Get Me To The Church On Time - Wedding Day Timings

Wedding day timings.....what a subject this is! Do weddings ever run to time? Well yes, they do but only because of the intervention of one or two people along the way.

Even the best organised bride will lose track of time along the way whilst she's getting ready. So the key to a successful schedule for the day is to know exactly (or as near as humanly possible) how long each part of your day is likely to take.

It's never too early to start preparing things now - so if you are having a hairdresser visit you on the morning then have a trial of your wedding day hair and see how long it takes to achieve the look you want. The same applies for make-up. If however you are going to a salon then you need to have a trial but also a practise run on the same day of the week (& if possible time) as you are getting married. Traffic from your house to the salon will be quite different on a Saturday morning to a Tuesday afternoon for example. Also check that there is nothing happening locally (such as an "important" football match) which may affect traffic conditions not only for you getting places but also for people such a make-up artists, florists, hairdressers, photographers, cars getting to you. If you know of anything happening make sure you alter your suppliers because they may be unaware.

So....we've tackled the things you can do to minimise the chances of you being late due to outside influences but what about the basics of just now long thing are likely to take on the day? You've probably never organised a wedding before so from this point of view probably have no idea whatsoever what to expect. For example - would you have any idea how long it is going to take to get your 100 guests out of the church after the ceremony? (15 to 20 minutes is the answer to this one - could be longer if you have lots of elderly guest of young children).

So here goes with a (very rough!) idea to wedding day timings:

• Bride putting on the dress, assisted by bridesmaids & mum: 15 - 30 minutes (this assumes all makeup etc. has been done first).



• Bride putting on veil & shoes: 5 mins minimum.



• Photographs with bride & dad at house or on way to civil ceremony: 5 - 10 mins minimum.



• Bride exiting car and entering church: 5 mins minimum, add 5 minutes if taking posed photos exiting car and with dad and bridesmaids outside the church.



• Church service: 45 minutes minimum - often longer for Catholic services or where there are a lot of readings.



• Civil ceremony service: 15 - 20 mins depending on how many readings. Remember that the registrar will want to see you both individually before the ceremony and this will take around 5 - 10 minutes each).



• Posed photographs outside the church - add 5 - 10 minutes on if you are having the bells rung as none of the guests or yourselves will be able to either hear the photographer or yourselves speaking. For one group of everyone 10 minutes to get everyone organised. Add around 5 minutes per additional group unless you have a very fast & efficient photographer (such as ourselves!) who with organisation can do this quicker.



• From arriving at the venue to include the drinks reception you should allow a minimum of 1.5 to 2 hrs prior to the time you wish to sit down for your wedding breakfast.



• Receiving line: this really depends on who you are having in your receiving line (as in just you two or you two + parents from each side) and how many guests but receiving lines can go on for an awful long time. If you allow 5 - 7 seconds for each guest to speak to each person in the receiving line you won't be far out. This doesn't sound very long but in reality receiving lines do add-on around a minimum of 1/2 hour to the sitting down time on the day. Some people will pause to talk longer than you expect whilst others will simply pass through. Receiving lines can be very boring all round. Most receiving lines are done for the benefit of the couples parents rather than the couple themselves.



• Wedding breakfast: Of course this depends on the speed of the venue but an average 3 course + coffee wedding breakfast will take around 1.5 hrs, for 4 courses add 1/2 hour and 1/2 for each additional course.



• Speeches - how long is a piece of string? Of course some people talk for England and some hardly at all. Average speech time from our observations to include Father of the Bride, Groom and Best Man around 20 minutes to 1/2 hour with the giving of gifts often taking up the most time during the speeches.



• Turnaround time between wedding breakfast and evening reception (if using the same room). The venue will advise you specifically on this but most venues take around 1 - 1.5 hrs to do this. You need to allow extra time if a band is setting up in the room for the evening entertainment.



• First dance - it should be noted that first dances very rarely happen at the time they are expected. So if you are booking your photographer on a set number of hours and you want the times to include your first dance you need to allow yourselves plenty of leeway on this one. We are very often informed that the first dance will happen at around 8.30 whereas in reality it is normally around 9.00 - 9.30. Lots of things can affect the time of the first dance, all of them will be beyond your control on the day to a large degree. For example: the venue may take longer to turn the room around (this may not be their fault - sometimes guests lingering in the room after the wedding breakfast can hold things up), often the band may take longer to set up than you or they expect, guests may disappear to freshen up and not return at the alloted time.

We hope this has been a useful little guide to your wedding day timings. Wedding days can run to time but it does require meticulous planning and a little bit of luck! Some key people on the day (such as the photographers) can keep an eye on the times and gently keep you to time with being quick and efficient with the posing of formal groups for example and not taking an endless amount of time outside the church. They are also likely to be the ones who are most aware of the time when you are getting ready - very few brides have a watch on or are clock watching. Bridesmaids can often be so chilled out and fussing around the bride that they lose track of time and don't get their own dresses on in time!

The one thing that is for certain and which happens on virtually every wedding day is that after the day has passed the couple will say to us "We don't know where the time went. All that planning and the day was over in a flash." So our advice would be to try to savour every single minute as best you can and make sure that your photographer is the best you can afford and so they can fill in the gaps later with fantastic photos of moments in time you didn't know or don't recall happening. With the right photographers time really can stand still.

Sharon Malone

Shadow Play At Allerton Castle!

Allerton Castle - what a stunning venue for a wedding! It's literally on our doorstep too only 5 minutes down the road from our studio. With its magnificent Great Hall, stained glass windows, beautiful ballroom, elegant drawing-room, fabulous staircase, gothic looking interior and exterior it always makes for great pictures whether you are outside in the summer in the beautiful memorial gardens or inside in winter with the blazing log fire.

It's also one of the few venues around North Yorkshire where you are guaranteed "exclusive use" without having to pay a massive supplement.

For Paul and Julie's recent wedding celebrations at Allerton Castle we were mostly indoors. Even though it has two magnificent chandeliers at the base of the staircase the interior of the castle is often quite dark - especially if it happens to be the middle of winter! That gives us plenty of opportunities to get our creative lighting gear out and to introduce some light to even the darkest of nooks and crannies which in turn makes for great photos.

Our latest "thing" (because we're always moving on with ideas and new "things" to try) is to play with the shadows that the lights we introduce can create. One of Paul and Julie's favourite pictures from the day does just that. Whilst we're talking about being creative - the "lads" at Allerton Castle nearly always want pictures taken of them playing billiards at some stage during the day. Paul was no exception. In Pauls' case we shot some pictures of him and "the lads" before the ceremony as Julie was with the girls getting ready. We took the time to do something a little different with both the billiards and the rings.

The band at the wedding were excellent. The lead singer was very confident in himself and thought that he was noticed by the ladies I think (if you know what I'm saying girls!). I thought the Saxophonist was pretty amazing too though and so decided to take a shot which I felt represented them both - so I waited for my moment and framed the lead singer in the shape of the neck of the Saxophone. I like the picture for something a bit different - see what you think!

There's a lot of photographers listed on the Allerton Castle website, we suspect it's hard for couples to choose between them - especially since most of them offer the same albums and prices. Hopefully our images set the standard for what you can expect to see from a wedding at such a beautiful venue.

A Real Life Wedding Through The Eyes Of A Wedding Photographer

We rang the doorbell.There was no reply. We knew they were in – we could hear the excited chatter drifting down from the open window. We rang again. Eventually a bridesmaid, in a bathrobe, tiara in her hair came to let us in. “Hi, Andy and Sharon – photographers” I explained as she ushered us inside. “Hi there – come on in.” It was the voice of our bride coming from the lounge. We wandered through. There she sat, having her makeup done, looking just beautiful. The light on her was amazing as it shone through the window. I took my shot. The makeup artist smiled in acknowledgement and carried on preparing her bride. I caught her reflection in the mirror, along with “our” bride behind it. I took my shot. This was her moment.

I left Andy documenting the brides preparations and went in search of flowers, shoes, the dress and trinkets which I know go to make up months of careful planning by the bride. The brides’ mother helped me – fussing with the dress, taking it out of the plastic cover which had kept it pristine. She stood back, admiring it as it hung, as yet unworn. “Isn’t it beautiful?” she asked her hands clenched tightly together under her chin in excitement at the thought of seeing her daughter wearing this beautiful gown in just a few short minutes. I took my shot. This wasn’t her moment – this was “just” the dress. Her moment was coming next.

