Truthfully there is a lot that goes into planning a timeline for a wedding. But it is crucial to do so otherwise important moments could get missed. Organic go with the flow weddings don’t always work from a photography perspective. I have included an example timeline that has been super successful for my clients and me, your wedding photographer!

Jump to the bottom of this blog post for the TLDR. Or download my sample timeline here.

8 Hour Wedding Photography Timeline Sample (w/First Look)

• 12:00 | Photographer arrives! Venue and Detail shots of the decor.

• 12:30 | Groomsmen getting ready

• 1:00 | Bridal details (jewellery, invitation, shoes, dresses on hangers)

• 1:30 |Bride in Dress, bride’s mom/special person doing up dress – Bridesmaids Dressed – Bridal Party Reveal

• 2:00 | First Look with Dad

• 2:15 | First Look with Partner (Couples Portraits)

• 2:30 | Full Bridal Party Portraits

• 3:00 | Ceremony Begins

• 3:30 | Ceremony Ends – Officiant to announce Family Formals

• 3:45 | Family Portraits

• 4:30 | Cocktail Hour Begins while Bride and Groom Photos begin

• 4:30 | Bride and Groom photos

• 5:15 | Bride and Groom to enjoy cocktail hour and mingle with guests (candid shots)

• 5:30 | Grand entrance!

• 5:45 | Dinner is served - photographer leaves for break

• 6:15 | Speeches/toasts

• 7:00 | Cake cutting

• 7:15 | First Dance, Daddy/Daughter, Mother/Son

• 7:30 |Dance floor opens (*suggestion: everyone up and dancing for one song)

• 7:50 | Grand exit! (Sparklers, lantern send-off, confetti, smoke bombs, balloons etc…)

• 8:00 | Party time - photographer says good-byes 

Key Take-aways

Consider these key elements when planning your wedding day schedule. Your wedding photography timeline relies on coordination with various vendors, making the expertise of a wedding planner or day-of coordinator valuable. Take into account the following vendors and details in your wedding day timeline:

1. Hair & Makeup: Determine the finish time for all members of your group receiving hair and makeup services.

2. Getting Ready: Allocate sufficient time for you and your party to be fully dressed and prepared for the day's events.

3. Ceremony: Note the start time and estimated duration of the ceremony.

4. Reception & Catering: Plan the timing of key reception moments, including when doors open, the cocktail hour, dinner service, and when doors will be closed.

5. Seasonal Considerations: Be mindful of the time of year. In summer, with a later sunset around 8:30 PM, you have more daylight for photos. In winter, when the sun sets earlier, adjust the overall timeline accordingly. If you desire golden hour photos, which are stunning, don't hesitate to inquire about the optimal timing. Keep in mind that cloudy days can also affect lighting conditions.

These various vendors and details play pivotal roles in shaping your wedding day timeline, helping you and your photographer plan the ideal moments for capturing your memories.

Wedding Photography Timeline Components

What they are & How long you need

Venue & Details (~30 minutes)

Your wedding details are all about capturing the vibe and style of your big day. When you flip through your photo gallery, these little details blend in with everything else that makes your wedding unique. They're like snapshots of the special things you've chosen for your day. You know, the pictures of your wedding dress, bling, any family heirlooms, the pretty flowers, your fancy kicks, that favorite perfume, and, of course, those wedding rings.

Getting Ready (~30 minutes for each group bridesmaids and groomsmen)

This is the big moment – time to slip into your wedding attire! When it comes to the getting ready pics, it's all about capturing the bride and groom with their squads. For the gals, think hair and makeup sessions, those cute pajamas or robe pics, and, of course, popping open champagne (and sipping a bit!). I will also snap those memorable moments of the bride getting into her dress, fastening buttons or zippers, and adding the veil – you know, all the good stuff.

But hey, let's not leave the guys out! We've got shots of them tying ties, pinning on boutonnieres, throwing on jackets, and maybe even some slick modeling shots by the groom! It's all part of the pre-wedding buzz as everyone gets ready for the big day.

First Look(s) (~20 minutes)

I will always suggest a first-look, even though I know it's not everyone's “thing”, it makes for a great opportunity to capture some genuine emotion. There are many different options for a first-look but it is important that the people included in the moment stick around when it's time for the reveal when you’re done getting ready. 

