Planning your wedding timeline and wondering how much time you actually need for photos?
First: take a breath. 😂
You do not need to spend your entire wedding day taking pictures. In fact, one of my biggest goals as your wedding photographer is to make sure you have plenty of time to actually enjoy your wedding. The trick is figuring out where we need time for photos and building those moments into your day so everything doesn't feel rushed.
After photographing weddings since 2015, I've learned that the best wedding timelines aren't necessarily the ones with the most photography time—they're the ones that give us enough time to do what matters to you.
Here's a general idea of what I recommend.
Getting Ready Photos: 60–90 Minutes
Getting ready photos are about so much more than hair and makeup.
This is where I capture the little details, your dress, invitations, shoes, flowers, and all the people who are
helping you get ready. It's also where a lot of the day's excitement starts to sink in. If you want photos of
the full getting-ready process, I'd recommend closer to 90 minutes. If you mostly want some details, a few candids, and photos of you getting dressed, 60 minutes can work beautifully. But, don't stress! I'll help you figure this all out! And yes, I will absolutely tell you if someone needs to move a pile of Target bags out of the background. 😂
First Look: 15–30 Minutes
If you're doing a first look, the actual first look doesn't take long.
The 15–30 minutes gives us time for the moment itself, a few portraits together, and a chance to breathe
before the rest of the day gets going. One of my favorite things about a first look is that it can give you a
little more flexibility later in the day. And no, you don't have to do one. If seeing each other for the first
time walking down the aisle is important to you, do that. There is no right answer.

Wedding Party Photos: 20–30 Minutes
Once everyone is together, we'll get through the classic wedding party photos and some fun ones, too. I don't want you standing in the same pose for 30 minutes. We'll get what we need, move around, laugh a little, and get everyone back to the party.
Family Photos: 20–30 Minutes
Family photos can be one of the trickier parts of a wedding day because, well...Have you ever tried organizing 15 adults who are all related? 😂 At your pre-wedding meeting with me, we'll go over this and make a list so that on wedding day I know exactly who to yell for! For most weddings, 20–30 minutes is enough for the important family combinations if everyone knows where they need to be. The biggest thing you can do to make this part go quickly? Tell your family when and where to meet us.
I promise you don't want to spend 15 minutes looking for Uncle Bob.

Couple's Portraits: 30–45 Minutes
This is one area where I really don't recommend cutting the time too short. Your couple's portraits are where we get to slow down for a minute and actually focus on the two of you. Thirty minutes is a good starting point. If you have a beautiful venue, multiple locations, or really want a variety of portraits, 45 minutes or more gives us room to play. And if you're worried about feeling awkward in front of the camera—don't.
That's my job. You don't have to know what to do with your hands. 😂
I'll guide you through it.
Sunset Photos: 10–15 Minutes
If your timeline allows for it, please give me a few minutes around sunset.
Even if we've already finished your portraits, sneaking away for 10–15 minutes can give us some of the prettiest light of the entire day.
And don't worry—you won't miss the whole reception. We'll pop out, make some magic, and get you back to your people.


So How Much Time Do You Actually Need?
Here's a very general starting point:
Getting ready: 60–90 minutes
First look: 15–30 minutes
Wedding party: 20–30 minutes
Family photos: 20–30 minutes
Couple's portraits: 30–45 minutes
Sunset portraits: 10–15 minutes
But here's the important part: Your timeline doesn't have to look exactly like this. Every wedding is different.
Maybe you're getting ready at the venue. Maybe your ceremony and reception are in the same place. Maybe you're doing a first look. Maybe you're getting married at a courthouse and having dinner afterward. Maybe you want ALL THE PHOTOS. Maybe you'd rather spend as little time taking pictures as humanly possible and get straight to the dance floor. 😂
That's okay too.
When you book with me, we'll talk through your plans and build a timeline that makes sense for your wedding, not someone else's Pinterest-perfect schedule. My goal is to make sure we have enough time to create beautiful photos without making photography feel like the main event.
Because the main event is: You getting married. The photos are there to help you remember it.
Planning a Cincinnati Wedding?

If you're looking for a Cincinnati wedding photographer who will help you build a realistic timeline, keep things moving, and make sure you actually have fun while we're taking photos, I'd love to hear from you.
