5 Things to Consider When Planning Your Wedding Day | Wedding Timeline Tips

Planning a wedding is a lot of work and can get overwhelming real quick. There are a lot of things to take into consideration when trying to make major decisions about your wedding day timeline. Here are 5 things that can help make your planning a little easier once decided.

The SEASON OF your wedding.

During the winter the sun sets much sooner than the spring and summer time.

If you are having the wedding ceremony the afternoon or early evening and want outside photos you will most likely need to take the family portraits and bridal party before the ceremony. Having a first look is a great option: you have special individual time together and can take a majority of the portraits right after.

If you are set on not having a first look, an option is to still take family portraits and part of the bridal party photos before to save time.

THE WEATHER.

Unfortunately, I cannot control the weather. If I could it’d be sunshine and blue skies every day with a killer sunset :) If you plan to do an outdoor wedding a tent, umbrella’s or backup location may be something to consider. If your wedding is in the winter and you want the majority of photos outside prepare your bridal party and wear warm shoes. A cute fur shawl or blanket scarf is always a great way to keep the ladies warm.

Do you want the bridal party photos AT your venue or do you have a specific spot IN MIND?

I’m all for fun and creative spots, but practically this adds to time of the portraits. So make sure to factor in driving or walking time to and from this location back to your venue. Typically it takes 1.5-2 hours to take all the photos: bride and groom portraits, family portraits and bridal party photos.

Are you havING a cocktail hour?

A cocktail hour is a great way to utilize time to talk with guests instead of doing a formal receiving line or you can use it to take portraits if the rest of the day is already full.

Are you PLANNING a grand exit?

Do you want a grand exit but plan to keep the party going into the night? Having the exit after the ceremony ensures all your guests will be able to participate and your photographers will be there to capture it. My personal favorite exits have included: balloons, sparklers, lanterns, lavender/leaves/pedals, and tissues.

Miranda + Tyler: Camp EWALU Engagement Session | Strawberry Point Engagement Photographer

I met Miranda and Tyler at Camp EWALU in Strawberry Point for their engagement session: the spot they met, worked, their relationship blossomed, and they plan to have their wedding. Tyler and Miranda knew the camp like their back hand and they were able to show me the best spots around the huge grounds. This session was a little chilly, but their sweet and fun personalities made the cold air fade away pretty quickly during their session. I had a blast getting to know them and am pumped for their wedding this year. Scroll through to see just how fun these two are together.

Associate Work for Grace T. Photography

Kailie + Kale: Hello, Marjorie Engagement Session | Des Moines Engagement Photographer

Kailie and Kale were so cute and up for anything at their engagement session. We started at Hello, Marjorie which was where they first celebrated their engagement. You would have never guessed Kailie’s first words to me were "we are pretty nervous." I love that part of my job is to help melt away the "in front of the camera" jitters. Seeing clients go from nervous to we wish this night wouldn't end is the best 😍 Take a look for yourself!

Associate work for Grace T. Photography

The Mundell's: Des Moines Family Session | Des Moines Family Photographer

On a beautiful Saturday afternoon I met with Teri and her family at Arie den Boer Arboretum to get some updated family photos of the whole clan. The weather was perfect and this group was cracking jokes and making it fun for everyone. Scroll through to see more!

Des Moines Fall Styled Shoot | Des Moines Wedding Photographer

I have always loved fall colors: burnt orange, the range of greens, mustard yellow and burgundy. I can never get enough! Just take a peek in my closet and you will understand my love for them. This fall I decided to capture them together in an all things fall inspired styled shoot. I had the opportunity to work with some amazing local vendors and had a blast:

Flowers: Lavender Blue Floral

Decor: Drift Salvage & Decor

Make Up and Hair: Maddy Reyes

I loved this styled shoot so much; I’m already thinking I need to do a winter inspired shoot in my down time! What do you guys think? Yay or nay?