wedding planning Archives -

08Jun

Tips for Perfecting Your Wedding Photo Timeline

By Aaron Feldman, June 08, 2023 Advice

At True Photography we understand the importance of creating the perfect photo timeline for your special day. Your wedding day is one of the most important days of your life, and capturing every moment is crucial to preserving those memories for years to come. To help ensure that your wedding day photography is flawless, we’ve compiled some helpful tips for perfecting your San Diego wedding photo timeline.

1. Start early

When it comes to your wedding day, time is of the essence. You don’t want to feel rushed or stressed, and neither do your photographers. Starting your day early ensures that you have enough time for everything, from getting ready to your ceremony and reception. By giving yourself ample time, you’ll also have a more relaxed atmosphere, which will make for better photos. Bride and Bridesmaids getting ready captured by True Photography

2. Plan ahead

Planning ahead is key to creating the perfect photo timeline. Meet with your photographer well in advance to discuss the details of your day, including your timeline, special moments you want to capture, and any must-have shots. Your photographer can help you determine how much time is needed for each aspect of your day, from getting ready to the ceremony to the reception. Don’t forget to account for travel time between locations. Perfecting your wedding photo timeline by planning ahead for important shots

3. Factor in lighting

Lighting is a crucial element of wedding photography. Be sure to consider the time of day when planning your photo timeline. For example, if you’re planning an outdoor ceremony, consider scheduling it during the golden hour for the best lighting. Similarly, if you’re planning an indoor reception, be sure to check the lighting in advance and make any necessary adjustments. Golden hour wedding ceremony photographed by True Photography

4. Be flexible

While it’s important to have a plan, it’s also important to be flexible. Unexpected things can happen on your wedding day, and being able to adapt and adjust your timeline can make all the difference. For example, if it starts raining during your outdoor ceremony, be prepared to move indoors or have a backup plan. perfecting your wedding photo timeline so you can relax, photographed by True Photography

5. Allocate enough time for each part of your day

Your wedding day is filled with so many special moments, from getting ready with your bridal party to your first dance as a married couple. Be sure to allocate enough time for each part of your day, so that your photographer can capture all of these moments. For example, you may want to allocate more time for getting ready photos, as they can be some of the most special and intimate of the day. Bride and Groom at their wedding receptions adorned in rose petals captured by True Photography

6. Don’t forget about the details

Wedding photography isn’t just about capturing the big moments; it’s also about capturing the details that make your day unique. Be sure to allocate time for detail shots, such as your rings, invitations, and flowers. These small details can make a big impact on your wedding album. Wedding ring detail image photographed by True Photography

At True Photography, we pride ourselves on capturing the beauty and emotion of your wedding day. By following these tips for perfecting your San Diego wedding photo timeline, you’ll be able to relax and enjoy your special day, while we capture every moment. Contact us today to learn more about our wedding photography services.

24Aug

Should I Have A Wedding Shot List?

By True Photography, August 24, 2017 Advice

From our perspective, there are a few scenarios where a short list is helpful, such as a list of family pictures. As well, if there is a shot you have been dreaming about, we definitely want to know. But typically, we find we can be more fun and creative for you by getting to know you, as opposed to going straight down a list. By talking together, starting early in the booking process, we are able to learn much more about you. We find out what is important to you, and how you interact as a couple. By preparing in advance, and then letting the day happen naturally, we can capture the most genuine and spontaneous moments.

bride and bridesmaids getting ready with champagne

Lists and Pinterest boards can be a great way to describe your sense of style in a few photos. But they can also be constricting. Giving artistic freedom allows your photographer to create images that are personal and original to your special day!

If there are special details, important family, and surprise events, these are examples of things to talk over in advance with your photographer! Not necessarily as a shot list, but as a heads up, so the details can be worked out. That way, we can reserve time to capture things creatively.

On Synthia and Yupeng's wedding day at Estancia (above), the couple wanted to have a moment together before the ceremony with a First Look. For a bigger surprise, we asked Synthia to strike a funny pose before Yupeng turned around. Because we got to know each other, we knew Synthia would be on board :)

Bride and Groom reactions during wedding ceremony

By avoiding memorized lists of poses, your photographer will be able to focus more on the magic of the moment, as well as candid expressions, and the best artistic angles.

Bride and Groom re-enact First Kiss after Wedding Ceremony

Bride and Groom with Parents on Wedding Day

During family portraits, we make it a point to capture individual photos of you with all your closest family members. We love it when the whole family gets into the spirit!

On Owen Brenna and George's wedding day at the Andaz Hotel, we arrived early to find this amazing modern bath in Owen Brenna's room. After draining and waterproofing everything, we had her hop in for a fun photo. The moment was totally unscripted, and totally awesome!

Groom carries Bride for funny photo at La Jolla Cove

Wedding Couple embrace on cliff at Sunset

As the sun set during Nicole and Brandon's wedding at Scripps Seaside Forum, we took the couple out to some rocks we scouted earlier in the day. After waiting for the perfect moment, and illuminating the couple with off-camera flash, we were able to create an effect that stretched far beyond the couple's expectations.

