The Most Complete Wedding Day Schedule for A Stress Free Day!

I have photographed over 2000 weddings - believe me, I know a stressed out bride when I see one and in every occasion the reason is one: Thinking that “things will just fall into place” - they won’t. This is not touchy-feely advice or sugar coated guidance, it is straight forward advice for two reasons: One to give you less stress so your photos show a beautiful and joyful bride instead of a preoccupied and confused bride, and two - so I don’t have to be improvising every minute because there was no agreement to a concise schedule and now your photos will show it - I also don’t want to sit at your reception with nothing to do because it’s 11 p.m. and you haven’t cut your cake! Everyone loses in that scenario.

So here is my advice after having photographed 2000+ weddings and seen every possible scenario out there. Please follow it!

DAY BEFORE WEDDING - Gather everything you think you will need tomorrow starting with this idea: “What would be a terrible thing for me to forget?” And start with those. Marriage license, rings, gifts,, vows - etc, etc. Make a list weeks before and have it ready - DELEGATE to those that you trust to complete the list for you. Make sure everyone has found baby sitters, has their dress ready and will be there bright and early to be your “bride’s maid” all the way.

GETTING READY - Secret: START MUCH EARLIER THAN YOU EVER THOUGHT NECESSARY. Make your schedule backwards from your ceremony time, allowing for buffers of time instead of back to back events. If your ceremony is at a church at 1:00 p.m., start with - arrive 30 minutes before 12:30, drive time 15 minutes, 12:15 - traffic issues - leave at noon. Gather final things at home 11:40, photos before going to church 11:30, (try to have your flowers with you!) jewelry and accessories (garter, shoes etc.) 11:15, getting in dress 10:50, hair and makeup, 9:50 (photographer arrives 10:30), breakfast with bride’s maids (ordered in) 8:00, wake up, time alone, write vows, prepare mentally, meditate, calm down - 7:00 —- CONCLUSION:7:00 a.m. is start time for your church wedding at 1:00 p.m. NOTE: Ensure everyone is in “wedding mode” no drama, no attitudes, no negativity - nip that in the bud immediately. Your bride’s maids should be with you plus anyone else that is there to HELP.

WEDDING CEREMONY: Be prepared - this is an important thing - I say that because many (MANY) brides are more concerned with how their party is going to go, than with the rest of their lives - it’s true. But from a photography standpoint, a ready bride generates amazing photography - a not-so-ready bride welcomes flaws to her photography, everything shows. Please don’t concern yourself with anything that is not related to the giant step you are taking today, to the happiness this event brings to you. Whatever is or isn’t done at this moment, that is how it is and nothing is more important. If someone is late, let it go, if someone has an attitude, let it go, if something is out of place - let IT - GO! All positive thoughts at this point, excitement, and happiness.

Wedding Ceremony at La Fonda hotel in Santa Fe, NM. Few ceremony settings are more striking and beautiful.

WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHY TIPS: Smile and interact when walking down the isle. Everyone - happy, no somber faces. Guest photos are totally fine! They give you a different perspective and they make your guests happy. Children make weddings better, let them come! Ensure groom has had a manicure that week, learn how to attach a buttonier. Ask the priest or minister to tell the FAMILIES OF THE BRIDE AND GROOM to remain sitting after ceremony to expedite formal photos. make sure you have agreed with the church or venue as to how much time you are allowed for pictures. Family photos should be around 20 minutes, wedding party photos about 10 minutes and bride and groom photos about 15 minutes - so asking for an hour is about right and never out of line. REMEMBER that you should always plan on a second location for you and the wedding party to go for additional photos - this gives you great results. Drive time and about 30 minutes there should be accounted for. SO - if your ceremony ends at 2:00, you should not plan your reception for any time before 4:00p.

WEDDING FORMAL PHOTOS: Make sure that wedding party is always available - they will be needed to make photos great. Photographer should have given you a GPS location so everyone can get there easily and a summary of what will be done.

Civic Plaza across the street from Clyde Hotel and Albuquerque Convention Center has hundreds of photo opportunities!

WEDDING RECEPTION: Ensure to have a set schedule for your reception - no “do it whenever” arrangement. Strive to get all of your special events done within 90 minutes after your dinner - this will ensure your guests are still there, they are paying attention and they participate.

WEDDING RECEPTION IDEAS THAT WORK: Have your TOAST at the end of dinner while everyone is still sitting and paying attention. CUT YOUR CAKE right after the toasts this way the venue can send some of the staff home but most importantly, so your cake doesn’t go to waste. Serve as desert. While people eat their yummy cake, you can do your PARENT’S DANCES. I always recommend for you and your husband to dance with your parents at the same time, change parents mid song and then HAVE THEM HAND YOU TO EACH OTHER as a ceremonial gesture. After your dance, take time to take PHOTOS WITH EACH TABLE GROUP - setting up two chairs on the dance floor and having each table come to do a group photo works great! After that, you can do a GAME, or your DOLLAR DANCE, or your ANNIVERSARY DANCE etc, and lastly, your GARTER AND BOUQUET TOSS if you have chosen to do that.

Traditional New Mexico “La Marcha” wedding dance. It gets guests in wedding mode and participating in your festivities! A lot of fun! | Los Lunas Event Center, Los Lunas, New Mexico

If your reception started at 5:00, it should now be 7:30 or so, perfect time for some last photos if there is a sunset, some dancing photos and your photographer by now should have all he needs to deliver a complete account of your wedding day! BECAUSE YOU PLANNED IN ADVANCE. Remember this please: A great photographer, someone with experience will adapt, schedule or no schedule. An inexperienced or poor photographer will collapse under the pressure of having no plan, resulting in pretty bad photography.

I am an extremely experienced and knowledgeable photographer - I will be there to ensure everything runs smoothly and your photos are the very best they can be.