The diversity of wedding customs in individual European regions or countries certainly has its charm. On the other hand, creating a single schedule that would suit everyone equally is very difficult. Nevertheless, time can be managed, and if adhered to, the wedding day flows smoothly and stress-free. Some of the following time ranges may seem too long, but it is important to know three things: the wedding day passes quickly, most weddings tend to have a time lag, and my goal is to pause time a bit and ensure that you enjoy your wedding day.
Wedding dresses, rings, and other details
Ideal time range: 30 minutes
Ideal time of day: morning
Ideal location: bride/groom’s room or hotel room
Our wedding advice: 30 minutes will provide us with enough time for elegant photographs of wedding details. These may include wedding dresses, rings, shoes, bouquets, and other items that are important to you.
Sometimes the preparation location becomes too crowded with people or things. Therefore, we move these items to a more beautiful environment, where we subsequently photograph them. These moves can take some time. But as you can see in the photo above, our efforts bring beautiful wedding shots of details that have charm.
Bride and Groom Preparation
Ideal time range: 60 minutes
Ideal time of day: around noon
Ideal location: bride/groom’s room or hotel room
Our wedding advice: During the preparation of the groom and bride, a pleasant atmosphere usually prevails among family and guests. During this time, we focus on capturing moments during makeup application or hair styling. We also capture moments when family and friends prepare for the wedding day. These moments are among the most emotional of the entire day, and we want to perfectly capture their beauty.
The first hour of photography is dedicated to the groom. Only then does the photographer move to the bride, with whom they also spend an hour. It is important that the bride is not more than a 15-minute journey away from the groom. Traveling during the wedding only increases the risk of delays or not being on time. If you have two photographers at the wedding, the main one focuses primarily on the bride, while the second one focuses on the groom and his family. In this case, more moments are captured as well.
Wedding Portrait, Individual Ideal time range: 30 minutes Ideal time of day: around noon Ideal location: bride/groom’s room, hotel room, park Our wedding advice: The best time for individual portraits is right after the preparations, before the groom and bride see each other. The bride’s makeup is still fresh, her hair is perfectly styled, and the wedding day has not yet started. It’s the most ideal time for this type of photoshoot. Portraits are best taken by a window. The light entering the room through the window helps create a unique image. It’s hard to replicate a similar moment.
First Look, First Wedding Portrait Photography Ideal time range: 45 – 60 minutes Ideal time of day: around noon or one hour before the wedding ceremony Ideal location: outdoor castle grounds, in a park, or at another beautiful location Our wedding advice: The first meeting of the soon-to-be-weds should take place in a magical setting. Somewhere where both can enjoy the sight of each other and exchange a few loving words. This meeting usually lasts from five to ten minutes. The rest of the time can be effectively used for the first round of shared wedding portraits. At this time, the bride should still have untouched makeup and hairstyle. It’s also great to just stop time so that the bride and groom can enjoy each other. These are minutes that both of you will fondly remember. Therefore, it’s good to capture them on camera. Another suitable moment for portrait photography is during the wedding reception. It’s impolite to leave during the reception for one or two hours of photography and leave guests waiting. It’s much nicer if such photos are taken directly on the spot. This way, they retain their authenticity and emotion. Honestly, almost no one notices when the newlyweds took their photos.
Photography of VIPs, Bridesmaids, Friends Ideal time range: 30 minutes Ideal time of day: around noon or in the afternoon Ideal location: bride/groom’s room, park, wedding reception Our wedding advice: Photography with wedding guests typically takes around 30 minutes. During this time, we focus on group photos and various compositions of people with the newlyweds. We always start with more serious and elegant shots, followed by fun and relaxed ones. If the group doesn’t know how to pose on their own, we are more than happy to help each of them and adjust so that everyone is nicely visible.
Photography of Closest Persons Ideal time range: 30 minutes Ideal time of day: around noon or in the afternoon Ideal location: bride/groom’s room, hotel room Our wedding advice: This collection of portraits is something extra that we offer as an option to include in your wedding schedule. It’s a series of photos with the people closest to you. Whether it’s your parents who have always stood by your side or your best friend who has always supported you. It’s like stopping time to express your gratitude to the person who matters to you. Your closest ones will be very pleased with it in return, and often it happens that they are moved to tears. At the same time, you can also plan the photography of the first look of the mother and father at the bride or groom. After all, what could be more beautiful than seeing your own child in wedding attire just before the wedding?
