture it with the utmost care and discretion, allowing you to immerse in the moment's emotion fully. This part of the day frankly sets the tone for the rest of the event, and capturing the couple's genuine emotions during their first look is a moment we always look forward to. Our experience in Boston's unique landscapes adds a layer of beauty to these photos.

 

We will give you some space and time to enjoy this beautiful, intimate moment while you bask in the love that has brought you to this day.  

The third section, from 3:30 p.m. to 4:15 p.m., is when we take bridal party and family photos. We handle this efficiently, understanding the importance of these group shots while ensuring everyone can return to celebrating as soon as possible. These group shots might seem just a traditional thing to do, but for many, they are the backbone of any wedding album. Taking these photos efficiently and professionally is our top priority, ensuring every one of your guests can return to the festivities as soon as possible and be ready for your ceremony.

 

The fourth section, starting at 4:15 p.m., is about setting the scene. Our attention to detail is essential as we capture the environment you've so lovingly crafted. A well-prepared venue enhances the atmosphere of the wedding and allows us to create visually stunning photos. We honor your vision by photographically preserving every detail, from the subtlest decoration to the grandest arrangement. You have spent many arduous hours selecting the colors, textures, and ornaments to adorn your ceremony and reception. We want to honor all the planning you have done by photographing the set of the scene in the beautiful light that helps you remember the elements of your day.

 

Section five, from 5:00 p.m. to 6:15 p.m., is the heart of the wedding: the ceremony and the transition to the cocktail hour. We position ourselves to capture both the grandeur of the ceremony and the intimate, joyous moments during the cocktail hour. These moments are full of joy and celebration, from exchanging vows to the first sip of champagne. These moments of your smiles and those of your close family and friends capture heightened emotions. In the dynamic backdrop of Boston, these moments become even more special.

 

We will position ourselves to capture these smiles and tears as they blossom from you and your guests. Many notable gasps and whispers arise as you make your way down the aisle and commence to hear the words prepared by your officiant and your vows of promise to one another. You are fulfilling the dream of you two joining your hearts and lives in this ceremony before your loved ones.

 

As the sun sets around 6:15 p.m., we enter the golden hour for a few more couples’ photos. This time is precious, and we make the most of Boston's scenic beauty to create photos that feel like they're straight out of a fable book. A setting sun's warm and soft light creates beautiful, romantic images. Here, we plan not to keep you from your guests for too long, and capturing these photos will pay dividends when you receive these beautifully illuminated portraits of you two in your wonderful wedding day attire.

 

Finally, from 6:30 p.m. to 10:00 p.m., we will capture your reception festivities. Our unobtrusive style means we'll be right in the heart of the action without being a distraction, ensuring we capture the true essence of your celebration. These moments are full of energy and joy, from the first dance to cutting the cake. This section will include a lot of laughter and occasional dance moves. You and your guests will be in the midst of the celebration, and we want to remain close to the action to help you relive the vibrancy of your day. There are undoubtedly many family traditions and speeches or toasts to capture; we want to make sure to know the sequence of events so that we follow you and your guests through the night as each scene takes place.

 

In conclusion, crafting the ideal wedding timeline is about balancing the traditional with the unique, the formal with the candid. As your Boston wedding photographer, we are committed to capturing the special moments that tell your unique story. It's about capturing the special moments that you will treasure eternally. We want to become a supporting resource to you, and we invite you to reach out if you need personalized help determining your photography needs. We’d love to hear about your wedding timeline goals. Let's make your Boston wedding a day to remember!