The Ultimate Wedding Photography Timeline Guide

Hey there, soon-to-be Newlyweds!

We know wedding planning can be overwhelming, but don’t worry — we’re here to help every step of the way! This guide is all about setting you up for an stress-free day by giving you wedding timeline examples and tips that work for both traditional and non-traditional couples. Whether you're sticking to the classics or shaking things up, we’ll make sure you have time to relax, enjoy your day, and make memories that will last a lifetime! 

THE ABSOLUTE #1 WEDDING PLANNING TIP

If there’s one thing we can’t stress enough, above all else — it’s this: Pad your timeline. Plan for more time than you think you’ll need, especially when it comes to travel and getting from one event to another. Think your drive to the venue will take 15 minutes? Plan for 25 (or more if you’re in the city!!). Expect something to take 30 minutes? Give it 45. Having extra time built in won’t hurt anything — in fact, it’s a game-changer. You can always use the extra minutes to take more portraits, relax & snack, or even kick off the next event a little early. There's always something to do and the last thing you want on your wedding day is to be running behind, even just by a few minutes. A packed timeline is the quickest way to bring unnecessary stress into the day, and trust us, you don’t want that. So, be sure to pad it out and enjoy a smooth, relaxed day!

THE FIRST STEP TO PLANNING YOUR TIMELINE

Figuring out your timeline can sound scary, but start with the basics — your ceremony time. Once you’ve locked that in, work backwards to figure out when everything needs to start leading up to it. 

Got your ceremony time? Great! Now, think about your getting-ready time. Reach out to your hair & makeup artists to get an idea of how much time they'll need and figure out your start time. How much time to travel to your ceremony? After that, flip it around and plan forward from the end of your ceremony — when’s your reception start time? When do you want dinner, speeches, or your first dance? This method makes sure you’re covering all bases, and it helps create a timeline that flows naturally. 

E&J Tip : And don’t forget to check the sunset time, especially if you are having a wedding early in the year or late — you can easily find it by Googling your wedding date + “sunset time.” Daylight savings time can easily slip your mind when planning a wedding. This is important so you aren't having your ceremony or portraits in the dark and you’ll know exactly when to plan for those gorgeous golden hour portraits!

GETTING READY : A TEAM APPROACH

One of the many perks of having a husband-and-wife photography team is that we can be in two places at once! While Erica is with you, Jake can head over to your partner as they get ready. This way, we don’t miss any of the action!

 Not getting ready in the same location? No worries, Jake will pull your partner aside when they get to the venue and direct them just the same. 

When it comes to timing, we recommend being fully dressed and ready at least 30 minutes before any big event (like your First Look, travel to the venue, or ceremony), or one hour before your ceremony if no pre-ceremony events. That buffer gives us enough time to get all the prep shots and everyone can finish up any last minute details without stressing. If you want to fit in bridal portraits or group portraits, plan for even more time.

To make sure we also get all those detail shots (like your dress hanging up, shoes, rings, etc.), we like to budget at least 2 hours for getting ready. Be sure to coordinate your prep time with other vendors like hair and makeup so everything stays on schedule. If you're not sure how much time to allow, feel free to reach out — we’re happy to help!

THE CEREMONY

When planning your ceremony, always add a little cushion for travel time between where you're getting ready and the venue. Things can take longer than expected — guests may still be arriving or taking their seats, bridal party needs gathered, and you’ll want to take a moment to breathe before walking down the aisle. It's also important to budget for some post-ceremony fun, like confetti, hugs, and congratulations from family and friends! 

Here’s why it matters: If your ceremony runs behind, it eats into your portrait time and pushes back the rest of the evening. The key to a smooth timeline is giving yourself some flexibility at the start — it keeps the rest of your day on track and stress-free!

