Creating a well-planned photography timeline is crucial for capturing all the important moments on your wedding day. Here’s a guide to scheduling each part of the day to ensure you get beautiful, organized shots without feeling rushed. Note, these tips rely on at least 8-10 hours of coverage. The biggest difference that you will notice between 8-12 hours of coverage, is how relaxed your wedding day will be!

1. Getting Ready (1.5 – 2 hours)

Start the day by allowing enough time for “getting ready” photos. Schedule about 60–90 minutes to capture all the little details—such as the wedding dress, shoes, rings, and any sentimental items—along with candid moments of the bridal party getting ready. If your partner is getting ready at a different location, make sure the photographer has 30–45 minutes with each of you before moving on to the ceremony site. We like to make sure to have a little extra time than we really need, to make room for when something might run a little late. This is referred too as “padding the timeline”. It just makes sure that no matter what, nothing gets missed and you can have one less thing to stress about on your wedding day

2. First Look and Couple Portraits (30 – 45 minutes)

If you’re doing a first look, plan for 10–15 minutes to set up the moment and let the couple enjoy this intimate time together. After the first look, allocate an additional 20–30 minutes for couple portraits, as this will ensure beautiful shots while you’re fresh and the emotions are high. If you’re planning to skip the first look, factor in time for couple portraits after the ceremony. It’s important to not rush these moments. We understand that sometimes you want to get the day moving, but trust me when we say, your day already goes by so incredibly fast. Enjoy these moments.

3. Wedding Party Photos (30 – 45 minutes)

For wedding party portraits, allocate about 30 minutes if you have a larger group and want a mix of both formal and candid shots. Taking these photos before the ceremony can help streamline the day, allowing everyone to enjoy cocktail hour. However, if they must be done afterward, ensure you have time built into the timeline during or immediately after cocktail hour.

4. Family Photos (30 minutes)

Family photos can be time-consuming, especially with large family groups. Ideally, list the family groupings you want to avoid delays on the day. Most family photos take about 2–3 minutes per group, so 30 minutes should be sufficient if you limit the number of groupings to the essential ones. You can save extra time by assigning a family member to help gather people for each shot.

5. Ceremony (30 – 60 minutes)

Depending on the type of ceremony, this will likely be one of the most structured parts of the day. Most non-religious ceremonies last around 30 minutes, while religious services, like Catholic ceremonies, may take closer to an hour. Add a buffer of 10–15 minutes for moments like your entrance, vows, and any cultural or religious rituals.

6. Post-Ceremony and Couple’s Portraits (15 – 30 minutes)

Directly following the ceremony, take some additional portraits of you as newlyweds while guests are making their way to cocktail hour. Schedule about 15–30 minutes if you want to capture sunset or “golden hour” lighting for these portraits, as it provides a warm and flattering glow perfect for wedding photos. Sometimes golden hour happens during dinner time too, which is great!

7. Reception Details and Cocktail Hour (1 hour)

If possible, capture the reception decor before guests enter the space. This includes table settings, centerpieces, the wedding cake, and other details that add to your wedding’s ambiance. During cocktail hour, your photographer may capture candid guest interactions, making it a great time for a second shooter to help cover additional moments while the main photographer focuses on formal photos or details.

8. Reception Highlights (2 – 3 hours)

Throughout the reception, plan for key moments like your grand entrance, first dance, toasts, parent dances, and cake cutting. It’s helpful to let your photographer know the order of events so they can be ready for each highlight. Also, set aside 10–15 minutes for any planned send-off, such as a sparkler exit or other memorable finale.

Final Tips

• Golden Hour Photos: If your schedule allows, plan 15–20 minutes around sunset to step away with your photographer for stunning golden hour shots.
• Include Travel Time: Account for transportation between locations, and build in an extra 10–15 minutes as a buffer for unexpected delays.
• Buffer Time: Add 5–10 minutes of buffer time between each section to avoid feeling rushed and to keep everything running smoothly.

A structured photography timeline ensures you won’t miss out on capturing each beautiful, fleeting moment of your wedding day. Thoughtful planning helps make the day flow seamlessly, so you can relax and enjoy every second. Learn more about us and our process by contacting me directly today! www.promaniweddings.com