George Boyle
Planning a wedding can be a stressful experience, and it's easy to forget about the little things—like how long to allocate for each part of your wedding photography. It's an important part of your big day, and you'll want to ensure you have plenty of time to get all the shots you want. The length of time you'll need will depend on a few variables, including the number of guests, the size of your wedding party, the number of locations, and the types of portraits you want your photographer to take.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Preparation | 2-2.5 hours for hair and makeup |
| Photography of venue | 10 minutes before the main photographer arrives |
| Photography of ceremony | 30-60 minutes |
| Photography of reception | 30-60 minutes |
| Photography of the couple | 45 minutes to an hour |
| Photography of the wedding party | 30 minutes to an hour |
| Photography of family | 30 minutes to an hour |
| "First look" photography | 2 hours before the ceremony |
| "Fake" exit photography | 30-60 minutes |
| Sunset couples photos | 30 minutes before sunset |
| Photography of the entire wedding | 8 hours |
| Time to receive wedding photos | 4-12 weeks |
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What You'll Learn
Wedding party portraits: 30 minutes
Wedding party portraits take about 30 minutes. This is a good amount of time to capture a variety of shots in a variety of poses. The photos can start off with more formal images and lighting, and then you can move into fun and creative shots.
It's important to remember that the more people you include in your wedding party portraits, the more time they will take. You may want to have formal portraits taken of you with your wedding party, as well as family wedding photos. A good rule of thumb is to keep formal portraits limited to about 15 different groupings, including your wedding party, immediate family, and possibly a few important relatives. Your photographer may be able to provide you with a list of suggested formal portrait groupings.
It's also worth considering the time of day when planning your wedding party portraits. The ideal time for these photos is in the morning or early afternoon, making use of the window lighting in hotel rooms, which creates a unique look. If you're taking photos at multiple locations, make sure to build transportation time into your timeline.
To ensure you get all the shots you want, it's a good idea to work with your wedding photographer to create a fully written-out schedule of your wedding day, including the timeline for your photos. Add five-minute "buffer" times throughout the day to account for any hiccups.
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Family portraits: 20-45 minutes
Family portraits are an essential part of your wedding photography. Capturing these moments with your loved ones will create lasting memories that you can cherish for years to come. Here are some tips and insights to help you plan for this special part of your big day:
Decide on the Groupings:
The number of groupings you choose to include in your family portraits will impact the overall time needed. A good rule of thumb is to stick to around 15 different groupings, including your immediate family, wedding party, and perhaps a few important relatives. You can discuss this with your photographer, who may provide a suggested list of groupings that you can customise to your preferences.
Consider the Size of Your Family:
The size of your family will play a significant role in determining the time needed for family portraits. If you have a large extended family, you may need more time to ensure everyone is included. Communicate this with your photographer, so they can advise on timing and help you manage expectations.
Allow for Flexibility:
It's important to remember that things may not always go according to plan on your wedding day. Allow for some flexibility in your timeline to account for any unexpected delays. For example, getting ready may take longer than anticipated, or there could be transportation delays if you're travelling between locations for photos.
Timing Guidelines:
Most photographers recommend allocating around 30 minutes for family portraits if you're only photographing close family. However, if you have a larger family or wish to include more extended relatives, this time may need to be extended. Discuss your specific needs with your photographer, who can provide a more accurate estimate.
The "First Look" Factor:
If you choose to do a ""first look"" before the ceremony, you can take many of your wedding photos beforehand, including some family portraits. This option allows you to enjoy your cocktail hour with your guests without being pulled away for photos. However, if you decide to wait until the ceremony to see each other, expect to spend a significant portion of your cocktail hour taking portraits.
Capture the Venue and Details:
Don't forget to include time for capturing the venue and ceremony details in your photography timeline. The photographer will typically arrive early to capture these moments before the guests arrive. Ensure the ceremony setup is complete and free from distractions, such as personal belongings, for the most aesthetically pleasing photos.
In conclusion, family portraits are a cherished part of your wedding day, and proper planning will ensure you capture these memories effectively. By considering the number of groupings, your family size, and potential timing variables, you can allocate an appropriate timeframe for these special moments. Remember to stay flexible and work closely with your photographer to create a timeline that suits your unique needs.
