With how much creativity and personal customization goes into a wedding day, it can often feel impossible to finalize an exact photography timeline for your special day. However there are ideal time frames and structures to help guide you towards creating the timeline that will best fit your day while allowing enough time to ensure all your special moments are captured. A few of the times allocations may seem extended, but weddings tend to fly by because of all the fun that encompasses the day, and these timeframes make sure we are not only your day but giving you enough time to really soak in the memories.

DRESS, RINGS, SHOES, AND OTHER DETAILS

Sentimental wedding details with engagement ring, grooms ring and wedding band.

Ideal Time Allotment – 15-30 minutes
Ideal Time of the Day – Morning or within the first hour photo arrives
Ideal Location – Bridal Suite or Hotel Suite with good natural light

Advice – Having at least 30 minutes with your details such as: dress, rings, shoes, bouquets, and the other details of the day- allows us enough time to create the perfect photo to showcase these special mementos. Starting with details is also perfect because your friends and family will be able to meet your photographer and allows us to create a connection to better interact and build trust with your loved ones throughout the day.

There may be times when a hotel room is too crowded or lighting conditions are not appealing; often we have to take the dress to a better location such as the lobby or even outside. While this may take some time, you will find that the end result was well worth the additional effort.

PREPARATION

Close up of a white wedding dress being zipped up

Ideal Time Allotment – 30-45 minutes
Ideal Time of the Day – Morning or Early Afternoon
Ideal Location – Bridal Suite or Hotel Suite

Advice – Having an hour for preparation is ideal so we can capture not only details of hair and makeup application, but also candid moments of bridesmaids and groomsmen getting ready. These are often very emotional and special moments therefore you definitely do not want to cut this short.

The lead shooter will be with the bride while the second shooter will be with the groom. Although it might not take the groom an hour to get ready, it still allows for photo opportunities of them spending time with friends and family.

INDIVIDUAL PORTRAITS

Asian bride getting ready on the 32 floor of a luxury hotel in downtown San Diego

Ideal Time Allotment – 15 minutes
Ideal Time of the Day – Morning or Early Afternoon
Ideal Location – Bridal Suite, Hotel Suite, Venue Lobby, or Venue Garden

Advice – Right after prep is the best time for individual portraits of the bride and groom separately. Makeup and hair will be completely fresh and it will provide a perfect opportunity for portraits before the day gets busier.

These portraits are usually done in or around the bridal suite/ groom prep location depending on venue.

FIRST LOOK AND DAYTIME COUPLES SESSION

Emotional First Look surrounded by beautiful flowers at green gables wedding Estate

Ideal Time Allotment – 35-60 minutes
Ideal Time of the Day – Morning or Early Afternoon
Ideal Location – Venue Garden, Empty Venue Hallway (shaded areas with natural light)

Advice – Should you decide to do a first look or first touch, the bride and groom will enjoy seeing each other for the first time on the wedding day or touch hands before the ceremony. While the actual first look/touch might only be 5-10 minutes, it is important to allocate 45 minutes to an hour so the rest of the time is spent on a few basic portraits of the bride and groom. Ideally we are saving the bulk of the couples session for later, referred to as "romantics" (see section below). However, it is always best to allocate another 45 minutes to an hour here so that we make sure we have enough photos of just you two.

WEDDING PARTY PHOTOS

Wedding party cheers at husband and wife kiss

Ideal Time Allotment – 15-30 minutes (Depending on size of bridal party)
Ideal Time of the Day – Morning or Afternoon
Ideal Location -Venue Lobby, Venue Garden, Beach, Park, Off-site Location

Advice – We know how much your wedding party means to you, therefore during this session we will be focusing on a variety of shots that encapsulates your relationship with your chosen group. During this time we will get individual portraits of the bride and groom with each of their bridesmaids/groomsmen, and move on to classic poses of the group as a whole.

Finishing off with some fun and creative shots that include lots of candid laughing and smiling!

IMMEDIATE FAMILY

adorable family photo with newly weds and their children and mini goldendoodle puppy

Ideal Time Allotment – 30-45 minutes (depending on family size)
Ideal Time of the Day – Morning or Afternoon
Ideal Location -Venue Lobby, Venue Garden, Beach, Park, Off-site Location

Advice –It’s important to have additional images with your parents, grandparents, and siblings beyond the basic formal session we will have after ceremony. This session secures that we get those vital portraits with those close to you and will reduce the stress if any family members wander off after the ceremony.

