The secret to a stress-free wedding day? Time! Here, my recommended wedding photography timeline for my couples.

Of course, the schedule is very customizable, depending on what you and your partner are looking for. Unexpected things can happen on your wedding day! That’s why a schedule, with plenty of time built in for the important things, is the best way to ensure you’ll have dream photos of your day forever. 

Here is my recommended wedding photography timeline for a traditional 8-hour wedding day without a first look, as well as minimum timeframes I recommend for photographing various parts of the day:

GETTING READY

1:30 pm- Photographer Arrival

-Detail shots of the dress/suit and other items such as the invitation, perfume, cologne, shoes, jewelry, rings, sentimental items (min. 20 minutes)

2 pm- Getting Ready Photos

-Wedding party, marrier and/or family members getting ready (min. 20 minutes)

2:15- Group Photos with Wedding Party

-Everyone in robes or pjs celebrating with a champagne toast

2:45- Marrier in Dress/Suit

2:45- Celebrant Detail Photos

-Detail shots of the dress/suit, and other items such as shoes, tie, cufflinks, cologne, perfume, jewelry, watch, rings, sentimental items

3 pm- Wedding party dressed

3 pm- Celebrant starts getting ready

-Suit/Dress, shoes, etc.

WEDDING PARTY

3:30- Outside marrier attendant group photos (min. 15 mins)

4 pm- Outside celebrant attendant group photos (min. 15 mins)

4:30- Ceremony detail photos (min. 15 mins)

CEREMONY

5pm- Ceremony

5:30- Family Photos (min. 30 mins)

Want a family photos list cheatsheet? Keep scrolling to the end!

WEDDING PARTY & FAMILY

6pm- Wedding party photos (min. 20 mins)

6:20- Bride/Groom photos (min. 30 mins)

RECEPTION

7pm- Grand Entrance

– First dance for newlyweds

7:10- Dinner

7:45- Toasts

8pm- Father/Mother Dance with Newlywed

8:15- Cake Cutting (min. 5 mins)

8:20- Open Dance Floor

8:40- Bouquet/Garter Toss

8:45- Open Dance Floor

9:15- Grand Exit (min. 15 mins)

9:30pm- End Time

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Here is the list of the minimum amount of time certain moments may take to photograph.

Details, dress & flatlay- 20 min

Getting dressed- 20 min

First look- 15 min

Groomsmen- 15 min

Bridesmaids- 15 min

Wedding party- 20 min

Family photos- 30 min

Couple portraits- 30 min

Ceremony/Reception details- 15 min

Cake Cutting- 5 min

Grand Exit- 15 min

And as promised, here’s a little bonus cheat sheet of must-have family photos!

• Bride, groom + brides parents
• Bride, groom + bride’s parents & siblings
• Bride + siblings
• Bride + mom
• Bride + dad
• Bride, groom + brides parents & grandparents
• Bride + bride’s grandparents
• Generational photo

• Bride, groom + both sets of parents
• Bride groom + both sides of family

• Bride, groom + groom’s parents
• Bride, groom + groom’s parents & siblings
• Groom + siblings
• Groom + mom
• Groom + dad
• Bride, groom + groom’s parents & grandparents
• Groom + groom’s grandparents
• Generational photo

Looking for a SoCal wedding photographer?

I would love to connect with you and see what your vision is for your big day. To get in touch with me, you can fill out my contact form and I’ll get back to you ASAP. In the meantime, I would love for you to check out this blog all about my favorite Temecula wedding venues