Wedding Photography Timelines examples with Milestones Portraits
8-hours w/o a first look
8 hours of coverage is ideal for larger weddings. Remember to have a cocktail hour for guests between the ceremony and the reception.
45 Minutes: For Hair and Makeup
The amount of time you need for this depends on the number of people having their hair and makeup done for the wedding, and how many stylists and makeup artists are on location. The amount of time can also vary if any of the girls’ hair or makeup needs fixed or redone. I always recommend that the bride goes first followed by the person who’s helping her get into her dress. This way, if they do run over on time for hair and makeup, you can photograph the bride getting into her dress on time while the other girls finish up hair and makeup.
30 Minutes: Putting on the Dress/Getting Ready Detail Shots
I recommend that the bride has all the items — including her dress, shoes, bouquet, and rings — laid out and ready for the detail pictures. You can do some bridal portraits now also. This will save you a lot of time on the day of!
30 minutes: Bride 1st look with father and family portraits
20 minutes: Groom with family
30 Minutes: Bridal Party Portraits
Allow 10 minutes for the bride and bridesmaids, and 10 minutes for groom and groomsmen. 10 mins of transitions, so the groom does not see the bride.
30 Minutes: Details
I always allow 30 minutes for light prep to take test shots of the ceremony venue, and to capture candid images of the guests arriving. I try to have all the photographs done of the main participants of the wedding so that they can be part of the wedding ceremony about to take place. I also use this time to capture wedding ceremony details, including the guest book, guest book attendants, ceremony venue details, programs, and décor.
30 Minutes: Ceremony
If you're having a longer ceremony, a longer timeline for the ceremony will be needed. The bride and groom should have a good idea of how long their ceremony will be. If they’re not sure, have them correspond with their officiant and coordinator.
15 Minutes: Exit/Receiving Line
If we are limited on time for photos, I always try to shy away from the receiving line being done at the ceremony. This can take upwards of an hour depending on the number of guests they have. Think about how long it would take to say “hi, hello, I love your dress, you look so beautiful, were you nervous” to 150 people. It adds up and quickly and drains the allotted time for photos. Another alternative would be to go around to the tables at the reception.
30 Minutes: Family Formals
The amount of time allotted for family formals depends heavily on how many family members are, and whether you have to account for divorces. For larger group photos or extended family photos, I suggest having an extra 20 minutes for family photos.
30 Minutes: Bridal Party Portraits
The amount of time allotted formals depends on how large the bridal party is.
60 minutes: Bride and Groom Portraits
120 Minutes: Wedding Reception
The bare minimum of time for a wedding reception is an hour and a half. When I arrive at the reception, I make sure to go to the DJ and go over their schedule. Let them know the time I will be leaving and what events during the reception you client want me to photograph. If the DJ is running behind, I will communicate time with the coordinator and/or the DJ. I always work with the other vendors to get it done!
If we are limited on time for reception coverage, I recommend scheduling either the cake cutting or the first dance before dinner to get that out of the way. This ensures we get the important moments in the event that toasts take longer than expected, or if dinner takes longer than planned. The wedding reception is as follows:
5 Minutes: Entrances
10-15 Minutes: First Dances
If there are any stepparents or any other special people they would like to include in the first dances, I recommend that someone cut in halfway through the song. This will allow me to get the images you need, and for more people to have their dance! It also gives me more time to photograph the more sentimental dances.
10 Minutes: Cake Cutting
10 to 20 Minutes: Toasts
This can last longer depending on how many people are toasting.
30 Minutes: Dinner
During dinner on an 8-hour wedding coverage day, I would find out if the toasts are being done during dinner, as some couples opt for that, and I don’t want to be out of the room, as my staff and I would be taking a food break while everyone is eating.
30 minutes: Wedding Games
This looks different for every couple. Examples of wedding games are as follows:
The Shoe Game
The Anniversary Dance
A "Conga" line through the reception area
I will sneak the newlyweds away for a few sunset portraits during the reception, weather permitting.
