Bridal Portraits

The Importance of a Well-Planned Timeline for Beautiful Bridal Portraits

Your wedding day is packed with unforgettable moments—vows, first dances, cake cutting—but one of the most important photo opportunities happens before all of that: your bridal portraits. These shots are a key part of telling your wedding story, and having a well-planned timeline makes all the difference between a quick snapshot and stunning, timeless images.

On the wedding day, I like to arrive two hours before the ceremony to join the girls. This gives me time to capture all the little details and the getting-ready process. By this point, hair and makeup are typically just about finished, and we can catch those final touch-ups. A few shots of all the girls in their “getting ready” outfits before they change to help the bride into her dress are always fun, too.

I usually start the bridal portraits with some detail shots—your wedding dress, shoes, jewellery, and hairpieces—while they’re actually on you. Doing this gives life to your details. Starting with the details also helps ease my brides into being in front of the camera.

Next is my favourite part: the bride! Some time with just the bride. This is your time, and I want to capture you at your most beautiful. Don’t stress about posing; I’m here to guide you through it, so you can feel confident and natural.

Time with each of the bridesmaids is always important. I aim to take all the bridal party portraits during this time so we don’t have to worry about them as heavily during the location session when it’s time to focus on the bride and groom.

And finally, some time with mum and dad, grandparents, or loved ones. I love having the time to capture something truly unforgettable and timeless. These moments are often some of the most precious.

So, there really is a lot to fit in within this time, but by allowing for it, we can make sure to capture everything—even with the odd hiccup along the way! Bridal portraits are one of the most cherished keepsakes from your wedding day, and they deserve to be captured with care, creativity, and attention to detail. A well-thought-out timeline is the secret ingredient that makes it all possible. By ensuring you have enough time, you’ll end up with photos that not only look amazing but also capture the essence of who you are on this special day. So, take the time to plan it out—your future self will thank you when you look back on these gorgeous portraits for years to come.