Creating a rock-solid wedding photography timeline can transform your photography game. We know how overwhelming wedding day scheduling can feel, but with the right approach, you can turn chaos into a symphony.
At the very end of this blog post is a recommended 8-hour wedding photography timeline for a typical wedding day that takes place at one venue. Use it as a starting point and build off of it! Happy shooting! 📸✨
Table of Contents
Before the Wedding Day
Communication is your best friend here. We send every couple a super thorough wedding questionnaire that covers all the bases. Skip the last-minute planning meeting during wedding week – your couples will thank you. Jump on a phone call with the bride a week or two before their wedding and after the questionnaire is complete. Stress levels are generally way lower at that point in the planning process.
When on the phone:
- Confirm ceremony and reception locations
- Note any travel time between venues
- List all formal photos they want
- Identify key family members
- Mark any special traditions or moments
Keep weather planning simple. If rain’s in the forecast, make your backup plan the day before. Don’t stress about creating multiple backup scenarios – it’s overkill. In our entire career, we’ve only had ONE wedding where we couldn’t step outside at all. Usually, there’s always a break in the rain – you just need to be ready to grab it when it comes!
Morning Wedding Timeline Structure
6-8 hours before the ceremony:
- Bride/bridal party hair and makeup
- Detail photos (dress, shoes, rings, etc.)
- Getting ready candids
Show up 30 minutes before your “official” start time. This buffer gives you breathing room to scope out the space and start detail shots while everyone’s settling in.
Ask your couples to gather ALL their details in one spot before you arrive – dress, rings, shoes, invitation suite – the works! Coordinate with the florist to snag some extra blooms during prep time for perfect styling elements. Prep spaces can get chaotic. Find one clean corner and set up your styling mat. This combo creates consistent, professional-looking detail shots regardless of the room’s condition.
Hair and makeup often runs behind. Keep those communication lines open with the beauty team and adjust your shot list as needed.
Formal Photo Timeline
2-3 hours before ceremony:
- First look (30 minutes)
- Couple portraits (30 minutes)
- Wedding party photos (30-45 minutes)
- Family formals (30-45 minutes)
First looks have changed the wedding photography game. Block out 30 minutes for these special moments. Having that time lets genuine emotions unfold naturally.
When it comes to the wedding party we usually budget around 30-45 minutes. Start with the whole group for wedding party portraits, then work your way down to smaller combinations. Dismiss people as you go – everyone loves getting done with photos earlier than expected!
Find one main spot that works for both bridesmaids and groomsmen shots. Guys are usually flexible about moving around, so prioritize spots that work well for the bridesmaids – shade and walking distance in those heels matter!
Ceremony Photography Timing
45-60 minutes before the ceremony:
- Empty venue/decor shots
- Guest candids during arrival
- Final preparation photos
Whenever possible, we leave 30 minutes before the ceremony to take photos of the details and let the couple get some time to themselves before their big moment. Ceremony coverage is simple – less is more. This moment is about the couple, not photographers running around with cameras.
We have chosen to primarily use a 70-200mm lens so that we can capture intimate moments without being a distraction to all the guests. Couples love having beautiful ceremony photos they didn’t even notice you taking.
When the ceremony starts Caitlin will tackle the shots from the front during processionals, staying respectful of the space. By the end of the ceremony, we are both in the back ready to shoot the recessional. For recessionals, capture the couple’s exit together, then if you have a second photographer split up. One can go with the bride and groom and the other can stay and capture everyone else walking down the aisle. Here it is in a nutshell:
- One photographer at front for processional shots
- Both at back during ceremony
- Both capture recessional from back
- One follows couple out
- One stays for family exit photos
Reception Setup and Coverage
Cocktail hour timing (typically 60 minutes):
- Reception room details
- Table settings
- Cake and dessert displays
- Gift table
- Dance floor and overall room shots
Make friends with your DJ or band leader – a quick check-in helps anticipate key moments.
Reception detail shots vary by venue setup. At single-location weddings, Luke handles reception details while Caitlin takes extended family photos. For separate venues, we always try to maximize cocktail hour if possible. If that isn’t an option, we will do our best to work around guests to find empty tables to photograph.
Our lighting setup is simple but effective: one flash mounted to a tripod stand with an umbrella diffuser. Tag-team when timelines get tight – one person manages lights while the other shoots. Capture all important elements: table settings, room shots, cake, gift table, and food displays.
Here is our typical order of events at the Receptions we have photographed (typically 3-4 hours). Always make sure to confirm all of this with the DJ or band leader. You wouldn’t believe how often plans change when it comes to this.
- Grand entrance
- Cake cutting
- Toasts
- Dinner service
- First dance
- Parent dances
- Special traditions (bouquet toss, etc.)
- Open dancing
- End-of-night photos
Timeline Management Tips
Build in buffer time:
- 15 minutes between major events
- 30 minutes for location changes
- Extra time for large wedding parties
Anticipate common delays:
- Hair/makeup running long
- Family members arriving late
- Weather changes
- Traffic between venues
Prioritize must-have shots:
- Get key formal photos early
- Capture essential details first
- Plan golden hour portraits
- Know which traditions matter most to your couple
A solid wedding day timeline isn’t just about watching the clock – it’s about creating space for each important moment. When you master your timeline, you’ll find yourself thinking less about what’s next and focusing more on capturing those perfect shots. The best part? Your couples will feel the difference. Whether you’re shooting your first wedding or your hundredth, a well-planned timeline will always be your best friend on wedding day.
Want more help organizing your wedding day coverage? Steal our free 8-hour wedding timeline template below.
RECOMMENDED 8 Hour Wedding Photography Timeline
12:00 pm Bridal Detail Photos (Photos of your Bridal Details, such as your shoes, perfume, jewelry, rings, bouquet & boutonniere, wedding gown & veil, & invitation suite!)
12:30 pm Girls & Guys Getting Ready Photos (Luke photographs the guys while Caitlin photographs the girls!)
12:45 pm Bride Steps Into Dress & Bridesmaid Reveal (The sweetest reveal to all your closest ladies!)
1:00 pm First Look with Bride’s Dad (Usually Caitlin’s first time crying on a wedding day! 😉)
1:15 pm First Look with the Groom & Portraits of the Bride & Groom
2:00 pm Separate & Full Bridal Party Portraits (15 minutes each for separate bridesmaid portraits, separate groomsmen portraits, and full bridal party portraits!)
2:45 pm Immediate Family Portraits (15 minutes for the Bride’s Side & 15 minutes for the Groom’s side!)
3:15/3:30 pm Ceremony Prep (Everyone prepares for the ceremony & relaxes! Caitlin & Luke photograph ceremony site details.)
4:00 pm The Ceremony!
4:30 pm Extended Family Portraits (We’ll send you a Pre-Wedding Questionnaire the month before your wedding, where you’ll share lots of info that will help us serve you BEST on your wedding day- including a list of Extended Family Shots that you and your family would like captured!!)
5:00 pm Bride & Groom’s Married Portraits & Cocktail Hour Begins
5:30 pm Caitlin & Luke Photograph Untouched Reception Details while Bride & Groom enjoy remainder of Cocktail Hour
6:00 pm Grand Entrances & Cake Cutting
6:15 pm Prayer, Dinner & Toasts {And sneak out for some sunset portraits!}
7:15 pm First Dance, Father/Daughter & Mother/Son Dances, Garter & Bouquet Toss
7:30 pm Open Dance Floor Photos
8:00 pm Photography Coverage Time Ends!
Click here to inquire with Caitlin & Luke about your wedding or engagement!
