it is hard to pinpoint an exact wedding photography timeline template. However, there are ideal time frames you should consider when planning your day. Some of these times may seem long on paper but keep in mind that the day will fly by, most weddings run slightly behind schedule, and  we will make these photo sessions fun so that it will not seem like a long time. If you would like you can see a sample timeline here.

RINGS, DRESS, SHOES, AND OTHER DETAILS

 Approximate Time  – 30 minutes
 Best Location – Bridal Suite or Hotel Suite
Thoughts – Having at least 30 minutes for details ensures that I have plenty of time to get that perfect photo of the dress, rings, shoes, bouquets, and the other details of the day.
There are times when a hotel room is too crowded or simply unappealing; we have to take the dress all the way down to the lobby or even outside. This can take some time, but as you can see from the results, it’s well worth the additional work.

PREPARATION

Approximate Time  – 60 minutes
Best Location – Bridal Suite or Hotel Suite
Thoughts – Having an hour of preparation would be best. During this time, we are getting close ups of the makeup and hair being applied as well as the candid moments and the bridesmaids and groomsmen get ready for the day. Keep in mind that these are some of the most emotional and fun times of the day, and I want to capture the story of your whole day.

INDIVIDUAL PORTRAITS

Approximate Time – 30 minutes
Best Location – Bridal Suite, Hotel Suite, Venue Lobby, or Venue Garden
Thoughts – Right after getting ready is the best time for individual portraits of the bride and groom (separately). Besides makeup and hair being completely fresh, the day has not gotten hectic yet so we can take our time and get those perfect portraits.
Also, keep in mind that the window lighting in most hotel rooms creates a unique look that can’t be duplicated in any environment throughout the rest of the day.

FIRST LOOK 

Approximate Time – 30-45 minutes
Best Location – Venue Garden, Empty Venue Hallway (shaded areas with natural light)
Thoughts – The first look should be around 15-30 minutes. During this time, the bride and groom see each other for the first time on the wedding day. While the actual first look might only be 5-10 minutes, the rest of the time is spent on portraits of the bride and groom.

WEDDING PARTY PHOTOS

Approximate Time – 15-30 minutes
Best Location -Venue Lobby, Venue Garden, Beach, Park, First look Location
Thoughts – Wedding Party Photos should be around 15 minutes to 30 minutes. During this time, we get a variety of shots in a variety of poses. We start off with the basic, classic photos focused on great expressions and lighting.
Then we move into a set of fun and creative shots. Finally, we know how much your wedding party means to you, so we are sure to get pictures with you and each one of your bridesmaids or groomsmen individually.

IMMEDIATE FAMILY

Approximate Time– 15-30 minutes
est Location -Ceremony location, first look location
Thoughts – Immediate Family Photos should take another 15-30 minutes. It is important to have additional images with your parents, grandparents, and siblings beyond the basic formal (mentioned in the section below).
Plan on 2 minutes per group on average.  For example, if you have 10 groups, schedule in a 20-minute time slot.
We all know how much weddings mean to the immediate family, and we want to make sure we are capturing enough pictures with them.

CEREMONY DETAIL AND VENUE

Approximate Time – 15 minutes
Ideal Time of the Day – Morning or Afternoon
Thoughts – Please allow 15 minutes to take pictures of the ceremony site, completely set up with no guests or vendors in the area.
Before you have the guests seated, 

FORMALS (EXTENDED FAMILY, IMMEDIATE FAMILY, AND FRIENDS)

Approximate Time– 15-45 minutes
Best Location – Ceremony Site
Thoughts – Formals should take around 15 minutes to 45 minutes depending on the size of your family and the number of guests.
Plan on 2 minutes per group on average.  For example, if you have 10 groups, schedule in a 20 minute time slot.
Some couples have decided that they want a picture with all guests while others have decided that they only want pictures with select VIPs to save time. We recommend something in between.
Throughout the planning process, we will work together to create a very organized list of groups and helpers from each side of the family to help round people up.

COUPLES PHOTOS

Approximate Time– 30 -45 minutes
Best Location – Venue Garden, Beach, Hotel Lobby, Park
Thoughts – Couple Photos should be around 30-45 minutes and should take place ideally 30 to 45 minutes before sunset. The is the best time for the lighting.
It also allows us to capture the excellent scenic shots with colorful skies. If your wedding is in downtown or an area with tall buildings, it is not as important for us to have this particular time frame
However, if you booked your venue because of the spectacular view of the ocean or the beautiful vines in the winery, it is essential to follow this your timeline.

RECEPTION DETAIL AND VENUE

Approximate Time– 15 minutes
Thoughts – Please allow 15 minutes to take pictures of the reception room, completely set up with no guests or vendors in the area.
Similar to the ceremony details, this is the only opportunity we have to capture the beauty of the reception room prior to guest arrival.

COUPLES SESSION – RECEPTION SNEAK OUT

Approximate Time– 15-20 minutes
Thoughts – During the reception, please plan on sneaking out for a couple of night shots. I only need 15-20 minutes, as I understand the importance of being a good host. However, this time is important if you appreciate the night photography that I deliver. The ideal time for this is right after you grab a bite to eat or during the open floor dancing after you have danced a few songs and would like a break.  

OTHER THINGS TO KEEP IN MIND

Table Shots – Table shots are when you go around visiting tables. There are two options for photography during this time. (1) You can take formal pictures with each of these tables or (2) we can simply focus on photojournalism, capturing the smiles and hugs as you mingle with each table. If you are planning on doing formal table shots, please keep in mind that these will take about 3-5 minutes per table.  For example, 20 tables would require 60-100 minutes of time.