How to make a wedding day timeline

The timeline. The timeline!            

THE TIMELINE?

You have to have a schedule even for your wedding day? You mean the stuff doesn't just happen?

I have been to HUNDREDS of weddings and trust me, wedding days don't just happen... It's not as intense as it seems especially if you can just accept that a timeline is a guide to get you to that first dance during the big party you have been planning for FOR-EVER.

The timeline is not going to be set in stone and it's not going to stay on track. So what! But, It's important to work your timeline properly, so even if it doesn't stay on track that there is still time for photography. And more than likely if you aren't working with a wedding planner/coordinator there is a good chance you probably weren't even thinking about a timeline and how long it takes everything to happen on a wedding day and how all these wedding activities fall into place.

THAT'S OK! I can help!

I LOVE when my couples ask for my opinion on their timeline because they did hire me to photograph this amazing special day and photography is an important factor of said day and it is crucial to make time for the photographs you want. Alright maybe that was a bit dramatic, but against popular belief these amazing wonderful heartfelt beautiful timeless images don't just appear. We have to make time for them to happen.

So how do you make the time? Well, I have created a template timeline for an 8 hour wedding day which you can use a guide to make your own amazing awesome timeline!

Wedding Day Timeline (8 hour coverage)

1:00 PM    PHOTOGRAPHERS ARRIVE (photography coverage starts)

This is the time where I will collect your shoes, dress, rings, paper suite, flowers and any other details you might want photographed. All this will be happening WHILE you are getting your hair and makeup done and yes, I will be photographing that too!

2:00 PM    BRIDE GETS DRESSED

By this time everyone else who plans to be around while YOU, the bride, gets dressed should be already dressed. So, that means bridesmaids, Mother of the Bride, ANYONE who plans to be in the shots NEEDS to be ready. You probably don't want a bridesmaid in her pj's helping you into your wedding dress, or maybe you do! Its your wedding, but yea.

3:00 PM    GROOM FINISHING TOUCHES

Once you are dressed, I will then check on the other awesome person- the Groom. His getting ready session is much faster and usually involves him fixing his tie, putting on his jacket and making sure he is ready to go!

3:30 PM    THE FIRST LOOK

This will happen at the place you have already picked out and if you don't have a specific spot set- NO WORRIES! I will find the best spot in your chosen location. This time will be for only you both. No one else needs to be involved or even around for this portion.

4:00 PM    WEDDING PARTY PHOTOS

Yep, it only takes a half hour for the first look and your portrait session. This is when we will bring the whole wedding party into play and photograph everyone together!

4:30 PM    HIDE!

This is exactly what it means, go hide. Once we have photographed you and your whole wedding party you should go to your hiding place to get ready for the ceremony. This will allow you to cool off, collect yourself and have a drink!

5:00 PM    CEREMONY

5:30 PM    COCKTAIL HOUR

THIS is where the family formals happen! Make sure the family members you want in these photos knows where to be and at what time. THEY MUST BE THERE, there is a limited amount of time to get through them and I can run through the list quickly IF THEY ARE THERE. Let the cocktail hour be for your guests, lets run through these images and get to the reception!

6:00 PM    Photographer photographs the reception space (cake, table setup, favors, flowers) and everything else you spent tons and tons of money on while NO guests are present and haven't made a mess yet.

6:30 PM    RECEPTION! 

This is when your guests will start to make their way to their seats and you get ready for your entrance.  

6:45 PM    RECEPTION ENTRANCE

Wedding party is introduced and wedding couple is announce. Wedding couple go into the first dance followed by Mother/Son and Father/Daughter dance.

7:15 PM     DINNER IS SERVED!

Your photography will be eating at this time (quickly, but yea).

7:45 PM    TOASTS! SPEECHES!!

8:00 PM    DANCE FLOOR IS OPENED

8:15 PM     CUT THE CAKE OR PIE OR DOUGHNUT!

8:30 PM    TOSS THE BOUQUET/GARTER

9:00 PM    GRAND EXIT (Photography coverage ends)

See! That wasn't too crazy? But, you can see how quickly time gets filled up and why it is important to make the time for photography. I photograph quick, but you don't want to feel rushed through it and I don't want to push you from scene to scene- I mean, I will if I have to and have done it before... You get the idea.

If some of these don't apply to you (like the bouquet toss) that is OK- take it out, just add some extra time for your portrait session and wedding party photos or any other photos! Just don't skimp on the photography portions. I mean, right?!

Have any other questions about the timeline?

Atlanta Wedding Photographer Krisandra Evans

Bridal Boudoir |Wedding Inspiration

Any time Whitney of Tulle & Grace asks if I want to come along on a shoot, I re-arrange whatever I have to to be there. She always brings amazing ideas to life! This time it's bridal boudoir. What a great idea for a gift to your husband to be!

The idea of bridal boudoir is a little sneak peek into the lingerie you might wear under your wedding clothing or after your wedding day. Not only is it a great gift for him, but what an amazing gift for yourself. To be able to capture the happiness and passion of who you are going into your marriage.

