When tailoring your most memorable day you want everything to flow seamlessly, and your story to be portrayed most beautifully by your wedding photographer. The key to achieving that is having a well-curated wedding day photography timeline. By doing this, you will have the advantage of being prepared for any unpredicted scenarios or things running late. And let’s be honest, you wouldn’t want to rush arriving at your ceremony location because you didn’t plan enough time for your getting ready photos! This is just one of the mishaps that may happen if you don’t have an already ready wedding timeline.

So how do you make one? Don’t worry! As a wedding photographer, I will talk about the importance of having a timeline and how to create one that would be completely personalised to your special day. And if you are one of my future brides or grooms, don’t worry, we will go through this all together! I am here for you!

The importance of Your Wedding Day Timeline

When you browse through various wedding photography portfolios, most of the images look effortless. That is mainly because of the skill of the chosen professional but also because of how well the couple has prepared their wedding planning timeline. So what does this exactly mean? That means that you should calculate how much time will every event take and avoid rushing. Furthermore, you should plan extra cushion minutes to allow every part to unfold flawlessly. Sometimes there are factors you simply cannot influence, like traffic, so when you add those cushion minutes, you will avoid running late.

Sharing your wedding timeline with your photographer will give them an idea of how much time they have to work their magic! Along with the list of preferred portraits, group and family imagery; they will know what to prioritise and how much time they will have on their hands.

Deciding on Locations for Certain Shots

Another important aspect is the location. For example, you will have your getting ready photos in a room or a suite, but for the first look, or maybe for the intimate portrait session you would like to introduce more variety. Many couples opt for sessions near the ceremony or reception spot, but if you desire to have your memories framed elsewhere, you will need to plan the timing accordingly. Additionally, you should take into consideration the travel time to and back from that particular location which will impact your coverage needs.

The places you choose for your preferred imagery should be planned and discussed with your wedding photographer. Also, don’t be afraid to consult and ask for advice!

How Much Time is Needed for Each Chapter of Your Wedding Day?

The following is a suggested timeline that works really well with 10 hour coverage. If you have unique aspects or looking for a particular type of coverage, you can always check with your photographer for additional coverage. I do give the option to add on additional coverage to their package.

10:00 - Couple’s Prep Time

I would advise planning about 2-2.5 hours or more for this part of the day. You are likely to start getting hair and makeup done a few hours before your photographer arrives. Naturally, there are several factors that will influence timing such as how many bridesmaids you have. Plus, don’t forget to factor in the travel time to your ceremony location if you are not at your ceremony location (though I highly recommend that you do if you can). One thing I would definitely recommend is advising everyone to arrive when noted so that the preparations can start in the planned hour. Usually, I arrive after hair and makeup has started and give myself a few hours to capture the details, the joyful ambience, the bridal essence to the fullest – including putting on the dress and accessories, along with the final look, first look and a few portraits. Then I take time to capture the story of the other partner (unless we are working with a second photographer but then they will have your partner covered).

11:15 - Change into dress

At 11:15, the bridesmaids begin their preparations and change into their dresses. Following the bridesmaids, at 11:30, it is the bride's turn to change into her wedding dress. Your photographer will most likely step out and ask you to get into the dress and call them back in when you just have the back to do up.

These moments of the bridesmaids and the bride getting ready are a significant part of the wedding day, as they mark the beginning of the bride's journey towards her wedding ceremony. Your photographer will ensure that these precious memories are preserved through their skillful documentation, providing the couple with beautiful photographs to cherish for a lifetime.

12:00 - The First Look

This is just a wedding timeline example, so if you have chosen to have your first look at the ceremony, you can simply skip this part. But I definitely recommend doing one!

First, you need to choose the location, and I advise it to be nearby so that you wouldn’t lose time. I usually suggest about 30 minutes for this part, because it is one of the most candid and heartfelt moments, so you should savour it to the fullest! 20-30 minutes are enough for you both to revel in all the feels, unwind and appreciate this intimate time before the big moment.

If you don’t want to a first look with your partner, a first look with Dad also makes for an extra special moment!

