Creating a wedding timeline requires thoughtful consideration, and it plays a big role in deciding how many hours of coverage you’ll need from your wedding photographer. This guide is based on what I’ve seen works best and I include tips, suggestions, and how much time to allocate for each portion of the day.
My main word of advice is to include your photographer in planning your timeline before it’s set in stone!! Timeline customization along with unlimited calls and support in the planning process is included in all wedding photography collections as well as my welcome guide for all of my clients.
Enjoy and please leave any questions or thoughts in the comments section below!
First, consider this:
What are the moments and details that hold the most significance to you? Here are some examples of important questions to discuss when working with your photographer and wedding planner:
- What are the parts of the day that matter most?
- When you look back at your wedding, what do you think those core memories will be?
- How important are the detail and prep photos?
- Who are the beloveds you’ll be getting ready with?
- What have you put the most TLC into, such as the invitations, florals, decor, a certain ritual, or choreographed dance?
- Are you incorporating family heirlooms that have a story behind them?
- Will there be a first look?
- What about your wedding are you looking forward to the most?
- How much time would you like to spend on couple’s portraits?
- How many family members and BFFs do you want to include in group photos?
- Do you want photography coverage of the entire reception till the end?
A Note On Hair and Makeup
Have your photographer around 60 minutes before completing hair and makeup. On average, it takes 2 hours for hair and makeup to be done. This allows for a comfortable and relaxed experience. Some with simpler preferences may need only an hour. Be sure to discuss details with your stylists!
Photography Timeline
Preparation: 60-90 mins
- 30 minutes: Detail shots.
- This includes the invitations, rings, shoes, the dress, the scene, and any other details that make up the big picture, as well as candid photos of you and your belv
- 30-60 minutes: Final touches + group photos.
- Final touches include pinning boutonnieres, zipping up dress, putting on the veil, and individual portraits of the each spouse and person in the wedding party, and VIPs (IE intimate friends and family members).
- Group photos of each spouse with their VIP’s / party
First look or first touch, personal vows, and initial couple’s portraits: 15-20 mins
I love first looks and how they facilitate the flow of the day. They allow for the wedding party and family formals to be pretty much done early on, which means you can flow right from your ceremony to private, intimate moments with your new spouse, and then right into enjoying cocktail hour with your guests!
Wedding party, VIP, and family formals: 30-45 mins
- Depending on whether or not there’s a first look, this will take place before or after the ceremony.
- How much time the formals take largely depends on how many people there will be and how many group photos you’d like.
- Delegate someone with a big voice to call out names and assist in wrangling the group!
Guest arrival & ceremony prep: 20 mins
- Couple and the wedding party move to a holding area. Allow 20 minutes for guests to arrive without seeing you. Set up a guest book table for them to sign!
- Take a breath, drink some water, have a snack, go to the bathroom, relax and get ready for one of the biggest moments of your life!
Ceremony: 30 mins (or 1+ hours for Catholic ceremonies)
- Ceremonies can take around 20-45 minutes.
- Block out a half hour to allow for buffer time and any potential delays.
Couple’s portraits: 20- 30 mins during cocktail hour
- If you had a first look and got the wedding party + family formal photos done, you have the option of doing additional couple’s portraits right after the ceremony while guests enjoy cocktail hour OR enjoying cocktail hour with your guests.
- If a first look did not occur, couple’s portraits will likely take place after formals.
- We’ll steal away from the crowd for intimate, romantic moments. The majority of couples consider these to be the most important photos from their wedding. Allocate as much time to this as you feel is needed!
- These shots ideally take place 45-60 minutes before sunset for that golden hour light!
Dinner & Reception: 1-1.5 hours
- Guests are ushered to the dinner reception.
- Grand entrance, first dances, toasts, and speeches usually happen within the first 20 minutes after everyone’s been served.
- Give your vendors a moment to sit down and eat before speeches start 🙂
Dancing & party time: 1-3+ hours
- Cake, dancing, bouquet and garter toss!
- I HIGHLY recommend doing a big group photo of everyone at the wedding – have your photographer work with the DJ to get everyone up on stage!! That way, everyone’s ready to start partying and dancing!
- Grand departure to wrap up the celebration!
- If reception photos are not a priority for you as a couple, I recommend having your photographer present for ~1 hour after cake cutting.
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