Wedding Day Timeline: Planning for the Best Photos

Your wedding day timeline affects everything, especially your photos. I've seen couples rush through portraits because the ceremony started late. I've seen golden hour missed because nobody planned for it. And I've seen beautifully relaxed couples who had time for everything because their timeline was built with photography in mind.

After 400+ weddings, here's how to plan your wedding day timeline for photos that you'll treasure forever.

Getting Ready: The Photos That Start Your Story

I recommend starting photography 2 to 3 hours before the ceremony. This sounds like a lot, but it goes fast. Getting ready photos include the dress, the shoes, the rings, the invitations. They include hair and makeup being finished, the bride getting into her dress, quiet moments with parents.

The key is having everything ready before I arrive. Details should be set aside in a spot with good natural light. Hair and makeup should be nearly done, not just starting. This way, we capture the final touches and the emotional moments, not the waiting around.

First Look: Why It Changes Your Wedding Day Timeline for Photos

A first look is when the couple sees each other privately before the ceremony. It's become popular for good reason: it completely transforms your timeline possibilities.

With a first look, we can do most couple portraits before the ceremony. That means after you say "I do," you go straight to cocktail hour with your guests instead of disappearing for 45 minutes of photos. It's also more relaxed: you're not rushing to catch the light, and you have a private emotional moment together before the intensity of the ceremony.

Without a first look, plan for 45 to 60 minutes of couple portraits after the ceremony. Your guests will need entertainment during this time.

Building Your Timeline Around Golden Hour

Golden hour is the most important factor in your wedding day timeline for photos. That hour before sunset produces the most beautiful, romantic light. Everything else should be scheduled around it.

If sunset is at 7:30 PM, I want to start golden hour portraits by 6:30 PM. Work backward from there: when should dinner be served? When should cocktails start? When should the ceremony end? When should it begin?

I always share exact golden hour times for your wedding date when we plan together. This single detail makes a bigger difference than almost anything else.

Family and Group Photos: The Time Everyone Underestimates

Family formals take longer than couples expect. Each grouping needs to be gathered, arranged, shot, and then dispersed. With extended families, divorces, step-parents, and various combinations, 15 combinations is not unusual.

Plan 3 to 5 minutes per grouping. For 10 combinations, that's 30 to 50 minutes. I always ask couples to create a shot list in advance and designate someone to help gather people. The more organized we are, the faster it goes.

Best time for family photos: immediately after the ceremony, while everyone is still gathered and before they scatter to cocktails.

Sample Wedding Day Timeline for Photos

Here's a sample timeline for a summer wedding with a 5:00 PM ceremony and 8:30 PM sunset:

2:00 PM Photography begins with getting ready

4:00 PM First look and couple portraits

5:00 PM Ceremony

5:30 PM Family formals (30 minutes)

6:00 PM Cocktail hour (couple joins guests)

7:30 PM Golden hour portraits (30 minutes)

8:00 PM Dinner begins

This timeline gives the couple two portrait sessions: relaxed pre-ceremony portraits with a first look, and magical golden hour portraits before dinner. It also gives them over an hour with guests during cocktails.

Your Timeline, Your Priorities

Every wedding is different, and your timeline should reflect what matters to you. If photos are a priority, build your day around them. If spending every minute with guests is more important, we'll work efficiently within tighter windows.

What I can promise is this: when we plan your wedding day timeline for photos together, you'll know exactly what to expect and when. No surprises, no stress, just beautiful images and a day that flows smoothly.

Let's plan your perfect timeline.