A lot of wedding photography packages offered by photographers range from 6 – 10 hours of coverage. You may be wondering how much time you need for your wedding photography or what will be covered. While a conversation with your photographer is the only way to tell what exactly will be covered, I wanted to provide you the sample timeline I provide my clients as a jumping off point! We use this timeline as a starting point and then massage it based on things like: logistics, bridal party size, family size, ceremony length, etc.
Sample Timeline Details: I offer a minimum of 8 hours of photography coverage for my clients. This coverage includes the details, getting ready, portraits, ceremony, and about 3 hours of reception coverage. Wedding days are usually a bit hectic as time. To help keep everything on time, I build in extra time buffers in each section of the day. As photographers we live and die by the sunlight. As such, my timelines are always based on the time of the sunset.
Scroll down past the sample timeline for more details on what is photographed during each portion of the day.
Sample Wedding Photography Timeline
6:00 PM – Sunset Time
12:30 PM – Bridal Details
1:05 PM – Groom Details
1:30 PM – Groom Prep
1:45 PM – Bridal Prep
2:30 PM – First Look
2:45 PM – Bridal portraits
3:20 PM – Bridal Party Portraits
4:00 PM – Reception Details
3:50 PM – Line Up
4:00 PM – Ceremony
4:35 PM – Just Married
5:00 PM – Family Portraits
5:30 PM – Reception Grand Entrance
8:15 PM – Faux Grand Exit
8:30 PM – Photography End Time
Bridal/Groom Details
We love starting our day by photographing all your details. From your florals, to the watch your fiancé gave you as your wedding gift, your grandmother’s earrings that you are wearing, and everything in between.
We like to allow 50 minutes to capture both partner’s details. While we are shooting details, we will also be capturing some candid shots of everyone getting ready!
Bride/Groom Prep
After that it is time for our couple to get dressed! I usually start off with the person who is quicker to get ready. For those wearing suits, we will start taking pictures after they are in their pants and shirts. We will take pictures of everyone putting on their ties, vests, shoes, and boutonnieres.
For those wearing dresses, once the wedding party and anyone else helping (usually a parent) is dressed, we will start taking photographs. We will photograph the finishing touches or touch-ups of hair and make-up. Then we photograph you getting in your dress and all the finishing touches: jewelry, veil, shoes, etc.
First Look/Couple’s Portraits
This is one of my favorite parts of the wedding day! We will find a perfect location for your first look and my second shooter and I will be like secret agents to set it up! After you take a moment to yourselves soaking in how great you look and how happy you are to be getting married, we explore the venue for your portraits together.
Wedding Party Portraits
After we 30 minutes together taking portraits, its time to add in the wedding party! We will start by taking photos of the full wedding party together. If you have any flower girls or ring bearers, we will snag a few photos with them to start, then move to just the adults.
After the full wedding party pictures, we will split up the wedding parties by side between me and my second photographer. I will take the group photos of each group and my second photographer will take a photo of you with each of your attendants
Reception & Ceremony Details/Couple in Hiding
About 30 minutes before the ceremony is when the early guests will start to arrive for the wedding. So, after wedding party portraits are complete, you will go into hiding so that early guests don’t sneak a peek. Take this time to take a breath and relax before the ceremony.
We will take this time to take photos of the ceremony before the guests start to sit down. If the reception is in the same location as the ceremony, we will use this time to shoot the reception décor UNTOUCHED.
Pro Tip: If the ceremony and reception are in different locations, we recommend having a cocktail hour outside of the main reception area if possible so that we can grab some great shots of your reception before the reception begins and guests start laying down purses and coats on their seats!
Just Married/Family Portraits
We love having a few extra minutes with you to take a few “Just Married” portraits. Right after the ceremony you are just so giddy and happy that you are officially married! It is definitely worth taking a few moments to capture.
During this time the family member will be gathering for the family portraits. This allows us to knock out the family portraits rather quickly without cousin bob trying to take pictures too (he will be too busy with cocktails!).
Reception
I really let the DJ/MC run the reception. That is what they are best at. I just go with the flow of the evening.
With 8 hours of coverage, I can be present for the main events of the reception and about an hour of dancing. If my couples are planning a grand exit, I suggest doing a faux exit to photograph about 15 minutes before my coverage ends. For example, we will take the bridal party and immediate family outside to do a sparkler exit to photograph. Then everyone goes back inside to resume the party!
I hope this helps you get an idea for what to expect from photography coverage on your wedding day! Want more tips for creating an amazing wedding day? Click here for more Wedding Tips!