*boudoir doesn't only have to be as a wedding gift. it is a gift for anytime of the year… birthday, Valentines day, Christmas, or because it's Saturday.

Model: Teresa Motes Cardin

Hair and Makeup: Robn Nicole Johnsen

Wardrobe: Girl With a Serious Dream

Florals/Design: Bowman & Clark

Location: Tulle & Grace

Chelsea + Jen | East Atlanta | Two Brides Wedding

Not one, but two brides? Not one, but two dresses?? I get giddy when I get to photograph one beautiful blushing bride on her wedding day, but at this wedding I got to photograph TWO beautiful blushing brides on their summer wedding day! I adored this DIY backyard wedding in my neck of the neighborhood in East Atlanta. Wait till you see what they got married in front of. Simply beautiful.

Chelsea and Jen mentioned they wanted to go by a local bar, The Flatiron, in the East Atlanta Village for a drink before the ceremony. Not only was I all over that idea because I love that bar, but because that bar was an integral part of their relationship. They laughed there, made up there, and just hung out there.

These two brides continually surprised me throughout the day… especially when the day got so hot before the reception that Chelsea decided to cut her long dress into a dress above her knees!! Yes, took scissors to her dress! Believe it or not, it looked just a amazing short as long. Take a look for yourself!

Here comes the brides!

We would love to be part of your wedding day! Contact us for more information below.

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Rachel + Drew | Folly Beach, SC | Wedding

It's so exciting that I am at an age where the next phone call could be that my friend is now engaged and asking me to be her wedding photographer! Rachel is one of those friends. Rachel became my sister when she and my (actual) sister were in the Army together. I couldn't have been more happy to hear that she found the man she was going to spend the rest of her life with and Drew was the perfect match for her zany personality! Everyone traveled to Folly Beach, South Carolina for this offbeat destination wedding. One of the things that makes your wedding day so special is that you can make your day however you want. Rachel and Drew's destination wedding also doubled as a honeymoon!!

People often cringe when you say winter at the beach because it's cold and usually raining, which it was raining (and flooding for that matter). The rain wasn't going to stop us! Rachel's pink wedding dress was stunning against the grey December sky. They decided to take their beach ceremony onto a trolley that drove through downtown Charleston as they exchanged vows! The ceremony and tour of downtown Charleston was followed by a sand ceremony and a low country boil by The Smoking Pot. It doesn't get any more personalized than that!

23 reasons to elope!

     By definitionelope (e·lope, iˈlōp) means? verb "Run away secretly in order to get married, especially without parental consent. More specifically, elopement is often used to refer to a marriage conducted in sudden and secretive fashion, usually involving hurried flight away from one's place of residence together with one's beloved with the intention of getting married." Here are 23 reasons TO elope!

1. You can be less formal. 

Don't want to wear a ball gown like your mom thinks you should? Not comfortable in a suit and tie? Scratch all that and wear what YOU want. After all this is your day!

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2. It's truly romantic. 

No, really.

3. You have better things to spend your money on. 

Like a house, or a honeymoon, or a family vehicle, or rent, or anything else that is NOT a wedding.

4. You can choose your location!

You don't have to find  venue that will hold 150 guests in your budget or worry about hotel accommodations either! Who is to say you can't get married in that quaint little spot in the woods you and your fiancé love so much? Or how about on a remote beach? Or over seas! The possibilities are endless!

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5. You can't please everyone.

In the end someone will not be happy about something like the music or the food or whatever. Seriously, with so many people giving opinions on what they think is best you can loose focus of what YOU really want for YOUR day!

6. You save time.

Planning a major event takes time. And a lot of it! You're busy, we know.

7. Privacy.

Maybe you don't need everyone in your business. Not into having everything posted on Facebook and Instagram? Well, if you elope you won't have to worry about being tagged in photos! Not everyone needs a gift registry. Who wants to write all those thank you notes anyway?

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8. You have been married before.

Yep, been there and done that. Maybe you don't feel the need for the traditional ceremony. You already did the big wedding thing and know the reasons to elope, so you can stop reading now :-)

9. Religion/Culture.

Blending various religious and cultural backgrounds may not sound as easy as you think. Eloping is a way to avoid the cultural and religious clashes.

10. THE HONEYMOON!

Who says your elopement location couldn't double as your honeymoon location? Go somewhere exotic! Remember you didn't have a wedding, so you can afford it ;-)

11. No invitations!

This person forgot to RSVP. Should we invite so and so? Wait, didn't they get divorced. What is their address? Did you invite so and so? Forget these questions because your eloping!

12. You don't want to wait.

And why should you? GET MARRIED NOW!

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13. Complex family tree.

The idea of all families getting along is awesome, but the reality is not all families get along. Avoid the arguments and fuss of family drama and ELOPE!

14. You. Are. Pregnant!

CONGRATULATIONS! Eloping is less stress on your body. Point blank period.

