Your Wedding Day Guideline
How to get the most out of your Photographer.
Trust the Process
I’ve photographed hundreds of weddings and understand how the day realistically flows. My approach is mainly documentary and as hands-off as possible, allowing me to capture genuine moments naturally.
There will be times when I gently step in to guide you, find the best light or create relaxed couple portraits. Allowing enough time and breathing room helps you feel comfortable and gives me the creative freedom to produce the best possible photographs.
I generally start 2.5 hours before your ceremony time. (10:30 the earliest)
Always over estimate your travel times, ceremony time etc it will help
A Typical Wedding Guideline.
Church services are typically 1 hour + Civil services are 40/45min (rarely 30min.. delays happen)
This example does not include travel times in between prep or if you're having a church ceremony, drinks reception at another location etc
For a 2:00 pm ceremony, a typical timeline might look like this: (all on site)
11:30 am – Bride preparations
Dress & Details, hair, makeup and relaxed morning moments. (Very hands off, a lot of Candids)
12:00 pm – Groom preparations
Around 30 minutes capturing the groom and the lads getting ready. (Head for a drink, very relaxed, get the hurls out for a puck around if you want)
12:45 pm – Back to the bride
Champagne pop and candid photos with the bridesmaids. (Very hands off, a lot of Candids)
1:00 pm – Into the dress
I recommend being dressed around one hour before the ceremony. This allows time for adjustments, portraits and first looks without rushing. (I usually leave 10min before Brides departure) (I will guide for the best lighting for First Looks, Bridal shots, very gentle guidance) - This is a very busy part of the day, a lot happening - hence why I advise to give yourself time.
2:00 pm – Ceremony
2:45 pm – Receiving line and Family photos - If you skip the receiving line, you’ll gain that extra time back at the drinks reception.
A receiving line can take 25/30 minutes with 150 guests. Family photos take approximately 10–15 minutes when everyone is present, so planning these in advance is essential. I will only do these in a private setting away from the crowd. Otherwise its to difficult to manage 20+ people (Hands on for family photos)
3:15 pm – Bridal party and couple portraits - SUPER IMPORTANT
Bridal party photos take around 10-15 minutes, followed by relaxed couple photos. Trust me doing these before drinks reception is best. Doing them later, you're all burnt out from socialising, flowers go missing, or someone will go missing and we waste time waiting. Get all the important shots done. Then everything else is a bonus. This is my only time alone with you all. 10-15min with couple shots also, in a private area away from the crowd. If I feel rushed or pressured to ‘‘get them done’’ do not expect to receive my best work. Im conscious you want to spend time with guests, but your also paying me a lot money to get amazing shots for you. (especially in winter, when lighting is against us - I have even more limited time) (50/50 hands off, gentle guidance for important portraits)
4:00 pm – Drinks reception
I always aim to leave you at least one full hour to enjoy your guests before the dinner bell. Im floating around casually, gathering shots of friends, extended family and couples I spot. It’s very relaxed and casual. 90% Candids. (Very hands off, a lot of Candids)
5:15 pm – Dinner call
There is normally around 30 minutes between the bell and your entrance into the room. You’ll need this time to relax, have a drink, freshen up and sit down for a bit - hence why I don’t like to take you away for photos. (unless you want to) but ive noticed from past Brides and Grooms, they need this time more than they realise to relax. (if we get delayed, which happens, then we may have no other option but to use this time to get photos at this stage, so you don’t miss your drinks reception)
Speeches, dinner and dancing
Speeches before dinner usually help the evening run more smoothly. If you split them during the meals, you’ll delay everything massively. Dinner often finishes around 9:00 pm, with most first dances realistically beginning between 10:00 pm and 10:15 pm. Rarely it’s 930pm but that’s a handful. - trust me, I shoot 60-70 weddings a year.. its never at 830pm..
Sunset **
For summer time, id highly recommend stepping out for sunset shots, you’ll love the fresh air and we will get some epic shots of you two.
Your photographs are spread naturally throughout the day rather than taken during one long session. Even on a full wedding day, I may only have around 30 minutes alone with you, so trusting the recommended timings helps me create the best possible photographs without taking you away from your guests for too long.
First Looks?
A first look should usually take place around 1.5 hours before the ceremony. If it’s happening at the venue, we’ll choose a private location away from arriving guests and allow time for you both to freshen up afterwards.
The groom will normally need to meet the celebrant or priest and greet guests around 30 minutes before the ceremony. This gives us approximately 20/25minutes for the first look, some private time together and a selection of couple portraits. (Bride will mostly likely need to go back for touch ups etc)
Because this brings the morning timeline forward, hair and makeup must be completed earlier. Make sure your hair and makeup team know about the first look in advance so everything stays relaxed and on schedule.
Additional Timing & Flow Tips
Keep prep spaces tidy
Cluttered rooms can make photos feel messy. Ask a bridesmaid or family member to keep things tidy—it really makes a difference in your pictures. I will help clean for certain shots..
Nominate a “photo helper”
Assign someone who knows both sides of the family to help round people up for group photos. It makes the process so much faster and less stressful.
Factor in church exit time
Even once the ceremony is over, it can take 10–15 minutes to get everyone out and away, if you're skipping the receiving line I usually bring you and the family to another location straight away. If not, you hide :)
Keep cars and drivers ready
It seems simple, but sometimes cars or drivers go missing at just the wrong moment. Double-check this ahead of time to avoid delays.
Eat something during prep
A light breakfast and snacks keep your energy up. It’s a long day, and you might go hours without eating otherwise!
Consider daylight
Especially in winter, ceremonies after 2:30 pm can mean limited natural light for portraits. If photos are important to you, discuss earlier ceremony times!! I will advise you on this, but especially in winter it can be very dull and dark at 4pm even.
Sunset timing = golden photos
Sunset time is the best chance for amazing photos a 5–10 minute couple shoot around golden hour, is worth every second.. The light is magical and gives you a little moment to breathe together.
Don’t stress about perfection
Some of the best photos happen when you’re relaxed. Trust the timing, go with the flow, and enjoy every moment—it will all shine through in your images. I will keep you on track as best as possible.
