Capturing Memories: The Perfect Wedding Photographer Timeline

Wedding photography typically starts a minimum of 3 hours before the ceremony, ideally 1.5 hours before, to capture bridal preparation and details like florals, dresses, venue, rings, trinkets, shoes, memoirs, etc. The majority of photos that you will print, put on canvas, and select to be in your heirloom album are typically the ones from the first 4-5 hours of the day.

When to start coverage - 1.5 hours to 3 hours before the ceremony

The majority of your photos that you will print, put on canvas, and select to be in your heirloom album are typically the ones from the first 4-5 hours of the day. This is because your Getting Ready, Details (florals, dresses, venue, rings, trinkets, shoes, memoirs, etc.), Formal Bridal, Formal Groom, Wedding Parties, and First Look (optional) photos are all taken before the ceremony start time.

Most brides have one big thing in mind, which is having bridal preparations covered. I like to start coverage around 1.5 hours before the ceremony so that I can cover bridal preparation. I don’t think it’s necessary to start any earlier as no-one wants photos of themselves with no make up on at all!

All these images are also typically finished 30-45 minutes before the ceremony so that the Bride can hide from guests arriving, touch up on her make-up, and hang out with her girls. The common misunderstanding most brides have when they book their wedding photographer is this: “My wedding ceremony starts at 5pm and we have the venue until 11pm. Therefore, I need 6 hours of coverage”. What you need to know is that Wedding Photography starts a MINIMUM of 3 hours before your ceremony.

It depends on the wedding day details and what type of photography coverage the bride and groom require. If a couple is having bridal preparations covered, I would usually start at least 3 hours prior to the ceremony start time. The majority of your photos that you will print, put on canvas, and select to be in your heirloom album are typically the ones from the first 4-5 hours of the day.

Importance of timing - First 4-5 hours for best photos

The majority of your photos that you will print, put on canvas, and select to be in your heirloom album are typically the ones from the first 4-5 hours of the day. This is because your Getting Ready, Details (florals, dresses, venue, rings, trinkets, shoes, memoirs, etc.), Formal Bridal, Formal Groom, Wedding Parties, and First Look (optional) photos are all taken before the ceremony start time.

Most brides have one big thing in mind, which is to have their wedding ceremony start at 5 pm and have the venue until 11 pm. However, wedding photography starts a minimum of 3 hours before your ceremony.

Photographers and videographers must consider natural and artificial light, the weather conditions, and the audience for the property to highlight the unique features of every property. Every photographer will tell you that the best time of day to do photos is starting/ending within 1-2 hours of sunset or sunrise. Shadows create depth and the angle of the light also produces nice shadows and pleasing contrast, adding depth to your images. Timing is everything and be sure to arrive early enough to set up and be ready to go the moment the light is right. Keep shooting constantly, as the light can change minute-to-minute during this time of day. Be sure to shoot through the full hour to capture the wide range of effects.

Bridal preparation - 3 hours before the ceremony

3 hours before the ceremony is the minimum time that a photographer should arrive for bridal preparation. This is because most of the photos that will be printed, put on canvas, and selected for the heirloom album are typically taken in the first 4-5 hours of the day. This is because bridal preparation, details, formal bridal, formal groom, wedding parties, and first look photos are all taken before the ceremony starts.

30-45 minutes before the ceremony is when all the images are typically finished so that the bride can hide from guests arriving, touch up on her make-up, and hang out with her girls.

5 hours before the ceremony is when some photographers like to start coverage so that they can cover bridal preparation.

4 hours before the ceremony is when most brides start their preparation especially if you’re planning a First Look or if your photographer has to travel from your getting ready location to your ceremony location and/or to your reception location.

6 hours of coverage is what most brides think they need when they book their wedding photographer, but what they need to know is that wedding photography starts a minimum of 3 hours before your ceremony.

Reception, couple session - After the ceremony

Wedding photography typically starts a minimum of 3 hours before the ceremony and most even 4 hours before, especially if you’re planning a First Look or if your photographer has to travel from your getting ready location to your ceremony location and/or to your reception location.

The majority of your photos that you will print, put on canvas, and select to be in your heirloom album are typically the ones from the first 4-5 hours of the day. This is because your Getting Ready, Details (florals, dresses, venue, rings, trinkets, shoes, memoirs, etc.), Formal Bridal, Formal Groom, Wedding Parties, and First Look (optional) photos are all taken before the ceremony start time.

All these images are also typically finished 30-45 minutes before the ceremony so that the Bride can hide from guests arriving, touch up on her make-up, and hang out with her girls.

It depends on the wedding day details and what type of photography coverage the bride and groom require. If a couple is having bridal preparations covered, I would usually start at least 3 hours prior to the ceremony start time.

I like to start coverage around 1.5 hours before the ceremony so that I can cover bridal preparation. I don’t think it’s necessary to start any earlier as no-one wants photos of themselves with no make up on at all!

Final dance party - End of the day

The majority of your photos that you will print, put on canvas, and select to be in your heirloom album are typically the ones from the first 4-5 hours of the day. This is because your Getting Ready, Details, Formal Bridal, Formal Groom, Wedding Parties, and First Look (optional) photos are all taken before the ceremony start time.

The common misunderstanding most brides have when they book their wedding photographer is this: “My wedding ceremony starts at 5pm and we have the venue until 11pm. Therefore, I need 6 hours of coverage”. What you need to know is that Wedding Photography starts a MINIMUM of 3 hours before your ceremony.

I like to start coverage around 1.5 hours before the ceremony so that I can cover bridal preparation. I don’t think it’s necessary to start any earlier as no-one want photos of themselves with no make up on at all!

All these images are also typically finished 30-45 minutes before the ceremony so that the Bride can hide from guests arriving, touch up on her make-up, and hang out with her girls.

After the ceremony, the descent begins but the day brings me other adventures before the end of the big day, and other very important moments like reception, couple session, family group shots and a final exciting dance party.

Ev'rything now is cleared up and wonderful; Ev'ryone is happy as pie; And they all do a great Rhumba version of "Island Magic," of course! It's a dazzling sight; With the sleek brown native women Dancing with the U.S. Navy boys, And a hundred-piece symphony orchestra! Finale ends with a ball in times square, celebrating the last day on earth.

Frequently asked questions