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. We pretty much schedule our whole game plan based on your order of events, so it definitely is an important document to have ready before the day.

There are a lot of sample timelines floating out there in the internet, and you may have already received a great template from your wedding planner or photographer. 
As a videographer, I don’t want to give you another complete step by step list of the day, but I would love to offer a few suggestions on how to ensure your video team fits into your timeline, so the whole day can run super smoothly. 
 
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Getting Ready 
The getting part of the day is fun to include in the video because it builds the anticipation of the ceremony. Your video doesn’t need to capture every single moment of hair and make-up being done, and honestly, half-finished makeup really doesn’t look that great on camera. When I first started filming, I found myself doing a lot of waiting around in hotel suites and dressing rooms waiting for makeup to be done and clothing to be put on. 
 
To make sure no one is standing around waiting, I suggest planning to have the photo/video team arrive to your dressing room about 30 minutes before the bride Is scheduled to have her makeup and hair completed. While she is getting her makeup or hair completed they can take your special details, such as your dress and 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 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. For the groom I suggestion getting ready about the same time the bride is having her final makeup done. I always bring an assistant videographer on my team to be able to go be with the guys while I am with the girls, and having the bride and groom finishing getting ready at the same time is a good tip for the timeline. 
 
Having the bride and groom ready at the same time makes a perfect opportunity to schedule a letter reading, gift exchange, or a first look in your wedding day. 
 
 
Ceremony Set-Up 
For your video team, the ceremony is the most technically complicated part of the day, and we definitely need prep-time before it starts to ensure we capture all the audio and video footage. 
 
For my assistant and I, we start setting up for the ceremony one hour before the scheduled start time. We cannot film any other footage of the bride and groom during this time, because we want to have everything ready to capture the main event of your day before your guests start taking their seats. 
 
The DJ or Sound technician will also be finishing their setup during this time, up so we can collaborate on audio. we will also put 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 vendors so they are fresh and ready to capture the rest  of the evening. 
 
Here is the layout that I found works best for your 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 guests eating isn’t that flattering. Have them 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! :)