Stick to the schedule!

One of the most common questions we get asked in the run-up to weddings is, ‘how do we manage our actual wedding day?’ And ‘how do I make sure I get the best lighting conditions for my photos?’ The answer is simple. Get a run sheet.

A run sheet is so much more than just a highly organised piece of paper. It’s an essential part of your planning process. It’s the perfect way to ensure everyone is on the same page regarding what’s happening, and when. So, here are our tips for creating a run sheet that will add calmness and ease to your wedding day.

Be realistic and add in some wiggle room every step of the way.

By allowing a little extra time for each stage of your wedding, you’ll be sure that no one needs to panic or stress out.

Be as detailed as you can.

Get clear on what each person is responsible for. Whether that’s liaising with the kitchen or introducing the speeches, you’ll want to get crystal clear on your expectations, so everyone knows what to do and when.

Prep time.

Yup, it takes brides longer to get ready than the grooms. No surprises there. So typically, we allocate one hour with the guys and then head to the bride’s getting-ready area for around 30 minutes before the guests arrive. This allows us to capture the finishing touches of the hair and make-up before we move to documenting the guests’ arrival. Factor in any travel time for the photographer between locations.

The reception is when the bride and groom finally start socialising with their guests.

If possible, get your formalities done early, so that the dance floor can open up and candid photos can start to happen!

This one’s a biggie:

Look up the sunset times in advance. Check and double-check the time of sunset on your wedding day. If sunset is at 6pm, schedule the time between 5.15pm and 6.15pm for portrait and reception photos. Your venue needs to know this, so they don’t serve dinner at this time! You want the most ideal lighting conditions for your photographs. In the trade, we call this ‘blue hour’, and it is a fabulous time for capturing what we call ‘emotional photography’.

Liaise with your wedding photographer in advance.

Pick their brains, so you understand what will give you the best photos. As highly experienced and well-reputed wedding photographers, we can talk through all the options for all stages of your wedding. And don’t let every lighting condition overrule what you really want to do to celebrate your day.

PS. If you’re thinking of having a sparkler exit, why not do this first up, at the start of the night (think “sparkler first dance”, perhaps)? In our experience, if you do the sparklers at the end of the night, people are often tired or have already left. Plus, it’s hard to say goodbye to your guests if you just walk through a tunnel of sparklers, and that’s it!

It does take some time to pull a run sheet together, but it’ll save you a whole heap of hassle on the day! As Gold Coast wedding photographers, we are experts in helping you create the perfect run sheet, so that everyone is happy, and your day runs smoothly and according to plan. Check out our template online, download it and make it your own!