Timeline for Your Wedding Day Photography

Weddings are diverse, and each is planned differently. After 18-plus years of photographing weddings, we have determined that there are commonalities among them. We help couples create a perfect wedding day photo timeline that fits their day.

There are ideal time frames you should consider when planning your day. The times listed may seem long, but remember that the day moves quickly, and there are always slight variations in the schedule. Some of the times listed can also be consolidated. But rest assured, if Ambar Moreno Photography is capturing your day, we’re here to make your experience enjoyable and relaxing, guiding you through the process with ease and comfort.

Some prominent wedding sites discuss the importance of a wedding day as they provide you with specific times. In this article, we don’t just dictate the schedule, we provide various time allotments that can be included in your wedding timeline. From there, in collaboration with your photographer, you can make sound choices that best suit your day.

The ceremony and reception have set times that will most likely influence the photographer’s schedule. That is why we recommend having two primary photographers. This efficient setup allows for the exchange of responsibilities, ensuring your wedding day schedule is accommodated and every moment is photographed to the fullest, giving you peace of mind. Your wedding timeline for photography is a priority as you plan for your big day.

RINGS, DRESS, SHOES, AND OTHER DETAILS

Ideal Time Allotment – 30 minutes
Ideal Time of the Day – Morning or Early Afternoon
Ideal Location – Bridal Suite or Hotel Suite

Advice – Having at least 30 minutes for detailed photos ensures we have plenty of time to get those perfect photos of the dress, rings, shoes, bouquets, invitations, and any other details of the day.

Sometimes, a hotel room or bridal suite is too crowded or simply unappealing, so we take the dress to an alternate location, such as the lobby or outside. This can take some time, but the results are well worth it.

PREPARATION

Ideal Time Allotment – 60 minutes
Ideal Time of the Day – Morning or Early Afternoon
Ideal Location – Bridal Suite or Hotel Suite

Advice—An hour and a half of preparation is ideal for our style. We typically arrive at the tail end when your makeup artist and hairdresser are finishing. This gives us time to get a few candid close-ups before you get dressed. These are some of the day’s most emotional and fun times, so we never want to cut it short.

Since you have two primary photographers at your wedding, it is customary for one photographer to begin photographing the details as the second photographer begins to take photos of the bride and everyone who is there with her. As soon as the first photographer is done photographing the details, the second photographer will break away and meet up with the groom. While it may not take guys an hour to get dressed, there are still many great candid moments between the groom and his family and friends.

INDIVIDUAL PORTRAITS

Ideal Time Allotment – 30 minutes
Ideal Time of the Day – Morning or Early Afternoon
Ideal Location – Bridal Suite, Hotel Suite, Venue Lobby, or Venue Garden

Advice – Right after prep is the best time for individual portraits of the bride and groom (separately). Your makeup and hair are fresh, and the day hasn’t gotten hectic yet, so we can take our time and get those perfect portraits.

We never underestimate the value of window lighting in some locations. It gives us a unique  opportunity to create spectacular looking images that are hard to duplicate throughout the rest of the day.

FIRST LOOK AND DAYTIME COUPLES SESSION

Ideal Time Allotment – 45-60 minutes
Ideal Time of the Day – Morning or Early Afternoon
Ideal Location – Venue Garden, Empty Venue Hallway (shaded areas with natural light)

Advice—The first look should last 45-60 minutes. During this time, the bride and groom enjoy seeing each other for the first time on the wedding day. While the actual first look might only last 5-10 minutes, the rest is spent on a few portraits of the bride and groom. If time permits, we also like to photograph any immediate family member who is present at the time.

Ideally, we reserve a time slot for later in the day to photograph the couple. However, if no other time in the day is available, it is best to allocate an additional 45 minutes to ensure we capture enough photos of just you two.

WEDDING PARTY PHOTOS

Ideal Time Allotment – 45-60 minutes
Ideal Time of the Day – Morning or Afternoon
Ideal Location -Venue Lobby, Venue Garden, Beach, Park, Off-site Location

Advice – Wedding Party Photos should be around 45 minutes to 1 hour. During this time, we get a variety of shots in a variety of poses. We start with the classic photos focused on great expressions and lighting.

Then, we move into a set of fun and creative shots. Finally, we know how much your wedding party means to you, so we will get pictures with you and your bridesmaids or groomsmen individually.

IMMEDIATE FAMILY

Ideal Time Allotment – 30-45 minutes
Ideal Time of the Day – Morning or Afternoon
Ideal Location -Venue Lobby, Venue Garden, Beach, Park, Off-site Location

Advice – Depending on the size of your family, the immediate Family Photos should take another 30-45 minutes. Additional images with your parents, grandparents, and siblings are important beyond the basic formal photos (mentioned below). Also, brides, don’t forget the importance of the first look with your father or someone equally significant.