15. To be unique.

Do you know any couples that eloped?

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16. Avoid being a BRIDEZILLA!

It's inevitable. At some point someone will call you a bridezilla to your face or behind your back. Avoid this stereotype and elope!

17. NO REHEARSAL DINNER!

That is all.

18. The food.

No guest allergies to worry about. No per plate costs to consider. Eat whatever you want and a lot of it! And in most cases you will actually get to eat on your big day!

19. The PAR-tay!

2 words: OPEN BAR. Stress level -4. Now all your friends and family can join in for the celebration on a less planned scaled weeks or even months after you have eloped!

20. You have been together for-ev-er...

14 years later you decide to tie the knot. Everyone already thinks you are married.

21. Deceased family members.

Maybe your father has passed or even a sibling. After a major life event the idea of a big wedding sometimes looses it value.

22. Your Milkshake Brings All The Boys To The Yard!

Yep, you can booty shake to that song all day and not have your grandma give you funny looks.

23. THE PHOTOGRAPHY!

You can hire the photographer you want, instead of the photographer you can afford. You don't have to worry about splitting the budget between cake, flowers and dj. Photography can be the item you splurge on. Just because you decide to elope doesn't mean it can't be documented beautifully.

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Rachel + Thomas | Outer Banks, NC

When friends Rachel and Thomas decided to elope I was so excited! But, shortly there after I realized I wouldn't be there to take the photos. So, when we started planning our annual OBX (Outer Banks, North Carolina) vacation I knew Rachel had to bring her dress. This was my chance, my chance to photograph love in one of the most romantic places EVER! We decided to start with a bridal session in Rodanthe, North Carolina. The same Rodanthe from "Nights in Rodanthe", the Nicholas Sparks book turned movie with Richard Gere and Diane Lane. THAT Rodanthe! Following Rodanthe we drove the hour back to Corolla, North Carolina and met up with Thomas. The rest of the session was done on Corolla Beach. YES! The Corolla Beach that wild horses live on.

ROMANCE, ROMANCE and more ROMANCE in the Outer Banks!

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Black and White versus Color | Krisandra Evans

It's the tale old battle of which is better… Black and white or Color? When you don't know which one to post, what do you do?

99.9% of the time I will post color images. That .1% of the time I do post a black and white images it is because for some reason it caught my eye more than the color image did. Why is that?

Black and white tends to be more simplistic. Timeless. Less distracting. More dramatic. Right?

Then there are times where you want the image to grab your attention. You want to see all the colors involved because they play off each other to make the image. And sometimes who really cares how timeless the image looks because, well, it's just that good of an image!

So, you tell me.. Black and White OR Color?

6 steps to taking a better engagement ring selfie | Krisandra Evans

SO! YOU'RE ENGAGED! Time to show off that amazing ring. Here are a few tips and tricks to taking an amazing engagement ring selfie. 1.Lighting is EVERYTHING!

Sunlight is key! Go outside, or by an open window even. The natural light will do way more than the overhead yellow light bulb in your house. Trust us! Oh and did I mention the sparkle that comes with natural light. Don't' believe me? Look at how your engagement ring sparkles!

2.Get your nails done!

Seriously gals. You have an amazing ring on and your nails are chipped? Go! Get a manicure! There is nothing worse than seeing an amazing ring, but being distracted by un-amazing nails. But wait, you just can not wait to post a pic before your manicure? Ok, fine. There are many different ways to show off your ring in photos that don't include your unkempt nails.

Like, placing the engagement ring on an object like a flower or your favorite book. Did the engagement ring come with a box? Display it. Have your fiancé hold his hand open and place the engagement ring in his palm (that is if he has lotioned his hands in the last 24 hours).

3.Be aware of the background, PLEASE.

Yes, we get it. You Are Excited and you should be- but we don't want to see the toilet or your dirty socks or sink full of dishes. Take a second and look around at your surroundings. This picture you post of your engagement ring is going to be seen by a lot of people. Take the time to set your background even if you take a t-shirt that is a solid color and lay it on the ground.

4.Take lots of options, but only show ONE.

Don't make us gag by posting tons of photos and collages of your ring. We get it, you're engaged. We are happy for you. Don't give us a reason to block you. You know you want us to see the rest of your wedding planning photos, right? RIGHT!

5.Style is key

Try photographing your engagement ring from different angles. Does your engagement ring have stones around the band? Is your stone on a unique setting? Have you tried photographing from overhead to show the shape of the stone?

6.Filters and frames.

You know you have a ton of apps on your phone- USE THEM! VSCO, Snapseed, and InstaCollage are a couple of my personal favorites. Experiment with the contrast, saturation, and crop. Add a nice filter and finish it with a heart frame. Add a couple of sentimental words and share with the world!

YOU'RE ENGAGED! CONGRATULATIONS!! 

All photographs were taken by Krisandra Evans with a iPhone 4 using the apps mentioned above!