Wedding Day Timeline Samples

How Much Time Is Needed For Photography?

Time needed for photographs depends on the size of the bridal party and the number of family members present on the wedding day. Our rule of thumb is:

Sample Timeline: Wedding At A Church, Reception At Another Location

45 min Photos of bride by herself, bride with bridesmaids and bride with her family

45 min Photos of groom by himself, groom with groomsmen and groom with his family

30 min before ceremony - stop taking photos, get ready to walk down the aisle

30 min Ceremony

30 min Posed shots not taken during ceremony; signing of marriage license

15 min Receiving Line

45 min Photos of combined families and bridal party

30 min Photos of bride and groom together

30 min Drive to reception

2 hrs of reception: grand entrance, toast, first dance, parents' dance, cutting of the cake, bouquet and garter, departure ($65 an hour after 2 hours)

7-8 hrs Total time photographer at wedding

Sample Timeline: Wedding & Reception At Same Location

Years ago, most ceremonies were held in churches and receptions were held at another location. Today many couples have their ceremony and reception at the same location in an effort to keep costs down.

Many couples who schedule their ceremony and reception at the same location choose to see each other before the ceremony and take all the pictures ahead of time. After the ceremony they may take a few more shots, but not many. They are able to spend time with friends and family, some who have flown in from out of state.

Bride and groom DO NOT see each other before ceremony:

30 min Finishing touches of bride & groom before formal pictures

45 min Photos of bride by herself, bride with bridesmaids and bride with her family

45 min Photos of groom by himself, groom with groomsmen and groom with his family

45 min before ceremony - stop taking photos, get ready to walk down the aisle

30 min Ceremony

30 min Receiving Line

45 min Photos of combined families and bridal party

30 min Photos of bride and groom together

2 hrs Photos of reception: grand entrance, toast, first dance, parents' dance, cutting of the cake, bouquet and garter, departure ($65 an hour after 2 hours)

7-8 hrs Total time photographer at wedding

1 hr Guests wait for bride and groom to arrive (25 + 45 + 30 min) at ceremony

Bride and groom DO see each other before ceremony:

30 min Finishing touches of bride & groom getting ready before formal pictures

15 min Bride and groom spend time alone together before ceremony begins

30 min Photos of bride and groom individually and together

90 min Photos of combined families and bridal party

30 min before ceremony - stop taking photos, get ready to walk down the aisle

30 min Ceremony

15 min Posed shots not taken during ceremony; signing of marriage license

2 hrs Photos of reception: grand entrance, toast, first dance, parents' dance, cutting of the cake, bouquet and garter, departure ($65 an hour after 2 hours)

6-7 hrs Total time photographer at wedding