The bridesmaids fussed around the bride. She was beginning to get nervous now. “Do I look ok?” “Is my hair ok?” were just a few of the questions she asked as she looked for reassurance. Next - the dress. The bridesmaids helped her into it and then the mother of the bride, already looking stunning in her suit stepped forward. The bridesmaids stepped back. They knew their place and how important this was for mum to help her daughter into her dress. Deftly and with the aid of a crochet hook she did up the delicate buttons. This would be the last time she dressed her daughter and she knew how important it was to make sure the dress was sitting just right.

The bride took a deep breath in, the bridesmaids held the dress perfectly in place and her mum
continued doing the buttons. The bride glanced sideways at herself in the mirror. I caught her
glance, saw everyone working together and took my shot. I quickly then moved and focussed in tightly on the perfectly manicured hands doing up the buttons. I took my shot. This was mums’ moment.

I waited at the bottom of the stairs, camera poised watching as my bride carefully lifted her dress enabling her to take each precarious step. She was not used to coming downstairs in such a dress! To fall now would be a disaster. I took my shot and then stepped back to allow her room to descend. Dad stepped forward. I saw his face – a mixture of emotion – this was his little girl on one of the most important days of her life looking well – with the exception of the day she was born, which he remembered so well right now, more beautiful than he had ever seen her before. His eyes filled with tears but he didn’t cry. He fought them off. The bride – at this moment so in touch with her father noticed. I saw them and I took my shot. This was a special moment belonging to the two of them.

The organist struck a chord and then Pachbels’ “Canon in D” rang out throughout the beautiful little church. The groom shuffled nervously as he stood. The chief bridesmaid, holding the hand of the beautiful little flowergirl beamed as she led the bridal party down the aisle and swept past me taking their place at the front. I took my shot. This was their moment.

I swung back round to the groom. He turned towards the direction the bride was coming from, unable to help himself. This was the moment he had been waiting for. I took my shot.

The bride, clinging onto the arm of her father looked simply radiant, her father tenderly put his
hand on hers – this was the last moment she would truly be “my little girl” to him. I took my shot. She turned the corner of the aisle and faced the groom. She looked amazing. I took my shot and swung round towards him. This was her moment.

His eyes were brimming with tears – he was blown away by how simply beautiful she looked. He was in awe of her and totally in love with her. It was written all over his face. I took my shot. The
lady Vicar, who I knew had known the bride for many years simply beamed. This was a proud moment for her as the bride and her father reached the groom she leant forward, whispering private words of encouragement. I took my shot. This was her moment.

“Who gives this lady to be married to this man?” the Vicar asked. Full of emotion dad stepped forward. He tenderly took his daughters hand, lifted it and passed it to the Vicar. “I do” he said.
He glanced at his daughter for one last time, she smiled back of him, full of encouragement and
love, and he stepped back. I took my shot. This was his moment. I quickly refocused on his wife,
just behind him in the congregation and saw her dab her eyes – proud of both of them. I took my
shot. This was her moment too.

Silently I stood with the rest of the congregation as the couple exchanged their vows. Then the
Vicar asked for the rings. The best man stepped forward. So careful not to drop them he placed them on the waiting bible as if they were made of egg shells, the concentration showing on his face – he must not drop them! I took my shot. This was his moment.

The groom picked up the ring and placed it on the brides waiting finger. Stopping only to make
promises to her that would last a life time. She looked at him, they exchanged a glance as he pushed the ring into place. I took my shot. This was his moment.

The bride, hands shaking with emotion, picked up the grooms ring and put it on his finger. She
struggled with her words, tears streaming down her face. They’d almost done it! Months and months of planning and this was her moment. She loved him so much she couldn’t tell him what she wanted him and everyone else to hear. She choked to make her promises. He smiled an encouraging smile – that was all she needed and she pushed the ring home. Their fingers entwined – they were married! I took my shot. This was her moment.

