Preparing for Your Documentary Wedding Day
TIPS FOR COUPLES
Preparing for Your Documentary Wedding Day
Arranging a proper timeline for your wedding photography can be a bit confusing — especially when you see different photography packages based on hours of coverage. You might find yourself wondering: “How many hours should I actually book for my wedding day?”
That’s exactly why I put together this article — to give you a clearer overview of how to organize your wedding day schedule in the simplest way possible.
I want to emphasize that every wedding is unique, and we’ll always discuss together to create a timeline that perfectly fits your day. But this guide will help you visualize how the flow of your day could be structured.
Write your wedding timeline down on paper.
If you think something will take 30 minutes, plan 45 minutes for it.
If you estimate that travel between locations will take 15 minutes, allow 25 minutes instead.
Having a little extra buffer will make your day run much smoother — you’ll have more time to breathe, prepare for the next part of the celebration, or simply enjoy the moment.
And most importantly, it ensures that the worst-case scenario — being late for your ceremony — will never happen.
Why I Offer an Unlimited Time Package
If your budget allows, choosing the Unlimited Time Wedding Photography Package is something truly worth considering.
Let me explain — when I say “unlimited time,” it doesn’t mean I’ll be shooting non-stop for 18 hours straight.
What it really means is that our collaboration won’t be restricted by a fixed number of hours — like 8 or 10.
Your wedding day is a once-in-a-lifetime story, and I want to capture it with the freedom it deserves — from the quiet morning preparations to the final joyful moments of the night — without watching the clock.
[Click here] if you’d like help or advice on choosing the wedding package that best fits your needs.
How to Plan Your Wedding Day Photography Timeline
Start by setting your ceremony time as the first anchor point, and organize all the events that happen before it.
Then, take the end time of your ceremony as the second anchor, and plan the activities that come after.
And if your ceremony will be outdoors, don’t forget to check what time the sun will set on that day — lighting can make all the difference!
(You can simply Google “sunset time + your wedding date” to find out.)
Prepare Your Outfits and Accessories in Advance
Usually, you should start getting dressed and putting on your accessories about 30 minutes before heading to your ceremony location.
If you’d like to have a few getting-ready photos before the ceremony, please plan for me to arrive 1 to 1.5 hours beforehand — and coordinate with your makeup artist, hairstylist, and other vendors to keep everything on schedule.
If both of you are getting ready at the same location, I’ll typically need around 2 hours to capture moments from both sides, alternating between the bride and the groom.
However, if your partner is preparing at a different place, make sure to plan 45 minutes to 1 hour for their photos before I head over to your location.
And remember — that time already includes travel time!
During the Ceremony
Be sure to include travel time between your getting-ready location and the ceremony venue.
Keep in mind that when guests arrive, they’ll likely spend the first few minutes chatting and greeting you — and you’ll want to make room for those warm hugs and happy kisses from family and friends.
My advice: set aside around 45 to 60 minutes for welcoming and greeting your guests before the ceremony officially begins.
Family and Group Photos
Group and family portraits often hold some of the most meaningful memories from your wedding day.
Because arranging and posing a large group can take time, it’s usually best to plan this either right after the ceremony or before the reception begins.
Allow 20 to 30 minutes to capture these beautiful group moments with your loved ones — you’ll treasure them for years to come.
Couple Portraits & Reception Details
How much time you spend on your ceremony portraits and reception photos really depends on you.
For couples hosting an outdoor ceremony, light plays a crucial role — the most ideal time for portraits is usually about 1 to 1.5 hours before sunset.
Of course, that’s just theory — in reality, things don’t always go perfectly as planned.
So don’t hesitate to discuss your schedule with me, so we can create a plan that works best for your unique day.
If we’ve already captured some portraits of the two of you inside the reception venue before guests arrive, and you prefer to keep the dinner or party coverage light, I’d recommend spending about 15–20 minutes shooting around the decorated space together.
As you probably know, I truly see your couple portrait session as a quiet moment just for the two of you — a short pause in the middle of a big, emotional day.
Ideally, we’ll need 20–30 minutes, but if time allows, 40 minutes gives us a more relaxed, natural rhythm to create something beautiful — it’s completely up to you.
We’ll always adapt to how you’re feeling on your wedding day.
And if your reception takes place at a different location, don’t forget to include travel time in your schedule!
The Wedding Reception
If your ceremony and reception take place at the same venue, we’ll usually need around 1.5 hours between the end of the ceremony and the start of dinner.
This time allows us to take photos of you with your guests from both sides of the family — and gives you a chance to relax, mingle, and enjoy a few quiet moments together before the celebration continues.
During this period, I’ll also be capturing the details of your reception setup — the table arrangements, décor, and those natural, candid interactions between you and your guests: conversations, laughter, and the warmth that fills the room.
If you’d like to extend this part of the day, consider adding a few fun games or light activities. They often bring out genuine reactions and create beautiful, spontaneous moments to photograph.
Depending on the meal service and entertainment schedule, the timing may vary a little.
However, my advice is to allow for at least 1.5 hours, so I can fully document the dinner atmosphere and give you time to receive heartfelt wishes from your families and friends.
Cake Cutting, Champagne Toast, and First Dances
I always recommend doing all of these moments together — it keeps the energy flowing and captures everyone’s attention at once.
It also helps you and your guests get fully immersed in the celebration, without too many pauses or transitions.
If you haven’t chosen the Unlimited Time Package, I’ll usually dedicate about 15–20 minutes to documenting these highlights — from the cake cutting to the champagne pour, and those beautiful first dances you share together.
If you’ve looked through my photo collections and feel that my style resonates with your story, don’t hesitate to get in touch. I’m always ready to listen to your wedding plans and would be honored to create timeless memories with you.
Whether you have any questions or simply want to learn more, I would be delighted to connect with you. Please fill out the contact form below, or reach me directly via Viber/Whatsapp/Zalo: (+84) 935700999 | Email: soho@soho.com.vn
I will get back to you as soon as possible. Thank you for stopping by, and I look forward to connecting with you soon to capture your most beautiful moments!
With gratitude,