Plan on 3 minutes per group on average.  For example, if you have 10 groups, schedule in a 30-minute time slot.

We all know how much weddings mean to the immediate family; therefore, we want to capture enough pictures with them. We encourage our couples to create a list of groups that we can follow along as we photograph everyone.

CEREMONY DETAIL AND VENUE

Ideal Time Allotment – 30 minutes

Ideal Location – Ceremony Site
Ideal Time of the Day – Morning or Afternoon

Advice – Please allow 15-30 minutes for the photographer to take pictures of the ceremony site, completely set up with no guests or vendors in the area.

Before guests are seated, we like to be the first ones there to capture the complete setup of your ceremony site so we can capture the scene at its best.

FORMALS (IMMEDIATE AND EXTENDED FAMILY AND FRIENDS)

Ideal Time Allotment – 45-60 minutes
Ideal Time of the Day – Morning or Afternoon (Post Ceremony)
Ideal Location – Ceremony Site

Advice – Formals should take around 45 minutes to 1 hour, depending on the size of your family and the number of guests. We can incorporate this time immediately following the first look if time allows and if your family is present.

Plan on 3 minutes per group on average.  For example, if you have 10 groups, schedule in a 30 minute time slot.

While some couples will want a picture with all their guests, others may want pictures taken with a select group of people to save time. We recommend something in between.

We also recommend being very organized with a preplanned list of groups and helpers from each side of the family who will help round people up.

COUPLES SESSION

Ideal Time Allotment – 1 hour
Ideal Time of the Day – Late Afternoon (Sunset)
Ideal Location – Venue Garden, Beach, Hotel Lobby, Park

Advice: Couple sessions should be around 1 hour, ideally 30 to 45 minutes before sunset. This is the best time in terms of lighting.

It allows us to capture awesome scenic shots with colorful skies. If your wedding is in a city surrounded by tall buildings, it’s not as important for us to have this specific time frame, but it may still be helpful.

Following this advice in your timeline is indispensable, but if you booked your venue because of the spectacular views it offers, make sure you consult with the wedding venue so you can schedule ample time for sunset photos before or after key moments such as introductions, first dance, toast, etc. Remember that these photos are not merely snapshots. They take time to plan and execute. These photos will most likely be highlighted in your album or hanging as wall art in your home.

RECEPTION DETAIL AND VENUE

Advice – Please allow 30 minutes for the second photographer to take pictures of the Reception Room, which is completely set up with no guests or vendors in the area. Take a look at our Wedding Reception Timeline.

Similar to the ceremony details, this is the only opportunity we have to capture the beauty of the reception room before guests arrive.

Ideal Time Allotment – 10-15 minutes
Ideal Time of the Day – At the end of Cocktail Hour before doors open for guests
Ideal Location – Reception Site

Advice – This is when the reception space is revealed to the couple for the first time. It’s a great opportunity to capture a genuine reaction and a moment alone on the dance floor when you can perhaps practice your first dance, which also makes for great photos!

COUPLES SESSION – RECEPTION SNEAK OUT

Ideal Time Allotment – 20-30 minutes
Ideal Time of the Day – Dusk to Night Time
Ideal Location – Areas with interesting lights, fountains, fire pits, cityscapes, and mirrors just to name a few.

Advice – During the reception, please plan on sneaking out for a couple of night shots. We only need 20-30 minutes, as we understand the importance of being a good host. However, this time is important if you appreciate the signature Night Photography that we capture. The ideal time for this is right after you have a bite to eat or during the open floor dancing, and you have danced a few songs and would like a break. Another suggestion would be to get these shots at the very end of the night once all the guests have departed. Check out our Wedding Reception Timeline post for more tips on how to plan a great wedding reception.

ADDITIONAL WEDDING DAY DETAILS

Table Shots – Table shots are when you go around visiting tables. There are two options for photography during this time. (1) You can take formal pictures with each table, or (2) we can focus on photojournalism, capturing the smiles and hugs as you mingle with each table. If you plan on doing formal table shots, please keep in mind that these will take about 3-5 minutes per table.  For example, 20 tables would require 60-100 minutes.

Some couples find that large group photos of their family or friends are a must, so depending on the group size, we need to set aside 5-10 minutes or more per group.

Cultural Weddings – Some essentials must be photographed for cultural weddings. So, we’ll have to set aside time for those photographs.

We’d like to encourage you to contact Ambar Moreno Photography and explore what they can offer for your wedding compared to other photographers. Your wedding photography timeline is important, and we are here to help! Other sources such as from the Brides may be helpful as well.