Exit
I may or may not be leaving before the party is over, so this will be discussed and planned prior to the wedding day and times will be adjusted.
8-hours with a first look
8 hours of coverage is ideal for larger weddings.
45 Minutes: For Hair and Makeup
The amount of time you need for this depends on the number of people having their hair and makeup done for the wedding, and how many stylists and makeup artists are on location. The amount of time can also vary if any of the girls’ hair or makeup needs fixed or redone. I always recommend that the bride goes first followed by the person who’s helping her get into her dress. This way, if they do run over on time for hair and makeup, you can photograph the bride getting into her dress on time while the other girls finish up hair and makeup. Also photograph the men getting ready and the lay flat during this time.
30 Minutes: Putting on the Dress/Getting Ready Detail Shots
I recommend that the bride has all the items — including her dress, shoes, bouquet, and rings — laid out and ready for the detail pictures. You can do some bridal portraits now also. This will save you a lot of time on the day of!
15 Minutes: First Look
Arrange a time when just the bride and groom meet for their “first look,” AKA the first moment they see each other on their wedding day. Have the bridesmaids and groomsmen wait inside if you are doing the first look outside or have them wait in a different room if you are doing it inside. This gives them privacy for a special and intimate moment and also helps save time.
30-40 Minutes: Bride and Groom Portraits
45 Minutes: Bridal Party Portraits
15 minutes for the bride and bridesmaids, and 15 minutes for groom and groomsmen. The amount of time for the formals depends on how large the bridal party is. 15 minutes for everyone together.
30 Minutes: Family Formals
The amount of time allotted for family formals depends heavily on how many family members are, and whether you have to account for divorces. For larger group photos or extended family photos, I suggest having an extra 20 minutes for family photos.
30 Minutes: Details
I always allow 30 minutes for light prep to take test shots of the ceremony venue, and to capture candid images of the guests arriving. I try to have all the photographs done of the main participants of the wedding so that they can be part of the wedding ceremony about to take place. I also use this time to capture wedding ceremony details, including the guest book, guest book attendants, ceremony venue details, programs, and décor.
30 Minutes: Ceremony
If you're having a longer ceremony, a longer timeline for the ceremony will be needed. The bride and groom should have a good idea of how long their ceremony will be. If they’re not sure, have them correspond with their officiant and coordinator.
15 Minutes: Exit/Receiving Line
If we are limited on time for photos, I always try to shy away from the receiving line being done at the ceremony. This can take upwards of an hour depending on the number of guests they have. Think about how long it would take to say “hi, hello, I love your dress, you look so beautiful, were you nervous” to 150 people. It adds up and quickly and drains the allotted time for photos. Another alternative would be to go around to the tables at the reception.
30 mins-Newlyweds
During this time, I would photograph the newlywed couple, again with their rings.
90 to 120 Minutes: Wedding Reception
The bare minimum of time for a wedding reception is an hour and a half. When I arrive at the reception, I make sure to go to the DJ and go over their schedule. Let them know the time I will be leaving and what events during the reception you client want me to photograph. If the DJ is running behind, I will communicate time with the coordinator and/or the DJ. I always work with the other vendors to get it done!
If we are limited on time for reception coverage, I recommend scheduling either the cake cutting or the first dance before dinner to get that out of the way. This ensures we get the important moments in the event that toasts take longer than expected, or if dinner takes longer than planned. The wedding reception is as follows:
5 Minutes: Entrances
10-15 Minutes: First Dances
If there are any stepparents or any other special people they would like to include in the first dances, I recommend that someone cut in halfway through the song. This will allow me to get the images you need, and for more people to have their dance! It also gives me more time to photograph the more sentimental dances.
10 Minutes: Cake Cutting
10 to 20 Minutes: Toasts
This can last longer depending on how many people are toasting.
30 Minutes: Dinner
During dinner on an 8-hour wedding coverage day, I would find out if the toasts are being done during dinner, as some couples opt for that, and I don’t want to be out of the room, as my staff and I would be taking a food break while everyone is eating.
30 minutes: Wedding Games
This looks different for every couple. Examples of wedding games are as follows:
The Shoe Game
The Anniversary Dance
A "Conga" line through the reception area
I will sneak the newlyweds away for a few sunset portraits during the reception, weather permitting.
Exit
I may or may not be leaving before the party is over, so this will be discussed and planned prior to the wedding day and times will be adjusted.
6-hours with a first look
6 hours of coverage is ideal for small, intimate weddings.
30 Minutes: Getting ready
The bride should have all the items — including her dress, shoes, bouquet, and rings — laid out and ready for the detail pictures. This will save you a lot of time on the day of!
15 Minutes: First Look
Arrange a time when just the bride and groom meet for their “first look,” AKA the first moment they see each other on their wedding day. Have the bridesmaids and groomsmen wait inside if you are doing the first look outside or have them wait in a different room if you are doing it inside. This gives them privacy for a special and intimate moment, and also helps save time.
30 Minutes: Bride and Groom Portraits
45 Minutes: Bridal Party Portraits
Allow 15 to 20 minutes for the bride and bridesmaids, and 15 to 20 minutes for groom and groomsmen. The amount of time for the formals depends on how large the bridal party is but try to stick to these times.
30 Minutes: Family Formals
The amount of time allotted for family formals depends heavily on how many family members are, and whether you have to account for divorces. For larger group photos or extended family photos, I suggest having an extra 20 minutes for family photos.
30 Minutes: Details
I always allow 30 minutes for light prep to take test shots of the ceremony venue, and to capture candid images of the guests arriving. I try to have all the photographs done of the main participants of the wedding so that they can be part of the wedding ceremony about to take place. I also use this time to capture wedding ceremony details, including the guest book, guest book attendants, ceremony venue details, programs, and décor.
30 Minutes: Ceremony
If you're having a longer ceremony, a longer timeline for the ceremony will be needed. The bride and groom should have a good idea of how long their ceremony will be. If they’re not sure, have them correspond with their officiant and coordinator.
15 Minutes: Exit/Receiving Line
If we are limited on time for photos, I always try to shy away from the receiving line being done at the ceremony. This can take upwards of an hour depending on the number of guests they have. Think about how long it would take to say “hi, hello, I love your dress, you look so beautiful, were you nervous” to 150 people. It adds up and quickly and drains the allotted time for photos. Another alternative would be to go around to the tables at the reception.
30 mins-Newlyweds
During this time, I would photograph the newlywed couple, again with their rings.
90 Minutes: Wedding Reception
The bare minimum of time for a wedding reception is an hour and a half. When I arrive at the reception, I make sure to go to the DJ and go over their schedule. Let them know the time I will be leaving and what events during the reception you client want me to photograph. If the DJ is running behind, I will communicate time with the coordinator and/or the DJ. I always work with the other vendors to get it done!
If we are limited on time for reception coverage, I recommend scheduling either the cake cutting or the first dance before dinner to get that out of the way. This ensures we get the important moments in the event that toasts take longer than expected, or if dinner takes longer than planned.
90 minutes at the wedding reception is as follows:
5 Minutes: Entrances
10 Minutes: First Dances
If there are any stepparents or any other special people they would like to include in the first dances, I recommend that someone cut in halfway through the song. This will allow me to get the images you need, and for more people to have their dance! It also gives me more time to photograph the more sentimental dances.
10 Minutes: Cake Cutting
10 to 20 Minutes: Toasts
This can last longer depending on how many people are toasting.
30 to 45 Minutes: Dinner
During dinner on a 6-hour wedding coverage day, I would photograph the wedding reception details and the rings. Also, find out if the toasts are being done during dinner, as some couples opt for that, and I don’t want to be out of the room.
