One of the most common questions that I get when planning a wedding photography timeline is: How much time does the photographer need? As a seasoned wedding photographer, I’ll break down the essential time frames for different aspects of your big day and provide you with a comprehensive 10 hour wedding day sample timeline!
Let’s break it down:
No pun intended 😉
Getting Ready: 60 minutes
Family Portraits: 30 minutes
Bridal Party: 45 minutes
Newlywed Portraits: 20 to 30 minutes
Sunset/Golden Hour Portraits: 10 minutes
Open Dancing: 20-30 minutes of coverage is recommended
Here is a sample timeline to give you an idea of what a full wedding day of photography would look like:
12:30 PM Photographer arrives
+ Intricate details of your attire and accessories (AKA THE FLAT LAY!)
+ Final hair and makeup touch ups! Tell your makeup artist to be almost finished as we arrive.
PRO TIP: HAVE ALL YOUR DETAILS IN A BOX FOR WHEN YOUR PHOTOGRAPHER ARRIVES! DON’T KNOW WHAT TO HAVE FOR YOUR FLAT LAY? TAKE A PEEK AT MY LIST HERE!
2:00 PM Formal wear
+ Pop some champagne!!!
+ Photographer gets each partner dressed
2:20 PM First looks (this includes any parent, bridal party, or sibling first looks!)
2:30 PM-3:30 PM Bridal Party and Newlywed Portraits
3:30 PM HIDE THE NEWLYWEDS!
PRO TIP: GUESTS TYPICALLY ARRIVE 30 MINUTES BEFORE YOUR CEREMONY!
4:00 PM Ceremony
4:30 PM Family portraits
+ Join the last bit of cocktail hour
6:00 PM Reception introductions and welcome speech begins
+ Cake cutting and first dance (optional)
6:30 PM Dinner
7:00 PM Speeches
PRO TIP: IF YOU ARE HAVING A PLATED STYLE DINNER, HAVE SPEECHES BEGIN ONCE EVERYONE RECEIVES A SALAD. IF YOU ARE HAVING A BUFFET OR FOOD TRUCK STYLE DINNER, BEGIN SPEECHES ONCE EVERYONE IS SEATED WITH A MEAL.
7:30 PM Parent Dances
+ Open dancing to follow
8:00 PM Sunset/Golden hour session
PRO TIP: THE GOLDEN HOUR IS ONE HOUR BEFORE SUNSET TIME! THE TIME DEPENDS WHERE YOUR WEDDING DATE FALLS! IF YOU HAVE A LATE FALL OR WINTER WEDDING, THIS WOULD REQUIRE A LITTLE MORE PLANNING!
10:30 PM Sparkler exit!
DISCLAIMER: Remember every photographer works differently! In my experience, this is what has worked best!
