If you’ve made it here, it means you are trusting me with your photos, and I absolutely cannot wait!
Think of this guide as your backstage pass to a seamless wedding photography experience. Inside, you will find everything you need to know about photography on your wedding day, along with some helpful tips!
Your wedding day is so much more than a checklist or a strict schedule. It’s a collection of fleeting moments happening all around you. That is the story I am here to preserve.
We will certainly craft gorgeous portraits and check off every family formal and bridal party grouping on your list. Just as importantly, we’re leaving room for the unscripted documented moments so your final gallery feels less like a record of events and more like a portal you can step right back into.
Everything you’ll see throughout this guide is meant to give you an idea of what your wedding experience with me could look like. Your wedding day is completely unique to you, so not every detail, timeline, photo, or suggestion in this guide will apply to your day!
Your wedding day comes together through a collection of moving pieces, big and small. Use this list as a starting point for vendor ideas to brainstorm every detail along your planning journey!
The Essentials:
Venue
Wedding Planner / Coordinator (I would HIGH recommend not skipping this!!!)
Officiant
Style & Aesthetic:
Florist
Bridal Gown (boutique, vintage, or Etsy has unique handmade dresses!)
Suit / Tux Shop
Rentals / Décor
Signage
Calligrapher
Paper Goods & Memories: Stationery / Invitations
Guest Book / Guest Log
Live Painter
Glam & Comfort: Hair & Makeup Artist
Transportation
Lighting
Food & Celebration:
Catering
Cake / Desserts
DJ / Band
Ceremony Musicians
Extra Moments:
Content Creator: I would highly recommend Digitally Lilly!
Videographer
Rehearsal Dinner
Wedding Favors / Gifts
Ring Security
Sparklers / Send-off items
The key to a smooth wedding day is building in extra time. A well-paced timeline allows everything to feel relaxed, natural, and stress-free, even when the unexpected happens!
Below are two sample 8-hour timelines & 9-hour timelines I’ve created to help guide your planning. Please let me know if you need any suggestions for your specific day!
8 hour timeline examples
Option A: With a First Look
• 12:00 PM – Photographer Arrives | Detail shots (dress, rings, shoes, invitations) & getting ready candids.
• 1:00 PM – Getting Ready Photos | Hair and makeup finishing touches, bride + bridesmaids, and groom prep.
• 2:00 PM – First Look + Portraits | First look, bride & groom portraits, and primary wedding party photos.
• 3:30 PM – Hide Away / Freshen Up | Touch-ups before the ceremony while guests begin arriving.
• 4:00 PM – The Ceremony | Full ceremony coverage.
• 4:30 PM – Family Photos | Immediate family + extended family groupings.
• 4:50 PM – Wedding Party Photos | Any remaining full wedding party photos.
• 5:15 PM – Cocktail Hour / Reception Details | Empty reception space styling, décor, and guest candids.
• 5:45 PM – Reception Begins | Grand entrance, first dance, and welcome toast.
• 6:15 PM – Dinner + Toasts | Candid moments, dinner service, and speeches.
• 7:00 PM – Golden Hour Photos | Quick, romantic sunset portraits.
• 7:20 PM – Open Dancing & Reception Events | Cake cutting, bouquet toss, and dance floor coverage.
• 8:00 PM – Photographer Departs
Option B: Without a First Look
• 12:30 PM – Photographer Arrives | Detail shots (dress, rings, shoes, invitations) & getting ready candids.
• 1:30 PM – Getting Ready Photos | Bride + bridesmaids portraits, groom prep, and candid moments.
• 2:30 PM – Bridal Party Photos (Separate) | Bride with bridesmaids and groom with groomsmen.
• 4:00 PM – The Ceremony | Full ceremony coverage.
• 4:30 PM – Family Photos | Immediate family + extended family groupings.
• 4:50 PM – Wedding Party Photos | Full wedding party together for the first time.
• 5:10 PM – Bride & Groom Portraits | Newlywed couple portraits.
• 5:30 PM – Reception Begins | Grand entrance, first dance, and welcome toast.