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Couple portraits: 45 minutes to an hour
Capturing the perfect couple portraits can take anywhere from 45 minutes to an hour. This time frame can be adjusted to be shorter or longer, depending on the couple's preferences, the size of their wedding party and family, and the specific types of shots they want.
The couple portraits are a key part of the wedding photography session and will likely be the main focus of the wedding album. To ensure the best results, it is recommended to have a variety of shots, ranging from formal and intimate to fun and creative.
To make the most of this time, photographers often suggest including sunset couple portraits in their timeline, as this time of day offers some of the best lighting conditions. Additionally, couples may opt for a ""first look" photo, capturing the first time they see each other on their wedding day, usually in their wedding attire and before the ceremony. This option allows for more formal portraits to be taken before the ceremony, leaving the couple with more time to enjoy the celebration.
It is important to stay flexible and allow for adjustments, as unexpected delays or changes may occur throughout the day. By working closely with their photographer and creating a detailed timeline, couples can ensure they capture all the special moments of their wedding day. They can also expect to receive their complete collection of photos anywhere from four to twelve weeks post-wedding.
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Candid photos: 1 hour
Capturing beautiful candid wedding photos is an art. It is about documenting the day as it happens, freezing moments in time for the couple to remember forever.
A good tip for candid wedding photography is to keep formal portraits quick and efficient, creating more time for natural, candid moments to occur. Photographers can suggest keeping formal portraits limited to around 15 groupings, including the wedding party, immediate family, and important relatives. This ensures the couple does not feel rushed and can enjoy their day without being away from the celebrations for too long.
Another way to ensure you capture plenty of candid moments is to opt for a ""first look" photo. This is when the couple sees each other for the first time on their wedding day, usually in their wedding attire, before the ceremony. This allows for formal portraits to be taken before the ceremony, leaving more time to capture natural moments during the cocktail hour.
A second shooter can also be a great asset, capturing the smaller details and interactions outside the main photographer's frame. This could include the parents' reactions during the ring exchange, friends toasting the marriage, or laughs and tears during the speeches.
Finally, it is important to be patient and always have the camera ready, as candid moments can happen in an instant. Knowing your gear is vital to capturing these moments, so the camera becomes an extension of yourself, allowing you to react quickly without missing a beat.
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Travel time: 30 minutes each way
When planning your wedding photography timeline, it's important to consider travel time between locations. If your ceremony and reception are in different places, add 15 minutes of cushion time for travel, and consider the time of day and sunset for the best lighting. For a 30-minute journey each way, you'll need to adjust your schedule accordingly.
The ideal photography time for a non-religious ceremony is 30-60 minutes, while a civil wedding service typically lasts 30-50 minutes, and a religious ceremony can go on for 60-90 minutes. Depending on the type of ceremony, you should plan for at least 30 minutes of photography time, and if you want to capture the venue details before guests arrive, add another 10 minutes.
For wedding party portraits, family portraits, and couple portraits, photographers recommend 30 minutes, 30 minutes, and 45 minutes, respectively. However, these timeframes can vary depending on the size of your group and the specific shots you want. If you're taking photos at multiple locations, ensure you account for travel time in your timeline.
Additionally, consider adding 5-minute buffers throughout the day to accommodate any unexpected delays. You may also want to sneak out during the reception for 20-30 minutes to capture night shots, creating a more relaxed atmosphere for your guests while providing time for night photography.
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Frequently asked questions
On average, you can expect to receive your complete collection of wedding photos anywhere from four to 12 weeks post-wedding. This timeline can vary based on the season and how busy your wedding photographer is at the time of your wedding.
Many photographers think 30 minutes for wedding party portraits, 30 minutes for family portraits, and 45 minutes to an hour for couple portraits is enough. However, these timeframes can expand or contract depending on the size of your wedding party and family, as well as the specific types of shots you want.
If there are multiple locations, it is important to account for travel time. You should put an extra 15 minutes in the schedule and consider all travel from each location in case of emergencies or traffic.
If you have a large bridal party, 3 hours is a reasonable amount of time to allot for pictures. This includes getting ready photos, bridal party photos, and family portraits.
The ideal photography time needed depends on the type of ceremony:
- Non-Religious Ceremony: 30 to 45 minutes
- Civil Wedding Service: 30 to 50 minutes
- Religious Ceremony: 60 to 90 minutes