They looked at each other, then looked at the Vicar, an eternity seemed to pass and then we heard the words “You may now kiss the bride.” I took my shot. Then paused, knowing there would be more – they couldn’t help themselves. They kissed again – so full of joy. I took my shot. This was their moment.

The reception room looked amazing. Everything had been planned to perfection by the bride. Every table setting had a little gift or “favour” for each guest. No-one had been left out. The candles on the table made patterns on the white linen as their flames danced in the cooling breeze coming in through the open window. I took my shot. Everything about it was undisturbed, perfect.

Gradually the room filled and guests took their places at the tables, talking excitedly about the
events of the day. Then, the Maitre’D knocked loudly: “Ladies and Gentlemen – please be upstanding for your bride and groom.” The doors burst open and in they came. The bride, bouquet in her hand, was leading the way. The groom, beaming from ear to ear punched the air, triumphantly. He knew the belle of the ball today was his. I took my shot. This was their moment.

They took their seats and their guests cheered. Andy stepped forward and took a picture of the top table from behind with them looking backwards towards him, the entire room and all their guests in the shot behind them. He then took a shot from high above them of the whole room. It looked fantastic with the round tables facing the long top table. We vacated the room and left them to enjoy their wedding breakfast. It was soon time for the speeches. The groom stood up. He started to talk. I raised my camera to my face and started to look like I was taking pictures, tears streaming down my face. I was annoyed with myself. I glanced at Andy across the room – ever the professional – he appeared unmoved and continued on taking the shots I know we needed to make the story complete.

I focussed on the grooms’ mother for a second. Seeing the tears running down her face made it harder to carry on, I shifted the focus slightly onto the groom – his eyes brimming over as he spoke so lovingly about his absent father. This was difficult. He looked directly across at me and I wondered if we were intruding on this – a private moment. He struggled to find his words. The
bride, her eyes full of love for her husband stood up and carried on with his speech as he was choked up and unable to speak further. Then all three of them came together in a deep, mutual
understanding. The groom clung onto his mum – each giving the other support whilst the bride looked on. It was a poignant moment. I took my shot. This moment belonged to his mother.

As the Castle staff moved in to clear the tables, I was kicking myself for “losing it” – I was so
taken up by the moment and the friendship I had built up with them as a couple since they booked us for the wedding meant that I was a party to how difficult the day was likely to be for the groom. I had got too close to them hadn’t I? I had allowed myself to become too involved. The groom approached me. What was I going to say to him? He knew I had lost it. “Sharon – thank you.” Was all he said as he hugged me. He didn’t need to say anymore. It said it all. The pictures were important to him. His dad was gone but not forgotten. That moment, during that speech, belonged to his dad.

The couple went off to freshen up and we arranged to meet up with them to take some “Wedding Art” photos. I held the lights and watched in awe as Andy created picture after picture, capturing the intimacy between the two of them. We were there but we were incidental. This was their moment – and the first moment they had been together in private since the day began. It was important to them. It was a special moment. We stood back and quietly went about the business of taking pictures.

“Today This Could Be The Greatest Day Of Our Lives…..” the lyrics said it all. Our couple were lost in the moment. They were alone in a room full of people. No-one else mattered. I took my shot. Again and again I took that shot. This wasn’t just one moment. This was a whole series of moments and it belonged to them. These were their moments.

We took our leave, saying good night to parents, guests and “our” couple. We paused a moment outside to take a few last shots of the Castle floodlit and the celebrations continuing – through the window. We were on the outside looking in for the first time and it was appropriate to take that shot – the celebrations were continuing, we had done our bit now.

Home again, I sat in front of the computer screen and began the task of downloading the cards of the pictures we had taken. Picture after picture flashed in front of me. They were documenting a
perfect day full of moments in time. I felt a lump in my throat when I saw what we had captured
between us, amazed at the beauty of the images Andy had documented as he went. Pictures I hadn’t “seen” as I went about my day.

I poured myself a glass of wine and I knew - this was “my” moment.

© Sharon Malone, Partner Yorkshire Wedding Photographers www.fnsweddings.com

Steve & Gemma - Hazlewood Castle

We were most honoured to be chosen by Steve and Gemma as the Yorkshire Wedding Photographers they wanted to photograph their wedding at Hazlewood Castle.