7 Tips for the Perfect Wedding Day Timeline

A wedding timeline is an essential part of any wedding planning process. It helps to ensure that everything runs smoothly on the big day and that all of the important events happen at the right time. Without a timeline, it is easy for things to fall behind schedule or for important events to be missed altogether.

There are many different ways to create a wedding timeline. Some couples choose to hire a wedding planner to help them create a detailed timeline, while others prefer to do it themselves. There are also many online resources that can help you create a timeline.

Tip #1 - Consider the Logistics

• The time of day and date of your wedding

• The location of your wedding

• The number of guests you are expecting

• The type of wedding you are having (traditional, casual, etc.)

• The budget you have set for your wedding

Once you have considered these factors, you can start to put together a timeline that works for you and your partner. It is important to be flexible with your timeline, as things may not always go according to plan on the day of your wedding. However, having a timeline will help to ensure that you are prepared for anything and that you can enjoy your special day without stress.

Tip #2 - Make Your Day, Your Day

Your wedding day is unique, as it should be. No two weddings are the same so why should you copy someone else’s timeline. Make your day, your day! Start from scratch and keep it vague so you have room to add details as planning continues. Consider how much time your photographer will be at the wedding and decide when you want them to arrive and leave AND what events you want captured during that time.

Below are the “bare-bone timelines” I suggest to my wedding clients based upon each package we offer.

Tip #3 - Create Buffers

Make sure to leave some time as a buffer for those unexpected things that you didn’t plan for, such as signing the marriage certificate, bustling your dress, restroom breaks, etc. If you plan everything too tightly you will more than likely fall behind at some point during your wedding day.

Tip #4 - Let Them Eat and Drink…Unless You Need Them to Stick Around

At some point you will more than likely have a designated portrait time. During this time it is VERY important that guests continue to the reception area UNLESS they will be in the photographs. This will keep the distractions to a minimum, but more importantly keep everyone out of the photographer’s way so they aren’t in your portraits. Portrait time is about 30 minutes and during this time you don’t want your guests sitting there with nothing to do. Instead let them begin eating and drinking so they’re ready to celebrate upon your arrival.

Tip #5 - Share Your Timeline

Once your timeline is finalized, share it with the vendors - especially the photographer, videographer and music/entertainment. These vendors are vital in keeping your wedding day on schedule.

Tip #6 - Do Not Underestimate the Importance of Your Timeline

It is important to create a wedding timeline as it is an essential part of the planning process and will help to ensure that your special day is everything you have dreamed of. Here are some of the benefits of having a wedding timeline:

• It helps to ensure that everything runs smoothly on the day of your wedding.

• It helps to prevent important events from being missed.

• It helps to keep you and your guests on schedule.

• It can help you to save money by avoiding last-minute expenses.

• It can help you to reduce stress on the day of your wedding.

Tip #7 - Have FUN!!

This is a huge milestone for you! It can certainly be stressful, but with some planning it can be a manageable task that will be the framework for your wedding day. Take time to breathe. Take time to reflect on what YOU want your day to look like and figure out HOW to make that happen. And have FUN!!

---

sample timelines

These are sample timelines based upon the wedding packages that we offer at Smith Family Photography.

** If you’re planning a First Look, plan for that to take about 30 minutes.

---

Other Wedding Planning tips

• Ultimate Guide to Wedding Planning in Limestone County

• Number One Tip for Planning Your Own Wedding

• 5 Tips for the Perfect Backyard Wedding

• Top Venues for a Fall Wedding in Central Texas

• The Ultimate Wedding Planning Checklist: A Practical Guide of What You Need To Do and When

---

Just for fun!

Just a funny, short video about wedding planning. **contains some language.**

Number One Tip for Planning Your Own Wedding

“You don’t need eyes to see, you need vision.”

— unknown

With the average cost of a wedding in Texas being $30,200 it’s no wonder why so many couples are choosing to plan their own wedding to save money - especially during a pandemic. Personally I love the small, quaint weddings that I have had the pleasure of photographing this year. Most of the couples I have photographed this year had larger, more elaborate weddings planned, but instead took a step back and kept things much smaller and simpler. It’s amazing how each couple accomplished this as they all did it differently.

