WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHY TIMELINE

Since every wedding is different, it can be tricky to prepare an exact wedding photography timeline that aligns with your particular wedding. However, there are ideal time frames you should consider when mapping out your day. If these times “seem” long, keep in mind that things come up, people run behind schedule, and the day goes by quick when you have fun photographers. It’s always better to give yourself more time than needed. That said, use our time frames below as a guide to get the best photographs.

WEDDING DAY DETAILS (ring, dress, shoes, etc) – 30 mins – 1 hr

We love photographing wedding details and can sometimes spend up to an hour photographing them. Reserving at least 30 minutes for details ensures that we have plenty of time to snap the most important details of the day. These photos are typically taken at the start of the day.

BRIDE GETTING READY – 1 hr

We request at least an hour of shooting time while the bride is getting ready. During this time, we are photographing close ups of the makeup and hair as well as the candid moments with the bridesmaids and groomsmen. Typically, the lead shooter will be with the bride while the second shooter will be with the groom. In the event that the bride and groom are getting ready at the same location, then both photographers will run back and forth.

INDIVIDUAL PORTRAITS – 30-45 mins

Individual bride and groom portraits are a big part of our shooting style. We typically take these photos right after both are done getting ready. We believe every bride and groom deserves to remember how beautiful they looked on their special day, so we take our time to get those perfect shots. Sometimes, we even throw the parents into the mix.

FIRST LOOK – 15 mins

During this time, the bride and groom get to see each other for the first time on the wedding day. Capturing this moment is a fairly quick process and will last only about 15 minutes.

COUPLE’S SESSION – 45 mins

Immediately following the first look, we recommend allocating 45 minutes to a dedicated “couple’s session”. This helps ensure that we’ll have enough photos of just the bride and groom before the day gets too busy.

WEDDING PARTY PHOTOS – 45 mins

We also like to spend another 45 minutes taking photos of the entire bridal party. We shoot a variety of photos featuring classic poses as well as fun and creative shots. We know how much your party means to you, so if time allows, we strive to capture photos of you and each of your bridesmaids or groomsmen individually.

CEREMONY DETAIL AND VENUE – 30 mins

Before you have the guests seated, we like to have 30 minutes to photograph the details of the ceremony site. It’s so important that we are there to capture the complete set up otherwise those details may be missed entirely.

FAMILY FORMALS – 45 mins – 1 hr

Formals typically take between 45 minutes to 1 hour depending on the size of your family and the number of guests. We recommend creating a shot list of groups to photograph. It’s also extremely helpful if you have a dedicated person from each side to round people up for this session.

RECEPTION DETAIL AND VENUE – 30 mins

Similar to the ceremony details, we need at least 30 minutes capture your reception details. These details usually include the centerpieces, cake or dessert table, sweetheart table, and more. We request that there are no guests or vendors in this area.

AROUND THE TABLES – 1 hr – 1.5 hrs

Some couples like to visit each table after dinner to get a formal shot with the guests. These photos will take between 3-5 minutes per table. During this time, we capture both formal and candid photos. If going around the tables is in your plans, please communicate that with us so we can prepare for it.