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.
Last week I shared a sample timeline with a First Look. First Looks are my absolute favorite, but I understand that they are not right for everyone. So, today I am sharing my sample timeline for weddings without a first look. Scroll down past the sample timeline for more details on the differences in how the day is photographed without a First Look. (For details on each portion of the day, check out my post from last week: Sample Photography Timeline – With First Look.)
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
12:00 PM – Bridal Details
12:35 PM – Groom Details
12:50 PM – Groom Prep
1:10 PM – Groomsmen/Groom Family
1:40 PM – Bridal Prep
2:10 PM – Bridesmaids/Bride Family
2:50 PM – Reception Details
3:10 PM – Line Up
3:20 PM – Ceremony
3:55 PM – Just Married
4:20 PM – Family Portraits
4:40 PM – Bridal Party Portraits
5:05 PM – Bridal Portraits
6:00 PM – Reception Grand Entrance
7:55 PM – Faux Grand Exit
8:00 PM – Photography End Time
Bridal/Groom Details
I usually start out my day photographing all the details of the wedding. However, when there is not a First Look, it takes longer to photograph all the main details of the day because I am jumping between the Bride and Groom before the ceremony. There are three main options with this timeline: 1. skip the details, 2. have minimal reception coverage, 3. add an extra hour of coverage. I prefer the later so I can still capture all the important details and moments of your wedding day!
Groomsmen/Groom Family & Bridesmaids/Bride Family
I always suggest getting as many of the family portraits done before the ceremony as possible. This is because we will have limited time to get through the family, bridal party pictures, and bride and groom pictures after the wedding.
This means that the immediate family members need to be at the venue and ready when the bride and groom are. The family groupings that are generally captured before the wedding is the couples parents, siblings, and nieces/nephews.
Just Married/Family Portraits
After the ceremony I sneak the bride and groom away for 15 minutes of pictures, so I can make sure we have some great images of just the two of you before we start with the family and bridal party pictures. (Side Note: I love this time because my couples are so overwhelmed with love for each other and so relaxed because, they are finally married!)
While this is happening, a family member will be gathering the family for the family portraits while the guests go to the cocktail hour. We then take all the large group photos of the family with the bride and groom and also any photographs with grandparents. If there were any family photos from earlier in the day that were missed, we will squeeze them in here.
Bridal Party Portraits
Next it is time to do the full bridal party portraits! I already took pictures of the guys and gals separately earlier in the day, so now it is time to mix them up!
Bridal Pictures
Then with whatever time I have left, I will take more pictures of my couple. And I will use every last minute!
If you looked closely at the timeline, you may notice that there is two hours between the ceremony and the reception. While I have been known to get all of these photographs (combined family, combined bridal party, bride & groom) done in an hour’s time, it is not my preference. Generally this means less pictures of the bride and groom alone together.
If you have a small family and a small bridal party, I would suggest an hour and a half between the ceremony and the reception to maximize your portraits as a couple. If you have a larger family and bridal party, I would suggest either a First Look (I know, again with the First Look), or the full two hours between the ceremony and reception.
Reception
With 8 hours of coverage, I will be there for about two hours of the reception, including dinner. You will want to coordinate with your DJ/MC to make sure all the main event occur before your coverage ends. Or, you always have the option of adding more coverage.
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!