Jacob and Hannah

April 10, 2020 was a day that many were anxiously awaiting. This was the day that Jacob and Hannah would exchange vows in front of their family and friends. The anticipated wedding was originally going to take place at a stunning venue in Axtell, Texas, however something completely unexpected happened - COVID-19. Everyone hoped for the pandemic to be over by this date. But that did not happen. The venue cancelled, along with many of the vendors. This wedding was definitely going to happen on April 10th - no matter what!

There was a change in plans.

Jacob and Hannah had a small ceremony outdoors with their family and closest friends in attendance.

Mike and Mysti

Mysti contacted me asking if I would photograph their wedding. Of course I said I would love to! During 2019 the plan took off in many directions as they explored all the awesome venues - one was even an old caboose! At one point they decided on an elopement on a cruise trip, but Mike’s family would not be thrilled about missing their big day. As their plans changed so did their family’s plans. One of the daughter’s was going to join the navy after graduation and they definitely wanted her to be in the bridal party so they made plans for a backyard wedding in Mexia, Texas before she left for the military. But then the completely unexpected happen…COVID - 19!

Texas was suddenly under a shelter in place order and no one knew how long that would last. The days turned into weeks. The weeks turned into months. How much longer could this possibly go on?? Slowly the state began to reopen, but there were still restrictions in place. One such restriction was the amount of people in one gathering. That definitely put a damper on wedding plans!

One day Mysti messaged me and said she was so over all the planning and waiting on restrictions to lift that her and Mike decided to have a simple family wedding before her daughter left to the navy so instead of the typical wedding photograph she wanted to trash her dress. And that is exactly what we planned - complete with a cake fight (after sanitizing hands) and lots of toilet paper!

Mike and Mysti’s wedding day was definitely not what they originally planned, but they definitely created crazy memories to cherish forever!

Michael and Dana

The Fourth of July was a very hot day in Satin, Texas where Dana and Michael would exchange vows in front of their family and a few close friends at Moon River Ranch. The venue was absolutely picture perfect! The wedding was so special with all their thoughtful touches to make the entire evening about their strong relationship surrounded by the love of God and the love of their family. Many happy tears were shed, as well as lots of shared laughter.

Their pastor officiated the ceremony. Their counselor led them through braiding the three stands. Their parents sat in the front row fully supporting the union. Their children surrounded them as they were the bridal party. The ring pillow was made by Michael’s mother. Michael wore his grandfather’s bolo tie. Dana had her grandmother’s broach fastened to her bouquet. Sparklers sent the newlyweds off. Flags were waved for their love of America. But perhaps the most moving part of the entire ceremony was when the DJ played a song Michael’s daughter sang, the cover to Ocean Eyes. She could not be in attendance due to COVID travel restrictions. For that entire song, everyone just listened.

Their wedding is truly one to be remembered.

Michael and Dana had a small, intimate ceremony surrounded by family and friends. Since it was a smaller ceremony they were able to spend so much time dancing and enjoying their special day.

John and Lori

Lori and John met casually as she knew of his family and she was a Facebook suggestion of his. Due to COVID-19, their first date was at John’s father’s house. They grilled steaks and watched a movie while they started to learn more about each other. This first date, although casual, was the start of something beautiful. Eventually John proposed to Lori on a rainy day in the post office parking lost in Mexia, Texas.

The shelter in place order provided both of them with lots of time together. They were able to drive around and check cattle during the day and in the evening cuddle up on the couch to watch some television together. The soon discovered that they are each other’s Twin Flame!

John and Lori exchanged vows at Springfield Hall in Groesbeck. Their small wedding was full of classy details that were evident throughout the venue.