Staged Exit
With a 6-hour wedding timeline, I typically leave the reception before the party is over.
Download 6-hour wedding photography timeline with a first look here
6-hours w/o a first look
6 hours of coverage is ideal for small, intimate weddings.
30 Minutes: Getting ready
The amount of time you need for this depends on the number of people having their hair and makeup done for the wedding, and how many stylists and makeup artists are on location. The amount of time can also vary if any of the girls’ hair or makeup needs fixed or redone. I always recommend that the bride goes first followed by the person who’s helping her get into her dress. This way, if they do run over on time for hair and makeup, you can photograph the bride getting into her dress on time while the other girls finish up hair and makeup. During this time, I would try to get a few individual photos of the groom.
10 Minutes: Putting on the Dress/Getting Ready Detail Shots
I recommend that the bride has all the items — including her dress, shoes, bouquet, and rings — laid out and ready for the detail pictures. This will save you a lot of time on the day of! At this time, I would try to get a few individual portraits of the bride.
40 Minutes: Bridal Party Portraits
Allow 20 minutes for the bride and bridesmaids, and 20 minutes for groom and groomsmen.
30 Minutes: Details
I always allow 30 minutes for light prep to take test shots of the ceremony venue, and to capture candid images of the guests arriving. I try to have all the photographs done of the main participants of the wedding so that they can be part of the wedding ceremony about to take place. I also use this time to capture wedding ceremony details, including the guest book, guest book attendants, ceremony venue details, programs, and décor.
30 Minutes: Ceremony
If you're having a longer ceremony, a longer timeline for the ceremony will be needed. Usually, the bride and groom will have a good idea of how long their ceremony will be If they’re not sure, have them correspond with their officiant and coordinator.
15 Minutes: Exit/Receiving Line
If we are limited on time for photos, I always try to shy away from the receiving line being done at the ceremony. This can take upwards of an hour depending on the number of guests they have. Think about how long it would take to say “hi, hello, I love your dress, you look so beautiful, were you nervous” to 150 people. It adds up and quickly and drains the allotted time for photos. Another alternative would be to go around to the tables at the reception.
30 Minutes: Family Formals
The amount of time allotted for family formals depends heavily on how many family members are, and whether you have to account for divorces. For larger group photos or extended family photos, I suggest having an extra 20 minutes for family photos.
40 minutes: Bride and Groom Portraits
30 Minutes: Bridal Party Portraits
The amount of time allotted for formals depends on how large the bridal party is.
90 Minutes: Wedding Reception
The bare minimum of time for a wedding reception is an hour and a half. When I arrive at the reception, I make sure to go to the DJ and go over their schedule. Let them know the time I will be leaving and what events during the reception you client want me to photograph. If the DJ is running behind, I will communicate time with the coordinator and/or the DJ. I always work with the other vendors to get it done!
If we are limited on time for reception coverage, I recommend scheduling either the cake cutting or the first dance before dinner to get that out of the way. This ensures we get the important moments in the event that toasts take longer than expected, or if dinner takes longer than planned.
90 minutes at the wedding reception is as follows:
5 Minutes: Entrances
10 Minutes: First Dances
If there are any stepparents or any other special people they would like to include in the first dances, I recommend that someone cut in halfway through the song. This will allow me to get the images you need, and for more people to have their dance! It also gives me more time to photograph the more sentimental dances.
10 Minutes: Cake Cutting
10 to 20 Minutes: Toasts
This can last longer depending on how many people are toasting.
30 to 45 Minutes: Dinner
During dinner on a 6 hour wedding coverage day, I would photograph the wedding reception details and the rings. Also, find out if the toasts are being done during dinner, as some couples opt for that, and I don’t want to be out of the room.
Staged Exit
With a 6-hour wedding timeline, I typically leave the reception before the party is over.