You’ll find yourself going back to these two sources of information time and time again. You’ll want to buy index cards, alphabet tabs and a box to keep them organized in. Write all the names and contact information for all of your guests and wedding party on the cards. Keep all response cards and gift information in the box with the corresponding name. This will keep you completely organized when it’s time to do your head count or write thank you cards.

Here is how to set up a wedding planning note book. Start with a big notebook with 21/2” or 3” rings. Get enough tabs for each of the following categories:

1. Accessories 2. Attendants Dresses 3. Attendants Gifts 4. Bridal Registry 5. Ceremony 6. Favors 7. Flowers 8. Food and Caterers 9. Gowns 10. Groom’s Stuff 11. Guest List 12. Honeymoon 13. Invitations 14. Legal 15. Music 16. Newspaper Announcements 17. Photography 18. Reception 19. Rentals 20. Stationary Items 21. Thank you notes 22. Transportation 23. Valet Parking 24. Videography

Feel free to change these categories to meet your specific needs. Add a 3 hole punched 9”x12” envelope behind each tab. These envelopes will help you keep all your small, loose information together, such as business cards, magazine cut outs, and brochures. Add many sheets of paper behind each tab for note taking on each subject. Next add to the back of each tab all the information large enough to be three-hole punched, such as information from bridal shows, printed materials, or magazine pages. Now you are ready to start planning your wedding.

Even the late arrival by one or more people can really cause a disruption. Please emphasize that your time and the photographers are carefully planned to ensure that we get all photographs of the requested shots in the least possible time and so that you do not feel rushed.

It is very important to finish before the guests begin to arrive. You can help by making sure everyone is ready for photographs (completely dressed, with flowers pined, etc) before the assigned times. The best thing to do is tell everyone evolved with photos to be ready at least 30 min before the intended start time. Make sure the groom and groomsmen are dressed and pinning on flowers a 1/2 hour before their shoot. Most times they forget until its time to start and this can take up to 15 to 30 minutes of you’re photography time.

Another way to help move things along is to give your photographer a list of family and friends names along with the poses that you want. It is easier for the photographer to get someone’s attention if he/she knows his or her name.

Make sure you give this schedule to everyone you want photographed ahead of time so they know when and where to be. Also inform them ahead of time that it is important for everyone who is being photographed to stay in the area of the photographer. A lot of time can be lost if we have to stop and search for people when it’s their turn. If you want to allow family photography during the pose sessions, it is very important to inform them ahead of time to let the photographer get their shots first. Our studio uses slave strobes that are triggered by light. If someone shoots just before the photographer, the professional photo will be ruined. Wait for the photographer to say it’s OK. Letting family and friends take photos will slow the sessions down so more time will need to be scheduled.

And don’t forget to have fun!

A sample wedding schedule for a 3pm Wedding

A sample year to 6 month check list to help you plan your wedding

Pre-ceremony Photographs

Meshing traditional and contemporary styles can sometimes be tricky for the photographer and the couple working within a limited time span. “Pre-ceremony photographs” can eliminate this hindrance. “Pre-ceremony photographs” are normally conducted three hours before the ceremony and can be done with the entire family or the bride and groom alone. During this time away from the crowds of guests, the photographer can take unobtrusive photographs of the couple, family, and wedding party. The most common objection is from the bride, who wants the groom to see her for the first time as she comes down the aisle. I understand wanting to have him see you, and you him. However, I have found that most couples don’t even remember that experience. As you are walking down the aisle, the bride often can’t even see the groom right away. Even more importantly, you are usually worried about tripping on your dress or your father stepping on you. The groom typically can’t express his emotions, because all he can think about is the hundred people in the church and keeping his cool. With “Pre-ceremony photographs” you’ll be able to see each other for the first time without all the other stresses, and then spend some very special private time together. You will do much more than just gasp as you walk down the aisle. When private time is scheduled, we select a special location. When the bride is ready, we stage her holding her bouquet. The groom waits in another area until she is ready. Then we ask everyone to leave. The photographer has the bride staged and is positioned discretely in a spot where they can capture both expressions. Then the groom is sent in. The photographer captures the moment as he exits the room. The bride and groom are then left alone to spend a few moments together. When they are ready, the bride and groom come out of the room and the photography begins. Couples have written letters stating that their “Special Moment” was the most wonderful part of their wedding day. Listed below are the disadvantages and advantages to “Pre-ceremony photographs”. It is completely your decision if you want to experience this once in a lifetime moment. You will never be pressured in either direction, it is only another option to help make your wedding day a dream come true.

DISADVANTAGES

1. You start your day earlier (however, you enjoy it longer)
BENEFITS

1. Pray together
2. Discuss what your about to do, enjoy each other’s company in solitude.
3. Spend some time alone away from the confusion and stress.
4. Take time to freely express emotions.
5. Spend less time photographing after the ceremony.
6. Reduce stress.
7. Enjoy this special experience together.
8. Do all your posed photographs before the ceremony; get more intimate images throughout the day.

Post-Reception Photographs

For the couple who have a very early morning ceremony or just not enough time before the ceremony, scheduling the posed photography after the reception may be the option for you. The photography will last about three hours. You will need to schedule time for everyone to freshen up after the party. You will also want to make sure your photographer is contracted to stay long enough to capture the images. This schedule is not the most popular because everyone is tired and the flowers and hairdos are not at their best, but in some cases this schedule may be necessary. The advantage is that your guests do not have to wait at the reception for your arrival.

The Traditional Schedule

This is probably the most popular schedule. It allows for the tradition of the groom not seeing the bride before the ceremony, and most of the photos are taken while flowers and make-up are still fresh. This schedule normally starts two hours before the ceremony with the bride, bridesmaids, and bride’s family. After about forty-five minutes the photographer switches to the groom, groomsmen, and groom’s family. Photos of the couple and group shots of family are done after the ceremony. The only big disadvantage to this schedule is that the guests have to wait up to an hour for the couple’s arrival.

There are, of course, variations on these three that also might fit your needs. The variations are normally discussed at the planning session. If you have your own ideas make sure your photographer is aware of them. In some cases a schedule would not be nessessary, for instance, a completely photojournalistic approach.