Antone and Sarah

I loved every bit of their wedding day, but my favorite part was the first look. Sarah really wanted to have a first look portion of the day and felt strongly that it was going to be just the two of them enjoying each other for a brief moment during their busy day. We decided that Sarah would be in the barn and Antone would be on the front step just outside the front door. Sarah would slowly push the doors open and walk up to Antone, cover his eyes and slowly turn him around so he could see her in the dress as his gorgeous bride. As she slowly spun him around and he looked at her, his eyes began to swell with tears. It was truly an emotional moment shared between the two of them.

Afterwards they moved onto family and bridal party portraits before the ceremony. This would allow them to be a part of their reception from the very beginning. These two put so much thought into the flow of the day. Everything was planned with intention.

Antone and Sarah had the largest wedding of the year at Leatherberry Oaks in Aquilla. These two focused on their guests and making sure the day flowed well to maximize the time they could spend with them.

Luis and Alena

On October 10, 2020 Alena and Luis would tie the knot and officially become Mr. and Mrs. Guzman at Springfield Hall in Groesbeck, Texas on a very warm, sunny day. The wedding was decorated in purple, lavender and white with many small touches to make the event very classy.

They had a backdrop set up for a photo booth, complete with props. They had several yard games for guests to enjoy - corn hole and connect four to name a few. Their guest book was a “Jenga Guestbook.,” in which painted blocks were written on for stacking. These two thought of so many details to make their big day truly enjoyable for all in attendance!

Luis and Alena had a small wedding at Springfield Hall in Groesbeck. They personalized so much for their big day and showed their guests just how much they appreciated them.

Number ONE Tip

As you can see, each and every one of these weddings kept things simple, yet classy and unique. No two weddings were the same, yet they were alike in one way.

Each of these couples took the time to create a vision. They had an idea of what their wedding should look like and how the day should flow. They took it a step further. They put things out and moved them around to make sure everything was perfect. They stood back and took a second look. A third look. Many more looks! Each time looking for anything that was a distraction,. They made sure that everything was in a place that made sense, flowed well and would look beautiful in the photographs.

When planning your own wedding, draw a simple map taking into account how you want the day to flow. It’s up to you to direct your guests where to go. At each area (guest book, cake, alter, etc.), step back and make a square with your fingers, imagining that you are taking a photograph. What do you see? Is it as beautiful as you envisioned? Or is there something distracting the viewer?

When in doubt, ask the professionals that you have hired…like Smith Family Photography :)

Mention this gift voucher to save $100!

7 Tips for Working From Home (and homeschooling) That ACTUALLY Work

Spring Break finally arrived in early March and I was really looking forward to hanging out around the house, sleeping in, staying in pajamas until noon and not driving the kids to and from school. I know the kids were looking forward to it as well. As much as they enjoy school, they also welcome the breaks throughout the year. It’s definitely a time to relax and unwind as we spend more time together. Towards the end of spring break we received notice that school would not resume for at least one more week. At this time I was honestly happy as I wasn’t ready for those relaxing, carefree days to come to an end quite yet. I was naive in thinking that the virus would pass within one short week. By the end of that week we received another notice saying school would not resume for another week. Soon after that, the governor spoke and closed schools. Then later he closed them for longer. And then later he closed them for the remainder of the school year.

During this time at some point many parents began working from home as well. At this point, roughly two months later, many parents continue to work from home while homeschooling their children. As a small business owner I have worked from home for almost six years now. I had a daily schedule of what had to be done (and this schedule definitely took awhile for me to figure out). Now the kids were home. And they had packets of school work to be completed and turned in. My schedule quickly flew out the window and I was freaking out! How can I possibly get my work done PLUS help my kids get their work done? Weeks went by and my stress level was raising by each passing day. Finally I got to a point where I said, “I cannot do this anymore. I have to put some systems into place.”

I tried many things. Most did not work. I saw other parents on Facebook posting awesome charts to keep their family on a perfect schedule with wonderfully decorated home school areas for their kids to work with a nearby work station for the parents so they could all work harmoniously together. Yeah, that’s definitely not my house! I need to work free from distractions. My phone is set to not make any noise and I have silenced all notifications besides texts or calls from my immediate family. Suddenly I had kids that need me so much more than they ever did before! I started reading lots of articles and really trying to find a system that would work for our chaotic family. I came up with seven tips that worked for us - our far from perfect family.

