How Much Time is *Actually* Needed for Each Part of Your Wedding Day

One of the biggest mistakes couples make when planning their wedding timeline is underestimating how much time is needed for photography. Rushed timelines don’t just impact your photos—they impact your entire wedding experience. The key to a seamless, stress-free day is leaving enough breathing room for each part of the day.

As a luxury wedding photographer, I’ve documented high-end celebrations worldwide, and I can tell you: great photos don’t happen when you’re in a hurry. They happen when you plan accordingly. Here’s a breakdown of how much time is actually needed for each part of your wedding day to ensure everything flows effortlessly.

Venue & Details (1 Hour)

Before you and your wedding party get ready, I’ll spend time capturing your venue and wedding details. This includes:

• The aesthetics of the venue through drone shots
• Your wedding dress, shoes, rings, invitation suite, and any meaningful heirlooms
• Your florals and any decor

If you’ve invested in thoughtful details, they deserve to be photographed properly. If your venue has multiple locations, an hour ensures I can capture wide shots of the setting as well as close-ups of meaningful elements.

Example: At a recent wedding in Tuscany, the couple had custom wax-sealed invitations, family heirloom jewelry, and designer shoes styled with local florals. We scheduled a full hour before getting ready coverage to capture their intricate flat lay, ensuring their details didn’t get overlooked.

Pre-Ceremony AKA “Getting Ready” (1 Hour)

This is the time for candid, documentary-style moments with your closest people—champagne toasts, final touches, and quiet anticipation before the ceremony.

For the best coverage, I recommend two photographers and an hour with each partner, so we can capture both the candid and posed.

This window also allows time for robe photos, a gift exchange, or a first look with parents.

Tip: If your getting-ready space is cluttered, designate one area for photos. Clean backgrounds make a massive difference in the final images.

Solo Portraits (30 Minutes)

After getting ready, I take individual portraits of each partner. These are timeless, editorial-style images capturing you at your absolute best before the day gets busy.

If you have a long veil, intricate gown, or custom tux, this is when we highlight those details.

At a wedding in Mallorca, the bride wore a dramatic off-the-shoulder gown and cathedral veil from Vivienne Westwood, and we dedicated time for portraits in soft natural light. Since wedding fashion was important to her, these ended up being some of her favorite images.

Wedding Party Photos (Separately) (30 Minutes)

Before the first look or ceremony, I photograph each side of the wedding party separately. This allows:

• Partner A with their respective wedding party to have their own time without rushing
• Partner B with their respective wedding party to get their portraits done without waiting around

Breaking this up keeps things efficient and relaxed.

First Look – Highly Recommended (30 Minutes)

I always recommend a first look. It gives you a private moment together before the ceremony, reduces stress, and allows for more portraits earlier in the day.

How it works:

• We set up a quiet, beautiful location for your first look
• You get a few moments to soak it all in before the day speeds up
• You get a LOT more time for photos

Portraits Following First Look (30 Minutes)

Immediately after your first look, we take couple’s portraits. This is my preferred method so we can sprinkle short portrait sessions throughout the day, instead of one long session later.

If your venue has multiple scenic locations, this will help maximize the variety in your gallery.

Entire Wedding Party Together (30 Minutes)

Once couple’s portraits are done, the whole wedding party comes together for group photos. This ensures all formal photos are wrapped before the ceremony, so you can *hopefully* enjoy cocktail hour later.

This is also when we capture fun, dynamic, and creative shots.

Ceremony Details & Guest Arrival (30 Minutes)

Before guests are seated, I capture:

• Ceremony decor and florals
• The aisle, altar, and seating arrangements
• Guests arriving and candid moments leading up to the ceremony

These details set the scene and tell the full story of your wedding day.

Ceremony (Up to 45 Minutes)

Most ceremonies last 20-30 minutes, but if you’re incorporating cultural or religious traditions, plan for up to 45 minutes.

Tip: Make sure your officiant steps aside after pronouncing you married. It keeps the first kiss shot clean without someone standing awkwardly in the background.

Family Photos (30 Minutes)

Family portraits happen immediately after the ceremony. A well-planned list keeps this organized and efficient.

Pro tip: Stick to immediate family (parents, siblings, grandparents) to avoid a long, chaotic process. Extended family can be photographed during the reception.

Cocktail Hour (1 Hour)

This is when guests enjoy drinks and mingle while we capture:

• Candid interactions
• Reception decor before guests enter
• Any planned entertainment (live music, custom drinks, etc.)

If you didn’t do a first look, this is also when we take all couple’s portraits.

Portraits During Cocktail Hour (30 Minutes, if no first look then the entirety)

If you skipped a first look, this entire hour is spent on couple’s portraits. Otherwise, we use 30 minutes for additional portraits in the golden hour light.

Example: At a wedding in Hawaii, we scheduled couple’s portraits near the cliffs during sunset, creating cinematic, breathtaking images. The extra time was worth every second.

Reception Details (30 Minutes – Captured During Cocktail Hour)

While guests are enjoying cocktail hour, the second photographer focuses on capturing the untouched reception space. This is the best time to document the full setup before guests enter and start placing drinks, coats, and personal items on the tables.

Key shots include:

• Wide-angle views of the reception layout
• Close-up details of tablescapes, florals, menus, and personalized touches
• The cake, lounge areas, and any special installations (such as custom signage or escort displays)
• Overhead or creative angles showcasing the overall ambiance

Why this matters: If you’ve put thought into your decor, you want to remember it exactly as you designed it. Once guests enter, chairs are moved, glasses are filled, and tables don’t stay pristine for long. By dedicating time for these shots, we ensure you have beautiful images of the space you spent months curating.

This coverage happens seamlessly while the main photographer is capturing cocktail hour and portraits, ensuring that no moment is missed.

Reception Coverage (3 Hours Minimum)

Three hours of reception coverage ensures we capture:

• Grand entrance + first dances
• Dinner ambiance + guest reactions
• Toasts + speeches
• Candid dancing + final moments

If you have a planned exit (sparklers, vintage car getaway), we schedule time accordingly. Otherwise, a well-timed last round of dancing photos wraps up the coverage naturally.

Final Thoughts

A well-structured timeline isn’t just about getting great photos—it’s about creating a smooth, stress-free wedding day. By allowing enough time for each part of the day, you ensure that nothing feels rushed, forced, or chaotic.

If you’re still working through your schedule, I’m happy to help refine it with your planner. The right timeline makes all the difference in how your wedding feels and how it’s captured.