planning your
wedding day
timeline
Planning your timeline can be a little intimidating, and chances are, you may be unsure where to start. No worries! Luckily, I’ve done this a few hundred times, and am happy to help guide you every step of the way. Below you’ll find a detailed breakdown of each potential portion of your wedding day with an estimate of the time needed to document each one fully, as well as a sample timeline (cheatsheet!)
↓
Details
30-40 minutes
Most wedding days begin with documenting bridal & groom details, including rings, shoes, veil, dress, garters, jewelry, invitations, bouquets, gifts etc. These details are typically the first thing I will photograph upon arrival on a wedding day, and having them set aside and ready to go is a huge help on the day of! After the details are finished, we will move into candid getting ready photos of you and your wedding party, as well as the bride putting on her dress.
Getting Ready Photos
30 minutes EACH
Exactly as it sounds – during this time I’ll document the final moments as you and your wedding party get ready for the day! For the bride, this might include final hair & make-up touches, putting on your dress, jewelry and shoes. For the groom, putting on your jacket, shoes, and boutonniere, etc. Allow 30 minutes for each. *If you opt for a second shooter, bride & groom getting ready can be photographed simultaneously!
First look
20 minutes
If you opt to see each other during a first look, this private moment between you and your partner will take approximately 20 minutes. This gives me time to get you placed, give you instructions, and then let the moment unfold! A perfect opportunity to take a breath and soak it in before the ceremony.
Couples portraits
30-45 minutes
Remember those dreamy portraits you saw on my website and Instagram? That’s the magic we’ll create together in this special, calm window before the day truly kicks off. We’ll explore your venue’s most beautiful corners and get creative without any rush. Then, just before sunset, I’ll steal you away from the reception for a quick 10–15-minute golden-hour session—because that warm, glowing light is always worth it.
Wedding party portraits
30 minutes
These can be scheduled prior to the ceremony (usually the best option if you opt to do a first look) or immediately following the ceremony. Line-up typically includes: spouse A with their people, spouse B with their people, and the full wedding party together –– plus and any individual portraits or groupings your heart desires! Depending on the size of your wedding party, this could go a little longer or wrap up a little sooner.
Pre-Ceremony
30 minutes
Once portraits are wrapped up, we’ll make sure you’re hidden safely away approximately 30 minutes prior to ceremony start time to avoid being spotted by earlybird guests. This is a great time for final hair & make-up touch ups, restroom breaks, snacks/water, and relaxation. While you’re chillin’ I’ll be out snapping photos of the ceremony site, details, and guests.
Ceremony
30 minutes
Of course, this will depend entirely on how long your planned ceremony will be. I recommend adding a 10-minute buffer time to allow for a late start, just in case 😉 Also, I highly recommend skipping a ‘receiving line’ following the ceremony as this can eat into valuable portrait time. Instead, consider using the end of your cocktail hour and/or reception to greet your guests.
Family & formals
30-45 minutes
Prior to the wedding day, we will prep for family photos and come prepared with a list of groupings & shots to accomplish during this time. Depending on the size of your families, this could go longer or shorter. If there is no first look, wedding party portraits and couples portraits will take place during this time as well. It’s advised to plan a longer cocktail hour (90 minutes) if you decide against doing a first look so we’ll have ample time for all portraits.
Reception & dinner details
20-30 minutes
Typically during the tail-end of cocktail hour, I’ll sneak into the reception site to capture all of those beautiful details, including table settings, floral arrangements, decor, etc. *If you opt for a second shooter, one photographer will typically photograph the reception details while the other focuses on candid photos of guests during cocktail hour.
Dinner
30 minutes
You need to eat. I also need to eat. Chances are neither of us has eaten much by this point, so in the interest of NOT passing out, we’ll set aside a little time to chow down and get ready for the party!
Reception
60-90 minutes
Alllllll of the fun stuff! Toasts, first dances, cake cutting, bouquet/garter tosses, and those amazing, boozy, open dance floor moves. If you’re planning a special departure or send-off, make sure you plan your timeline to include enough hours of coverage so I can be there to capture it.