7 Tips for Working From Home (and homeschooling) That ACTUALLY Work

To schedule or not to schedule. That is the question!

Some families need a definite schedule. Nearly everything is a set time dictating when an activity begins and ends. Other families are more flexible. Everything has a rough starting and stopping time. Only you know your family and know what will work. Go with that! For my family, we fall into the more flexible category. If you know me, I show up to things around a certain time rather than a certain time. Once I realized that a set schedule does not work for our family, I embraced the fluidity of all things that did not require a specific time. For example, today I had a Zoom meeting for my advocacy work. This started at 10 am. I was sure to arrive on time for the meeting as that is what was expected of me. However, this is also the time we are every so slowly working through school work. I had to let the kids wander off and find their way to YouTube after their Discover Education video ended so I could participate in the meeting. After the meeting I just reeled the kids back in and got them busy on the next assignment.

Expectations. Productivity looks different for everyone.

If you normally work outside the home your work day is typically eight hours long. It’s understandable why working eight hours is often viewed as being productive. You will most likely have to change your perspective about productivity when you work from home. Begin by prioritizing the items that MUST be completed that day and let the others fall into the “work in progress” category. When I finally stopped trying to accomplish every single task on my list and began each day as a new day and focused on the tasks that were the most urgent, my stress level decreased dramatically. The same with the kids’ school work. Each day they have reading, math, writing, science, social studies, music and physical education to complete. Hate to say it, but physical education work rarely gets done. Why? Because that can be incorporated into so many other things that I don’t feel I need to follow a specific lesson. The kids can go outside and play softball, tag, go on a hike or walk, jump on the trampoline. Sure it’s not a structured lesson, but they’re receiving physical education. The only thing that changed was the expectation.

Be an early bird or a night owl.

Are you an early riser? Or are you a night owl? Whichever you are, own it and be productive! Some parents like to wake up early before everyone else and get that uninterrupted time to get some work done. Others, like myself, prefer to stay up late after everyone is asleep to get work done. I find there are less distractions and I’m more creative late at night. Take advantage of the time of day you are most likely to be able to focus to tackle your work.

Boundaries MUST be set.

When the homeschooling began I found that I was suddenly choosing to make my phone calls later in the afternoon when school work was done for the day. However, some days the school work goes quicker than others. Some days took hours. Literally. Like four painstakingly long hours! This would put my calls on hold until the late afternoon. Not the best time to make calls in my opinion. I had to set some boundaries because the lack of them was driving me absolutely crazy. One day I simply told them, “I have to make a phone call. You work on x, y and z and do NOT interrupt me or be noisy.” Much to my surprise, they actually followed directions! When they did start to get loud, I just put up my finger (which is a signal for them that they better fix it). It was like magic!

Do I dare say it…but consider relaxing screen time.

As parents we hear about limiting screen time frequently. There is definitely a stereotype for the parents that use an “electronic babysitter.” While I’m not saying let them play on a screen all day every day, perhaps relaxing your normal rules so you can get some extra work done for the day. There are lots of educational apps (many are free during this time) that the kids can be “working on” while you’re working. It’s a win, win situation!

Food. Do they EVER stop eating?

Consider making snacks and drinks easily accessible to the kids so they don’t have to interrupt you every single time they are hungry. Seriously though, when did they start eating so much? Now I don’t buy lots of pre-packaged snacks or drinks because they are expensive and my older kids eat like five at a time. Instead we have fruits, yogurt and sandwich items they can easily consume with little to no help from me while I’m working. Some parents choose to put together snack kits the night before. Cups are on the bottom shelf so they can easily pour themselves a drink of milk or get some water. What are some ways your kids can be self sufficient when they get hungry or thirsty?

BREATHE!

