Wedding timeline tips:
Stress Less, Celebrate More
Planning a wedding? One of the most overlooked (but absolutely crucial) pieces of the puzzle is your wedding day timeline. Whether you’re having a romantic backyard celebration in Wanaka, a scenic mountaintop elopement in Queenstown, or a vineyard wedding in Otago, timing is everything.
And if you’re working with me your local photographer, Krista May then I have some tips on how to make the perfect wedding timeline. Because I’ve been to a lot of weddings that went smoothly and a lot that didn’t and I’m here with some tips to get the most out of your day. You’ll want your day to unfold seamlessly, without stress or awkward rushing.
Your wedding timeline tips: I’ll break down exactly how to build the perfect wedding day timeline, share photography tips, and answer common questions like “How long do wedding photos take?” and “When should we do the first look?”
Why You Need a Wedding Day Timeline
A detailed wedding timeline does two magical things:
- Keeps your day running smoothly
- Maximises the time you spend with each other (and your photographer!)
Without one? You risk missed moments, bad lighting, unnecessary stress, and a domino effect of delays.
How Long Should you have a photographer for your day and how long does a wedding go for?
Most wedding days last 8 to 14 hours, depending on what’s included (prep, first look, ceremony, photos, dancing). But you’ll probably want a photographer for about 8-10. Here’s a breakdown for a full-day wedding with Krista May Weddings:
Sample Wedding Day Timeline (With First Look)
| Time | Event | Photography Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 11:00 AM | Getting Ready Begins | |
| 12:00 PM | Photographer arrives to one bridal party (usually the guys) | Detail shots, flat lays, getting ready banter photos, groomsmen Candid shots |
| 1:00 PM | Photographer arrives to bride | Detail shots, flat lays, getting ready photos |
| 1:45 PM | Hair & Makeup Finishes | Final touches, robe photos, bridal party shots |
| 2:15 PM | First Look | Emotional, relaxed portraits |
| 2:30 PM | Couple & Bridal Party Photos | Game changer if you want to spend more time at your reception |
| 3:15 PM | Guests Arrive & Photographer heads to reception | Photographer captures candids + décor |
| 3:30 PM | Bride arrives | Photographer gets them arriving |
| 3:45 PM | Ceremony | |
| 4:30 PM | Family Photos | Leave enough time for this if you have a big family/friends groups. It always takes longer than you think |
| 5:15 PM | Canapé hour | Mingle with your guests, have a drink relax |
| 5:45 PM | Golden Hour Couples Session | The best light of the day ✨ I always recommend getting some golden hour couple shots (YOU WILL NOT REGRET THIS) |
| 6:15 PM | Reception Begins | Candids, laughter, real moments |
| 6:20 PM | Reception entrance from couple | Epic entrance shots |
| 6:30 PM | Dinner & Speeches | Let the tears + cheers flow |
| 8:00 PM | Cake Cutting & First Dance | Flash + creative shots start here |
| 9:00 PM | Dance Floor Opens | Get wild, get weird, Krista’s got it |
The above changes depending on a lot of factors and time of year but this is my overall go to timeframe. Things always take longer than you think.. Leave time for things to potentially not go to schedule. (Don’t fret about it, it’s just part of a wedding day)
Don’t Want a First Look?
Here’s how that timeline shifts:
- Move couple portraits + bridal party photos after the ceremony (which shortens cocktail hour or delays dinner slightly).
- Add a little buffer before the ceremony to ensure you don’t see each other by accident.
Wedding Photography Timeline Tips from Krista
✨ Golden hour is gold. The hour before sunset gives dreamy, cinematic light, ideal for couples portraits if you want that dramatic, cinematic, dreamy photos.
📸 Factor in travel time. If you’re heading from prep to the ceremony or offsite for portraits, account for distance and delays.
👰 Prep always takes longer than you think. Give hair + makeup wiggle room (and plan to be dressed 30 mins early).
📝 Have a family photo list. Group shots are quicker when everyone knows what’s happening.
📍 Pick photo-friendly locations. Your photographer can help plan this, they should know the area.
Real Talk: What Couples Forget in the Timeline
- Time to eat (!!)
- Touch-up break before the ceremony
- Time to soak in the day with your partner
- Extra 10-minute buffer here and there (delays happen)
If you are prepared and have a good timeline, the day will run relatively smoothly, I do recommend going over your timeline with your photographer to get their guidance as they are the ones that also help you stick to the plan, they are the ones that knows the schedule on the day and try and keep to it. They are your photographer but also your time keeper!
If you are looking for a relaxed, fun, creative candid documentary style photographer for your epic day, email me for more info on about photographing your day!
Follow along the journey here @kristamayweddings