When planning your wedding day, the photography timeline is a critical factor to keep in mind. To help you create a seamless day, I’ve put together a rough guide to the typical photography timeline that you can use as a reference.

If you have a wedding planner or venue organizer, they can create a timeline for you. However, it’s important to also understand the time involved in each photography component, such as getting ready, the first look, group pictures, etc. To ensure that your photography timeline is tailored to your specific needs and expectations, it’s crucial to have a conversation with your photographer and discuss the moments and shots that are the most important to you. This should then be integrated into the overall wedding day timeline created by your planner or venue coordinator. That being said, I like to have a call with my couples several weeks before the wedding to go over their timeline and make sure we have enough time for the most important pictures.

While this rough guide should be taken as a flexible reference, the timeline may vary based on factors such as the choice to have a first look, the time allocated in the venue package, or the presence of a videographer who may require more time to film some of the moments of your day. However, rest assured that we are here to do whatever it takes to capture the photos that matter the most to you. I hope this rough guide still provides a useful reference for you!

Please note that this is a sample timeline for a heterosexual couple. I am proud to support and celebrate love in all its forms, including LGBTQ+ weddings. I am committed to capturing the unique story of your wedding day, no matter who you are or who you love.

The Groom’s Preparation: 45 Minutes

Grooms are typically photographed first to ensure they are dressed and ready to welcome guests at the venue. On the other hand, brides are often photographed later due to the complexities of getting in and out of the dress if they’re ready too early. Also, there’s a lot of steps involved in a bride getting ready, such as hair, make-up, etc. When I arrive at your location, you and your groomsmen will ideally be showered and ready to get dressed, but still hanging out in your casual clothes so I can capture candid moments with you and your party. I think this tells a more complete story of the emotions and energy you all felt before the big event.

Before I start taking photos, it’s also best to have any accessories, such as invites, cufflinks, rings, or lapel flowers, put out in a corner so that I can take detail shots right from the start that leaves you some extra time to hang out with your guys. If you have lapel flowers, it never hurts to ask your florist for magnets rather than pins, as this can save you and the groomsmen from having to deal with holes in your suits.

When it comes to prep photos, I prefer letting you and your guys do your own thing and gently guide you when needed while I capture moments as they naturally unfold. My biggest goal is to tell the honest story of how you were all feeling before the big moment, prioritizing capturing the genuine story of your experiences rather than making you behave unnaturally.

The Bride’s Getting Ready Session – 1 to 1.5 or 2 Hours

I like to arrive at your location before you slip into your stunning bridal gown, so we can capture all the pre-wedding excitement and preparation. Whether you’re lounging in your robe or dressed in casual attire, I’ll be there to document every moment of the transformation. If you’d like some photographs of you getting your make-up done, try to coordinate with your make-up artist so they finish around 10 minutes after I arrive. A quick note on the hair and make-up – It’s best to make sure that these don’t drastically run over time because it’s one of the main reasons that causes bridal party to leave late which delays the ceremony and everything else. This ultimately translates to less time for your bridal and couples portrait, something you’ll get the benefits of for the rest of your lives. Before I arrive, if you could leave a tidy area with the best window light, it means I won’t need to spend any time tidying and I can spend more time capturing the best moments of you and your bridal party instead. If you’d like to include shots of your dress, hang it in this room on a beautiful wooden hanger, and make sure to set aside enough time for any complicated fastenings or buttoning, it may look easy at the bridal shop but trust me, some dresses take a much longer time to button up!

Before leaving your getting ready location to the ceremony, I’d also like to take a pictures of you and your bridal party because the time you spend with your girls in the morning before the ceremony is so special. I love the anticipation, the moment you put that dress on, the elevated heart rates, the tears, the emotions that goes through you right before you’re about to get married!

Pre-ceremony – 15 Minutes

This pre-ceremony period, right after I depart from you and the bridal party, offers a chance to capture some precious moments. I’ll snap photos of guests arriving and greeting one another, along with important details of the ceremony setup, and of course, the anxious groom waiting for his bride.

It’s also an ideal moment to meet the celebrant or priest, if you have one, and go over any last-minute details to ensure we’re all on the same page. A month before the wedding, I’ll send you a questionnaire to cover important details, such as whether I’m allowed to move freely during the ceremony, use flash photography, and approach the altar in religious settings. By having these questions addressed in advance, I can focus on capturing the memories of the groom, your families, and guests before the ceremony begins.

The Ceremony – 30 Minutes

The ceremony duration is just an estimate, it can last anywhere from 10 minutes to 2 hours. When it’s time for your first kiss as a newlywed couple, embrace it wholeheartedly! Don’t hold back and I’ll capture the moment beautifully.

