How Much Time Does My Photographer Need?

Happy New Year! As 2018 starts to take off, one thing that I am so excited

for is the opportunity to meet and partner with local vendors.

The wedding industry is filled with countless talented individuals and no wedding can be successful without a collaborative effort from everyone involved.

While every role is equally important to bringing your dream wedding day to life, I think we can all agree that the photographer plays a crucial role in capturing

every priceless moment so that you can relive it for years to come. With all the excitement that comes with the big day, it is important to give some forethought to the

photography schedule to make sure that every special moment is recorded. With that being said, I have the pleasure of introducing Vince Griff of Griff Photography

to all of you. He has been serving the Chicagoland wedding industry as a wedding and engagement photographer for eight years and has some helpful tips

when it comes to getting this process started. In this blog, he’ll walk us through his go-to guidelines for building a wedding day photography schedule.

Hope you enjoy!

Bride’s Details (1 – 1 ½ hours):

• Detail shots of wedding dress, shoes, rings, jewelry, invitation, bouquet, and any other unique wedding details.

• Candid photos of the bride and girls getting their makeup and hair done (this the best time to get creative candid photos that express the feeling of the wedding day).

• Lace up or zip up of wedding dress, and putting on veil if you’re wearing one.

• A variety of candid and posed images of the bride alone.

• Brief photos of the bride with any family.

• Bride leaving home or hotel.

Groom’s Details (½ hour):

• Details of groom’s attire (tie, shoes, watch, cuff links, and suit).

• Groom and groomsmen getting ready at venue (this way we can save time by not having to travel to the hotel where the groom is at).

• Brief photos of the groom with groomsmen.

Break (½ hour):

• Setup at the wedding venue.

• This time is meant for you and your significant other to relax and take a breath!

Ceremony (½ - 1 hour):

• Ceremony- Realizing that every wedding ceremony is different. Some are short and some are longer, that is why this part of the schedule is more of a range and can be adjusted.

Family Formals (½ hour):

• Family formals at the wedding venue.

Wedding Party (1 – 1 ½ hour):

(Most of the time, these photos will take up cocktail hour leaving enough time for the bride to bustle her dress).

• Bride and Groom. Both individually and together.

• Bride with bridesmaids

• Groom with groomsmen

• Full wedding party

Speeches (½ hour):

• Introductions

• Maid of honor speech

• Best man speech

• Blessing

• Cake cutting

Dinner usually takes about an hour and then we need…

Dances (½ hour):

• First dance (One of my favorite times of the entire day).

• Mother-son dance

• Father-daughter dance

Reception (1 ½ - 2 hours):

• Dancing

• Bouquet Toss

• Garter Toss

• I also like to sneak out for 5 minutes for some unique night time photos outside.

Based off this schedule, 9 hours for photography usually works out perfect but photographers typically work with the couple to best fit their needs.

There is no such thing as a one size fits all wedding schedule and that is what makes weddings so exciting. Every wedding and every couple

is different. This photography schedule is meant to work as a guide and should be modified to fit your wedding day. Sometimes things take up more or

less time than usual, and your photographer should be flexible with their timeline.

-Vince Griff

Vince Griff with Griff Photography is an award-winning Naperville wedding photographer,

providing wedding and engagement photography, with an artistic style. He

has been in the business for 8 years, and has photographed over 300

weddings all over the United States.