How to Build the Perfect Wedding Day Photo Timeline

Wedding season is fast approaching, and emails are already rolling in! I wanted to create a post to help all of my brides and grooms plan their wedding day photo timelines more easily and efficiently.

It’s important to note that the timeline you provide to your photo and video team will differ from the one you give your other vendors. We don’t need to know what time the linens go on the tables or when the band is breaking down—what we do need is a clear timeline of everything pertinent to photography + videography from from the moment we arrive until the moment we leave, including exact times and locations for all photo moments.

• When we’re arriving and leaving

• Where each moment is taking place

• Who needs to be photographed and when

The first thing to consider is: Will you be doing a first look? If so, be sure to let your photographer know so we can plan time for it and adjust the schedule accordingly.

Here’s how we recommend structuring your photo timeline for the day:

Getting Ready Photos

Recommended time: 1 hour

• Please have hair and makeup finished by the time we arrive—we only need a quick touch-up shot.

• The lead shooter will photograph the bride getting ready, while the second shooter covers the groom.

• Be sure to provide us with the address for each location.

First Look & Bridal Party Photos

Recommended time: 1–1.5 hours

• If your bridal party is small and you’re not traveling between locations, 1 hour is usually enough.

• We’ll help set up the first look—typically with the groom facing away and the bride walking up behind him.

• Of course, it’s your day—feel free to personalize this however you like!

Family Photos

Recommended time: 30–45 minutes

• For large families, we suggest budgeting closer to 45 minutes.

• Ask family members to arrive 15 minutes early so we can stay on schedule.

• We’re happy to recommend locations—outdoor settings or staircases usually work well.

• For large groups, we’ll use a mix of standing and seated arrangements to make sure everyone is captured beautifully.

Rest Time Before the Ceremony

Recommended time: 30 minutes

• This is your chance to freshen up, use the restroom, and take a breather.

• If you’re wearing a veil and haven’t used it for earlier portraits, this is a great moment to put it on.

• Let us know if you’d like us to capture the veil being placed—we love that shot!

Ceremony

Typical duration: 30 minutes

• If your ceremony is at the same location as the reception, 30 minutes is usually enough.

• If you’re traveling to another venue, don’t forget to factor in travel time between locations.

Cocktail Hour

Typical duration: 1 hour

• If you’re not doing a first look, this is often when we’ll take all the family and bridal party photos.

• Consider asking your venue about extending cocktail hour if we need more time for photos.

Reception Coverage

You don’t need to give us a full list—we’ll capture all the main events. But if you have something specific planned or feel more comfortable writing it down, we’re happy to have it.

Events we typically photograph during the reception include:

• Grand entrance

• Toasts and speeches

• First dance

• Parent dances

• Guests dancing and mingling

• Food, cake, and dessert

• Cake cutting

• Table photos upon request

With a clear timeline and open communication, we’ll make sure nothing is missed and your wedding photos are as seamless and stunning as the day itself. Have questions or need help crafting your timeline? We’re always happy to help!

We know the importance of having a wedding day timeline, hopefully you can incorporate some of these tips into your own wedding. Feel free to contact us if you would like to learn more about working with us!