Wedding Day Timeline Example

CIVIL WEDDINGS

  • Plan for photography coverage to begin approximately one hour before the ceremony for getting-ready photographs of the bride and groom.

  • Anticipate the ceremony, including the processional and recessional, to last 15-30 minutes. Inform your officiant as to how long you would like the ceremony to last. If it is a church related ceremony plan on 45 minutes to 1 hour for the ceremony length.

  • If greeting guests after the recessional, allow 30 minutes for that interaction, or communicate with the officiant to inform guests of the photography schedule following the ceremony.

  • Plan to allocate approximately 45 minutes for family group photos and bridal party photos, followed by 30-45 minutes for couple portraits around the ceremony location. If you would like a larger number of group photos, I recommend adding an additional 30 minutes to ensure there is enough time to capture all of the desired images.

  • If the bride and groom are both open to seeing each other before the wedding ceremony, a first look can be arranged. This allows photos of the two of you together to be taken hours before the ceremony, creating a more relaxed and laid-back experience. It also helps you feel less rushed after the ceremony and gives you more time to enjoy being with your wedding guests.

    I usually suggest starting first look photos 1.5–2 hours before the ceremony begins. This allows 30–45 minutes for couple portraits, with enough time for you to return to your bride or groom suite about one hour before the ceremony. Family portraits can also be taken before the ceremony if desired.

  • Receptions typically last between two to three hours, with time allocated for greeting additional guests who did not attend the ceremony.

  • Plan to have me there during the reception to photograph details, guests, events and the exit.

  • On your wedding invitation consider mentioning the ceremony time as 30 minutes earlier than your actual plan to ensure punctuality. For instance, if you aim for a 4:30 PM start, indicate on your wedding invitation that it begins at 4:00 PM.

  • On average, civil wedding photography coverage typically ranges from 4-8 hours.

  • For bridal party photos, I suggest having an even number of bridesmaids and groomsmen when possible (often times 2, 4 or 6). Since the bride and groom are placed in the center of the bridal party, an even number helps keep the photos balanced without one extra person on one side. It is a small detail, but it can make a noticeable difference in the overall look of your bridal party photos.

  • Smaller, more intimate weddings with 60 guests or fewer usually require a shorter wedding day timeline. Weddings with 75 or more guests often need additional coverage time because there are more people to photograph, more family groupings, more candid moments, and more time needed for transitions throughout the day. Larger weddings also tend to include longer receptions, more formal events, and more interactions that are important to document.

Civil Wedding Day Timeline Example

3:30 PM — 4:30 PM: Getting Ready Photos

4:30 PM — 5:00 PM: Documenting the wedding ceremony

5:00 PM — 5:45 PM: Photos with immediate family, bridal party

During this time, wedding guests are usually participating in a cocktail hour where drinks and hors d’oeuvres are served.

5:45 PM — 6:30 PM: Photos of the Bride and Groom

6:30 PM — 7:30 PM: Bride and Groom Join the End of Cocktail Hour, Dinner, and Toasts.

This portion of the evening is generally photographed in a candid, documentary style.

7:30 PM — 9:00 PM: More couples photos during golden hour (optional), cake cutting, dancing, bouquet toss etc.

9:00 PM: Bride & Groom Departure

Civil Wedding Day Timeline Example (with a first look)

2:30 PM — 3:30 PM: First Look, Photos of Bride and Groom Together (Option to also take immediate family and bridal party portraits)

3:30 PM — 4:30 PM: Getting Ready Photos

4:30 PM — 5:00 PM: Documenting the wedding ceremony

5:00 PM — 5:30 PM: Photos with immediate family, bridal party (or start the dinner earlier if these are done prior to the ceremony)

5:30 PM — 6:30 PM: Bride and Groom Join the End of Cocktail Hour, Dinner, and Toasts.

This portion of the evening is generally photographed in a candid, documentary style.

6:30 PM — 9:00 PM: More couples photos during golden hour (optional), cake cutting, dancing, bouquet toss etc.

9:00 PM: Bride & Groom Departure

LDS TEMPLE WEDDINGS

  • If your sealing is scheduled for 9:00 AM, you can plan to exit the temple around 10:00 AM. It typically takes about one hour from the scheduled sealing time to exit the temple.

  • Plan for one hour and thirty minutes of photography immediately after exiting the temple. This covers the exit photos, group photos, and portraits of the bride and groom.

  • If you are planning a luncheon on your wedding day here is an example of how to calculate the best start time for the luncheon.

