How To Plan Your Upper Peninsula Wedding Timeline
For most brides, this is their first time getting married. No worries, I’m here for you! Having a great deal of experience working at weddings means that I have seen the pros and cons of all the different ways to arrange an Upper Peninsula wedding timeline. Do you know what is always the most important part of planning? HAVING a wedding timeline in the first place.
A timeline will help you know what is happening next. It will keep you on track, knowing what time your hair should be done by, what time you need to be in your dress. Most importantly – it will make the day feel less hectic because you won’t be left to wonder what time your photographer is arriving, when your flowers will be delivered, and a million other little details! If you don’t have a wedding planner, communicate with your photographer in advance as they will likely have the most experience in planning this piece of your wedding!
Determining Your Photography Coverage
What’s the number one question I am asked from inquiring couples? “How many hours do we need?” Wedding photography coverage typically lasts 8, 9 or 10 hours. The answer depends on several factors:
- Will your day’s events be taking place at multiple locations?
- Are you planning to do a First Look?
- What is the sunset time of your wedding day?
- Is there anything special happening at your reception you’d need your photographer around for?
The answer that is going to matter the most is the answer to the first point. This is because you will have to budget in time for travel. You can conclude that if you will be going to multiple locations, 9 or 10 hours is the best option for you. If you have any special moments happening during your reception that you want captured on professional cameras, consider 9 or 10 hour coverage.
The Importance of a First Look
Most photographers recommend doing a First Look so you can be relaxed and enjoy your day more as a couple, but really it’s up to you and either works out fine. Doing a First Look doesn’t affect how many hours you choose, but it does affect how your entire day will be laid out. It determines whether you’re doing portraits of you, your bridal party and family before or after the ceremony. All of that takes 2-3 hours after you factor in travel time / cushion time for anything running late.
If you are having everything occur at one location and you do not want to do a First Look, you’ll just need to make sure your ceremony time is early, say 2:00 pm as opposed to 5:00 pm. Remember, having a wedding date between November – March means an earlier sunset time. Typically between 4:30 – 5:30 pm. If your ceremony isn’t until 5:00 pm and you do not want to do a First Look, we’re going to be taking portraits in the dark.
Planning for Buffer Time
Plan extra room everywhere in your timeline so you’re not left feeling rushed, so you can breathe, and so you actually have the time to pause and enjoy your wedding day. Here are parts of the wedding timeline that always need some extra time intentionally planned into them:
- Getting ready for the gals: Hair and makeup always takes a little longer than people budget for.
- Travel: Driving to the venue, potential traffic, or forgetting something important are all things that make everything run behind.
- Family & bridal party portraits: Sometimes people drink too much and wrangling tipsy uncles becomes a problem, or one of the kids isn’t cooperating.
Sample Wedding Day Schedule
Below is an example of a timeline for a wedding occurring at a single location with a First Look included.
| Time | Activity |
|---|---|
| 1:00 pm | Photographers Arrive |
| 1:00 – 1:45 pm | Details photos |
| 1:45 pm | Bride & Bridesmaids Get Dressed | Bridal Portraits |
| 3:15 pm | First Look |
| 3:30 – 4:00 pm | Bridal Party Portraits |
| 4:00 – 4:30 pm | Bride & Groom Portraits |
| 4:30 – 5:00 pm | Family Portraits |
| 5:30 – 6:00 pm | Ceremony |
| 6:00 – 7:00 pm | Cocktail Hour |
| 7:00 pm | Reception Begins |
| 9:00 pm | Photographers Exit (8 Hours Total) |
Timeline Timing Breakdown
Wedding Details (45 minutes): Your wedding detail flatlays set up the story for your day. They reflect your unique style. Reception: The first hour of your reception will be filled with intros, first dances and toasts during or right after the salad is served. Entertainment won’t want us going off for photos until toasts are over!