4-Hour Wedding Photography Timeline
with a First Look
This is possible! We will not have a lot of time for portraits, but we can still capture your day beautifully.
- Getting Ready-10 minutes-10 mins
We will not be able to have enough time to photograph the groom getting ready.
We will focus on the bride putting on her wedding attire.
- The First Look-15 Minutes
Arrange a time when just the bride and groom meet for their first look. The bridesmaids and groomsmen wait inside if you are doing the first look outside or have them wait in a different room if you are doing it inside. This gives them privacy for a special and intimate moment, and also helps save time.
- Wedding Couple Portraits-20 minutes
- Wedding Party Portraits-20 minutes
- Formal Family Portraits-20 minutes
- Wedding Details-20 minutes
I always allow 20 minutes for light prep to take test shots of the ceremony venue, and to capture candid images of the guests arriving. I try to have all the photographs done of the main participants of the wedding so that they can be part of the wedding ceremony about to take place. I also use this time to capture wedding ceremony details, including the guest book, guest book attendants, ceremony venue details, programs, and décor.
- Ceremony-30 Minutes
If you are having a longer ceremony, timeline for the ceremony, we will need more time than 30 minutes. Usually, the couple will have a good idea of how long their ceremony will be, so always default to them! If they’re not sure, have them correspond with their officiant.
- Ceremony Exit-15 minutes
A few photos of the newly married couple after saying their I DO’s
- Reception-90 minutes
The bare minimum of time for a wedding reception is an hour and a half. The most efficient way to enter the reception is to have the DJ introduce you as you walk in. Instead of a receiving line that can take a very long time to get through, walk around to each table and thank your guests for celebrating with you. I recommend the first dance is done upon entry, before dinner. This ensures you get the important moments in the event that toasts take longer than expected, or if dinner takes longer than planned.
5 Minutes: Entrances
10 Minutes: First Dances
If there are any stepparents or any other special people they would like to include in the first dances, I recommend that someone cut in halfway through the song. This will allow you to get the images you need, and for more people to have their dance! It also gives you more time to photograph the more sentimental dances.
10 Minutes: Cake Cutting
10 to 20 Minutes: Toasts
This can last longer depending on how many people are toasting.
30 to 45 Minutes: Dinner
During dinner on a 4-hour wedding coverage day, I would photograph the wedding reception details and the rings. Also, find out if the toasts can be done during dinner, this will also allow for more time.
- Staged Exit-a few minutes
During a 4-hour timeline, I (the photographer) will likely leave before the party is over. So, we will plan a staged exit to get those fun celebratory photos everyone loves!
