Free guide
Wedding photography timeline
A wedding photography timeline turns a chaotic day into a checklist. Below are two sample schedules — 8-hour and 10-hour — with realistic durations, golden-hour placement, and honest buffer time built in. Copy the shape, swap the times, and you have a plan the couple, planner, and second shooter can all read.
8-hour coverage
The most-booked package. Coverage starts as hair is finishing and ends after first dances.
| Time | Block |
|---|---|
| 13:00 – 14:00 | Getting ready & details |
| 14:00 – 14:30 | Travel + venue detail |
| 14:30 – 15:00 | Ceremony |
| 15:00 – 15:15 | Confetti + drinks reception opens |
| 15:15 – 15:45 | Family formals (15–25 combos) |
| 15:45 – 16:15 | Bridal party portraits |
| 16:15 – 16:45 | Couple portraits — location 1 |
| 17:30 – 17:45 | Golden hour couple portraits |
| 18:00 – 19:00 | Wedding breakfast (photographer eats) |
| 19:00 – 20:00 | Speeches |
| 20:30 – 21:00 | First dance + parent dances |
10-hour coverage
Adds extended getting-ready coverage and a first look, or a full evening including sparkler exit.
| Time | Block |
|---|---|
| 11:00 – 13:00 | Extended getting-ready both parties |
| 13:00 – 13:45 | First look (optional) |
| 13:45 – 14:30 | Bridal party portraits before ceremony |
| 14:30 – 15:00 | Ceremony |
| 15:00 – 15:15 | Confetti + drinks reception |
| 15:15 – 15:45 | Family formals |
| 15:45 – 16:30 | Couple portraits — location 1 |
| 17:30 – 18:00 | Golden hour portraits |
| 18:00 – 19:00 | Reception details + breakfast |
| 19:00 – 20:00 | Speeches |
| 20:30 – 21:00 | First dance |
| 21:00 – 21:00 | Coverage ends (or +sparkler exit) |
The three rules that keep it on track
- Anchor to sunset, not the ceremony. Golden hour is fixed; the ceremony can move. Build back from sunset first.
- 15% buffer everywhere. Speeches always overrun. Hair always overruns. Add the padding once at the start, not in a panic at 6pm.
- Family formals in 30 minutes or under. Print the combinations list, call them loudly, release people the moment they're done.
Frequently asked questions
How much time do I need for wedding formals?
Allow 90 seconds per family combination. 15 combos = 22 minutes, plus a 5-minute buffer for stragglers. Anything more than 25 combos wrecks the timeline.
When is golden hour on a wedding day?
The 40 minutes before sunset. Check the exact time for the venue and date, then work back — book a 15-minute couple portrait window inside it.
How long should couple portraits take?
45 minutes covers 3 locations and 4 poses each. Under 30 minutes feels rushed; over an hour and the couple wants to be back with their guests.
Do I need buffer time in a wedding timeline?
Always. Add 15% to every block — hair and makeup overrun, first looks run long, receptions start late. Chroma & Code Studio's Live mode shows an ahead/behind badge in real time so you can see the slip.
Build yours in 2 minutes
Start from a template, drag-order shots to your timeline, then run the whole day from your phone in Live mode. Free while in beta.
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