Let’s be real, wedding days can move fast. Between getting ready, the ceremony, and all the photos in between, it’s easy to feel like you’re being pulled in ten directions at once. That’s why having a solid and stress free wedding photo timeline is key. Not only does it keep everything on track, but it also gives you more space to actually enjoy your day. No rushing, no guessing, no stressing.

This post breaks down how to build a photo timeline that makes sense, gives you time to breathe, and keeps the whole day flowing smoothly, just how it should be!

Start with Your Ceremony Time

The ceremony time is what everything else is built around. Once you know when you’re getting married, we can work backward to figure out how much time you’ll need for getting ready, portraits, and any first look moments. Then we’ll move forward to plan for family photos and golden hour shots after the ceremony. The time of year and lighting matter too, especially if your ceremony is outdoors. Sunset timing can make a big difference in how your portraits look, so we’ll definitely take that into account.

First Look or No First Look?

This one’s totally up to you. Doing a first look (where you see each other before the ceremony) can really open up the timeline. We’re able to get your couple portraits, full wedding party photos, and even immediate family photos done ahead of time, which means more time to chill and enjoy the reception after the ceremony.

If you’re skipping the first look and waiting to see each other at the altar, that’s totally fine too! We’ll just plan to take all the portraits afterward. In that case, it helps to make sure your cocktail hour is a little longer so we have enough time to work through everything without making it feel rushed.

If You’re Not Doing a First Look

Without a first look, portraits all happen after the ceremony. This is still totally doable, we just have to be a bit more efficient with time. I usually recommend extending cocktail hour to about 90 minutes so we’re not cramming everything in. We’ll start with family photos, then wedding party, and end with couple portraits before heading into the reception. It’s all about finding that balance between getting the photos you love and still feeling present with your people.

How Much Time Should You Plan For?

Here’s a quick breakdown of how long each part usually takes so you can get a feel for what to expect:

• Details + getting ready: About 1–1.5 hours total
• First look + couple portraits: 30–45 minutes
• Wedding party: 30 minutes
• Immediate family: 20–30 minutes
• Golden hour portraits: 10–15 minutes
• Ceremony: Usually 20–45 minutes depending on your vibe

None of this needs to feel rushed. It’s all about building in enough time so you don’t feel like you’re on a tight schedule all day.

A Few Tips to Keep It All Running Smoothly

The biggest thing I tell my couples? Pad in a little extra time. Even 10–15 minutes here and there can be a game changer. Things run late. Someone forgets their boutonnière. You’ll want time to breathe.

It also helps to share the timeline with your planner, your wedding party, and family members who are part of group photos. That way no one’s wandering off when we need them. Keeping your getting ready space clean(ish) and chill also makes a huge difference in how the morning feels, and how the photos look.

And most importantly: trust your photographer. I’ve done this more times than I can count, and I’ll guide you through it every step of the way!

Let’s Plan It Together

One of the best parts of what I do is helping couples figure all of this out. I’m not just showing up with a camera, I’m helping you build a timeline that feels good, makes sense, and leaves room for real moments! If you’re not sure where to start, or you just want to bounce ideas around, I’ve got you. Let’s make your stress free wedding day come to life!

To see more on the blog, click here. If you’re looking for someone to document your special day, click here!

KIND WORDS

“Cheyenne was so great to work with! We are from Missouri and originally were going to just get engagement pictures, but then realized we just wanted to elope! Cheyenne was so flexible and was so happy to help us celebrate our elopement! We were really nervous to be in front of the camera, but she brought such a calming vibe and guided us through poses, but also allowed us to be candid. She delivered the finished photos so quickly and they did not disappoint. Cheyenne also selflessly edited my Father-In-Law into some family photos after he unexpectedly passed away a few days after our elopement and was not able to be there to celebrate with us. I will cherish those photos forever! I would 1000% book with Cheyenne again. The 13 hour drive was so worth the experience we had!”

-Kourtney C.