How to Create the Perfect Wedding Photography Timeline

Greetings, lovebirds and wedding planners! As your trusty wedding photographer, I'm here to guide you through the mystical journey of creating the perfect wedding photography timeline. Think of me as your visual storyteller for the day, armed with a camera and a witty sense of humor to capture the essence of your love story. Let's dive into the art of scheduling those picture-perfect moments, shall we? Be sure to check out our Ultimate Wedding Photography Checklist!

The Early Bird Catches the Gorgeous Details

30 Minutes of Detail Dedication

Before the hustle and bustle begin, we dedicate a solid 30 minutes to capturing the little things that make your wedding uniquely yours. From the delicate lace on the bride's gown and the wedding invitation to the personalized cufflinks of the groom and the rings, these details are the unsung heroes of your wedding narrative.

The Brotherhood of the Groomsmen

30-45 Minutes of Mischief and Bonding

Next up, we spend 30-45 minutes with the groom and his loyal band of groomsmen. This is where the fun really begins. Expect candid shots of laughter, a roast of the groom, and maybe even a few tie adjustments from family members. It's all about capturing the genuine camaraderie and those last moments of bachelorhood. Knock out all the grooms photos early on and allow them to genuinely experience the wedding day.

The Radiance of the Bride and Her Bridesmaids

75-90 Minutes of Elegance and Emotion

The bride and her bridesmaids get a bit more time in the spotlight, about 75-90 minutes. This isn't just about the dress; it's about the shared glances, the tears of joy, and the collective excitement. Hair, makeup and dresses are fresh. It’s the perfect time to have a session with the bride’s besties. Brides are much more relaxed taking photos with their bridesmaids being their personal hype squad. It’s also a great moment to have a quiet first look with Dad or other family members before the day gets busy.

First Look: A Moment of Pure Magic

45-60 Minutes of Anticipated Bliss and formal photos

The first look is a quiet moment alone which typically leads into formal photos with the bride and groom, deserving of 45-60 minutes of our timeline. It's a private, emotional unveiling that allows for some truly intimate portraits. Quite often our couples do private vows during this time. This moment is all about the anticipation, the joy, and the realization that the adventure is just beginning. There is a lot of momentum that leads into formal photos with the bride and groom. It frees them to be truly immersed and have a genuine wedding experience.

A Brief Interlude

A Well-Deserved Break

After the emotional whirlwind of the first look, we take a brief pause. This is the perfect time for you to catch your breath, for me to check my gear, and for us all to prepare for the main event.

The Ceremony: A Love Story Unfolds

The Heart of the Day

The ceremony is the crescendo of your love story, and capturing it is my top priority. From the walk down the aisle to the exchange of vows, I'll be there to document every glance, every tear, and the all-important kiss. The length of the ceremony varies, but rest assured, I'll capture the full narrative.

The Family Saga

15-30 Minutes of Generational Joy

Post-ceremony, we allocate 15-30 minutes for family photos. Efficiency is key, so having a family wrangler (a.k.a. that one organized relative) is a game-changer.

Cocktail Hour: Choose Your Own Adventure

The Social Butterfly or The Portrait Session

Ah, cocktail hour - the choose-your-own-adventure part of the evening. If we've already done a first look, you're free to be the social butterflies you are, mingling and laughing with your guests. Consider me your personal paparazzi, capturing those candid moments of joy and connection.

However, if we skipped the first look, this is our golden hour for formal bride and groom photos. While your guests enjoy their cocktails and canapés, we'll whisk away to capture those timeless portraits of you both, basking in the glow of newlywed bliss.

Reception: Your Personal Paparazzi Awaits

As the reception unfolds, consider me your personal paparazzi, capturing all the important moments with our signature lighting techniques. From the first dance to the cake cutting, I'll be there, blending into the background yet always ready to capture the laughter, the tears, and the dance moves.

The Grand Finale: Creative Night or Sparkler Photos

15-20 Minutes of Nighttime Magic

As the night draws to a close, we'll whisk you away for some creative night or sparkler photos. This brief, magical session is the perfect way to end our photographic journey, leaving you with unique, breathtaking images that stand out in your album.

Sample Wedding Photography Timeline

Details (30 minutes) Rings, Invitations, Wedding Dress, and any other special details. This is also a great time for robe photos with the bridesmaids, makeup shots, champagne toasts, etc..

Groom and Groomsmen (30-45 minutes) Typically we start with the groom putting on his tie, cuff links, vest, and jacket. This is followed by photos with the groomsmen. We often do photos with the grooms family during this time as well.

Bride and Bridesmaids (60-90 minutes) We start this portion with the bride getting zipped up and putting on the final details. This is followed by portraits with the bridesmaids and bride’s family.

First Look / Couple Portraits (45-60 minutes) If the bride and groom choose to do a first look, we normally follow it with portraits and end with photos of the full bridal party. This frees up the couple to enjoy their wedding day with no obligation to do any formal photos outside of their post ceremony family photos.

Break for Ceremony (30-45 minutes) Typically our couple is taking a break while guests are arriving for the ceremony.

Ceremony

Family Photos (15-30 minutes) Immediately after the ceremony, we typically capture family photos in the ceremony space.

Cocktail Hour (usually 1 hour) If you choose to not to a first look, couple portraits would take place during this time. We also try to capture some photos of the reception space with our couple during the end of cocktail hour if possible.

Reception and Formal Events (about 2 hours) This includes entrances, dinner, formal dances, cake cutting, speeches, etc.. Typically you would work out the formalities with your DJ or wedding coordinator.

Sunset Photos (15 minutes) If possible, we strive to capture sunset photos with our couples. The golden hour is a magical time with gorgeous light that adds a magic touch to the final images.

Open Dancing (1 hour) We usually recommend about an hour of open dancing to capture the magic on the dance floor along with guest photos.

Creative Night Photos (15 minutes) We love doing creative night photos with our couples. This could be anything from sparkler photos with the bridal party to creatively lit portraits featuring the venue.