Planning Your Wedding Timeline
We've talked about the importance of timelines before, but something we haven't talked about is WHEN to create a timeline for your couples.
Even if my couples are booked more than a year out, my goal is to get them a timeline draft within 1-4 weeks after they book. Why?
Drafting up your elopement or wedding timeline gives us an idea of what your day can look like. It considers everything from carving out time for all of the things important to you, how much time should be allotted for photos in general, location(s) & lighting, creative space, cushion time if you need it, a guide for other vendors who are a part of your day.
Drafting the this timeline earlier in the planning process gives us the time & space to adjust & customize things so that your day goes as smoothly as possible. Sometimes, we may revise this timeline 2-3 times before then. Some timelines are a little more complex & others are simple, but almost always filled with little ideas and tips for your day.
If you wait until closer to your elopement or wedding to create a timeline, you may find that you don't have as much room to do all of the things you really wanted to. If you or your vendors have already set certain times for things in your day & they are not flexible (it's good to ask if they are), that can affect how your photographer builds your timeline. The last thing I (or any of your vendors) want for you - is to be stressing out instead of getting to joyfully experience it.
If you are hiring a wedding planner or day-of-coordinator, it's also important to make sure that your photographer and planner/coordinator are on the same page. Your planner/coordinator does not know how long it's going to take your photographer to capture certain moments of your day (because every photographer works differently). Your photographer doesn't know what setup, vendor arrival, & tear down look like. But together - your planner/coordinator + photographer can do what it takes to make it all flow together. Most of the time, we are lucky if we see each other throughout the day because we are navigating our own roles. But because we are on the same page, we are working towards and for the same cause. That’s what matters.
When potential clients inquire with me & I send over my pricing + booking details, that includes noting that I help personalize a timeline just for them. If this is a service that you offer to your clients, make sure they know it. It’s usually a huge relief to them to know they are not alone in the planning process & that you are here to help navigate through it with them.
XO, Dakota