From Sunrise to ‘I Do’: A Photographer’s Take on Your Wedding Day Timeline
Your wedding day is one of the most special moments in your life, and your timeline should reflect the beauty and joy of every part of it. As photographers, we want to ensure that every key moment is captured, from the candid moments before the ceremony to the first look, and everything in between. Here's our suggested timeline to help your wedding day flow seamlessly while also getting the most out of your photos!
11:30am - 12:00pm: Photographers Arrive + Final Getting Ready Shots
By the time we arrive at 11:30am, you should be nearly finished with hair and makeup, with the finishing touches being done. We recommend that you and your bridesmaids have already had lunch and are almost ready to step into your dresses. This is an important moment for your photographer to capture the final, intimate moments of your getting ready process, especially if you and your bridesmaids are wearing matching robes or have personalized items to add that special touch. Keep the area clean and organized—it will help us capture your details in the best light! We recommend starting your getting ready process no later than 8:00am to ensure everything flows smoothly, though this may vary depending on the size of your wedding party and travel time to the venue.
12:00pm - Bridesmaids and Mother of the Bride Get Dressed
At 12:00pm, the bridesmaids and mother of the bride should start getting dressed. We suggest having the bridesmaids get dressed first so that the bride can have a more private moment with her mother as she prepares for her big reveal. This intimate time can be very special for you and your mom, and we can capture the emotions of this private moment between you both.
12:30pm - 1:00pm: First Look with Bridesmaids + Father of the Bride
Once the bride’s dress is on, the bridesmaids can have their first look with the bride! This is such a joyful moment for the bridal party, and we love capturing the genuine reactions of your closest friends and family. Afterward, we’ll set up a first look with your father, who should also be ready with his boutonnière at this time.
1:00pm - 1:30pm: First Look with the Groom
The first look with your groom is one of the most anticipated moments of the day. We love to keep this moment intimate and private so you can fully take it all in, share your feelings, and enjoy the quiet before the day picks up again. We recommend dedicating about 30 minutes for this special moment to really capture the connection between you two, allowing for some candid photos afterward.
1:30pm - 2:30pm: Wedding Party Portraits
Now that you’ve had some private moments, it’s time to focus on your wedding party portraits! We'll start with individual and group shots of the bridesmaids, then move on to the groomsmen. Afterward, we’ll bring everyone together for a full wedding party portrait. These are the perfect shots to capture the fun and excitement of your day!
2:30pm - 3:00pm: Quiet Time Before the Ceremony
After wedding party portraits, we recommend that the wedding party have some quiet time for touch-ups and relaxation before the ceremony. At this time, the wedding party should remain out of sight to keep the bride’s big entrance a surprise and to ensure that everything runs smoothly for the ceremony. During this time we will capture guests arriving , flowers, landscape photos, and all detail shots!
3:00pm: Ceremony Begins
The ceremony is the highlight of the day, and the most important moment to focus on. We recommend having the ceremony start at 3:00pm (although, in reality, it might begin around 3:15pm if there's a delay!). This is the moment where your love story comes to life and is celebrated by all. From the vows to the first kiss, it’s essential to allow us to document every second of it.
3:45pm: Family Portraits
Immediately following the ceremony is the best time to do all family portraits. Keep it efficient by limiting the list to 10 groupings with you and your groom. To keep things moving smoothly, we recommend asking your officiant to announce that anyone in the photos should stay seated while everyone else is free to head to cocktail hour. This way, we won’t lose anyone and can capture all the necessary family shots.
After the family group portraits, we can do any portraits with just the bride or just the groom and their family members. Once these are completed, the extended family can be dismissed to cocktail hour. We’ll also take a few moments to do a mini photo shoot of just you and your groom to capture those first precious moments as a married couple. This is a beautiful time for you both connect before the reception kicks off.
4:45pm: Grand Entrance
It’s time for the grand entrance! At 4:45pm, you and your groom will be introduced to your guests, and the celebration will really begin.
5:00pm: Blessing for Dinner + Dinner Begins
After the grand entrance, the blessing and dinner can begin. You can connect with your coordinator to finalize the times for your first dances, bouquet toss, cake cutting, and the start of the dancing for the remainder of your reception!
Don’t Forget Your Sunset Photos!
One of our favorite photo opportunities happens during sunset. Sunset photos are often the most stunning images of the day, with the best lighting to make your photos glow. Be sure to work with your coordinator to make time for these 45 minutes to an hour during your timeline. Depending on the sunset time, this can be adjusted to ensure you get the best possible shots. Let us know if you have any questions on how to fit this in! This is all of our clients favorite photos of the night!
