Photographing the right things at the right time with ENOUGH time is so important on your wedding day. In fact, it could make or break your wedding day experience. So what are the right things to capture at the right moment? And what do I mean by enough time? Great question! To simplify these for you I’ve created the 4 proven stress-free wedding day photography timeline for you to use on your wedding day. In fact, these timelines works so well and I encourage you to share this with your wedding planner and venue coordinator.
The 4 timelines are as follows: One Location with First Look, One location without First Look, Two locations with First Look and Two locations without First Look. Simply plan your whole wedding with these timeframes in mind and you’ll be all set. If you have any questions, feel free to contact me.
One Location + First Look (8 hours coverage)
Gary’s note: From doing numerous weddings, this is the most ideal timeline. Note that all the most important photos such as Bride & Groom Portraits, Full Bridal Party photos as well as Immediate Family photos are all done before the ceremony. This allows you to have plenty of time after the ceremony to enjoy spending time with guests and just focus to have fun.
1:15 – 2:00 Gary Photographs Bride’s Details
2nd Photographer Photographs Final Touches of Hair & Makeup
2:00 – 2:45 Gary Photographs Bride Getting Into Dress
2nd Photographer Photographs Groom & Groomsmen Getting on Ties & Coats
2:45 – 3:00 Walk to First Look
3:00 – 3:15 First Look
3:15 – 3:45 Bride & Groom Portraits
Bride & Groom Individuals
3:45 – 4:00 Bride with Bridesmaids
4:00 – 4:15 Full Bridal Party
4:15 – 4:30 Groom with Groomsmen
4:30 – 5:00 Immediate Family Photos
5:00 – 5:30 Bride & Groom Hide, Rest & Retouch
Gary & 2nd Photographer Photograph Ceremony Decor
5:30 – 6:00 Wedding Ceremony
6:00 – 6:30 Husband & Wife Sunset Portraits
6:30 – 7:00 Bride & Groom Join Cocktail Hour
Gary & 2nd Photographer Photograph Guests & Reception Decor
7:00 Sunset
7:00 – 7:15 Guests Seated & Grand Entrances
7:15 – 9:15 Gary & 2nd Photographer at Reception
Two Locations + First Look (9 Hours Coverage)
Gary’s note: When going to another location, I add 30 minutes of drive time and 30 minutes to the end of the reception for a total of 9 hours coverage on the wedding day. If this is not in your budget or if the second location is close by then we can take a bit of time off the reception and keep it 8 hours coverage.
Getting Ready Location
12:45 – 1:30 Gary Photographs Bride’s Details
2nd Photographer Photographs Final Touches of Hair & Makeup
1:30 – 2:15 Gary Photographs Bride Getting Into Dress
2nd Photographer Photographs Groom & Groomsmen Getting on Ties & Coats
2:15 – 2:45 Drive to First Look Location
Ceremony & Reception Location
2:45 – 3:00 Walk to First Look
3:00 – 3:15 First Look
3:15 – 3:45 Bride & Groom Photos
Bride & Groom Individuals
3:45 – 4:00 Bride with Bridesmaids
4:00 – 4:15 Full Bridal Party
4:15 – 4:30 Groom with Groomsmen
4:30 – 5:00 Immediate Family Photos
5:00 – 5:30 Bride & Groom Hide, Rest & Retouch
Gary & 2nd Photographer Photograph Ceremony Decor
5:30 – 6:00 Wedding Ceremony
6:00 – 6:30 Husband & Wife Sunset Portraits
6:30 – 7:00 Bride & Groom Join Cocktail Hour
Gary & 2nd Photographer Photograph Guests & Reception Decor
7:00 Sunset
7:00 – 7:15 Guests Seated & Grand Entrances
7:15 – 9:45 Gary & 2nd Photographer at Reception
One Location + No First Look (8 Hours Coverage)
Gary’s note: When you decided not to do first look, I highly recommend we do as many photos as we can BEFORE the ceremony. I also recommend having a longer cocktail hour (such as 1.5 hour to 2 hours) so we can have plenty of time for full bridal party photos, immediately family photos, husband and wife portraits as well as any reception details.
1:45 – 2:30 Gary Photographs Bride’s Details
2nd Photographer Photographs Final Touches of Hair & Makeup
2:30 – 3:15 Gary Photographs Bride Getting Into Dress
2nd Photographer Photographs Groom & Groomsmen Getting on Ties & Coats
3:15 – 3:30 Bride Portraits
3:30 – 3:45 Bride with Bridesmaids
3:45 – 4:00 Bride with Her Family
4:00 – 4:15 Groom Individuals
Groom with Groomsmen
4:15 – 4:30 Groom with His Family
4:30 – 5:00 Bride & Groom Hide, Rest & Retouch
Gary & 2nd Photographer Photograph Ceremony Decor
5:00 – 5:30 Wedding Ceremony
5:30 – 5:45 Full Bridal Party
5:45 – 6:00 Immediate Family Portraits with Bride & Groom
6:00 – 6:30 Husband & Wife Sunset Portraits
6:30 – 7:00 Bride & Groom Join Cocktail Hour
Gary & 2nd Photographer Photograph Guests & Reception Decor
7:00 Sunset
7:00 – 7:15 Guests Seated & Grand Entrances
7:15 – 9:45 Gary & 2nd Photographer at Reception
Two Locations + No First Look (9 Hours coverage)
Gary’s note: Similar to above, when you decided not to do first look, I highly recommend we do as many photos as we can BEFORE the ceremony. I also recommend having a longer cocktail hour (such as 1.5 hour to 2 hours) so we can have plenty of time for full bridal party photos, immediately family photos, husband and wife portraits as well as any reception details. When going to another location, I add 30 minutes of drive time and 30 minutes to the end of the reception for a total of 9 hours coverage on the wedding day. If this is not in your budget or if the second location is close by then we can take a bit of time off the reception and keep it 8 hours coverage. But keep in mind we need to be very efficient so it’s best if you have a wedding planner to plan out all the logistics for you in advance.
Getting Ready Location
1:15 – 2:00 Gary Photographs Bride’s Details
2nd Photographer Photographs Final Touches of Hair & Makeup
2:00 – 2:45 Gary Photographs Bride Getting Into Dress
2nd Photographer Photographs Groom & Groomsmen Getting on Ties & Coats
2:45 – 3:15 Drive to Ceremony & Reception Location
Ceremony & Reception Location
3:15 – 3:30 Bride Portraits
3:30 – 3:45 Bride with Bridesmaids
3:45 – 4:00 Bride with Her Family
4:00 – 4:15 Groom Individuals
Groom with Groomsmen
4:15 – 4:30 Groom with His Family
4:30 – 5:00 Bride & Groom Hide, Rest & Retouch
Gary & 2nd Photographer Photograph Ceremony Decor
5:00 – 5:30 Wedding Ceremony
5:30 – 5:45 Full Bridal Party
5:45 – 6:00 Immediate Family Portraits with Bride & Groom
6:00 – 6:30 Husband & Wife Sunset Portraits
6:30 – 7:00 Bride & Groom Join Cocktail Hour
Gary & 2nd Photographer Photograph Guests & Reception Decor
7:00 Sunset
7:00 – 7:15 Guests Seated & Grand Entrances
7:15 – 10:15 Gary & 2nd Photographer at Reception