Photography and Details of the Wedding Reception Ideal time range: 30 minutes Ideal time of day: around noon or in the afternoon Ideal location: ceremony venue or reception hall Our wedding advice: If there are two photographers, one of them arrives at the reception or ceremony venue earlier to capture details. They focus mainly on capturing the decoration in the room, table settings, and similar details. The second photographer, at the same time, takes photos of the couple and their family. However, if there is only one photographer, these photos are taken upon the arrival of the wedding party at the venue or church.
Family Portraits, Closest Family and Friends Ideal time range: 30 – 45 minutes Ideal time of day: before the ceremony, after the ceremony, during the reception Ideal location: at the ceremony or reception venue Our wedding advice: Photographing family portraits usually takes from 30 to 45 minutes. It depends on the number of family members and friends you want to take photos with. You’ll need about three minutes for each group. It’s crucial to choose someone reliable before the wedding day. This person should be responsible for organizing all the people you want to photograph at the location where the shooting will take place. There is also the option to take photos with all the groups you’ve invited to the wedding. In that case, the number of portraits will increase, and since the shooting time will also be extended, you should expect that the price will also increase. Such photography typically takes place during the reception, where the DJ or commentator will announce the names of those who will be next in line. It is extremely important to have at least one person from the groom’s family and one from the bride’s family. They should be responsible for organizing people for the photoshoot and physically bringing them to the shooting location.
Wedding Portraits During the Wedding Day Ideal time range: 30 – 60 minutes Ideal time of day: afternoon or early evening Ideal location: castle garden, hotel room, or park Our wedding advice: Wedding portraits usually take about 30 minutes, but it’s possible to extend them. In that case, however, you need to consider your guests and plan their schedule, for example, with a cocktail hour. This usually starts right after the ceremony and lasts until people are welcomed into the wedding hall. It’s a pleasant time for guests to get to know each other, chat, and perhaps have a snack. It’s good to provide them with refreshments like sandwiches, snacks, or drinks. The best time for wedding portraits is in the early evening when the light is softer and more colorful. Four hours before sunset is ideal for the camera. In a city with tall buildings, this time may not be followed, but it will certainly help. If you have booked a castle or another beautiful venue, it’s good to plan this part of the wedding day. If we stick to the schedule, you will be satisfied, and the photos will be stunning.
First Look at the Wedding Reception, Wedding Portraits with Decor Ideal time range: 10 – 15 minutes Ideal time of day: before you let guests into the wedding hall Ideal location: wedding hall Our wedding advice: This is the moment when the newlyweds will see the complete decoration of the hall for the first time. The emotions of happiness from both of them are a unique moment and a great opportunity to capture their joy on camera. It’s also a wonderful time to try out the wedding dance or take creative portraits.
Night Photography, Wedding Portraits at Night Ideal time range: 10 – 15 minutes Ideal time of day: twilight, 20 minutes after sunset, night Ideal location: a place with interesting lighting, city lights, fountain, and others Our wedding advice: Be prepared that at this stage, the photographer will take you, the newlyweds, away from the reception for 10 – 15 minutes. You will go to a quiet and peaceful place where magical portraits will be taken as a memory of this unforgettable evening. Time will stop again, and you will be able to feel the fact that you are already married. These photos are a wonderful conclusion to your wedding album. This photoshoot takes a very short time as the photographer prepares the technique before you arrive at the location. It’s essential to keep an eye on the time because the beautiful blue sky only lasts for about 15 minutes. If everything is properly planned, guests won’t even notice that you’ve left somewhere, and the party continues in full swing.
Other Necessary Wedding Information Photographs with Guests: In some cases, the newlyweds wish to have several photos with individual groups at the wedding reception. This type of photography can be done in two ways: formal photos taken at a specific location, or informal snapshots taken at various locations. During formal photoshoots, one group will typically take 2 – 4 minutes. If you have 20 groups, the photography will last at least 40 minutes. This time can be streamlined by determining the exact location for photography in advance, ensuring that people arrive on time.
The Cepec Ceremony: It is an important part of most Slovak weddings. We recommend planning it for 10:00 PM for several reasons: the folk band for the ceremony won’t be late because you’ll be first in line; older guests will appreciate it as many of them are waiting only for this moment before leaving; guests are not yet socially exhausted and have more energy; there won’t be a lull in the wedding program, ensuring guests remain engaged; your makeup and hair are still intact.
First Dance: It usually begins after the cepec ceremony and lasts approximately 30 – 60 minutes. This lovely tradition can be demanding for the bride, as she must dance for a while with each guest. During this dance, the photographer focuses primarily on capturing moments with immediate family, resulting in candid shots filled with genuine joy and happiness from everyone present.
