Wedding Photography Timeline
All weddings are different! And this wedding photography timeline is not a one size fits all timeline. However, having an idea of how long to plan for the different aspects of your day can be a great starting off point for you and your photographer! Some of the sessions might seem long at first glance but know that:
- The day will fly by
- Most weddings do run a bit behind
- I make these photo sessions super fun
Example Wedding Photography Timeline
Rings, Dress, Shoes, all the little details!
Capturing everything about these moments from getting your hair and makeup done to little details like cuff-links and adjusting your tie can be some of the most special photos from the day.
Time- 30 minutes
Location- Wherever you are getting ready!
Why 30 minutes?
Glad you asked! Including this slot in your wedding photography timeline is a great way to start the day! Depending on your getting ready location, the room can be too dark or too crowded. Taking the dress and other details to a beautiful spot, sometimes even outside, is well worth the extra work and time.
Getting Ready!
Time- 60 minutes
Location(s)- Brodail Suite / Hotel Room(s) / Grooms Room
Why 60 minutes?
This one of my favorite times of your wedding day! (You might read me saying that a lot in this post…) This hour is filled with little candid/posed excited moments between you and your wedding party and family. Capturing everything about these moments from getting your hair and makeup done to little details like cuff-links and adjusting your tie can be some of the most special photos from the day.
Individual Portraits
Time- 30 minutes
Location- Inside, outside, venue location, or ceremony location
Why 30 minutes?
These (separate) portraits happen right after the getting ready photos! Most of the time these are built in and around the getting ready photos. All depends on who’s ready first. Candid and posed we want the time to make these portraits perfect!
First Look and Couples Photos!
Time- 45-60 minutes
Location- All around your venue location or ceremony location
Why 60 minutes?
The first look session is really only about 5 or 10 minutes, the rest of the time is spent on beautiful portraits of the couple around their venues for the day. Although there are other times built into the timeline for couples photos I love to have about an hour to photograph the two of you just after your first look.
Wedding Party Photos
Time- 45-60 minutes (depends on the size of the wedding party)
Location- Venue locations and outside
Why 60 minutes?
The wedding party are the people you want closest to you on your wedding day! Setting up enough time to get all the more formal, posed, photos as well as fun candid moments is so much fun! I also use this time to get individual photos with you and each person in your wedding party!
Immediate and Extended Family
Time- 30 minutes – 1 hour and 30 minutes (depends on size of family)
Location- Outside the venues with shaded natural light
Why over an hour?
Taking candids with you and your family happens all throughout the day and this “slot” of time is built for more candids. As well as family formals, including all the different combinations of groups! A very good rule of thumb is planning for about 3-4 minutes per grouping. For example if you have 10 different groups plan for roughly 40 minutes. This time can be split throughout the day if needed, depending on arrival of the family.
Ceremony Details and Venue Photos
Time- 30 minutes
Location- Ceremony Location
Why 30 minutes?
I love to have about 30 minutes to get photos of the ceremony venue. This is part of the story of the day and it is super fun to look back at your photos to see the ceremony decorations and details at their best.
Now on to the ceremony part of your wedding photography timeline!
Ceremony
Time- Planned with your officiant and venue
Couple Sun Set Session
Time- As much as you would like! (10 minutes – 60 minutes)
Why so long or so short?
This is my FAVORITE session of the day! It can last 5 minutes, it can last an hour. Ideally it will happen around an hour before the sun sets. This is the best time for lighting. These candid moments (some posed) really show the excitement between the two of you! This time slot is very flexible and does depend on the location of the venue. It does not need to be included at all in your wedding photography timeline!
Reception Detail and Venue
Time- 30 minutes
Location- Reception Venue
Why 30 minutes?
Very similar to the ceremony details the reception venue without any guests and looking its best is part of the story of your day!
Additional Considerations for your wedding photography timeline!
Table Shots!
Going around, greeting guests, and visiting tables is a great way to greet your guests! Capturing these moments can take 4-5 minutes per table.
Dusk and Night Shots!
This session is very similar to the sun set session. Flexible time and location.
Friend Groups!
Very similar to the family groups please allow 3-4 minutes per group during the reception for these group photos!
I have had many couples add and take away slots from their wedding photography timeline depending on many different factors. Being a flexible wedding photographer is key!
The best tip! Find the best wedding photographer for you! Take the time to meet them!
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