3-Hour Wedding Photography Timeline

No First Look / Ceremony Coverage Focus

4:00 PM – Photographer Arrives

  • Ceremony site details (florals, signage, setup)
  • Candid guest arrivals and mingling
  • Groom + bridal portraits if time allows (solo shots)

4:30 PM – Ceremony Begins

  • Full ceremony coverage (20–30 mins)
  • Walking down the aisle, vows, ring exchange, first kiss
  • Candid moments and reactions

5:00 PM – Family & Wedding Party Photos

  • Immediate family groupings (keep list tight!)
  • Wedding party formal and fun poses
  • Capture warm, celebratory post-ceremony energy

5:45 PM – Couple Portraits

  • Romantic portraits of the newlyweds
  • Golden hour if timed right!
  • Can include a few styled shots or candid walking/laughing moments

6:30 PM – Photography Wraps

  • Final detail shots (reception space, cake, décor)
  • Candid guest interactions, cocktail cheers, or couple sneaking a quiet moment

6-Hour Wedding Photography Timeline

With First Look

1:00 PM – Photographer Arrives

  • Detail shots (dress, shoes, rings, invitations, bouquet)
  • Getting ready shots of bride & groom (final touches, robes, candids)

2:00 PM – First Look + Couple Portraits

  • Private First Look moment
  • Romantic couple portraits in good lighting and fresh makeup
  • Optional: Personal vow reading or letters

2:45 PM – Wedding Party Photos

  • Bride + bridesmaids, Groom + groomsmen
  • Full wedding party group shots

3:15 PM – Family Formals

  • Immediate family on both sides
  • Helps free up time post-ceremony

4:00 PM – Ceremony

  • Full ceremony coverage (30–45 minutes)
  • Candid guest reactions, aisle walk, first kiss

5:00 PM – Cocktail Hour / Just Married Portraits

  • Couple sneaks away for portraits
  • Guests enjoy cocktail hour (photographer can capture candids here too)

5:45 PM – Reception Begins

  • Grand entrance
  • First dance
  • Speeches + toasts

7:00 PM – Cake Cutting + Open Dancing

  • Cake cutting or dessert moment
  • Dance floor opens—photographer captures energy, fun, candid joy

7:30 PM – Photographer Wraps Up

  • Final romantic shots or night portraits if desired
  • Hugs, laughs, and last must-have moments


  • Not doing a First Look? Shift portraits and family formals to post-ceremony.
  • If ceremony and reception are at different locations, build in travel time.

9-Hour Wedding Photography Timeline

Full-Day Coverage with First Look

12:00 PM – Photographer Arrives

  • Detail shots: dress, rings, shoes, invitations, bouquet
  • Bride + groom getting ready
  • Candid moments with wedding party
  • Optional: Gift or letter exchange between couple

1:30 PM – First Look + Couple Portraits

  • Private, emotional First Look
  • Romantic portraits of the couple
  • Optional: Personal vows, prayer, or first touch

2:15 PM – Wedding Party Photos

  • Fun and formal shots with bridesmaids + groomsmen
  • Full wedding party group portraits

3:00 PM – Family Portraits

  • Immediate family, followed by larger groups if needed
  • Helps reduce time pressure post-ceremony

4:00 PM – Ceremony Begins

  • Full coverage of ceremony
  • Guests arriving, walking down the aisle, vows, ring exchange, first kiss

4:45 PM – Post-Ceremony Candid Moments

  • Couple soaking in just-married bliss
  • Guests congratulating the couple
  • Backup family portraits if needed

5:15 PM – Cocktail Hour

  • Candid guest interactions
  • Couple sneaks away for  portraits
  • Venue and reception details captured before guests enter

6:00 PM – Reception Begins

  • Grand entrance
  • First dance
  • Welcome speech or blessing
  • Dinner begins (photographer takes quick break here)

7:30 PM – Toasts + Traditions

  • Speeches and toasts
  • Parent dances, cultural traditions, or special moments

8:30 PM – Cake Cutting + Open Dancing

  • Cake or dessert moment
  • Dance floor opens — fun, energy, laughter
  • Group dancing shots, bouquet/garter toss (if doing)

9:00 PM – Photographer Wraps Up

  • Final romantic night portraits (sparklers, sunset, city lights)
  • Candid fun on the dance floor
  • Couple’s private last dance or goodnight kiss if desired
  • Not doing a First Look? Shift portraits and family formals to post-ceremony.
  • If ceremony and reception are at different locations, build in travel time.

12-Hour Wedding Photography Timeline

Full-Day Coverage with All the Magic

10:00 AM – Photographer Arrives

  • Flat lay details: rings, invitations, perfume, jewelry, dress
  • Candid getting ready photos of bride + bridesmaids
  • Robes, champagne toasts, emotional moments

11:00 AM – Groom Getting Ready

  • Solo groom portraits
  • Groomsmen hanging out, toasts, getting suited up

12:00 PM – Bride Gets Dressed

  • Mom or MOH helping with dress
  • Veil, shoes, final touch-ups
  • Bridal solo portraits

1:00 PM – First Look

  • Private First Look between couple
  • Emotional candids + romantic portraits

1:30 PM – Couple + Wedding Party Portraits

  • Couple alone first
  • Full wedding party (fun and formal)
  • Bride + bridesmaids / Groom + groomsmen

2:30 PM – Family Portraits

  • Immediate and extended family groups (based on pre-planned list)
  • Save time later post-ceremony

3:30 PM – Down Time / Buffer

  • Freshen up, light snacks, rest
  • Photographer captures ceremony + reception details

4:30 PM – Ceremony

  • Full coverage: processional, vows, kiss, recessional
  • Guest reactions, wide shots, and close-up emotions

5:15 PM – Just Married Moments

  • Candid congrats from guests
  • Any family portraits not done earlier

5:45 PM – Cocktail Hour

  • Guests mingling, food + drink details
  • Couple sneaks away for portraits
  • Reception space empty shots before guests enter

6:30 PM – Reception Begins

  • Grand entrance
  • First dance
  • Welcome speech + dinner service starts

7:30 PM – Toasts + Speeches

  • Best Man, Maid of Honor, parents, or couple

8:15 PM – Parent Dances / Traditions

  • Father-daughter, mother-son, any cultural or special dances

8:45 PM – Cake Cutting / Dessert

  • Candid reactions, feeding cake (or not!)

9:00 PM – Dance Floor Opens

  • Party time! Candid dancing photos
  • Group shots with friends and family
  • Photo booth if applicable

10:00 PM – Late-Night Fun

  • Outfit change? Slippers? Glow sticks?
  • Late-night snacks or drink service
  • Chill-out lounge or fire pit

10:30 PM – Grand Exit Prep

  • Sparklers, bubbles, glow sticks, or getaway car
  • Final couple portraits or silhouette shots

11:00 PM – Photographer Wraps Up

  • Captures final hugs, kisses, cheers
  • Packed dance floor energy
  • Exit shots to end the album with a bang
  • Not doing a First Look? Shift portraits and family formals to post-ceremony.
  • If ceremony and reception are at different locations, build in travel time.
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