In addition to photos of all your friends and family, we love photographing all the details that go into making the day so special.

Guests throw flower petals during wedding couple's grand entrance at reception

By hiring a photographer whose vision and expertise you trust, you ensure a memorable experience, as well as unforgettable and timeless images that leave you surprised.

Bride and Groom share First Dance during wedding reception

Wedding Couple and Cake at Wedding Reception

Bride and Groom embrace while watching fireworks in Downtown San Diego

Rather than an abundance of visual examples, or an extensive list with shots to cross off, know that you have hired a great team to take care of you. We will bring out your personalities in a creative and flattering ways!

If you do have a list, like for must-have family shots, it is most important that the people included know they are taking part. They will need to know where to be, and be ready to go at the right time. To achieve this, it is helpful to dedicate a family member to gather people, especially when dealing with larger groups. Having everyone aware and present will set you up for success.

For more, check out some of our favorite recent wedding photos

22Aug

Where Does the Time Go? | Wedding Timeline Planning

By True Photography, August 22, 2017 Advice

From the first pre-ceremony Bellinis with bridesmaids, to the last traditional event you’d like photographed, the wedding timeline can fill up quickly! So how do you fit in all of the memorable activities you will want to look back on, and ensure you have photographic coverage? We are here to help!

A very general timeline may look like the following (of course every wedding is different):

3:00pm-3:45pm: We arrive onsite to photograph final getting ready shots. Bride should be 90% ready, with exception of dress being put on. Bridesmaids should be 100% ready.
3:45-4:15: Photograph bridesmaids
4:15-4:45: Photograph groomsmen
5:00-5:30 Photograph ceremony
5:30-6:30: Capture Cocktail hour (one photographer will head to cocktail hour, and the other will photograph the room details)
5:30-6:00: Photograph family. This is one of the most important parts of the day! During this time, it is vital that all family know where to be, and are present. If we are chasing after an uncle that went to cocktail hour by accident, there is a domino effect and it takes time away from the couple’s photos. After the pics, the family heads to cocktail hour.
6:00-6:15: Photograph bridal party. To get everyone quickly and efficiently, the bridal party needs to stick around, and not head to cocktail hour until after the pictures.
6:15-6:35: Pictures of the wedding couple. If more time is needed or requested, we will pull you out during salads, and get a few more portraits
6:35-10:00: Photograph dances and traditional reception events

To ensure the most success with your wedding timeline, it is beneficial to remember that all the little in-between times (getting to and from) really add up, and need to be cushioned. If you create a “perfect” timeline, then you have to be totally perfect, down to the second. That can be a bit stressful with all the moving parts of the wedding day. Let’s make a “not perfect” timeline, and allow windows of time to get from point a to b ;)

Here is a breakdown of each event paired, with the typical amount of time it takes for each activity. This will help you visualize the time the in-between moments can take up, so you can successfully plan your day.

Pre-Ceremony
Hair and make-up for brides and bridesmaids can take 1.5 to two hours per person. For bigger bridal parties, multiple artists/stylists make this time more efficient. If 1:45 is the goal for being done with hair and make-up, we suggest telling the beauty team that they need to be done 20 minutes before the actual cutoff. Also, bridesmaids need to arrive and be ready for hair and make-up early (for example by 8:40 rather than 9), and to be ready for portraits by 1:30. This way, they are dressed and ready to help you with your getting ready shots.

As bridesmaids are and heading towards the next destination, it can take 5-10 minutes to leave the “getting ready” area. This is true whether the bridal party pictures on site, or everyone is piling into a limo. This time buffer should be accounted for, and built in, so you have the full amount of planned time at the next event.

Post-Ceremony
Clearing out the ceremony area and gathering family for portraits can take about 10 minutes. So, if the ceremony ends promptly at 5:30pm, family portraits are likely to have an actual start time more like 5:45. A piece of expert advice is to have someone assigned to help move the guests towards the cocktail hour. Likewise, if there is any other activity after the ceremony, it will take time to gather guests and make sure they know the plan.
Travel
When planning a wedding that requires any travel time, leave room in the schedule so that people can find parking and settle in. For example, if your ceremony is in a different spot than your “getting ready” location, and ten minute cushion to get settled should suffice. If you leave for portraits after the ceremony, and then travel back to the reception venue, the same buffer will be needed. The same is true when walking is involved from one place to another, like at a large hotel property. Whenever walking is involved, always plan for more time than you think you will use!
Reception
According to our sample timeline, the cake cutting would be at 6:55pm, so having it announced at 6:50 covers the 5 minutes it takes to gather people to watch.The actual cutting of the cake itself lasts around 5-7 minutes with photos and guest interactions factored in.

Similarly, the 7:30pm bouquet toss, which is likely to be followed by a garter toss, can use a five minute pre-event announcement.
No two weddings are exactly alike, so consider any factors relevant to your specific plans. For example, at a beach wedding, walking through the sand will slow people down. Ultimately, the day doesn’t have to be perfect to reduce stress, it just needs some room for time flexibility!