Wedding Photography Timeline Planning + Tips

Big congrats on your upcoming wedding day! We’re honored to be a part of this big day and capture it all with our cameras. This guide will provide insights and tips so you can get the most out of your photography experience. Please keep in mind every wedding event, couple, and family is different {which is wonderful!}. I HIGHLY encourage you to do your own thing and plan things accordingly to your tastes and preferences. However, there are some ideal time frames you should consider when planning the day. Your wedding coordinator and/or venue will likely have suggested timelines which are great as well.

As photographers we generally break up wedding day photo events into these categories:

  • Details

  • Preparation

  • Individual Portraits

  • First Look

  • Daytime Couples Portraits

  • Wedding Party {Bridesmaids + Groomsmen}

  • Ceremony

  • Family Portraits

  • Cocktail Hour

  • Reception

  • Sunset Couples Portraits

Arrival + Photo Timeline

Whether you are doing a first look or not, I recommend arrival time 2+ hours before the ceremony. Every wedding is different though, and sometimes it’s nice to arrive 3{+} hours before the ceremony if:

  1. You have a larger sized wedding party {moving people around takes time} and you want lots of photos with them in different locations around your venue {or even offsite}.

  2. Getting ready photos are quite important to you.

  3. You want to do family photos before the ceremony,

Most commonly coverage on the wedding day for 8 hours is from 12pm to 8pm, but it also depends on your own timeline of events. You’re free to use the coverage time however you’d like {11am-7pm, 1pm-9pm, etc.}. You’re also free to add more time to any package to have coverage start earlier or end later.

Typical photography flow of events and approx time needed:

  • Arrival 2+ hours before ceremony

  • 30-60 minutes: Details, preparation, getting ready, individual portraits

  • 45-60 minutes: First look, daytime couples portraits, wedding party portraits

  • 20-60 minutes: Ceremony

  • 30-120 minutes: Cocktail hour, or two! Family/friends group photos, additional couple + wedding party portraits. Time required varies by typically 30 minutes if first look was done or 60 minutes if no first look was done.

  • 3-5 hours: Reception! Photos of all reception events; dancing and candid moments. Sunset couples portraits {10-20 minutes}, exact timing is always TBD but typically 20 minutes before sunset time.


    To First Look or Not to First Look?

    One of the main questions we ask which will determine a lot about your timeline and order of events is: Will you be doing a first look? First look is when the couple gets ready apart and then have a revealing when all dressed and ready! First looks have become more popular as they allow more opportunities for photography before the ceremony. Thus giving you more time to hang out and enjoy the cocktail hour rather than being away taking photos. They also make that first moment of seeing each other more intimate which some couples prefer, and some don't. If you don't do a first look before ceremony, then it's when the bride walks down the aisle, which is wonderful too. Every couple is different and I personally don't prefer one way over the other. But I encourage you to research and make that decision yourselves according to your preferences and the needs of your timeline. There are a few cases when we're more likely to recommend a first look though:

  • If your wedding is in the Fall or Winter. Late September through March the sunset times in the Michigan are 7pm and even much earlier which leaves less daylight for photos after the ceremony. You could have an earlier ceremony though to leave more time after for photos.

    1. You have a later than usual ceremony time (usually 5pm and later, but varies with season).

    2. You have a long list of photos and want hours of photography with yourselves, wedding party and/or family around the venue.

    3. You want to take additional photos away from the venue in different locations.

Details

  • Approx time needed: 15-20 minutes total, scattered throughout day

  • What: Photos to remember all those beautiful details you spent so much time planning & executing

  • When: Upon arrival, just before ceremony, and just before reception. Also scenic detail photos throughout the day.

  • Where: Various locations

  • Advice: Remember to bring and have available; the rings (freshly cleaned is best!), dress, shoes, veil, hairpiece, jewelry, invitations, sentimental items, bouquet/flowers, etc. to be photographed!

Preparation

  • Approx time needed: 25-45 minutes

  • What: Journalistic coverage of getting ready for the big day

  • When: Upon arrival, before first look and portraits

  • Where: Wherever you're getting ready. Photogenic locations with windows & natural light work best. Ok for ladies/guys to be in separate areas at same location but ideally not at a different address that requires a drive and adds logistics {Unless I have 2nd photographer}

  • Advice: Allow time so you're relaxed, not rushed. Try to schedule hair & makeup to be completed at or shortly after my arrival. Have your wedding party together and present with you. Turn up some fun music, have a drink & cheers together, have fun and be excited!

