Wedding guide
Useful tips to arrive prepared for the wedding day
As I had the opportunity to write in the notes on the biography, I have been working as a wedding photographer for 16 years now.
In all this time I have come into contact with over 350 couples, 700 people and their guests.
Hundreds of events, thousands of people who have taught me so much and from whom I have learned to understand the timeline of a wedding and, more importantly, to anticipate what will happen. This experience gave me the idea to create a small guide for marriage.
From here you can read the basics on what happens at a wedding with the photographer. Enjoy reading the guide to weddings in Sardinia
my suggestions
I always ask my couples to create a small schedule of events, this helps us plan every detail, even the times, which is very important.
What you see below is based on a typical day. Your schedule will be created specifically for you.No two weddings are the same, the choice of how to manage it is completely yours. It’s your day, it’s your choice.
Timeline example
2 p.m. — Wedding Photographer’s Arrival
2:15 – 4:15 p.m. — Getting Ready Photos
– Hairstylist doing the bride’s hair
– Makeup artist doing the bride’s makeup
– Bride getting ready with bridesmaids
– Groom getting ready with groomsmen
– Detail shots (dress veil, shoes, rings, bouquet, invitations, etc.)
4:30 – 5:15 p.m. — First Look and Couple Portraits
– Bridal portraits
– Groom portraits
– Couple seeing each other in their wedding attire for the first time
– Couple portraits
5:30 – 6 p.m. — Wedding Party Photos
– Bride with all of her bridesmaids
– Bride with the maid of honor
– Bride with each of her bridesmaids
– Groom with all of his groomsmen
– Groom with his best man
– Groom with each of his groomsmen
– Couple with the entire wedding party
– Couple with the bridesmaids
– Couple with the groomsmen
6 – 6.30 p.m. — Ceremony
– Ceremony location
– Detail shots (programs, aisle, arch, etc.)
– Guests arriving
– Family members walking down the aisle
– Wedding party’s procession
– Couple’s procession
– Officiant
– Family or friends sharing readings
– Couple exchanging vows
– Couple exchanging rings
– First kiss
– Recessional
7:15 – 7:30 p.m. — Family Portraits (During Cocktail Hour)
– Bride with parents
– Groom with parents
– Couple with bride’s parents
– Couple with groom’s parents
– Couple with both sets of parents
– Bride with siblings
– Groom with siblings
– Couple with groom’s siblings
– Couple with bride’s siblings
– Couple with both sets of siblings
– Bride with grandparents
– Groom with grandparents
– Couple with bride’s grandparents
– Couple with groom’s grandparents
– Couple with both sets of grandparents
7:15 – 8:15 p.m. — Cocktail Hour
– Detail shots (cocktail napkins, bar décor, bar signage, etc.)
– Signature cocktails
– Guests mingling
8:30 p.m. — Wedding Reception
– Detail shots (seating chart, tablescape, centerpieces, place settings, etc.)
– Couple’s reception entrance
– Couple’s first dance
– Parent dances
– Toasts and speeches
– Guests at their tables
– Guests on the dance floor
– Bouquet/garter toss
– Cake cutting
– Last dance
– Couple’s send-off
WEDDING GUIDE
Useful tips to arrive prepared for the wedding day
01.
PREPARATIONS
Preparations for the ceremony take around 3 hours, it depends on how many people there will be to prepare, but 3 hours is a fairly accurate estimate.
My work starts about 2h, 2h30′ before the ceremony.
It is very important that the dress, shoes and accessories, and everything you want photographed is already ready, this way I will not take too much time taking pictures of the preparations, having the opportunity to concentrate on friends and family.
My tip for perfect makeup photos? Choose a place possibly in front of a source of natural light, possibly a window.
Avoid fluorescent lights, you’ll thank me.
Once you are ready, photos of the bride and those with witnesses and parents can be taken in the next 10 minutes.
02.
OUTDOOR CEREMONY
Weddings with outdoor ceremonies are my favorites.
I am free to move and take photos from different angles of the bride and groom and their guests.
Light is the most important thing in photography
The optimal location is one in the shade, to prevent shadows on the face and closed eyes. If shaded accommodation is not possible it is important to have the sun behind you so you will not be disturbed by the light in your eyes and will look your best in photographs.
Even your guests will not be disturbed by the light.
The confetti moment is equally important, the photographs will be beautiful and joyful.
In outdoor ceremonies it is important that the shadows do not make the faces black and unreadable.
Once back in the studio I will work on the images to give them the right color, improve the shadow and light parts, so that they are perfectly readable.
03.
BRIDE & GROOM PORTRAIT
Let’s be honest, none of us are professionals comfortable in front of the camera.
Most feel embarrassed and I understand them.
But this is not a moment to waste, it will not be repeated.
In recent years I have learned how to guide and accompany couples during the photo shoot without being too present.
In my photos the spouses can easily be recognized for who they are without forcing. Passionate, in love, cheerful, they are immediately recognizable in my shots.
The boys here on the left are ordinary people, like all of us, this shot captures their love for each other, their being happy.
Part of the wedding photographer’s job is precisely this. The photographer spends most of the day with the spouses, their friends and relatives, making them feel at ease, gaining their trust, ensuring that they do not feel embarrassed in front of a stranger taking their photographs.
On my instagram profile you can see other wedding portraits
04.
RECEPTION
PRODUCTION
Aperitif and dinner are those moments of the day in which guests interact with each other, these are the most beautiful moments during the whole day.
It’s time you can see guests laughing, hugging, chatting and spending time together.
Do you remember my purpose? I do this work to “give you important images, which will become your memories”.
Well, this is one of the key moments of the day. I will be there during aperitifs or dinner, ready to capture the most beautiful moments between you and your guests.
I cannot advise you enough to consider opting for a wedding planner. This is my #1 tip
A wedding planner will guide you throughout the day and will be in charge of every task, allowing you to relax and fully enjoy the day with your friends and family.
05.
PARTY!!!
LET’S GET THE PARTY STARTED!
Perhaps the part of the day you looked forward to the most.
After a year and more of preparations, dreams and desires, the final moment of the day has finally arrived.
Undoubtedly the success of the party is thanks to the band or the DJ.
They can involve guests in dancing until late at night.
Pay attention to the choice of who will take care of the party, as you have done for every other aspect of your wedding.
Feel free to ask me for suggestions, based on your wishes I will be able to recommend the most suitable professional.
My work ends with dancing. One hour / one hour and thirty minutes after the party started my work ends. In such a long time I am sure I have captured almost all the people dancing and the party.
FULL WEDDINGS
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Dear Antonio
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