Your Go-To Guide to Planning Your Wedding Photography Timeline
Planning your wedding day is an exciting and sometimes stressful process, with countless details to consider. One of the biggest ones is your wedding photography timeline. A well-structured timeline not only guarantees that you won't miss any key moments but also helps reduce stress and keeps the day flowing smoothly (something everyone wants!)
In this guide, we'll walk you through everything you need to know to plan the perfect wedding photography timeline. We’ll help you decide whether or not to do a first look and how that decision will impact your wedding day.
Pre-Wedding Preparations
Before we get to the wedding day, we need to discuss pre-wedding preparations. This is a general timeline for booking a wedding photographer, scheduling an engagement photoshoot, and finalizing the details of your wedding day.
Booking a Wedding Photographer
Booking a wedding photographer should be one of the first things you do in your wedding planning journey. Photographers book out months in advance. We already have weddings booked for next year!
To ensure you get the wedding photographer you want, we recommend booking as soon as you know your wedding date (which comes after booking your venue.) That way, you can put down the deposit and confirm their availability for your wedding day.
Engagement Photoshoot
Next is the engagement photoshoot. We always encourage couples to have engagement shoots. This is a special time in your life and should be captured on camera! For this reason, we include engagement photoshoots in all our wedding photography packages. We help you pick the perfect location to fit your vibe and cute outfits so you can use the photos for save-the-dates, wedding and home decor, and social media.
We’ll work with you to schedule an engagement photoshoot a few months after you book your wedding day with us. Here's how you can maximize your engagement session!
Complete a Questionnaire
We have a pre-wedding questionnaire that we send you. You’ll list all the family and group photos you want. If you have anything specific, you can tell us here. One bride had a surprise birthday cake during the reception for her dad’s 50th birthday!
Finalizing Details
Things will be pretty quick up until about two months before your wedding. By then, you’ll probably have a lot of the details worked out with your venue. In this prep meeting, bring us up to speed on the venue details. We’ll share our wedding photo timeline template, and customize it to your needs. We want to optimize your time with us so we can capture as much of the day as possible!
First Look, or No?
A first look can dramatically impact your wedding photography timeline. We encourage couples to do a first look. We understand the romanticism of seeing the bride for the first time as she’s walking down the aisle. Some couples still choose to do this, and it's good for them!
However, there are so many benefits of a first look.
It’s a special, intimate moment with just the two of you.
We can capture raw emotions.
Reduces the time taking photos after the ceremony.
You can enjoy your cocktail hour.
The lighting is usually better earlier in the day.
At the end of the day, doing a first look is up to you, but we highly recommend it.
The Wedding Photography Timeline
When we’re planning your wedding photography timeline, we discuss the time to get ready, the ceremony, post-ceremony, and the reception.
Getting Ready (2-3 Hours)
The time to get ready is a big part of the day, especially for women. The girls usually start getting ready several hours before the men. Photographers don’t need to be there the entire time, but brides usually like a few shots after their hair and makeup are done in their getting-ready outfits.
For grooms, we get some shots of them putting on their suit jackets, ties, and shoes. This is also when we get the detail shots, like:
Dress
Shoes
Rings/Jewelry
Invitation
If you choose to have a first look, it happens before the ceremony. This also includes bridal party shots and key moments with family. If you choose to do a first look, we finish all the family photos before the ceremony. Even if you go the traditional route, we try to do individual photos with the bride and her family, and the groom with his.
Ceremony (30 Minutes - 1 Hour)
Next is the ceremony. We capture the arrival of guests and mingling before the ceremony starts. During the ceremony, we make sure to get:
Ceremony site details
Bridal party walking down the aisle
Family walking down the aisle
Bride’s entrance
Vows
Ring exchange
First kiss
Couple walking back down the aisle (with hopefully a romantic dip and kiss!)
Post-Ceremony (1-2 Hours)
We recommend our couples ask their officiant to make an announcement after the processional that they will be doing family photos and the guests can congratulate them at the reception or cocktail hour. That way, you won’t get distracted or pulled by guests and those family members won’t wander off to cocktail hour - tracking people down can really delay your wedding photography timeline!
Most of the time, our couples don't take photos after the ceremony unless there are extended family members they would like photos with who aren't there before the ceremony.
We also get additional couple photos and bridal party photos if needed. We include buffer time for any delays. Our team will also capture guests mingling at cocktail hour.
Reception (3-4 Hours)
The reception is a significant chunk of time, too. We estimate about 3-4 hours for your reception, and that includes:
Your grand entrance
First dance
Family dances
Speeches and toasts
Dinner and dessert
Cake cutting
Bouquet and garter toss
Dance floor candids
Couple's exit
Tips for a Smooth Wedding Photography Timeline
We know there’s a lot to consider when planning your wedding photography timeline. These are some tips to make sure it goes smoothly.
Communicate with Vendors
Sometimes vendors will ask for each other’s contact information to coordinate. The wedding planner or day-of coordinator will definitely want this information. Have open communication between vendors and confirm all the details with each vendor a few weeks and a few days before the wedding.
Share your wedding day timeline with everyone - vendors, bridal party, family, etc. It helps to print a few copies and hand them out! Make sure everyone is on the same page.
Plan for the Unexpected
Something will always go wrong on your wedding day. It’s just how it goes! Allow buffer time in between activities during the day. You might get stuck in traffic on your way to the venue. Or a vendor might be late. Or it might rain during the ceremony (which is actually good luck!) Prepare for the unexpected and have a few people you trust to help you handle it.
