A wedding photography timeline that actually works
Almost every stressful wedding day we have seen was a timeline problem, not a people problem. Thirty minutes in the wrong place turns into an hour of catching up.
This is the structure we work from. Treat it as a starting shape and we will adapt it to your venues, your light and your guest list.
Getting ready · 2 to 3 hours before the ceremony
We arrive while hair and makeup are still finishing. This is when the details are photographed, the dress, the rings, the invitation, the shoes, and when the room is still full of the people closest to you.
Keep the room tidy and near a window. It sounds small, and it changes every photograph taken in it.
First look · 60 to 90 minutes before the ceremony
A first look is optional, but it buys you time and it takes the edge off the nerves. Couples who do one usually get most of their portraits finished before the ceremony and go straight to their guests afterwards.
If you would rather wait until the aisle, we simply move the portrait block later and protect a longer window after the ceremony.
Ceremony
We work quietly and stay out of the aisle. If your church or venue has rules about where photographers may stand, tell us early and we will plan the coverage around them rather than discovering it on the day.
Family photographs · 20 to 30 minutes
Send us the list in advance and name one person from each family who can call people over. That single decision is usually what keeps this block to twenty minutes instead of fifty.
Couple portraits · golden hour
The best light of the day is the hour before sunset. We normally slip away from the reception for fifteen to twenty minutes then, which is enough for the photographs most couples end up hanging on the wall.
Check the sunset time for your date and location before you fix the dinner hour. It is the single most useful thing you can do for your photographs.
Reception
Speeches, the first dance, and then the part of the night where nobody is thinking about the camera any more. That is usually where our favourite frames come from.
Common questions
How many hours of coverage do we need?
It depends on how much of the day you want kept. We plan the coverage around your schedule rather than selling a fixed number of hours.
Should we do a first look?
It is entirely your choice. A first look creates a calmer afternoon and more time with guests; waiting for the aisle keeps the tradition intact and simply shifts the portraits later.
We photograph a limited number of weddings each year across Europe. Tell us about your day and we will send you a tailored proposal.
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