Timeline for photos

You could certainly capture as many photos as possible before the ceremony, and then capture all the ones with both of you in them after the ceremony! That will help save at least some time.

You can definitely do the pictures of you with your bridal party and him with his. Maybe even photos of you and each sibling, you and mom and dad and same with his. But for larger family shots I think you'll regret doing them without each other.

View Quoted Comment Thanks. That sounds like exactly what I am looking to do. Also, I appreciate your comment about holding off on the full family shots.

View Quoted Comment Thank you, Lisa. That is certainly the hope!

Like others have said, def. get photos of you and the bridal party and him with his before the ceremony. You can also do separate family shots as well, and bride and groom portraits as well!

That way after the ceremony you just have to get photos of you both together, and you both with families and bridal party!

I would definitely recommend each of you getting photos of you with the bridal party prior to the ceremony. You could also do some family photos in advance like you with your parents and siblings and him with his parents and siblings. Any photos of just the bride or groom can be taken as well. After the ceremony, you could do bride, groom and full bridal party, just bride and groom, and full family photos. It should certainly save you a bunch of time doing it this way.

View Quoted Comment Thanks, Veronica! Saving time is definitely the goal so we can spend more time with eachother and our guests!

View Quoted Comment Thanks, Shelly. I had not thought about when we were doing the bride and groom portraits but it makes perfect sense to do those beforehand as well.

Yes! That's basically exactly what we're doing. Definitely talk to your photographer about it, since they'll likely have some good ideas. For reference, this is what my shot list is for those family and wedding party pictures:

Bridal Party & Family - Bride's Side - Before Ceremony
- full length portrait of bride- close up portrait of bride
- group shot of bride and bridesmaids
- bride with each bridesmaid individually
- bride and maid of honor
- bride with mother
- bride with father
- bride with both parents
- bride with immediate family (mother, father, sister)
- bride with ring bearers
- cousins (Mel, Holly, and Kristen)
Wedding Party & Family - Groom's Side - Before Ceremony
- full length portrait of groom
- close up portrait of groom
- group shot of groom and groomsmen
- groom with each groomsman individually
- groom and best man
- groom with mother
- groom with mother and her boyfriend
Wedding Party & Family - During Cocktail Hour
- bride, groom, and bridesmaids
- bride, groom, and groomsmen
- bride and groom with entire wedding party
- bride and groom with ring bearers
- bride and groom with bride's immediate family
- bride and groom with bride's immediate and extended family
- bride and groom with groom's mom
- bride and groom with groom's mom and boyfriend
- bride and groom with both sets of parents
- both families combined (extended family included)
- portraits and candids of bride and groom
- any needed left over pictures that didn't get done before the ceremony (hopefully this will be none)

View Quoted Comment Thank you!!! Very helpful to see someone else's shot list for reference!

I wanted the same thing not to have first looks. My husband being shy didn’t want a photographer with him getting ready. So we don’t have any getting ready of him. It’s fine. I know how he is. I got pictures with my parents getting ready.


Honestly having getting ready pictures and pictures of you with family and him with his I don’t see any problem with it. Get as many pictures as you can!
Talk to your FH and photographer.
Best of luck ☺️

View Quoted Comment Thanks Tina! My FH also usually avoids being in front of the camera but his adopted brother/uncle figure is a photographer and will get at least some photos of him before the wedding. Lucky me because otherwise I know the only pictures of him would be the ones durring and after the ceremony.

View Quoted Comment My husband doesn’t like being the center of attention. Our reception is Saturday he’s already nervous & same with me.

View Quoted Comment At least you can empathize with how the other person feels. Nothing worse than being anxious and also alone. You got this.

View Quoted Comment I’m also not much for being in spotlight years ago I’m like I can’t wait now it’s coming I’m like 😨😨😨

View Quoted Comment I know I am going to be the same way. I'm still in the "being impatient and excited" phase but as soon as it gets close to the day I am going to be a wreck. I'm just hoping my mom (who is my emotional rock and a total boss) and my older sister will help me make it down the aisle without being a nervous wreck. I have to remember not to lock my knees when standing otherwise I might actually faint.



Are you all doing a small ceremony or speeches with your reception? I saw your date was Aug 2020.

View Quoted Comment I was almost in tears for my ceremony I was upset in the back. Everyone had to have masks so it just hurt looking there. Moms are amazing mine got me to cheer up. She’s like you got this.


Best advice (from someone who got married and it wasn’t the way I wanted) Is walk down look straight ahead, take a deep breath and just look at the person waiting for you. Ignore everyone else there. I kept looking around and it just ripped me inside. My husband saw my eyes he’s like taking hand like smile it’s ok.
I had 100+ people invited ended with like half. I have 1 toast by my dad that’s it. Basically thanking everyone coming. Thanks to my hubby’s parents (divorced and re married so step parents in that as well) thanking my mom for making my bouquet/MoH as well, favors, the bountierres (close enough in spelling lol), centerpieces, & mother’s corsages. (She made like everything) That’s all. Probably like 3 minutes maybe. Long speeches are soooooooooo boring. Been to 2 that had about 4-6 people and I’m like bored out of my mind (plus they weren’t clear either)