What Should Your Wedding Photography Timeline Include?

Are you in the midst of wedding planning? Feeling overwhelmed with all the details to orchestrate your perfect day?

We've been there.

Today, we're here to help you untangle the web and provide an example of an outline you can use for your wedding day.

A wedding timeline is the heartbeat of your day, a choreography of events and activities meticulously planned to ensure a seamless celebration. 

It helps you organize your day and serves as a communication tool with your vendors and guests.

Couples, on average, invest a year of planning, $35,493, and immense energy to float on clouds for a single day. 

Yet, what remains is a collection of memories. As your photographers, we embrace the responsibility of capturing those cherished moments.

It's crucial to carve out time, ensuring we encapsulate the emotional highlights and immortalize everyone who contributed to making your day extraordinary.

To assist in this endeavor, we've crafted a wedding timeline specifically for photography, emphasizing the best moments to capture.

Numerous factors can influence your wedding photography timeline — the size of your wedding party, the guest count, venue location, your preparation venue, photography style, the choice of a first look, and, of course, the unpredictable forces of Mother Nature.

We recommend dedicating at least 4 hours to wedding photos, divided into segments throughout the day, often extending to a full 8-hour coverage.

Consider two vital aspects — lighting is paramount. While we come equipped to combat any lighting challenge, minimizing the setup time allows us to focus more on you.

Secondly, be mindful of the usual meal times. No one, including you, guests, or vendors, should starve as festivities unfold. 

And, of course, don't forget to fuel up with a good breakfast!

It's best to assume there will be some hiccups. Factor in generous time for transitions and build-in breaks, and provide yourself with some cushion to minimize stress.

Here's a flexible guide you can tailor to your needs.

For simplicity, let's assume a traditional ceremony and reception commencing at 1:30 PM!

- **11:00 AM**: Photography Start Time. The photographer arrives at the location where the couple is getting ready, capturing essential details like attire, rings, shoes, and bouquets.

- **11:30 AM**: Getting Ready Photos (Part 1). Candid shots as the first nearly-wed prepares. Posed portraits with their respective wedding party and family.

- **12:00 PM**: Getting Ready Photos (Part 2). Candid shots as the second nearly-wed prepares. Posed portraits with their respective wedding party and family.

- **12:30 PM**: Break. The photographer takes a break while the couple relaxes. A built-in cushion at 12:45 PM for any schedule adjustments.

- **1:00 PM**: Transition. Allow ample time for travel to the ceremony venue. The photographer sets up equipment, including lighting, and captures the overall setting, decor, and emotional items.

- **1:15 PM**: Guest Arrival. Capture guests settling in and eagerly awaiting the arrival of the couple.

- **1:30 PM**: Ceremony. Photographer captures key moments—processional, vows, ring exchange, kiss, and recessional.

- **2:00 PM**: Ceremony Concludes. Guests transition to the reception location.

- **2:00 PM**: Couple Portraits. Romantic portraits of the couple in various locations and poses.

- **2:15 PM**: Wedding Party Portraits. Group photos with different combinations—members with attendants.

- **2:30 PM**: Family Portraits. Formal portraits of the couple with immediate and extended family, following a pre-determined list.

- **2:30 PM**: Cocktail Hour. Candid shots of guests mingling, enjoying appetizers, drinks, and details of the cocktail hour setup.

- **3:30 PM**: Reception Begins. Capture reception venue details, such as centerpieces, table settings, and decor.

- **4:00 PM**: Grand Entrance. Capture the couple's entrance and their first dance.

- **4:30 PM**: Toasts and Speeches. Capture reactions of the couple and guests during toasts.

- **5:00 PM**: Dinner Service. Candid shots of guests enjoying their meals.

- **5:30 PM**: Cake Cutting. Capture the couple cutting their cake and feeding each other.

- **6:00 PM**: Dancing. Capture guests dancing and having fun.

- **7:30 PM**: Reception Ends. Capture the couple's exit and final venue shots.

- **8:00 PM**: Photography coverage concludes. The afterparty begins for guests who want to continue dancing the night away.

Feel free to customize this timeline to match your preferences and wedding specifics. 

We're excited to celebrate you and document this chapter in your love story. 

J. Le Hardy

Photographer

WHOLE HARDILY

Carrboro/Chapel Hill, NC

Published 2024 01-01