If you are starting out in the wedding photography business, you should create a wedding timeline template for yourself. A photography timeline for a wedding can help you ensure you don't miss any critical shots.

It can also help you streamline the order in which you photograph a wedding. You'll want to individualize the timeline for each wedding based on any specific requests the wedding couple have for their photography.

Why You Need a Timeline

A wedding is a once-in-a-lifetime event. There are no do-overs. As the wedding photographer, it's your job to capture all of the essential details and poignant moments. A wedding photography timeline can keep you running on schedule and keep you organized. 

Here are more reasons why you should work with a photography timeline:

• A detailed photography timeline will ensure that you don't forget any essential shots, like portraits of the beloved aunt or grandmother or images of the rings or bouquets.

• It also acts as an agenda for the day.

• You will be able to manage your time as you move from shot to shot. For example, you'll know it's time to shoot pictures of the bride getting ready or for you to leave for the church so you can capture her arriving.

• The timeline will be based on the day's events, which means it's also useful for the wedding couple to know what to expect from you and when. You'll want to share the timeline with them.

• Part of being a great photographer is being organized. Timelines help you to remained organized and to plan ahead.

• You'll want to share the timeline with other vendors for the event so that they also know what to expect.

The wedding photography timeline should be a collaboration between you and the wedding couple to ensure things go smoothly on the day of the event. It also helps to ensure that the couple gets all the portraits they expect.

You will want to create your timeline after extensive conversations with your clients. Also, be sure they receive a copy of it at least a month before the wedding. About a week to ten days before the wedding, you should confirm the final timeline with them.

Lastly, you will want to create a wedding photography template that you can use and adapt for each wedding you shoot. Having a template will save you time for the next wedding because you won't need to create a new one each time. Simply pull out it out and adapt it to your client's specific needs.

1. Important Questions

To be able to write an efficient and accurate wedding photography timeline, you'll need the answers to questions similar to the ones we suggest below. While you can work off of your template, be sure to leave room for additional questions. Because weddings can be so individualized to a couple's caste, religion, or culture, you could find yourself asking questions not already on your template.

2. Before the ceremony

Wedding photography doesn't typically start at the wedding service. It's pretty common to take pictures before the ceremony, such as photos of the bride at home or at a hotel getting ready or the bride and groom seeing each other before the service.

• Will you be taking any portraits before the ceremony, like "first look," and will they be inside or outside?

• If the portraits will be inside, where do they want them taken?

• Do they want family and bridal party portraits are taken before the ceremony and where?

• Are there any special portraits they want taken before the ceremony or following the ceremony before the reception? Where?

• Go over a list of "typical" portraits you take for weddings and establish which ones they'd like done.
  

3. During the ceremony

You'll want to know as much as possible about the service and their expectations for their photographs. 

• Go through the details of the service, including possible angles from where you should shoot, any restrictions on access at the ceremony venue, etc.

• How long will the ceremony last?

• How many people do they expect?

• When will the bridal party begin arriving?

• You'll want to know what happens between the ceremony and the start of the reception, so you'll know what to do.

4. Reception

Again, you'll want to know as much as possible about the reception, including what individual portraits do they want you to shoot during the reception. 

• Are there any unique customs they want to be photographed?

• Any special guests you need to photograph?

• What sort of details do they want you to capture from the reception?

• Very importantly, is how long do they want you to stay at the reception? For example, are you expected to stay until the wedding couple departs so you can photograph their leaving?

A Sample Timeline

1. Pre-wedding preparation

Time: at least 30+ minutes 

Location: Bridal home, hotel room, or venue

Tips: You'll want pictures of the dress, her being made-up/hair done, rings, shoes, bouquets, and the other details of the preparation for the day. Pay close attention to the bride, and her mother or another close relative as these can make poignant images. Don't forget portraits of the groom, his groomsmen, and father or another close relative as well. 

2. Individual portraits

Time: 30-60+ minutes

Location: Bridal home, hotel room, or venue  

Tips: Immediately following the wedding preparation can be a good time to do individual portraits of the bride, groom, and other special relatives on-site. If the home, hotel, or venue is particularly beautiful, leverage that as a nice background.

3. First look

Time: 30-45+ minutes

Ideal Location: Venue, indoors, or outdoors to leverage natural light.

Tip: Not all couples decide to do this, but if they do, you will capture that first moment when they see each other before the service. If they've opted to do a first look, you could use part of this time allotment for both individual and couple's portraits of the bride and groom.

4. Couple's session

Time: 1+ hour

Ideal Location: An agreed-upon venue or site, ideally outdoors to leverage the natural light

Tips: Some couples opt for a separated couple's session taken earlier on their wedding day or on another day altogether.  

5. Wedding party

Time: 45-60+ minutes, mostly because it's a group picture

Location: Venue, indoors, or outdoors to leverage natural light

Tips: How long it takes depends on what style of images the couple has asked for and how easy it is to corral the group for their pictures. Be sure to ask the couple ahead of time if they want individual portraits of each member of the bridal party as they make great gifts.

6. Family portraits

Time: 30-45 minutes

Location: Venue, indoors, or outdoors to leverage natural light

Tips: These are the immediate family portraits most wedding couples opt for. This will likely take you the entire 45 minutes, but you might want to add a few extra minutes to the timeline, just in case. Anyone that the couple wants in the pictures should be on-site before you're ready to begin shooting. This helps to keep things running on time, and there's no waiting around for someone to arrive. 

7. Ceremony and venue

Time: depends on the length of service; typically, 30-60 minutes

Location: Ceremony site

Tips: Confirm with the officiant the length of the service and ask for details about the service so you can better position yourself to take the pictures. You'll also want to ask the couple if they want any pictures of the site shot before anyone arrives.  

8. Reception

Time: 30+ minutes

Location: site of reception

Tips: You will need to discuss with the couple how long they want you at the reception taking photos. Some will want you there throughout the entire reception, while others will only want you for the early part of the reception. What specific portraits they want to be taken during the reception will greatly affect how long you have to stay. Also, consider taking some pictures before the venue fills with guests so you can isolate important details such as flowers, table arrangements, etc. without distraction.

9. Reception arrival

Time: 10 minutes

Location: Reception Site

Tips: Be ready to capture the arriving couple just as they enter the venue. If their first dance is immediately upon arrival, you'll find that you use the entire 10 minutes you've allotted for the arrival.

10. During the reception

Time: 20-30 minutes

Location: Venue

Tips: Most couples will want their photographer to wander around during the reception to take some candid shots of the guests and the event. This could last about 20-30 minutes but might go on much longer, depending on the number of guests, etc. This is also a good time to take a few posed photographs as well. If you plan on doing group shots of the guest tables, plan on allowing about 3-6 minutes per table.