Planning Your Wedding Photography Timeline

Apr 1

So…what does a wedding timeline even look like?

Most couples book between 8-10 hours, but this can vary depending on your ceremony length, moments you'd like captured, travel time between locations, if you’re taking off-site photos, and more.

I’ve created a 10-hour timeline below to help you visualize the flow of a wedding day as it pertains to photography. Please keep in mind that this is just a sample and may not reflect what your unique day will look like, so we’ll chat about any wishes and plans you have to develop a timeline that works best for you.

Sample Timeline - 10 Hours, 2 photographers

This timeline is for a wedding of 150 people. The couple plans to get ready at a hotel (in separate rooms), take most photos at locations near the hotel, and will have the ceremony & reception at a separate venue.

12:00 - Photography begins with details (stationary, dress, shoes, etc.) & getting ready candids in the bride’s hotel suite.

12:30 - Groom’s getting ready & candids.

1:00 - Bride’s hair/makeup complete. Robe photos with the crew.

1:15 - Bride gets dressed.

1:25 - Bride does a “First Look”/reveal with bridesmaids.

1:30 - Bridal portraits in the wedding suite.

2:00 - First Look at/near hotel, followed by couple's & more solo portraits

3:00 - Wedding party portraits

3:30 - Photographers & wedding party departs for the venue.

4:00 - Photographers capture ceremony details & guest arrival. Couple hides away before the ceremony.

4:30 - Ceremony

5:00 - Family Portraits & cocktail hour begin.

5:30 - Cocktail hour & reception details captured.

6:00 - Guests are invited to sit for dinner.

6:15 - Grand introduction, followed by a quick welcome/thank-you speech. 1st course is served.

6:30 - Entrees are served. Vendors eat.

7:00 - Father of the Bride/Maid of Honor/Best Man speeches (back-to-back).

7:15 - Couple sneak outside for quick Golden Hour portraits

7:45 - Cake cutting

7:50 - First Dance, followed by the Bride/Dad and Groom/Mom dances

8:00 - Dance floor opens. Bride changes into 2nd look. Dessert Served

9:30 - Late night snack served

9:45 - Night portraits & final photos

10:00 - Photography Ends

Now that you understand the flow, here’s some more detail:

Arrival & Details

I capture details first so I can give em' back to you to wear! During this time, I'll capture your rings, invitations, sentimental details, dress, shoes, perfume, watch, etc. Please pack these in a box and leave it in the wedding suite so it’s handy upon my arrival.

Getting Ready & Individual Portraits

Hair/makeup, pajama/robe photos, candid moments with your friends, champagne & caviar, getting into your dress/tux, etc. If time allows, this is also a great time for some solo portraits. If you and your partner are getting ready in different locations, you'll need to pick one person to be captured or be sure to book a second photographer.

First Look

This is an optional moment in which the couple sees each other for the first time on the wedding day, usually a few hours before the ceremony. While not for everyone, choosing a first look (as opposed to an aisle/ceremony reveal) allows for a more relaxed timeline and the ability to enjoy cocktail hour with your loved ones by knocking out more must-have photos early in the day.

It can look like many things:

A tap on the shoulder from behind
Opening a door
Turning around to face each other simultaneously
You gloriously descending a staircase while they watch in utter awe,

If you decide against a First Look, we’ll capture your family photos, full wedding party photos, and all couples photos after the ceremony/during cocktail hour. Please be sure to allow enough time between your ceremony and reception to allow for this.

Potential Reception Moments:

A private, pre-reception "room reveal" moment with the couple before guests enter your reception space. This also gives you a moment to practice your first dance!
Grand Entrance and Introduction “Now introducing, the newlyweds!” This moment can be just you or can also include your wedding party.
Cake cutting, champagne tower, tiramisu dusting, etc.
Speeches: Maid of Honor, Best Man, Father of the Bride, Thank you speech from the couple, etc.
Special Dances: First Dance as a married couple, Father/Daughter dance, Mother/Son dance.
If you'd like, we can briefly dip outside to get some portraits during Golden Hour (the hour before sunset that is known for warm, romantic natural light).

Night Portraits

While it's optional, I recommend taking 10-15 minutes for some quick photos toward the end of the evening. It’s a great way to capture your "end-of-night" energy, and if you're doing an outfit change, this is also a chance to get photos of your 2nd outfit.

It could look like: