1-4 hours

Getting ready photos typically take 1-4 hours and focus on the most meaningful parts of the morning such as final touches of hair and makeup, the bride stepping into her dress candid moments with bridesmaids, and the details (perfume, shoes, lipstick, jewelry, heirlooms). An hour at the beginning as you are getting ready is also wonderful for flatlay detail images, while the rest of the time can be used to capture those natural, candid moments as hair and makeup are wrapping up and everyone is getting dressed. If you'd like full coverage from start to finish, that's always an option too. The timeline can be catered to fit your vision.

30 minutes - 2 hours

Groomsmen prep usually takes less time than the bridal part, typically 30 minutes to 2 hours. A second shooter will often be with the groom while I'm with the bride, so both stories are documented at the same time. These photos usually include putting on ties, cufflinks, jackets, and boutonnières, as well as a few posed portraits.

Once the formal moments are finished, groomsmen often relax and enjoy themselves, whether that’s sharing a toast, swapping jokes, or a lighthearted game before the ceremony. These candid shots bring out the personality of the group and add fun, natural moments to your gallery.

The grooms flatlay may also be captured at this time, with time allotted, capturing details such as the ring, accessories, heirlooms, cigars, or airplane bottles.

30 mins - 1 hour

Flatlays are one of the best ways to capture the little pieces of your story —the invitation suite, rings, vow books, perfume, shoes, and heirlooms that tie your wedding details together. These photos require a thoughtful setup and styling, which is why I recommend planning for about one full hour. This gives time to gather items, style them with intention, and create a collection of images that feel elevated and artistic.

Flatlays are most often done during the getting ready portion of the day, while the wedding party is finishing hair and makeup. This timing works well because it allows me to style and photograph the details without taking away from important moments later. That said, if the timeline calls for something different, flatlays can also be done at another time that fits best for your day.

For couples who want their details photographed in the most detialed and refined way possible, without using up precious time on the wedding day, I also offer a Luxe Flatlay add-on. With this option, you send me your details ahead of time and I style and capture them beautifully and perfectly curated prior to your wedding. This not only preserves time on your actual day but also creates timeless, elevated flatlay images with the utmost care and detail.

20-30 minutes

Bridal portraits can be taken on the wedding day itself if time allows.

Typically, setting aside 20–30 minutes works well, either after getting dressed or during a quiet moment before the ceremony. While the pace is a bit quicker compared to a dedicated session, these portraits still create beautiful, timeless images.

Many brides choose to do these a few weeks before the wedding, which also serves as a perfect trial run for hair, makeup, and florals. This option allows for a calm, unhurried session and gives you the chance to display a framed portrait at your reception.

You have the option to use your included session (often an engagement session) for bridal portraits instead, or add a bridal session on for a separate fee if you’d like both.

15-20 minutes

Just like bridal portraits, the groom deserves his own set of timeless images that highlight style, personality, and confidence. Groom portraits usually take less time than bridal portraits — about 15–20 minutes — but they make a big impact in the final gallery. These can include classic, posed shots in your suit or tux, detail shots of accessories (like cufflinks, boutonnière, or watch), and a few editorial-style images that feel strong and polished.

On the wedding day, groom portraits are often done right after getting dressed, before heading into group photos or the ceremony. They’re quick, relaxed, and provide the groom with portraits that match the elegance of the bride’s.

For couples who want an elevated version of groom portraits — or if timing is tight on the wedding day — these can also be scheduled as a standalone session before the wedding, similar to a bridal session.

30 minutes - 1 hour

Bridal party portraits capture the people who stand closest to you on your wedding day — your best friends, siblings, or family who bring energy and joy into the celebration. These portraits usually take 30–1 hour, depending on the size of the party. They include a mix of classic, posed group shots, smaller groupings, and fun, candid moments that showcase everyone’s personality.

On the wedding day, bridal party portraits are often scheduled either before the ceremony (if you’re doing a first look) or immediately after the ceremony (if you’re waiting to see each other at the aisle). The timing depends on your preference and how you’d like the flow of your day to feel.

This is also a great time to include a few portraits with your mom or other immediate family members — like siblings or grandparents — while everyone is gathered and looking their best. Adding these in keeps the flow smooth and ensures those relationships are beautifully documented without needing extra portrait time later.

20-45 minutes

Groomsmen portraits are a mix of classic, sharp group shots and fun, candid moments that bring out the personality of the guys standing beside the groom. These typically take about 20–30 minutes, depending on the size of the group. Photos often include everyone together, smaller groupings, and individual shots with the groom.

On the wedding day, groomsmen portraits are usually taken either before the ceremony (especially if the couple does a first look) or immediately after the ceremony alongside bridal party portraits. This flow keeps things organized and ensures the group is fresh and ready.

This is also a perfect time to capture portraits with the groom’s dad or other immediate family members, like brothers or grandparents, while everyone is dressed and gathered together. These portraits balance the polished, formal shots with relaxed candids that show the groom’s relationships and the fun energy of his side of the wedding party.

A “first look” or similar private moment is one of the most personal parts of a wedding day. Couples often choose to share this time with each other, with a parent, or through a meaningful alternative like a first prayer or first touch.

• First Look with Mom or Dad: A tender, emotional moment where a parent sees their child dressed and ready for the first time. Usually takes 10–15 minutes and is often filled with joyful tears, hugs, and lasting memories.
• First Look as a Couple: Gives the bride and groom a chance to see each other before the ceremony, share private vows or words, and calm nerves. This can take 15–20 minutes, plus additional time for portraits right after.
• First Prayer or First Touch: For couples who want to stay traditional but still connect before the ceremony, this can be done back-to-back around a doorway or corner. It’s a beautiful way to share words, pray, or hold hands without seeing each other. Usually takes 10 minutes.

Each of these moments allows space to pause, breathe, and connect in the middle of an otherwise fast-paced day. They also make for incredibly heartfelt photos that tell your story in a personal, authentic way.

If the couple would both like to achieve a first with a loved-one other than each other the second shooter typically will capture one while I am with the other.

30 minutes - 1 hour

Your venue is more than just a backdrop

— it’s part of the story of your wedding day. Capturing the atmosphere, architecture, and décor helps preserve the feeling of the space you chose so thoughtfully. From sweeping shots of the exterior and architectural details to close-ups of florals, table settings, signage, and ceremony setups, these images create context for your gallery and highlight the artistry of your planning.

These photos typically take at least 30 minutes spread throughout the day. They are usually photographed during transition times — for example, while you’re finishing hair and makeup, while guests are being seated, or during the cocktail hour before the reception. A second shooter is especially valuable here, since they can focus on the venue while I capture candid moments with you and your loved ones.

Including these shots ensures your gallery feels complete, weaving the emotion of the day with the beauty of the space you created to celebrate.

30-60 minutes

Your ceremony is the heart of your wedding day — the moment everything comes together and your story officially begins as a married couple. Capturing the ceremony means preserving the emotion, the atmosphere, and all the little details that unfold as you exchange vows.

Ceremony coverage usually takes 30–60 minutes, depending on the type of service. For shorter civil or non-religious ceremonies, 20–30 minutes may be all that’s needed. For traditional or religious ceremonies, you can expect closer to an hour or more.

Photos often include:

• Processional (bride, groom, wedding party, parents, and guests)
• The ceremony itself (readings, vows, ring exchange, unity traditions)
• Reactions of guests and family members
• The first kiss and recessional

During this time, I focus on capturing both the big, emotional moments and the quiet, candid details you may not notice in the moment — like the way your parents look at you, or the smile between you and your partner when your hands meet.

30 minutes - 1.5 hours

Family portraits are some of the most meaningful images of the day — often the ones that get printed, framed, and passed down for generations. They preserve the legacy of your loved ones and the joy of everyone gathered together in one place.

These portraits typically take 30 minutes to about an hour and a half depending on family size and how many groupings you’d like. We’ll usually begin with immediate family (parents, siblings, grandparents) and then move into extended family or special groupings as time allows. To keep things smooth and efficient, I’ll work from a pre-planned list that you provide ahead of time, so no one gets overlooked and the process stays stress-free.

Family photos are most often scheduled immediately after the ceremony or after a first look if you’d like to complete them earlier in the day. This timing allows everyone to be gathered, dressed, and present without pulling you away from key parts of the reception.

These portraits create a balance in your gallery — blending the emotion of candid moments with the timeless, posed photographs that will become heirlooms.

30 minutes - 1 hour

Your portraits together are often the most anticipated and cherished images of the entire gallery. These photos capture not only how you looked on your wedding day, but also the joy, connection, and emotion you shared as a couple.

Typically, 30 minutes to 1 hour is set aside for couple portraits. If you do a first look, these can take place earlier in the day, giving you a chance to enjoy more time together before the ceremony and freeing up the evening for mingling and dancing. If you prefer to wait until the aisle, portraits are usually done during cocktail hour or at a time that fits best with your timeline.

I also love to step outside for a few minutes during golden hour* or sunset for extra portraits. This is when the light is most flattering, and it often results in some of the most romantic, dreamy images of the day.

These portraits are a balance of timeless, classic poses and candid moments where you can simply be yourselves — laugh, walk hand-in-hand, and soak in the fact that you just got married.

45 minutes - 1 hour

Cocktail hour is when the celebration truly begins. Guests get to mingle, enjoy drinks and appetizers, and soak in the joy of the day while you’re often finishing portraits or taking a moment together as newlyweds. Capturing this part of the day helps preserve the atmosphere, décor, and candid guest interactions that you might not see firsthand.

Coverage during cocktail hour usually takes 45–60 minutes, depending on your timeline. Photos often include:

• Guests laughing, talking, and enjoying hors d’oeuvres
• Reception details fully set before guests enter (tablescapes, florals, signage)
• Candid shots of family and friends reconnecting
• Sometimes a few extra portraits of the couple if time allows

A second shooter is especially valuable here, since one photographer can focus on the reception space and guest candids while the other stays with you for portraits. These images fill in the “in-between” part of your wedding story and ensure you have a full view of the celebration from start to finish.

2 - 5 hours

The reception is where the celebration comes alive — full of laughter, love, and energy. It’s also one of the most dynamic parts of your gallery, blending timeless traditions with candid, joy-filled moments.

Reception coverage typically lasts anywhere from 2–5+ hours, depending on your timeline and collection. Here’s how the flow usually looks:

• Grand Entrance: 5–10 minutes
• Your big introduction as newlyweds — whether it’s formal and elegant or fun and high-energy.
• Dinner or Food Service: 45–90 minutes
• This is a natural time for photographers to take a brief break, reset gear, and grab a bite (once guests are served). During this time, we’ll still capture candid shots of guests mingling, table details, and any toasts that happen early.
• Speeches/Toasts: 10–20 minutes (varies by number of speakers)
• Often scheduled at the end of dinner or between courses. We’ll capture both the speakers and your reactions.
• Cake Cutting: 5–10 minutes
• A sweet (and often funny) tradition, usually scheduled after dinner or before open dancing begins.
• First Dances: 10–20 minutes
• This includes the couple’s first dance, parent dances, or any other special dances you’ve chosen.
• Open Dancing: 1–3+ hours
• Once the dance floor opens, it’s all about candids — laughter, big moves, quiet moments, and everything in between.
• Grand Exit: 10–15 minutes
• If you’re planning a sparkler exit, confetti toss, or other send-off, this is often the final chapter of the night.

A longer collection (8–12 hours) allows for full reception coverage — from the first course to the last dance — while shorter coverage (4–6 hours) may only include the key highlights like entrances, first dances, speeches, and cake cutting.

10-15 minutes

Your grand exit is the perfect way to end the story of your wedding day — a joyful send-off surrounded by your guests, whether with sparklers, confetti, bubbles, glow sticks, or another creative idea. These moments are full of excitement, movement, and emotion, and they create unforgettable photographs to close your album.

Capturing a grand exit typically takes 10–15 minutes, including set-up time for guests to line up, lighting adjustments, and the actual exit itself. It’s often scheduled as the very last event of the night, following open dancing.

If your coverage hours end before your reception concludes, you can also plan a “faux exit” earlier in the evening. This gives you all the magic of a grand send-off without needing extended coverage, and your guests still get to keep celebrating after.

Including a grand exit in your timeline ensures your gallery ends with a sense of celebration and closure — the perfect finale to your wedding day story.