Weddings are stressful.

But they don’t have to be!

Hi, my name is Sydney Rose, and I’m your resource for everything on your wedding day, not just a camera and a pair of eyes. Together, we can plan a stress free wedding day with time to make all your dreams come true! Whether you have a wedding planner or you’re doing it all yourself, it’s important to know the schedule and timeline for the big day. A flexible plan keeps the day flowing smoothly, so I pad my schedule with extra time and keep us running at least on time, if not early.

The night before

On big days, it really is all about the little things. Do a little self-care, spend a moment with your wedding party if you have them with you, drink some water, and leave out some Advil for the morning! Take some time the night before to gather up all the special details and items that mean a lot to you — family heirlooms, special jewelry, your invitations, perfume, the dresses or suits, of course — and make sure it’s somewhere safe and accessible. Doing this ensures you can have a smooth handoff with your photographer when they arrive to photograph your details while you finish up in the hair and makeup chair!

The morning of

Breathe! Take a moment to settle the nervous, excited butterflies that may be flitting around your stomach, and enjoy the calm of getting ready! Allow time in your schedule (as many hours as you need to make you feel comfortable) for hair, makeup, and getting dressed. When building a schedule, try to work backward from either your ceremony time, or when you know your photographer will arrive; and plan to have your hair and makeup done about 15 minutes after your photographer arrives so we can capture those last finishing touches after details!

From there, we’ll do PJ photos, wedding party first looks, mimosas, or whatever other fun shots you have planned! Every wedding is different, so let’s make sure to do what YOU want and photograph your time doing what matters most.

When it comes to putting on your wedding attire, whoever is helping you get dressed should start getting dressed at least 15 minutes before you. And if you are doing a reveal to anyone, have them be dressed and ready by the time you start. I usually recommend that they go get dressed at the same time that you are! If your parent is helping you get into your dress, make sure they get into the hair and makeup chair before you as well. And if you’re doing a first look with your partner, double check that they know to be ready in time.

The getting ready portion of the day does not need to be packed, and it should allow you time to take a moment and sit with all the big feelings you’ll be having today. Don’t try to do everything now! Take a break and let your wedding party or planner do some things for you! First looks are very valuable and something to consider, and can allow you more time together at a cocktail hour if you have an earlier moment away from prying eyes. Witnessing each other for the first time is emotional and creates breathtaking photos of genuine expressions. This could even be a perfect time to do private vows! Another upside to first looks is being able to get the posed family photos completed before the ceremony even starts. Now, you will have to make sure that family is there prior to the ceremony, and we will inevitably have to do some of them afterwards; but this is a great way to save time during your cocktail hour if you want to be there for that or if you want to have a longer couples session.

Also, please remember to eat and drink water! It’s going to be a long (and amazing) day.

Ceremony and portraits

When planning your ceremony, there are a lot of factors to consider, and the most important are lighting and weather, especially if it’s outdoors. If you want bright, beautiful sunlight, aim for a mid-afternoon wedding. This is also a good option if you’re looking to do an earlier cocktail hour and dinner and finish up cake and dancing before it’s super late at night. If you have a spring wedding, the temperature will be just right, not too hot and not too cool, during your ceremony, and if you time it right, you can have a sunset exit. But, please keep in mind that if you do an exit closer to sunset (less than 40 minutes from sunset) that there is a good chance that either or both your family photos and couples portraits could be mostly flash. We can make flash look super natural depending on the space, but it is something that you should be aware of.

Evening weddings can allow for a beautiful golden hour ceremony. I always suggest at least an hour and a half before sunset so we still have time for those golden hour shots!

Usually, after the ceremony, we go to family photos since, theoretically, all of your family are right there in the ceremony site. If we get some family groups beforehand, that’s great, but there’s no need to put too much pressure on that. Personally, I’m all about being flexible and making changes as the day allows which is why I pad my timelines!

Either way, prepare a list of combinations in advance to ensure all essential shots are captured efficiently. It may sound tedious, but type out an itemized list of every single combination of family members, etc., that you want photos with. I always ask for this to make it go as smoothly as possible, and so that no one gets left out. It is the only time that I will go down a list of photos. After doing so many weddings, I have a pretty good idea of what the order should look like so that grandparents aren’t left standing for too long and so that the kids are done quickly! So, don’t hesitate to ask your photographer questions about their best system!

Afterwards, we’ll also make time for some photos of just the two of you. If you had a first look, these will be super quick and a beautiful addition to your other images since the light will be POPPING! If you did not have a first look, these are likely going to be your first portraits together as a married couple! It’s so important to make sure that you actually spend time with your new spouse on your wedding day, and taking some intimate photos together will allow for that. Soak up each other and love on each other a little bit!

Reception, party, and exit

Consider whether or not you are doing a grand entrance and toasts. If so, we’ll make sure to allot time for that and prepare your guests so we get the best shots. If you’re doing a first or last dance, make sure to plan dinner and cutting the cake around that. There’s no wrong way to do a reception, and it’s always fun to take a dance break! Personally, I like doing all of these things together so that the cake has time to be cut before people start eating and so you don’t have any more on your list of to-dos. The only thing left will be to PARTY!

Finally, plan for a grand finale! Whether it's a sparkler exit or nighttime shots, these images encapsulate the magic of your day's end. Don’t forget that a fake exit can be a lifesaver if you’re planning for your photographer (and your grandparents) to leave earlier in the night.

Remember, your wedding timeline doesn’t have to be a schedule. Sit back, relax, and get ready for the happiest day of your life! I can’t wait to take the journey with you and create something that truly represents your love.