    Example: A temple sealing time of 9 AM. You will exit from the temple at 10am, photos will be taken at the temple from 10:00 — 11:30 AM. You will then need to factor in the travel time to the luncheon location as well as if the bride is going to change into a different dress or not. Generally the bride will attend the luncheon in her wedding dress but I have also seen where she will wear a secondary dress to the luncheon. If doing a luncheon I suggest scheduling the start time 3.5 hours after the sealing time. This leaves a buffer or time and prevents the photography process from feeling rushed.

  • In my experience, capturing photos at luncheons isn't typically necessary since it primarily involves people eating. However, I do recommend taking photos if there's a comprehensive program in place, like live music or toasts. Additionally, some LDS weddings opt to turn their luncheon into their main reception, in which case, photographing the event becomes more significant.

  • Schedule the photography to start either 30 minutes to 1 hour prior to the reception, ensuring ample time for capturing images of the couple at the venue and various family photos. Allocate one hour if you desire extensive photos including immediate family, grandparents, the bridal party, and shots of the couple together. Alternatively, allocate 30 minutes for a more concise session focusing on immediate family and the couple.

  • LDS Temple Wedding receptions typically last two hours. Plan for two hours of photography at the reception, capturing details, guests, key events and departure shots.

  • On average, 3 – 6 hours of wedding day coverage is sufficient for LDS temple wedding photography. I always recommend 1.5 - 2 hours of coverage at the temple, with the remaining coverage used for the reception or other desired events. Your allotted coverage time can also be paused between the temple and reception.

  • During the summer, receptions usually wrap up around 9 PM, while in the winter months, they tend to conclude earlier due to shorter daylight hours. It's advisable to check your location's sunset time/calendar and plan your timing accordingly.

    LDS Wedding Day Timeline Example

    9:00 AM: Temple sealing begins

    10:00 AM: Bride & Groom exit the temple (Photography Coverage Begins)

    10:00 AM — 11:00 AM: Entire Group, Family and Bridal Party Portraits

    11:00 AM — 11:30 AM: Bride & Groom portraits on Temple grounds (Photography coverage pauses until the reception)

    12:30 PM — 2:00 PM: Wedding Day Luncheon (photography coverage is generally unnecessary at the luncheon unless there is a detailed program/ceremony involved)

    6:30 PM — 7:00 PM: Family and Couple Photos at Reception Center (Optional)

    7:00 PM — 9:00 PM: Reception

    9:00 PM: Bride & Groom Departure (Sparklers are my favorite options for exit photography, as long as the venue allows them.)

LDS Temple Wedding Tips

Each LDS Temple operates under its own scheduling guidelines and procedures. Some temples begin sealing appointments as early as 9:00 AM, while others may offer times as early as 6:30 AM In most cases, LDS Temples allow you to schedule a living sealing ordinance approximately six months in advance.

The most crowded days for temple weddings are typically Fridays and Saturdays. The busiest wedding seasons are usually May through August, as well as the month of December. At the Salt Lake City Temple, I have seen days where there were as many as 120 weddings scheduled in one day. When multiple temple sealings end around the same time, wedding parties begin exiting one after another, which can create a “human traffic jam” outside the temple.

Because photography locations for large group portraits at the temple are limited, there can often be a backlog and a waiting period for the most prominent photo spots. To help avoid this, I recommend scheduling the earliest sealing time available so you are among the first bride and groom to exit the temple. This is especially helpful during the hot summer months of June through August, when the morning temperatures are cooler and the early light is more flattering than afternoon light.

If your sealing is already scheduled for the afternoon, there is no need to worry. I have the experience, poise, and lighting knowledge to work with the circumstances and still create beautiful images. If your specific temple offers sealing times as early as 6:30 a.m., a safe time to schedule in order to be among the first couples exiting would be 8:00 — 8:30 AM Another helpful tip is to have all of your wedding belongings organized and ready in advance. This allows you to prepare quickly once the sealing has ended and makes your temple exit as smooth and timely as possible. Your guests will also appreciate the shorter wait time, since they will be outside waiting for you to exit.

If you have not yet set your wedding date in stone, consider choosing a weekday. Some temples offer sealings on Mondays, which is a well-kept secret. I have photographed temple weddings Monday through Wednesday where the couple was the only wedding party present that morning. Weekday weddings can also make it much easier to secure your desired venue and vendors, and many will offer weekday wedding discounts saving you hundreds if not thousands of dollars.