For Brides Looking to Have a Stress Free Wedding Day.
Planning a wedding is no small task, and not all of us are born party planners. Having photographed over 100 weddings, I’ve seen it all! Let’s break down some common scenarios I’ve encountered and answer a few questions that couples often ask.
Example Timeline
The most common questions I receive are usually about creating a timeline for photos. Below is an example of a typical 7-hour wedding photography timeline that includes a first look.
2:00 pm photographer arrives at venue *this is when detail photos/getting ready photos will happen.
3:00 pm first look & private vows
3:30 pm wedding party photos
4:30 pm down time before ceremony *ALWAYS give yourself time before your ceremony to reset.
5:00 pm ceremony
5:30 pm cocktail hour - family portraits *plan for 30 minutes of family portraits.
6:30 pm reception - grand entrance
6:40 pm speeches
7:00 pm dinner
7:45 pm first dance/parent dances
8:00 pm open dancing
9:00 pm photographer leaves
Your timeline is typically built around three main factors: your ceremony time, your reception time, and when your caterer plans to serve dinner. The rest can be customized however you’d like!
The exception to this timeline is ceremonies, such as church weddings, where there tends to be a larger gap of time between the ceremony and the start of cocktail hour. Typically all photos will take place during that gap including family portraits.
Marriage License
Tips for Filling Out a Michigan Marriage License
Nowadays, it’s increasingly common to see a friend or family member officiating weddings rather than a pastor or professional officiant. I absolutely love this trend—it feels so personal! However, I’ve noticed that marriage licenses are often filled out incorrectly, so I want to break down what you should know before your wedding day.
For Michigan Marriage Licenses
The circled section on the license is where your officiant will need to provide their information. To save time, I recommend having them fill out their section independently before the ceremony. They will need to know:
The city and county where the wedding is taking place.
The wedding date.
Their title as an officiant.
Your Section
Below the officiant's section is where you and your partner will sign. In Michigan, if you are changing your last name, you will sign using your new last name.
Important Notes:
You cannot cross out, scribble, white out, or sign below any mistakes on the license.
While some officiants or locations may be more relaxed about errors, I strongly recommend taking the time to fill out the form carefully to avoid any issues.
By ensuring everything is filled out correctly, you’ll save yourself unnecessary stress and make your marriage official without a hitch!
FAQs
How much time is needed for wedding party and couple photos?
Plan for at least 30 minutes for photos. This includes pictures of the entire wedding party, groomsmen, bridesmaids, and the couple. If you’re traveling to a separate location for photos (e.g., a party bus taking you downtown), make sure to set aside additional time for travel. For example, 15 minutes to travel to the location, 30 minutes for photos, and another 15 minutes to travel back to your venue.
Do we have enough time to travel to a new location for wedding party/couple photos?
There are two key times during your wedding day when you’ll have the opportunity to leave your venue for photos:
After the first look and before the ceremony. You’ll need at least 1.5 to 2 hours of open time before the ceremony for this.
After the ceremony and before cocktail hour. For this to work with a typical hour-long cocktail hour, your photo location should be less than 15 minutes away from your venue.
When should I schedule a time for us to chat?
About a month before your wedding, we should review and finalize your wedding timeline. Ideally, this should be done after you’ve completed the timeline questionnaire.
How much time do I need for our first look?
A first look without private vows typically takes about 5 minutes. If you’re including private vows, I’d suggest planning for 10–15 minutes. Keep in mind it may take a moment to find the right location and get everyone in place, so I recommend allocating around 20 minutes total.
What is the best order of events for my reception?
This is 100% personal preference but here are three ways you can arrange your reception activities.
How will having a videographer effect my wedding day?
Photos are quick and easy, but video requires a bit more prep on your wedding day. While it won’t slow down your timeline, rushing through the process can result in important moments being missed on film. For example, your videographer will need a few minutes before your first look or ceremony to place a microphone on the groom to ensure your vows are properly recorded.
If you’ve booked Megan Kathleen Photos for both photo and video coverage, Nick and I are so excited to work together to capture all the big moments on camera.
If you’ve chosen a different video production company, that’s perfectly fine too! I always enjoy meeting and collaborating with other vendors. 😊
Final Thoughts
It’s your wedding, and you can do whatever you want! I’m here to provide guidance and make suggestions, but ultimately, I’m more than happy to go with the flow of your day. 😊 If you’re working with a planner, they know best! I’m happy to follow their timeline for the day as well.
