Friday Bride Day- Wedding Day Schedule

How can I make sure my wedding day goes as smoothly as possible? All brides want a flawless wedding day with no disasters. One way to avoid disaster is to make a schedule. Sounds silly right? We get ready, go to the church and go to the reception- so what is there to schedule? Face it- a bridesmaid forgot her shoes at her house, the boutonnieres weren't delivered to the correct place, the best man is missing and your uncle is late! I find that sitting with my brides and creating a schedule for their big day really helps to avoid disasters (and sometimes even hiccups) on their big day. I also encourage the bride to share the schedule with their bridal party and family. It is so important to let the key players of your day know your expectations prior to the day of the wedding. I'm not saying to print out a copy for each member in the bridal party and have them take an oath to memorize it- but to at least take a look at it before the wedding day. I have an assistant with a watch and the schedule printed out to help keep us all on time!

Here's a sample schedule below.

12:00 PM • Photographer arrives to bride (Bridesmaids should have hair and makeup finished. Bride should be finishing up.) • Photographer arrives to groom

1:00 PM • Groom and Groomsmen leave for church

1:15 PM • Bride and Bridesmaids leave for church

2:00 PM • Ceremony Begins

2:45 PM • Formal Exit- Rose Pedals (Photographers will assemble guests)

3:00 PM • Family Formal Portraits at Church

3:30 PM • Leave for Reception Venue

4:00 PM • Bridal Party Portraits (All Bridal Party meet in the front entrance of venue directly after exiting limo)

4:30 PM • Bride and Groom Formal Portraits

5:00 PM • Bride and Groom leave to enjoy remainder of cocktail hour

6:00 PM • Reception Begins

10:00 PM • Reception Ends

Even with a schedule, there might be times throughout the day where things are running ahead or behind, but I find that working with a schedule tremendously helps the flow of the wedding day. I would love to hear about your thoughts on a schedule. Are you planning on having one? Why or why not?

Smithville Mansion Wedding: Jessica & Tom

Well... not quite a wedding- more of an anniversary shoot. Jessica and Tom were married five years ago. They decided to commemorate their perfect day by putting on the clothes that they wore that day (props to all gals who can fit into their dress five years and one kid later!) and heading out for a photo shoot. Did I mention who did Jessica's hair and makeup? The wonderful Kate Spencer provided the romantic updo, and Paula Miller with the flawless makeup. I'm pretty sure that these two practiced their poses and faces before they came- they seriously brought it on. Models! I had such a great time celebrating five wonderful years with them. You two are amazing! <3

South Jersey Wedding Photographer: Heather's Bridal Shoot

Heather was married last year and had a picture perfect wedding. After all, she helps brides everyday plan their perfect weddings. She is a wedding coordinator at the Collingswood Grand Ballroom. When I put out the call for models- she was ready and boy did she meet the challenge. With gorgeous hair by Kate Spencer and makeup by Paula Miller- we were set to shoot. Heather- you are absolutely beautiful inside and out... did I mention you have clearly mastered "smizing?"

Hair- Kate Spencer Hairstyling Makeup- Paula Miller Makeup

Moorestown Community House Wedding: Paul & Danielle

It was a gorgeous Sunday morning, as Danielle was getting ready for the best day of her life. She was calm and laughter was flowing while she prepared with her two sisters (her bridesmaids). They picked up their bouquets and were off to Marlton Assembly of God for the intimate wedding ceremony. Once married, the bride and groom left the church in a Rolls Royce, while their closest family and friends blew bubbles to send them off. The party took place at the Moorestown Community House in Moorestown, New Jersey as guests danced the night away.

Fairmount Park Engagement: Hilary & Shawn

The minute I received Hilary's email, I knew I liked her. There was so much excitement and lots of !!!!!!!! (I have been known for the love of exclamation points myself.) Hilary and Shawn have been dating for ten years, so when they got engaged in September, Hilary couldn't wait to start planning! This couple is one of the most adventurous couples I have ever met- they regularly go hiking and (even cooler) got engaged while geocaching together. We headed to the Wissahickon Trail on a bright Sunday afternoon for some hiking and engagement photos. Hilary and Shawn were ready and willing to do anything to get amazing photographs (a photographer's dream) including going barefoot in a stream, and climbing down something I would never (without crying first, see below please). They are an absolutely adorable couple who will surely spend the rest of their lives making each other happy!

Hilary and Shawn had the great (but scary) idea to climb down... I'm so happy they did, because the next shot turned out to be one of my favorites!

Absecon Lighthouse Wedding: Sherri & Mark

It was a warm Sunday afternoon in July when Sherri, Mark, and I relived their wedding day. Sherri and Mark were married at the Absecon Lighthouse, neighboring Atlantic City and five minutes from the beach. Sherri and Mark were married on April 24, 2010 but didn't have a professional photographer to capture their day. It's never too late to to recapture that day. Some people may disagree, but whenever I go back to where I was married, my heart melts and Sherri's melted too! We had a lot of fun at the lighthouse and at the beach. Sherri & Mark ended their night with a trip to the casino in Atlantic City. This was a great night out for these awesome parents of two (handsome) boys! We planned this day for quite some time with the help of some wonderful vendors. A great friend and wonderful stylist, Kristen, did Sherri's hair and makeup. The most gorgeous flowers are from Savannah's Garden (my favorite florist in the world)! Besides being the fabulous bride, Sherri also has a business, Sherri's Hobby Shop, where she makes handmade crafts, she is so talented!Sherri made the invitations, banner, mason jars and decor.

Cherry Hill Wedding: Allena & James

It was a hot Friday in August when Allena & James exchanged vows in their beautiful home surrounded by their closest family and friends.   Not only was this wedding so sweet because Allena and James are adorable together, but because it symbolized the joining of two awesome families- Allena and her three gorgeous daughters and handsome son, and James and his handsome son. Allena and James did a first look in their backyard and exchanged vows in their living room. I love the thought of creating such amazing memories like marrying your best friend, in your house. I would never move! After they were married on Friday, Allena, James and their five kids left for Jamaica. Hope you had a great time!

Philadelphia Art Museum Wedding: Brittany & Brett

Brittany and Brett got married in June in beautiful Jamaica. We decided to get together when they got home for a just married shoot on their own turf. The weather that day was above 100 degrees and there was a thunderstorm rolling in.  We loaded up in the car with the A/C blasting, lots of bottled water, and crossed fingers to make the best of it at the Art Museum in Philadelphia (one of my absolute favorite places to shoot). I will just say Brittany and Brett are way more brave than I am! There was thunder and lightning and I kept saying "Are you sure you guys want to keep going? We can go back to the car!" and Brittany, so radiant and adventurous, was assuring me that everything was okay. I'm pretty sure she thinks I'm a huge baby now... I don't care! We got some amazing images! Love you Brittany, Brett, and Holden (cutest family every!)! P.S. The gorgeous flowers are from Savannah's Garden. Absolutely perfect!