Planning weddings is definitely tough, especially the whole “how many hours do we need a photographer for?” Every wedding is different, so this post should serve as a rough guide, not a strict timeline, as to how many hours you might need. Keep reading to see how you can craft your perfect timeline!
BRIDAL DETAILS: 1-2 HOURS
- Details of invitation, jewelry, perfume, shoes, bouquet, veil, and any special items
- Makeup and hair finishing touches
- Bride and bridesmaids in pajamas or robes
- Bride getting zipped in dress, putting on earrings, veil, shoes
Having about 30 mins for details shots is ideal, and the rest of the time can be allotted for the bride getting dressed as well as candids of what’s happening in the getting-ready room. (Pro tip: try to keep the getting-ready area as tidy as possible so the photographers can have more time to take pictures and less time tidying.)
GROOM DETAILS: 30-45 MINS
- Details of cufflinks, watch, boutonniere, shoes, socks, tie, any special items (flask, cologne, etc.)
- Groom putting on shoes, cufflinks, adjusting tie and hair
- Groom with groomsmen, drinking shots, group photos
FIRST LOOK AND COUPLE’S SESSION: 45 MINS TO 1 HOUR
While the actual first look takes 5-10 mins, we like to add in some buffer time plus time for couple’s photos afterwards. If there is no other time for couple’s photos, about 45 mins should be allocated for this whole photo session.
BRIDAL PARTY PHOTOS: 30-45 MINS
- Entire bridal party
- Bride with each bridesmaid
- Groom with each groomsmen
- Bride with bridal party
- Groom with groomsmen
Depends on bridal-party size, of course, but 30-45 mins is usually enough. We start off with some traditional bridal party photos then move on to more silly/goofy/fun ones. You may need more time if you have a large bridal party (more than 5 members on each side)
CEREMONY: 20-30 MINS
Talk to your officiant to get a better idea of how long this takes. It can vary greatly. We’ve had ceremonies last five minutes and others last nearly an hour.
GROUP FAMILY PHOTOS: 15-30 MINS
Family photos should not take too much time as long as we’re prepared! We will send out a questionnaire about 3 months prior to your wedding asking for specific family listings. Please make sure everyone who needs to be in the photos is aware to stick around for this part. We will call out names and move through it pretty quickly, almost like an assembly line 😛
COUPLE’S SESSION: 30 MINS TO 1 HOUR
If you’re not doing a first look that is followed by a photo session between you two, you’ll need to allocate time somewhere else in the day to have a couple’s session. This can be around sunset or right before/during cocktail hour.
RECEPTION DECOR AND COCKTAIL HOUR: 15 MINS
RECEPTION EVENTS: 2-3 HOURS
Think about if you’d like to do a cake cutting, bouquet toss, garter toss, or any other even that you want photos of.
Sample Timelines
6 HOUR TIMELINE WITH FIRST LOOK – 5 PM CEREMONY
- 3:00 pm photogs arrive for tail end of getting ready at ceremony/reception site
- 4:00 pm first look and couple’s photos
- 5:00 pm ceremony
- 5:30 pm cocktail hour, family photos, wedding party photos
- 6:45 pm reception starts, intros, first dance, speeches
- 7:45 pm cake cutting and parent dances
- 8:00 pm dance floor opens
- 9:00 pm photogs leave
8 HOUR TIMELINE WITH NO FIRST LOOK – 4:30 PM CEREMONY
- 2:00-3:00 pm Bride getting dressed/Detail shots, mom helping her in dress at hotel
- 3:00-3:45 pm Groom and Groomsmen arrive and get dressed at hotel
- 3:45 pm leave for the venue
- 4:00 pm photos of reception space/ceremony space, buffer time
- 4:30 pm ceremony starts
- 5:00 pm ceremony Ends, family portraits bridal party and couple photos
- Cocktail hour begins
- 6:00 pm Reception begins with entrances, first dance and then dinner and speeches.
- 7:30 pm parent dances
- 8:00 pm dance floor opens, cake cutting
- 10:00 pm Photographers leave
10 HOUR TIMELINE, MULTIPLE LOCATIONS, FIRST LOOK, 4:30 PM CEREMONY & AN EXIT
- 12:30 pm photogs arrive for details shots, bride getting ready
- 1:30 pm groom getting ready
- 2:00 pm travel time to first look spot
- 2:30 pm first look and couple’s photos
- 3:30 pm travel time to ceremony location
- 4:00 pm details shots of venue, reception
- 4:30 pm ceremony
- 5:00 pm cocktail hour, bridal party, family photos,
- 6:00 pm reception starts, entrances, first dance
- 6:30 pm dinner, speeches
- 7:00 pm parent dances, cake cutting
- 7:30 pm dance floor opens
- 8:30 pm bouquet toss, garter toss
- 9:30 pm grand exit
- 10:00 pm photogs leave
So once again, this guide is meant to be just that: a guide. Hopefully it helps you if you find yourself stuck figuring out how much time you should hire a photographer for. If you need any more guidance, feel free to send us a message through our contact form, even if you’re not sure you’re booking with us! Of course, if you are ready to book….