Here are some ideas for a first-look:

• First Look w/ Partner

• First Look w/ Parent

• First Look w/ Bridal Party

• First Look w/ Grandparents

• First Look w/ Groomsmen

Couples Portraits (1-2 ~20 minute blocks)

It's your time to shine! Honestly, I love every bit of a wedding day, but if I had to pick a fave, it's gotta be the time we spend taking pictures of the two of you. Any part of the day where I can get all creative and try new things is my favourite. So, if you're doing a first look with your partner, you're adding some extra "just us" time into your day. Plus, it means more awesome pics! Don't forget to save some time after the ceremony for those "we just got hitched" shots and a few around sunset to catch that dreamy glow! That's why I suggest a couple opportunities to get Bride and Groom photos throughout the day. 

Ceremony Details & Ceremony (~20 – 30 minutes)

This part of the day is when photographers tend to keep a lower profile. While you're getting mentally prepared to walk down the aisle and make your big entrance, I like to stay relatively out of sight. It's the time when you're having those precious moments with your bridal party right before the ceremony kicks off. This is also when your photographer can snap shots of the ceremony space's details – whether it's a lovely archway, beautiful flowers, or a welcoming sign. Once the ceremony starts, I prefer to be discreet and let all the magical moments unfold for your guests to witness. This is the grand moment – the one where you tie the knot! 

*Pro-tip: Bubbles, compostable confetti or streamers are a good idea to give your guests at the beginning of the ceremony to make your recessional extra magical! 

Family Formals (~30 minutes)

This could be either the simplest or the most challenging segment of your day. Capturing family formal shots doesn't need to consume a substantial portion of your photography schedule. Although these images are undeniably among the most significant ones you'll capture all day, you can keep this entire session concise and pleasant. This is where having a day of coordinator comes in, as they play a pivotal role in efficiently organizing your family members, ushering them in front of the camera, and swiftly transitioning them to the cocktail hour! 

Bridal Party Portraits (~30-45 minutes)

A significant portion of the bridal party portraits can be completed before the ceremony, with or without a first look, depending on how punctual your group is. You have the flexibility to capture bride and bridesmaid photos, as well as individual shots, before the ceremony, and the same goes for the groom and groomsmen, even if you're not opting for a first look with your partner. The duration of this phase in your day may vary, contingent on the size and enthusiasm of your bridal party. Larger and livelier bridal groups might require a bit more time buffer…if you catch my drift 🍻

Reception Details & Reception

The timing for these parts of your day, if you decide to go for them, is pretty flexible. It's good to have a rough idea, especially around dinner during your reception, so your photographer doesn't miss out on getting these pictures BEFORE your guests are seated. Nobody wants photos of your beautiful place settings and centrepieces with dirty plates and drinks scattered everywhere. 😉

Here's a suggestion: kick things off with your grand entrance and smoothly transition into your first dance. Following that, it's great to have an anniversary dance, which can seamlessly lead into the daddy-daughter dance and the mother-son dance. Doing this takes care of a significant portion of your photo checklist right at the start, before the party kicks into high gear. As dinner winds down, have your toasts ready to roll. By the time dinner is finished, you'll have pretty much everything you need sorted out, so the DJ can open up the dance floor and let the real party begin!

Bouquet/Garter Toss

This tradition is becoming less common, but it’s still important to give your photographer a head’s up if you decide to do it! These moments happen fast but I just need a bit of warning before you go tossing anything :)

Cake Cutting

If you'd rather not have any interruptions while you're busy having a blast with your friends and family, my suggestion is to have your cake cutting right after dinner. This way, the catering team can serve the cake to your guests, and you can enjoy mingling and partying without any interruptions!

Exit (Staged or Organic)

When it comes to your wedding exit, there are two main approaches: a planned, staged exit or a more spontaneous, organic one. Both options require you to give your photographer a heads-up!

1. Staged Exit: Many wedding exits involve some level of staging, especially if you intend to incorporate celebratory props. Popular props for staged exits include sparklers, confetti, bubbles, and glow sticks. With a staged exit, you can time it to coincide with your photographer's departure and then continue the celebration with late-night dancing and perhaps even indulge in some favourite late-night snacks.

2. Organic Exit: On the other hand, an organic exit is more natural and unplanned. This often involves leaving at the end of the night, possibly in a special getaway car.

Whether you opt for a carefully choreographed staged exit with props or a heartfelt and unplanned organic exit, both approaches offer unique ways to conclude your wedding celebration.

TLDR: Fail to Plan, Plan to fail.

The bottom line is, you need to allocate around 30 minutes for each photo “event”. If your group is a bit livelier, it’s a good idea to tack on an extra 5-10 minutes for group shots. Make sure you give your timeline to your photographer 1 week before your wedding so they can make suggestions if there are conflicts!