• 6:00 PM – Dinner + Toasts | Candid moments, dinner service, and speeches.
• 7:00 PM – Golden Hour Photos | Quick, romantic sunset portraits.
• 7:20 PM – Open Dancing & Reception Events | Cake cutting, bouquet toss, and full dance floor coverage.
• 8:30 PM – Photographer Departs
9 hour timeline examples
Option A: With a First Look
• 11:00 AM – Photographer Arrives | Detail shots (dress, rings, shoes, invitations) & getting ready candids.
• 12:00 PM – Getting Ready Photos | Hair & makeup finishing touches, bride + bridesmaids, groom prep, and candid moments.
• 1:30 PM – First Look + Portraits | First look, bride & groom portraits, bridal party photos.
• 2:45 PM – Family Photos | Immediate family + extended family groupings while everyone is together.
• 3:30 PM – Hide Away / Freshen Up | Final touch-ups, bridal party tucked away, and guests begin arriving.
• 4:00 PM – The Ceremony | Full ceremony coverage.
• 4:30 PM – Cocktail Hour / Reception Details | Empty reception space, décor, cake, florals, and guest candids.
• 5:30 PM – Reception Begins | Grand entrance, first dance, welcome toast, and dinner.
• 6:15 PM – Dinner + Toasts | Candid moments, dinner service, speeches, and table interactions.
• 7:00 PM – Golden Hour Photos | Romantic sunset portraits with your spouse.
• 7:30 PM – Open Dancing & Reception Events | Cake cutting, bouquet toss, dancing, and candid guest moments.
• 8:30 PM – Final Moments / Grand Exit | Final dance, private last moments, or sparkler exit.
• 9:00 PM – Photographer Departs
Option B: Without a First Look
• 11:00 AM – Photographer Arrives | Detail shots (dress, rings, shoes, invitations) & getting ready candids.
• 12:00 PM – Getting Ready Photos | Bride + bridesmaids portraits, groom prep, and candid moments.
• 1:30 PM – Bridal Party Photos (Separate) | Bride with bridesmaids, groom with groomsmen.
• 2:30 PM – Final Touch-Ups / Hide Away | Final getting ready moments before the ceremony.
• 4:00 PM – The Ceremony | Full ceremony coverage.
• 4:30 PM – Family Photos | Immediate family + extended family groupings.
• 4:50 PM – Wedding Party Photos | Full wedding party together for the first time.
• 5:15 PM – Bride & Groom Portraits | Newlywed couple portraits while guests enjoy cocktail hour.
• 5:45 PM – Reception Begins | Grand entrance, first dance, and welcome toast.
• 6:15 PM – Dinner + Toasts | Candid moments, dinner service, speeches, and guest interactions.
• 7:00 PM – Golden Hour Photos | Quick, romantic sunset portraits.
• 7:30 PM – Open Dancing & Reception Events | Cake cutting, bouquet toss, dancing, and candid moments.
• 8:30 PM – Final Moments / Grand Exit | Final dance, private last moments, or sparkler exit.
• 9:00 PM – Photographer Departs
I know you've put so much thought into every detail of your wedding day, and I love taking the time to preserve those meaningful pieces of your story!
NOTE: Please have these items together in one place (for example, a shoebox or tote bag). Put your items in one box and your groom's in another. Do not forget to put all of your rings (engagement ring and wedding bands) in here!
I love to incorporate florals in my detail shots. If at all possible, I will grab the bride's bouquet and incorporate it. If the bouquet can be arranged to be there along with the other bridal details, that would be awesome! I also highly recommend asking your florist for a few loose stems or extra ribbon to include.
Items to have ready (all may not apply):
• HIS: Shoes, rings, ring box, tie or bowtie, tie clip, pocket square, watch, cuff links, cologne, vow book, etc.
• HERS: Invitation suite, loose florals, shoes (with stickers removed!), veil, rings, ring box, bracelets, earrings, necklace, hair pieces, perfume, vow book, etc.