Plan on 3 minutes per group on average. For example, if you have 10 groups, schedule in a 30 minute time slot.

CEREMONY DETAIL AND VENUE

Los Willows wedding estate ceremony set up with white chairs and flower arch

Ideal Time Allotment – 15 minutes

Ideal Location – Ceremony Site
Ideal Time of the Day – Morning or Afternoon
Advice – Prior to ceremony, this time allocation will allow us to capture your ceremony site prior to any guests seating down. This allows us to photograph the site as a whole and all the wonderful details you will want to look back on.

Before you have the guests seated, it’s important that we are there to capture the your ceremony site so we can capture the scene at its best.

FORMALS (EXTENDED FAMILY, IMMEDIATE FAMILY, AND FRIENDS)

Ideal Time Allotment – 20-35 minutes
Ideal Time of the Day – Morning or Afternoon (Post Ceremony)
Ideal Location – Ceremony Site

Advice – Formals consist of individual or group photographs with your family, immediate family, and friends. This will usually take around 45 minutes to 1 hour depending on the size of your family and the number of guests and combinations you would like.

Plan on 3 minutes per group on average. For example, if you have 10 groups, schedule in a 30 minute time slot. Some couples will decide that they want a picture with all guests while others have decided that they only want pictures with select VIPs to save time, the choice is completely up to you.

We recommend something in between. In order to keep on time, we strongly recommend creating a list with all the guests and group combinations you would like, as well as enlisting helpers to keep everyone organized.

COUPLES SESSION (ROMANTICS)

Romantic photo of bride and groom enjoying the sunset together

Ideal Time Allotment – 1 hour
Ideal Time of the Day – Late Afternoon (Sunset)
Ideal Location – Venue Garden, Beach, Hotel Lobby, Park

Advice –Couple session should be around 1 hour and should take place ideally 30 to 45 minutes before sunset (see Reception Sneak out below). During this time we will focus purely on the connection between bride & groom. Our approach is very much relaxed and candid during this time, we like to show the authentic and unique love between the couple, and the best way to do that is to let you enjoy the moment and have fun with one another.

If you have any specific poses or shots you had envisioned, this is also the best time to make sure we get those as well.

You will find this time in the day after your ceremony will show the best smiles and giggles as the excitement of finally saying "I do!" makes the couple glow with happiness.

RECEPTION DETAIL AND VENUE

Ideal Time Allotment – 15 minutes
Ideal Time of the Day – Early Evening
Ideal Location – Reception Site

Advice – During this time we will take pictures of the reception room, completely set up with no guests or vendors in the area.

Similar to ceremony details, this is when we capture the beauty of your reception space and all the thoughtful elements included.

COUPLES SESSION – RECEPTION SNEAK OUT

newly wed couple slow dancing lakeside together

Ideal Time Allotment – 10 minutes
Ideal Time of the Day – Dusk to Night Time
Ideal Location – Areas with interesting lights, fountains, city scapes and mirrors

Advice –During the reception, please plan on sneaking out for a couple of sunset photos (if not captured in Couple session) or night time shots. We only need 20-30 minutes, as we understand you want to enjoy the rest of reception with family and friends. This time is important for you to acquire the night time /sunset photography that we deliver.

Sunset is vital if you specifically chose your venue due to the beautiful views and backdrops, as this is the time with the best lighting conditions for colorful skies and scenic shots. Otherwise, it is a perfect time during the night to get a quick break from the noise and once again enjoy some one-on-one time with your bride/groom.

Many venues also include interesting lights throughout the property that make for beautiful backdrops during night time shoots.

Additional Wedding Day Details

Table Shots – Table shots are when you go around visiting tables, saying hello to your guests. There are two options for photography during this time. (1) You can take formal pictures with each of these tables or (2) we can simply focus on candids, capturing the smiles and hugs as you mingle with each table. If you’re planning on doing formal table shots, please keep in mind that these will take about 3-5 minutes per table. For example 20 tables would require 60-100 minutes of time.

Cultural Weddings – For cultural weddings like Indian weddings, there are elements like the Baraat that require time to photograph. More more information on this and Indian weddings visit our Indian Wedding Timeline page.