E&J Tip: Having an outdoor ceremony? Consider where the sun will be setting in relation to your ceremony space throughout the day. If you don’t have full shade coverage, aim to schedule your ceremony 2-3 hours before sunset. This timing helps avoid the harsh midday sun, which can cause squinting or unflattering shadows, and it also reduces the heat. Plus, you’ll get that soft, glowing light right before sunset — perfect for gorgeous photos and a more comfortable experience for everyone. Just check the sunset time for your wedding date, and plan accordingly to make the most of natural, golden light!

FAMILY GROUP PORTRAITS

Whether you're planning on getting your formals done prior to the ceremony or after, we recommend keeping groups to 10 or less with immediate family only so we can budget 20-30 minutes. Want a photo with you and your second cousins? Let's pull them aside at cocktail hour or the reception and grab a more casual shot! 

WEDDING PARTY PORTRAITS

Plan for at least 15-20 minutes for portraits with your wedding party

COUPLES PORTRAITS

We always recommend setting aside a solid 20 minutes of uninterrupted time for couple portraits after the ceremony. If you’d like to really slow down, get creative and explore your venue more, 40 minutes gives us the perfect opportunity to capture a wide variety of romantic and artistic shots. This time not only allows us to create stunning images but also gives you a rare, quiet moment together — often one of the only times you’ll have alone all day. 

 If the weather cooperates and golden hour lighting is looking dreamy, we love pulling couples aside for a quick 5-10 minutes during sunset. These moments are perfect for capturing intimate, glowing portraits that feel as magical as the day itself!

YOUR RECEPTION 

You're officially married and it's time to celebrate with all your loved ones! During dinner, we'll take a step back and allow you to enjoy your meal and the company of your guests. After our own quick break, we'll mingle around the reception area to capture details or candid moments. 

Once dinner is wrapped up, we’ll dive right into the celebration! Our goal is to get all those fun, energetic shots on the dance floor, and we really only need around 1 to 2 hours to capture the vibe and energy of your party. It’s all about letting you and your guests have an amazing time while we document the joy of the night!

E&J Tip : To keep the flow seamless and stress-free, we recommend scheduling your cake cutting, first dances (couples and/or parent dances), and toasts right after your introductions. Your guests will already be fully engaged and eyes on you, and once dinner is done, they’re ready to jump into the fun without any formalities interrupting. We've found this timeline to be the most enjoyable for couples, too. 

NIGHT PORTRAITS

If your venue has a beautiful night ambiance, we love offering night portraits to capture an even more magical, creative side of your wedding. These portraits are unique, giving us the chance to play with light and the atmosphere to create something extra special. If you’re up for it, we’ll sneak you outside for 5-10 minutes towards the end of the night to create these stunning, memorable images. It’s the perfect way to close out your day and capture the full circle of your celebration!

SEND-OFFS

Send-offs are one of the most fun and memorable moments of your wedding night, and while sparkler exits are the most popular, we've seen everything from guests tossing birdseed to blowing bubbles—whatever fits your vibe! If we’ve done night portraits, we typically schedule the send-off right afterwards to keep the flow going. A little insider: most send-offs are actually "faked" and happen about 1-2 hours before the official end of the night. This ensures we still have a great group of guests and allows us to capture the moment before we wrap up for the evening. It’s a chance to have a beautiful, energy-filled exit and still enjoy the rest of your celebration!

Every wedding is different

And we’re here to help you tailor your day!

There are some great advantages to getting all your formal portraits done before the ceremony! First, it allows you to fully enjoy your cocktail hour with your guests. Without the need to rush through portraits afterward, you’ll have more time to mingle and relax. We can focus on capturing more natural, candid moments during the rest of your day, resulting in a gallery filled with genuine, joyful memories.

However, it’s important to keep in mind that doing portraits before the ceremony can take time away from your getting ready moments, pre-ceremony details, and even your reception. If those moments are important to you and you’re keen on having all the formal portraits completed before the ceremony, we recommend additional photography coverage to ensure every part of your day is fully captured.

Whatever your preference, we’re here to help you create a timeline that fits your unique vision!