Wedding Photography Timeline

Your parents’ wedding timeline probably looked a lot like this:

Pictures were quick, stiff, controlled, and at the church altar. The bride and groom formals were in exactly the same spot and posing as the family formals. But as photography has changed, so have the timelines. Photographers aren’t tied to bulky lighting equipment any more–they are free to take portraits outdoors. Couples expect art from their wedding day portraits–not stiff pictures at the altar.

Here is a modern timeline:

(Like most photographers, we love it when couples see each other before the ceremony. We still capture the groom seeing his bride for the first time in her wedding dress, but it also allows us to capture the portraits in a more relaxed manner, and allows the bride and groom to get to the reception immediately after the ceremony so they can enjoy the party with their guests! It is also a great safe-guard against rain. If it rains during the portrait time before the ceremony, we can always squeeze in photos after the ceremony.  But if it rains after the ceremony and the couple didn’t see each other beforehand, it means portraits indoors or in the rain.  For the family portraits, if your parents happen to be ready before the ceremony, we’ll take portraits with them then, and save the larger family pictures for after the ceremony [so that family members don't need to arrive early].)

If a couple is not seeing each other before the ceremony, we suggest the following timeline:

Our approach to the order of pictures depends on your wedding–sometimes we like to photograph the bride and groom portraits first, then the bridal party and finally the family shots. This means that if you’re not seeing each other before the ceremony, the bridal party and family is released to enjoy the reception. We give them a time to meet back up with us for pictures.  Other times we photograph the more traditional order of family first, then bridal party, then couple shots.  It will depend on the logistics of your day.

How family formals are handled:

We take a minimalist approach to the family formals. At each wedding we take the following four family formals:

• Bride with her parents
• Groom with his parents
• Bride and groom with bride’s immediate family
• Bride and groom with groom’s immediate family
• (If there are divorced parents, we add in the various combos)

We need ten minutes for those pictures. After that, it’s up to you. If you would like to have more groupings, we are happy to take them! (If you have other groupings to add, it’s a good idea to leave at least 20 minutes for family pictures.)

If you’d like to add additional groupings, you’ll need to assign a family portrait monitor for the bride’s side and groom’s side. They will be in charge of following your list of groupings and rounding people up and getting them in front of the camera. That leaves us able to concentrate on the photography!

Please note that we don’t recommend having groupings larger than around 15 people.  The quality of the image suffers with very large groups.

The numbers:

Getting ready photos: leave 1 hour.  Traci will cover the girls as they put the *last touches* on hair/makeup and get dressed, and Nic will cover the boys.  In the event that you’re getting ready at separate locations, Nic and Traci will both cover the girls getting ready (kicking Nic out for the getting dressed part, of course)!

If you are seeing each other before the ceremony: Bride and groom pictures: 45 minutes. Family pictures: at least 10 minutes. Bridal party: 30 minutes.

If you aren’t seeing each other before the ceremony: Bride with bridesmaids and her parents: 1 hour before the ceremony, 15 minutes. Groom with groomsmen/his parents: 45 minutes before the ceremony, 15 minutes. And then after the ceremony… Bride and groom pictures: 45 minutes. Bridal party: 15 minutes. Family pictures: at least 10 minutes.

Reception: Plan on 2.5 hours of photography coverage for the reception–this allows us to cover all of the photo op events as well as plenty of dancing shots!