Trust your photographer’s expertise on timelines, shot ideas, and planning, too! They will have great photo ideas for the wedding party, family, and you two as a couple.
Be Flexible
We know you prepared for months or even years for this day. Remember to stay in the moment. If things go wrong or something unexpected happens, be flexible. It doesn’t have to be perfect. You won’t look back on your wedding day and remember the small details. You’ll remember marrying your best friend.
Sample Wedding Photography Timeline With a First Look
This is a wedding photo timeline template example that includes a first look. This could change depending on your ceremony time and the hours you have booked with your wedding photographer.
We only offer 8 or 10 hour packages. You can request more time if you want to, but usually we can get everything within that time frame. This sample is based on a 4:30pm ceremony start time. The couple booked an 8-hour package and added an additional hour of coverage.
11:45 AM: Photographers arrive
12:00 PM: Coverage begins
Getting ready shots of bride and bridesmaids, and groom and groomsmen
Detail shots (dress, shoes, jewelry, details)
1 PM: Bride Hair and Make-Up Complete
1:15 PM: Bride Gets Into Dress
1:30 PM: Bride Portraits
A moment for the bride!
1:40 PM: Bride and Photographer Leave for First Look
The groom will already be in place.
1:50 PM: Bride and Groom First Look
Set up a private location for the first look
Capture the couple's reactions and emotions as they see each other for the first time and exchange private vows
2:00 PM: Bride and Groom Portraits
Shots of just the two of you.
2:30 PM: Bridal Party Photos
All bridesmaids and groomsmen arrive for portraits.
3:00 PM: Family Photos
All immediate family arrives for portraits.
4:00 PM: Tucked Away
Everyone tucked away for arriving guests. This is your time to relax, touch up makeup, and get ready for the ceremony.
4:30 PM: Ceremony Begins
Capture the entire ceremony, including procession, vows, ring exchange, and first kiss
Candid moments of guests and reactions
5:00 PM: Cocktail Hour
Photographer captures candid moments of guests enjoying the cocktail hour
Detail shots of the reception setup
5:05 PM: Signing of Marriage Certificate
Capture a few shots of this special moment.
Couple joins cocktail hour when they’re ready.
5:45 PM: Reception Set-Up
Photographers take photos of reception set-up
6:00 PM: Guests Seated for Dinner
6:15 PM: Grand Entrance
6:20 PM: Dinner served
Photographers take a break and eat dinner
7:00 PM: Sunset Photos
Photographers steal the couple away for sunset portraits
7:30 PM: Toasts
8:00 PM: Cake Cutting
8:05 PM: First Dances
8:15 PM: Open Dancing Begins
9:00 PM: Coverage Ends, But The Party Continues!
Sample Wedding Photography Timeline - No First Look
Now let’s go over an example wedding photography timeline with no first look. Notice how it impacts the timeline specifically after the ceremony. This is your only chance to get photos with your new spouse. It usually pushes everything else back or shortens the timeline for cocktail hour, dinner, or dancing.
12:45 PM: Photographers arrive
1:00 PM: Coverage begins
Getting ready shots of bride and bridesmaids, and groom and groomsmen
Detail shots (dress, shoes, jewelry, details)
2 PM: Bride Hair and Make-Up Complete
2:15 PM: Bride Gets Into Dress
2:30 PM: Bride Portraits
A moment for the bride!
2:40 PM: Bridal Party Photos
Bride and bridesmaids.
Groom and groomsmen.
3:00 PM: Individual Family Photos
Bride takes individual photos with family.
Groom takes individual photos with family.
4:00 PM: Tucked Away
Everyone tucked away for arriving guests. This is your time to relax, touch up makeup, and get ready for the ceremony.
4:30 PM: Ceremony Begins
Capture the entire ceremony, including procession, vows, ring exchange, and first kiss
Candid moments of guests and reactions
5:00 PM: Cocktail Hour
Photographer captures candid moments of guests enjoying the cocktail hour
Detail shots of the reception setup
5:05 PM: Signing of Marriage Certificate
Capture a few shots of this special moment.
5:10 PM: Family Photos
Couple with family photos.
5:40 PM: Bride and Groom Portraits
Shots of just the two of you.
6:10 PM: Reception Set-Up
Photographers take photos of reception set-up
6:25 PM: Guests Seated for Dinner
6:40 PM: Grand Entrance
6:45 PM: Dinner served
Photographers take a break and eat dinner
7:30 PM: Sunset Photos
Photographers steal the couple away for sunset portraits
8:00 PM: Toasts
8:30 PM: Cake Cutting
8:35 PM: First Dances
8:45 PM: Open Dancing Begins
10:00 PM: Coverage Ends, But The Party Continues!
Start Your Wedding Photography Timeline with Heather Ferreria Photography
Planning a detailed wedding photography timeline is essential to ensure every important moment of your special day is captured. Work with your wedding photographer to tailor your schedule to perfectly suit your wedding. Remember, flexibility and communication with your photographer are crucial to adapting the timeline to any unexpected changes. With thoughtful planning and a clear timeline, you'll be able to cherish the stunning photos of your wedding day for years to come.
Ready to start planning your personalized wedding photography timeline? Contact us today to ensure every moment is captured beautifully.