12:30 - The Ceremony

Every ceremony is different. If you are travelling, make sure to adjust your timeline to include travel time. My tip is to always plan 15 minutes as a cushion if there are some guests running late. Depending on how long the ceremony will last, your photographer will use that time to capture the most memorable photos. Usually, ceremonies last about an hour, and I make sure to capture the whole atmosphere during that time. I also take about 15 minutes to capture the venue and details before the guests arrive.

13:30 - Wedding Party and Family Photos

These group photos can take about an hour and half and it is best to plan them after the ceremony or during the cocktail hour. However, if you are hosting a smaller number of guests, you can plan an hour for this part of the wedding day photography timeline. I recommend having up to 10 groupings for formal shots so that everyone can move on to enjoy the day. It is also really helpful if you have a list of groupings like with your parents, grandparents, siblings, etc with their names. This will also help your photographer to manage the grouping more seamlessly as we call them out as we go!

14:00 - Couple’s Portraits

As light plays a great role in the poetry of your candid images, I would suggest planning atleast 30 minutes for this part of the day – preferably before sunset. Depending on the season, you can plan your couple’s session before the reception or during, aligned with the golden hour. This is usually done on the grounds of your venue. I am a huge fan of golden hour sessions as they make for magical portraits. I like to try to add two sessions to the day if possible.

15:00 - The Reception & Speeches starting

The start of the reception will also be another important aspect in your wedding day photography because your photographer needs to arrive at least 20 minutes before the guests to capture the beauty of the setting with all of its details. If we are working with a second photographer, they can always capture these images while we are doing family and bridal party portraits. I recommend doing speeches before your meal but couples also opt to have them after the meal to help those making the speech build up their liquid courage!

16:00 - Wedding Breakfast

During this time, the guests indulge in a delicious meal and enjoy each other's company. It is a moment of relaxation and celebration, providing an opportunity for your photographer to step back and allow the couple and their loved ones to enjoy the reception. While the guests are enjoying their meal, your photographer may take a moment to rest and recharge for the upcoming events.

18:30 - Evening Portraits

Before the evening guests arrive, your photographer can take advantage of the beautiful lighting during the "golden hour" to capture stunning portraits of the newly married couple. This is a special time for them to have intimate moments together while your photographer preserves their love and joy through the lens.

19:00 - Evening guests arrive, cake cutting, and first dance

As the evening guests start to arrive, your photographer becomes more active again, capturing the excitement and warm greetings between the newlyweds, their families, and friends. The cake cutting ceremony takes place, symbolising the couple's shared responsibility and commitment. Following the cake cutting, the couple shares their first dance, a beautiful and emotional moment that your photographer focuses on capturing. The tender expressions, graceful movements, and genuine emotions that unfold during this romantic dance are documented, creating timeless reminders of their love and the beginning of their life together.

20:00 - Photographer coverage ends

At 20:00, your photographer's role for the wedding day comes to an end. This is the agreed-upon time for the conclusion of their professional services and may vary depending on your photographer. By this time, your photographer has diligently captured the essential moments, from the heartfelt ceremonies to the joyful celebrations. With their coverage ending, it allows the couple and their guests to immerse themselves fully in the remaining festivities without feeling the presence of a camera. It's a time for your photographer to bid farewell to the couple and their loved ones, expressing their well wishes for their future, and assuring them that the memories captured will be transformed into cherished photographs. As the night unfolds, the couple and their guests can revel in the magic of the evening, creating their own special memories while your photographer retreats into the background, knowing that they have played a part in preserving their beautiful love story through their lens.

Remember that this is just the basic wedding timeline example to be able to plan and capture your day and your story seamlessly. What matters most is that you and your photographer have a plan for wedding photos on your big day. If you are looking to copy and paste a timeline easily, I have also included it below!

10:00 - Couple’s Prep Time (11:15 getting dressed)

12:00 - The First Look

12:30 - The Ceremony

13:30 - Wedding Party and Family Photos

14:00 - Couple’s Portraits

15:00 - The Reception & Speeches starting

16:00 - Wedding Breakfast

18:30 - Evening Portraits

19:00 - Evening guests arrive, cake cutting, and first dance

20:00 - Photographer coverage ends

We will work together to tell the story of your big day!

If you have any questions about it or need help with tailoring your own, feel free to contact me. And of course, if you feel like my photography style speaks to you, I will be over the moon if you reach out to chat about your big day!