How Long Do Wedding Photos Really Take? A Photographer’s Guide To Planning Your Timeline
Walnut Hall Estates - Carrollton, IL
One of the most common questions I get as a wedding photographer is: “How long will photos take on the wedding day?”
The answer depends on a few key factors: your overall wedding timeline, bridal party size, locations, and how smoothly the day flows - but this general breakdown will help you plan ahead and feel confident going into your day!
Bride & Groom Portraits: 30–45 Minutes
This time is dedicated solely to the two of you. Bride and groom portraits are typically taken at one scenic location near your venue to keep things relaxed and efficient. These images are romantic, intimate, and often some of the most cherished photos from your wedding day.
Bridal Party Photos: 30 Minutes
During bridal party portraits, we’ll capture:
The full bridal party together
Bride with bridesmaids
Groom with groomsmen
Individual portraits of each bridesmaid with the bride
Individual portraits of each groomsman with the groom
Even with a well-organized group, arranging and photographing everyone takes time. Building in breathing room here allows the experience to stay fun, calm, and stress-free.
Family Photos: 20–30 Minutes
Family formal photos usually take place immediately after the ceremony and can vary depending on family size and the number of groupings. To keep things moving smoothly, I recommend assigning one person from each side of the family to help gather relatives.
For my couples, I ask that they create a family photo shot list of 10–15 groupings before the wedding day. This ensures we capture every important combination and avoids last-minute scrambling to remember family members.
Plan for Buffers: Add 10–15 Minutes per Photo Block
Wedding days rarely run perfectly on time - touch-ups, travel delays, or tracking down Uncle Joe can all slow things down. Adding a 10–15 minute buffer to each photo segment keeps the timeline flexible and allows us to pivot without stress.
Photographer Tip:
A well-paced wedding photo timeline makes all the difference. It ensures we have the time needed to create thoughtful, authentic images—without feeling rushed.
If you need help crafting a wedding day photography timeline that works seamlessly for your celebration, I’m always happy to help. Let’s make space for beautiful, meaningful moments.