• IN ADDITION: Feel free to include any sentimental or textured items (lace, fabric swatches, family heirlooms) to add depth to your photos.
Please hang your dress on a nice wooden or decorative hanger, and make sure any store tags or plastic wrappers are removed from your shoes and dress hanger beforehand!
THE GETTING READY SPACE
Make sure to be intentional about your getting-ready location if possible. For example, if you decide to get ready in a stuffy hotel bathroom with bad lighting and no windows, you might feel stressed and claustrophobic.
Instead... consider getting ready in an open, clean room with soft natural light coming through the windows, a place that will make you feel more at peace!
THE CEREMONY
The best time to start your ceremony is around 2 hours before sunset! You can search what time the sunset is on your wedding day on Google. The reason you want to start your ceremony 2 hours before sunset is that this gives us ample time to capture any photos afterward.
Family formals come immediately after the ceremony, so making sure family members stay put after the ceremony ends is so important. Letting the wedding officiant know to make this announcement right before the recessional is a great idea.
Since I usually only have a limited time to photograph the family photo portion of the day, I will ask for a detailed family photo list in your pre-wedding questionnaire!
You will list the exact groupings of family photos you would like taken after the ceremony.
• EX: BRIDE & GROOM WITH GROOM'S PARENTS (THOMAS & MARY).
Having a list saves so much time and makes the process incredibly simple! The reason I ask for actual names of family members is that it prevents any family dynamic awkwardness. Instead of saying "bride with dad and step-mom," I can just say, "Sarah with Tom and Sally." It’s much more professional, warm, and family members are far more likely to respond quickly to hearing their actual name called!
If you are having a First Look: We will actually take care of the majority of these photos before the ceremony. We will only need to grab some quick "just married" group shots before letting everyone go.
If you are NOT having a First Look: We will jump right into these immediately following family formals. To keep things moving quickly and fun, I'll have your bridesmaids and groomsmen line up nearby so we can efficiently transition from large group dynamics down to your individual portraits.
BRIDE & GROOM ENTRANCE
This is when the energy shifts and the celebration truly begins! I’ll be there catching all the high-energy, candid moments as you make your big debut as newlyweds.
Cinematic Light Tip: Please ask your venue coordinator, planner, or DJ to turn off colored uplighting, lasers, or moving strobe lights during key formal moments (the grand entrance, first dance, parent dances, and cake cutting). Clean, warm, or natural room lighting ensures your photos look timeless, romantic, and beautifully true-to-color!
DINNER
Since absolutely no one wants photos of themselves with open mouths full of food, my second shooter and I will take our dinner break at the exact same time you do.
Vendor Placement Tip: When coordinating vendor meals with your caterer, please request that your photography team is seated in the main reception space (or a room immediately adjacent) rather than a hidden back hallway. Once you finish eating, you may decide to spontaneously mingle or do a table greeting, and I want to make sure I don't miss a single unscripted moment because I was locked in a random back room!
PARTY
Once the formal events wrap up, it’s time to let loose! I will be right out on the dance floor with you, capturing all the fun, chaotic, and joyful dancing photos of your wedding party, family, and closest friends.
EXIT
If you are planning a grand finale, a sparkler exit is an incredibly whimsical and cinematic way to end the night!
Venue Check: Make sure to double-check with your venue ahead of time to ensure they allow open flames and sparklers on the property.
The Secret to the Perfect Shot: Don't rush it! I will usually have you walk—or playfully run—down the sparkler line at least twice. This gives us a variety of focal lengths, allows you to dip or kiss in the middle, and guarantees we get that epic, magical closing shot for your album.
Your wedding day will go by quickly. There will be moments you remember forever, and little moments you never even knew happened.
Take in every moment and be present!
The day will go by faster than you expect, so soak it all in. The little moments, the happy tears, the laughter, the people you love gathered around you. Let yourself be fully there for it all. I’ll be there to preserve all the moments you may miss, so you can relive them for years to come.
Thank you for trusting me to preserve such an important part of your story.
If there is any part of this guide you have a question about, or anything I did not touch on, please let me know!