As you walk back down the aisle, hand-in-hand and basking in the applause of your guests, feel the excitement of being married! These shots are some of my favorites. If possible, keep walking without stopping to let the celebration continue after you reach the end of the aisle. Adding flower petals or ribbon-waving sticks along the aisle can enhance the photo action!

The Big Group Photo – 10 Minutes

The group photo is optional. Truthfully, it can sometimes be difficult to get everyone organized and ready for the shot, I’m not going to sugarcoat it here. The level of difficulty will vary depending on the location of the ceremony. If you decide you would like this picture, the best time to take it is immediately after the ceremony, when your guests are all gathered in one place as close as possible. The further away we have to go to get this shot, the more time it will take to gather everyone who might be scattered and chatting. The make things easier, you can communicate to your bridal party beforehand when the group shot will be taking place so I can rally them together to help me coordinate the big group shot if there’s a lot of guests in your wedding.

We can discuss your preferences for this shot and you can determine if you would like to include it or not. If we are running behind schedule, omitting the group photo is an easy way to make up some time for the bridal and couples portraits.

Family Photos – 20-25 Minutes (For 10 or Less Groups) / 30-40 Minutes (For More than 10 Groups)

The family photos are a crucial part of capturing memories from your big day. We want to make sure that you don’t miss out on any of the important group shots you want to have. However, with a lot of different people involved, it can sometimes be difficult to keep everyone organized and ready for the shot.

To make this process as smooth as possible, I recommend having no more than 10 groups of family photos. Any more than that and you’ll likely start to feel a bit fatigued from smiling and posing for the camera.

I will work with you to plan and coordinate the family photos so that we can capture all the memories you want, without making the process too overwhelming. I will also provide more detailed instructions and guidance as we get closer to your wedding.

Bridal Party Photos – 30 Minutes

Let’s capture the fun and excitement of your bridal party as they celebrate together. Feel free to pop open a bottle of champagne! I will take the traditional bridal party photos, as well as candid shots of everyone interacting and having a good time.

Optional Rest & Refresh – 15 Minutes

While this break is optional, I’ve found that many couples appreciate taking a moment to grab a bite or a drink with their guests. It not only helps to keep your energy levels up, but can also put you in a better mood before we move on to the couple’s portraits and reception. If you prefer, this break can be taken either after the ceremony or before the bridal portraits. If you don’t feel the need for this pause, we can proceed directly to the couple’s portraits and make a grand entrance to the reception.

Bridal/ Couple’s Portraits – 40 Minutes to 1 Hour

The bridal portraits are a time for you and your spouse to have a moment of privacy and celebrate as a newly married couple.

While it’s wonderful to have your friends and family around you on your wedding day, it can also be overwhelming at times. Take this opportunity to enjoy each other and savor the moment, as it’s your wedding day after all and you just got married!

We can also discuss more details on how you can creatively do your couple’s portraits. One way to have a bit more variety in your couple’s portrait is to add some fun elements or activities to the shoot. For example, I’ve had couples who rented old-timer cars or scooters so they can be in it while I shoot. This adds another layer to your shoot making it even more memorable and more fun for you both. We can also select various locations for the shoot as well to give it more variety.

If you ever want to return to your guests or take a break with some wine and canapés, just let me know. My goal is to help you have the best wedding day possible, on your terms.

The Reception – No Time Limit

It’s time to celebrate and let the party begin! By now, you’ve probably taken a few minutes to enjoy some alone time together before the festivities start. I’ll be capturing all the important moments, including reception details, candid shots, and your grand entrance.

Please allocate a bit of time for me to take some photos of the reception styling elements such as the table settings and florals before guests arrive. From there, you can relax and enjoy the night, and I’ll be discreetly taking photos of all the fun and memorable moments.

Sunset Photos – 20 Minutes (Weather dependent)

Depending on the location, weather, and reception schedule, we may have the opportunity to capture some stunning sunset photos. This is often a favourite among my couples, and I’d be more than happy to take some time for this even if it’s just for a quick 10 minutes. You can easily check the sunset time for your wedding day by searching your wedding date, location, and the word ‘sunset’ online.

If there’s a unique night shot that comes up during the reception, I may come to you and ask if you’re interested in taking some photos. You’re always in control, so if you’d prefer to stay with your guests or if you’re in the middle of a favourite song, that’s completely fine too. The most important thing is that you’re true to yourselves and what you want on your wedding day.

I hope this article is helpful for you! Please feel free to get in touch!

Much love,

Jackie