This week, we decided to show some love for our wedding photographer listeners and talk about arguably the MOST important part of planning (and photographing!) a wedding... wedding day timelines!! To chat about this, we brought in epic wedding photographer Derek Chad! Derek goes over his top rules for wedding day timelines... tune in to hear all of them, but check out a few of our favorites below! Key Takeaways:

1. Be VERY involved in the creation of your couples' wedding day timelines. Not everyone has a wedding planner, and if your couple doesn't, this is your chance to create the perfect timeline. Make sure you're knowledgeable enough to know how much time you need for family photos, bridal party photos, and couple photos. We always suggest giving yourself extra time if possible. If there IS a wedding planner, still make sure you triple check the schedule and that it works for you. Not every planner knows how long photography takes, and it's your responsibility to be pushy if necessary to get the amount of time you need!
2. Inform the clients of just how long it will take to do large group shots. A lot of clients assume they'll be getting FULL extended family photos at their wedding, but they don't tend to budget time for it. Make sure you educate the clients on just how long an extended family shot will take to organize and shoot; they probably have no clue! It's a great idea to try to narrow down their list to their most important shots, and try for any additional shots during the reception as candid, dance floor shots.
3. First looks are AMAZING. They are not only a special moment between the couple itself, they also help the photographer tremendously. They allow for more photography of the couple, and they allow the photographer to not rush through family & bridal party photos after the ceremony. Make sure you talk to clients about how amazing & beautiful first looks can be- a lot of couples worry that a first look would take away from the magic of their ceremony, but they definitely do not!!
4. People are typically willing to listen to your recommendations. Don't be afraid to chat with couples if you feel their wedding day timelines aren't perfect. Most of the time they are just unaware, and will be happy to listen to your advice & change it accordingly!
5. When you have a proper timeline, take your time when taking photos!! Derek will take time to completely pose large groups during family shots at weddings. He gets picky about details (he hates hands... it's his thing... haha). By making sure the couple leaves enough time in their timeline for these group shots, Derek is ensuring he has enough time to pose everyone properly so he's satisfied with the photos!

Derek chats with us about even more amazing timeline tips... be sure to download the episode to hear them! Relavent Links:

• Derek Chad Photography
• Derek Chad's page on The Knot
• Derek Chad on Facebook

Download from iTunes Here