Your timeline is the quiet hero of your wedding photos. When there’s a little breathing room built into the day, you get relaxed portraits, natural moments with your guests and time to actually enjoy it all, rather than being rushed from one photo to the next.
I send every couple a questionnaire before the wedding, and I always ask for a schedule of the day and a group shot list. Here’s how I’d suggest planning the photography side of your timeline, based on the 300+ weddings I’ve photographed.
Start with your ceremony time
Your ceremony is the fixed point everything else hangs off. Once you know it, work backwards for the morning and forwards for the afternoon and evening. It’s also worth checking what time the sun sets on your date, especially for an autumn or winter wedding.
Bridal prep: 1.5 to 2 hours before the ceremony
I’d suggest I arrive at bridal prep around 1.5 to 2 hours before your ceremony. That leaves time for the details (the dress, shoes, rings, perfume and flowers), the last touches of hair and makeup, getting into the dress and those first looks with family and bridesmaids.
Ask your hair and makeup artist to build in a 15-minute buffer. Prep almost always runs a little over, and a buffer here stops the whole day from running late.
Groom prep: 15 to 20 minutes
Groom prep is usually quick: around 15 to 20 minutes for a few candid photos, buttonholes and a toast with the groomsmen. If the groom gets ready at the venue, it’s easy to fit in before the guests arrive and saves travelling between locations.
The ceremony
Most ceremonies last between 20 and 45 minutes. Civil ceremonies tend to be shorter and church services longer. I arrive about half an hour early so I can photograph the room, the guests arriving and those last-minute nerves before it all begins.
Confetti and the drinks reception
Plan your confetti for straight after the ceremony, while everyone is gathered. The drinks reception that follows is usually 1.5 to 2 hours long, and it’s where a lot of the photography happens: group shots, couple portraits and plenty of natural photos of your guests.
Group shots: around 30 minutes
Group shots usually take around half an hour, depending on how many you have. Keep your list to around 10 to 12 groupings, and ask a loud usher or family member to help gather people. There’s more on this in my group shot list guide.
Couple portraits: 20 to 30 minutes
Allow around 20 to 30 minutes for your couple portraits during the drinks reception. It’s a lovely chance to have a breather together, and if the timing works, we can pop out again for 10 minutes in the evening for golden hour photos.
Wedding breakfast, speeches and first dance
I photograph your entrance into the wedding breakfast and the speeches, which are always full of reactions. Some couples have speeches before the meal so the speakers can relax and enjoy their food.
My coverage runs from preps to just after your first dance. Many couples cut the cake and have their first dance as the evening guests arrive, so everyone’s there for the big moments and the party can start straight after.
An example timeline
Here’s how a day with a 1pm ceremony might look:
- 10.45am: Groom prep (15 to 20 minutes)
- 11.15am: Bridal prep, details, hair and makeup and the dress
- 12.30pm: Guests arrive at the ceremony
- 1pm: Ceremony
- 1.30pm: Confetti, then the drinks reception
- 1.45pm: Group shots (around 30 minutes)
- 2.30pm: Couple portraits (20 to 30 minutes)
- 3.30pm: Wedding breakfast and speeches
- 6.45pm: Golden hour portraits, if the sunset time works for your date
- 7.30pm: Cake cutting and first dance
Every wedding is different, so treat this as a starting point. I’m always happy to look over your schedule and suggest where the photos fit best.
Questions couples ask
When should we send our photographer the timeline?
Once your venue and suppliers have confirmed their timings. My questionnaire asks for your schedule and group shot list, so everything is in one place.
How long do couple portraits take?
Around 20 to 30 minutes is plenty for relaxed portraits, with an optional 10 minutes later for golden hour.
What if our day runs late?
It nearly always does a little, which is why buffers matter. I keep an eye on the timings and move photos around so nothing important gets missed.