Individual Portraits 

  • Approx time needed: 10-20 minutes

  • What: Portraits of bride/groom individually

  • When: Just after you're finished getting ready and just before first look

  • Where: Can be inside, outside, or a mix. I’ll choose great spots that work well and look best. Window light is common and looks beautiful.

  • Advice: Brides- don't forget to have your bouquet available. And grooms, don't forget to pin that boutonniere. Relax, be yourself, and I'll take care of the rest.

Wedding Party 

  • Approx time needed: 20-30 minutes

  • What: There are many different combinations of photos for wedding party. We do photos of everyone together, each side together, bride with each bridesmaid, groom with each groomsman, and more.

  • When: Various times throughout the day. During getting ready, before & after ceremony. We like to get the more "formal" wedding party photos done earlier in the day, as the wedding party tends to get a little wild later in the day, which is great for the more relaxed unposed photos.

  • Where: Can be inside, outside, or a mix. I'll choose great spots that work well and look best.

  • Advice: Wedding party should be dressed & ready to go (don't forget bouquets & boutonnieres!) at the same time as you. If kids are in wedding party, they will be included in some photos and should be ready at the appropriate time too. Kids can be photographed after ceremony as well if that works better.

Ceremony 

  • Approx time: 20-60 minutes

  • What: Capturing all the events and moments of your ceremony

  • When: Your chosen ceremony time

  • Where: Your ceremony site

  • Advice: Pretty straightforward here! I don't control this part of the day but I'll sure do my best to capture it all! Also, if you want a beautiful first kiss photo, talk with your officiant about stepping to the side before announcing you husband and wife. Not necessary but looks the best!

Family/Friends "Formal" Group Photos 

  • Approx time: 20-30 minutes

  • What: "Formal" Group photos of your families (extended & immediate) and friends

  • When: Usually towards beginning of cocktail hour or before the ceremony after the first look.

  • Where: Nearby cocktail hour at a central area so it's easy for family to come & go and they don't feel like they're missing out on the fun.

  • Advice: Many couples think of this as the long, painful part of the day, but don't worry! I have learned a lot of tricks to make it easy, lighthearted and even fun! Cocktail hour is the best time to do family photos, usually after their first cocktail! I generally prefer to "gather everyone up" only once for photos, so I don't recommend trying to do family photos before ceremony, except candid/unplanned ones. If a first look was done and photos were taken before ceremony, then it's not as crucial to spend time taking more wedding party/couples photos during cocktail hour but we'll likely want sneak in more at opportune times. If you're a list type person- don't forget to take advantage of our photo list page to help with your family/friends must take group photos.

Bride/Groom Couples Portraits 

  • Approx time: 30-60 minutes

  • What: Beautiful portraits of the two stars of the day!

  • When: Scattered throughout the day & night. Some at first look, some during cocktail hour, some during sunset & nighttime

  • Where: All over! We're always paying attention to the best spots with the ideal lighting & backgrounds!

  • Advice: The super creative part of the day when you get to be romantic, look beautiful, and just have fun together! We take portraits throughout the day, but the best "hero shots" are right around sunset time when the light is colorful and soft. I'll handle all these photos and get as much variety possible while keeping in mind you have an event to host and not let you miss too much. Just relax, be yourselves, have fun! You're going to LOVE your photos!

Reception 

  • Approx time: 3-5 hours

  • What: Party time! I take photos of all your reception events and lots of candid/fun photos throughout the entire time. At some point I'll quickly sneak you out for sunset photos (weather/timing dependent) and maybe some night photos as well. If I missed any photos earlier in the day with family etc, I'll try to do them in this time too.

  • When: Afternoon/evening

  • Where: Your reception location, plus some other nearby spots for sunset etc

  • Advice: Relax, unwind, have fun! This is when you can forget about photos, lists and timelines! I’m shooting photos of all the events and action while you're eating, drinking, and dancing! Once the open dancing starts, I don’t need to be there for much more than an hour. Dancing tends to be the same throughout the night and you don’t need 30+ photos of the same people dancing.