Wedding timeline tips from a videographer!

The wedding day timeline.  It’s the thing that every single one of your wedding vendor team is going to need from you. Our game plan is based on your schedule of events, so it is definitely important have it ready before the wedding day.

There are a lot of sample timelines floating out there in the internet. You may have already received a great one from your wedding planner or photographer. 
I don’t want to give you just another full schedule of the day. But I would love to offer a few suggestions on how to best put the needs of the wedding video in your timeline.   

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​ Getting Ready
Great news, your videographer doesn't need to be in the room with you the whole time hair and makeup is being done. It only takes us a few moments to get clips that will look for the highlight film. And honestly, half-finished makeup doesn’t look best on camera. 
To make sure no one is standing around waiting, I suggest the photographer and videographer arrive to your dressing room about 30-40 minutes before the bride is scheduled to have her makeup and hair done. 
 
While she is getting her makeup or hair completed, we can take the special details, such as the dress, shoes, jewelry, ect, and get some fantastic imagery of them.
When the bride is ready, the photo and video team can capture a few pictures and clips of the finishing touches, like application of lipstick and mascara, or adjusting a hairpiece. From there, getting the dress and jewelry and shoes on will come naturally in the timeline. 
 
Now for the groom. You know the stereotype about women taking longer than men to get ready? Well, on a wedding day, it’s true. Since we don't have as much filming to do with the groom, I suggest to have him scheduled to put on his suit and tie 30 minutes after the bride is scheduled to have her dress on. 
 
 
 
Ceremony Set-Up
For a videographer, the ceremony is the most technically complicated part of the day. We definitely need time before it starts to ensure our audio and video equipment is properly set up before guests arrive. 
 
In your timeline, the ceremony setup for video needs to start one hour before the scheduled ceremony start time. We cannot film any other footage of the bride and groom during this time. 
The DJ or Sound technician will also be finishing their own equipment setup during this time, so we can collaborate on audio. 
 
We will also be putting small lapel microphones on the groom and officiant. 
 
 
Reception Events and Dinner
The reception dinner is a perfect opportunity to schedule the meal break for your photo and video team so they are refreshed and ready to capture the rest  of the evening. 
 
 Here is the layout that I found works best for the reception. 
 
Before Dinner is Served:
- Grand Entrance  
- First Dance 
- Welcome Speech /Prayer 
 
During Dinner - Dinner is the best time for your whole photo and video team to take their meal break because footage of your guests eating isn’t that flattering. 
 
Have the team scheduled to take their meal at the same time the Bridal Party is getting their food, and they will be back at the perfect time to set up for toasts.  
 
After Dinner
- Toasts
- Parent Dances / Other Special Dances
- Open Dancing
 
And those are my friendly tips and suggestions for your wedding day timeline. I hope it helps, and thanks for reading! :)

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