Maine & NH Wedding Photographer // Trust the Timeline: Why Listening to Your Photographer (and Your Vendors) Makes or Breaks Your Wedding Day

Let’s talk timelines, folks. Not the boring kind with spreadsheets and stress—wedding day timelines. The good, the bad, the golden-hour-dreamy.

Here’s the deal: I’ve photographed a lot of weddings, and if there’s one thing that can turn a perfectly planned day into a chaotic stress-fest, it’s this—not trusting your photographer when it comes to lighting, portraits, and timelines.(Also, maybe your uncle who disappears for cocktail hour right when it's family photo time, but we’ll get to that.)

Portrait Timing: Yes, It Matters

Look—I’d love to promise that your first look will happen in soft, creamy golden light that makes everyone look like a walking Pinterest board. But reality? Most first looks happen early afternoon. That’s full sun. Squint city.

Now, can I still make you look good? Absolutely. I’ve got the gear, the skills, and the creative vision. But if you're dreaming of those glowy, romantic portraits—we need to carve out time later in the day, around golden hour (that sweet, sweet light just before sunset). And if you're down for it, let's keep the momentum going with some night portraits too. Bring on the drama. Bring on the lights. Let’s make some damn art.

Vendor Communication = Smooth Day Vibes

Your wedding vendors? We're a team. A weird, creative, caffeine-fueled team—but a team nonetheless. If we’re all working off the same timeline, everything runs like butter on a hot skillet. If we’re not? You might find yourself scheduled to be in two places at once. Spoiler: you can’t.

We all build off the ceremony as our “ground zero.” That’s our anchor point. From there, we need to factor in real stuff—like travel time between venues (I can’t stress how important this one is), how long it takes to set up gear, and that fact that Aunt Linda will need a moment to find her glasses before family portraits.

Family Formals: Quality Over Quantity (Unless You Like a Marathon)

I love a good family formal. It's important. It matters. But let’s be real—each grouping takes around 3 minutes. if everyone is there. If no one’s in the bathroom. If no one wandered off with a glass of prosecco.

So before you hand me a scroll of groupings that would rival Santa’s list, ask yourself—how important is each one? If you’re good with spending 90 minutes wrangling relatives like a cat herder at a family reunion, I’m totally there for it. I’ll bring snacks. But if you want more time for candid photos, cocktail hour, or dancing to Fleetwood Mac with your besties, then let’s trim it down to the VIPs.

Wanna have a chill, well-paced day where you actually enjoy your wedding? Let’s build that rock-solid timeline and stick to it.

Now go hydrate, email your vendors, and tell your cousins to stay put after the ceremony.