This is an incredibly difficult time for families. Be gentle on yourself. It’s alright if things aren’t “perfect.” Be gentle on your kids. This is tough for them as well. I found that we need breaks from our house for our mental health so we go on weekly “field trips” and get our work done after we get back. Our field trips usually include visiting a local state park and going for a hike with the dog after a picnic. It’s a chance to forget about being home and enjoy each other surrounded by nature. And to be honest, my kids are learning a lot from these trips. We talk about our surroundings and visit places we normally don’t frequent. Today we are going to visit a peach farm. The kids are excited! Why? It’s just a peach farm, but right now that peach farm is something different than our house. I find that they appreciate these trips more than ever and therefore truly experience them. Even on days that we don’t go on a “field trip” we take breaks. We hit it hard for about 45 minutes and then take a small break just to reset before going back to work again.

“You are not working from home; you are at home during a crisis trying to work.”

— unknown

To read more about effectively building a remote working day with family and children at home, check out Jobsora, where you will find more tips on overcoming common stumbling blocks.

Top 5 Tips for Taking Outdoor Portraits

I recently began scheduling all my sessions during the "Golden Hour," which is an hour after sunrise and an hour before sunset.  The sun during this time is absolutely beautiful!  It is low in the sky and has a beautiful golden color to the light.  However, some families - especially those with little ones - cannot have a session during those times due to sleep schedules.  Those sessions must be held when the sun is high in the sky and honestly, difficult to work with.  For those times I have a few tips that I'd like to share with you so you too can capture beautiful portraits of your family.

1.  Find some shade!  When the sun is very bright and high in the sky, harsh shadows are created on your subject (think "raccoon eyes").  You don't want to photograph someone standing in a dark cave, but rather someone standing in a shadow created by a tree or building.  You want the light to light the image, but not create harsh shadows. 

This senior session was a little bit before "Golden Hour" so the sun was still too high in the sky and it was creating shadows on her face so we found some shade to eliminate the shadows, but kept her in the sun for the natural light.

2.  Find light colored walls to bounce light.  Sometimes the shade makes your subject too dark, especially when there are a lot of buildings around.  Look for a wall or other large object that is white or light in color to reflect the sunlight onto the subject.  Large white objects aren't everywhere so this is somewhat difficult to do unless you know the area well.  

This senior session was held in downtown Groesbeck, Texas in an alley.  While there is plenty of light, the shadows from the buildings do make it a little dark.  This issue is remedied by using the light colored door to serve a reflector and bounce the light back onto the subject.

3.  Golden Hour.  Many clients question me when I suggest photographing during this time because they assume we will run out of sunlight.  I schedule sessions about an hour before sunset so I can utilize the shade, light colored walls, etc. and then take advantage of the beautiful "Golden Hour."  During this time the sunlight is a beautiful golden color since it is lower in the sky.  

This family session was taken during the "Golden Hour."  Notice how the light is a beautiful golden color?

4.  Look for unique locations.  Have you ever heard the phrase, "Don't judge a book by its cover?"  The same holds true for photography locations.  Often times when we think about locations for portraits we think of parks or other scenic locations.  However, there is beauty all around us!  There are so many unique structures that surround us and many of them make beautiful backdrops.  I urge you to think out of the box when looking for the "perfect" location.  

This senior session took place on his family's ranch in Normangee, Texas.  These were the old cattle pens.  They could use some work, but they looked great in this session and provided that rustic feeling to his senior portraits.

5.   Backlighting.  If all else fails, use backlighting - that is place your subject in front of the sun essentially.  Their back will be facing the sun.  This can be tricky to do correctly, but don't be afraid to experiment.  You might get some fun glares or a beautiful light haze in your photographs!  The backlight from the sun will create a rim of light around your subject and this looks especially beautiful when the sunlight is leaking in through the hair.

Backlighting!  The sun is behind this senior and the sunlight is leaking through her hair, which creates a beautiful accent to her image.

Feel free to share your top tips for taking outdoor portraits if you'd like...or ask me any questions you might have about taking outdoor portraits.  The teacher in me likes to share ideas :)

You can find more information about these tips here.