We totally understand that every wedding is unique — with different cultures, styles, and plans — so there’s really no one-size-fits-all photo timeline. What we’re sharing here is just a suggestion to help guide the day. If you want to switch things around, feel free!
That said, there are certain times of the day that tend to work best for photos, so it’s something to keep in mind when putting your schedule together. Some of the time blocks might look a little long on paper, but trust us — the day moves fast! Most weddings run a bit behind anyway, and we’ll be having so much fun during each session that it won’t feel like a long wait at all.
Before Ceremony
– Wedding Details (15-30 minutes)
Setting aside 15–30 minutes for details gives us the chance to beautifully capture your dress, jewelry, shoes, bouquets, stationery, and all the little touches that make your wedding uniquely yours. Having everything laid out ahead of time helps this part flow more smoothly and keeps things stress-free.
– Bride Getting Ready (45-60 minutes)
This time is such a heartfelt start to the day. We focus on simple moments—the bride getting ready, quiet chats with family, and the easy laughter shared with friends. These photos hold so much genuine emotion, and they’re always treasured later. We’d suggest keeping this part of your day—it really sets the tone for everything that follows.
– Groom Getting Ready (30-60 minutes)
We totally get it—many grooms feel like there’s not much to capture during getting ready. While it doesn’t take an hour to get dressed, there are still some great moments—laughing with friends, sharing a drink, just hanging out. We love documenting those memories too. (That said, if you only booked one photographer and bride and groom are getting ready at different locations, we may need to skip the groom’s getting ready coverage.)
– Individual Portraits (10-20 minutes)
The time right after getting ready is perfect for capturing individual portraits of the bride and groom. With hair and makeup still flawlessly fresh, and the day’s energy still calm, we can take our time to create relaxed, timeless shots. These portraits work beautifully in the bridal suite, a hotel hallway, the venue’s garden, etc.
– First Look (30 minutes)
(If you’d prefer not to see each other before the ceremony, skipping this is totally fine!)
While the first look usually takes just 5–10 minutes, we recommend building in a little extra time before and after. It gives you both a moment to pause, breathe, and soak it all in. These quiet, emotional moments are some of the most special.
Right after the first look, if times allowed we typically move into your couples portraits and wedding party photos (listed below).
For the location, think of spots like a garden, hallway, balcony, etc. It could be a private moment just for the two of you, or an open space with loved ones nearby. If you are not sure, we’re happy to suggest spots.
Hug, kiss, or simply take a moment to admire each other. This is your time to soak in the magic.
– Wedding Party Photo Session (10-20 minutes)
(If you don’t plan to see each other before ceremony, you can move this session after ceremony)
We’ll start with a few classic group shots of the wedding party in different combinations. Then, if time allows, we can mix it up with some fun, candid ones—maybe even in a different spot. We also love grabbing individual photos of you with each of your bridesmaids or groomsmen—those always make for really special keepsakes.
– Couples Session (20-60 minutes)
The couple session usually takes about 20–60 minutes, depending on your schedule. It often happens right after the first look or during cocktail hour. During this time, we’ll capture a mix of shots—starting with some simple, classic portraits that focus on natural light and genuine expressions. Then we’ll move into fun and creative ones. Don’t worry, we’re not into stiff or overly posed photos—everything will feel relaxed and natural.
This session usually takes place around or inside your venue. If your venue is especially beautiful, or if there’s a nearby spot you love, definitely plan for a bit of extra time so we can make the most of it.
After Ceremony (Cocktail Hour)
– Family Group Photo Session (duration varies)
The ideal spot for this session can be super flexible—like the front steps of the church, the venue’s lobby, garden, or often right at your ceremony site, in front of the beautifully decorated arch your florist created.
As a general rule, plan for about 2–3 minutes per group. So, if you have 8 groups, we’d aim for around 16–24 minutes. It really helps if you can send us the exact number of groups ahead of time. We also recommend putting together a neat list of groupings and letting those people know in advance. Having a friend or family member on hand to help gather everyone makes things go a lot smoother. When this part is well-organized, it saves a ton of time on the day!
– Cocktail Hour
Cocktail hour usually lasts about an hour, and how you use this time is totally up to you. You might choose to take group photos with friends and family (as mentioned above), or if you didn’t do a first look earlier, this is a great chance to sneak in some portraits of just the two of you.
If you’d rather just relax and mingle with your guests, that’s totally fine too—we’ll be there to follow along and capture all the fun, candid moments.
Toward the end of cocktail hour (usually the last 15–20 minutes), we’ll head into the reception space to photograph all the beautiful décor before guests are seated and get ready for your grand entrance.
Reception
– Reception Sneak Out (At least 10 minutes)
You can fully enjoy your reception and leave it to us to capture all the candid moments—this session is completely optional.
But if you’d love a few more portraits of the two of you, let’s absolutely do it.
If sunset happens during your reception, we can step out briefly to catch the most beautiful light of the day. Night shots can also be stunning, offering a completely different vibe from daytime photos. We suggest setting aside at least 10 minutes for sneak-out photos so it doesn’t feel rushed. If the setting is especially beautiful and you have extra time, we can certainly take more.
