How to Plan Your Wedding Day Timeline for the Best Photos

Create your wedding day timeline for relaxed, gorgeous portraits. Expert tips for white weddings, South Asian weddings, first looks, and golden hour portraits.

Planning a wedding is one of the most exciting and overwhelming experiences. Couples often think about how to get everything accomplished throughout the day with time to spare to enjoy it. As a wedding photographer based in Dallas, and photographing weddings for over 11 years, I can tell you this; the timeline makes all the difference! 

A thoughtful wedding day timeline will not only set you up for a stress-free day but guarantee that you receive the most beautiful, natural, and honest photographs of all of your beautiful moments!

Here is my guide to planning your wedding day timeline so you can relax, enjoy, and know you have captured every precious moment!

Start with Getting Ready Photos

Getting ready is where the story starts! Laughter with your bridal party, the details of your dress, heirloom jewelry, or a special reading of a letter. I usually recommend at least 1 – 1.5 hours for getting ready coverage, so that we can capture all of the little details that will happen before the ceremony starts.

At South Asian weddings, getting ready can mean having multiple outfits, layers of jewelry, or just henna details. So having a few extra minutes to prepare is especially important in this case.

First Look or No First Look?

One of the most significant decisions that affect the timeline of your day is if you will have a first look. A first look is when you would see each other privately before your ceremony and then get couple portraits done early on in the day. A first look grants you a quiet moment together and creates more time after the ceremony to retain and enjoy your guests. 

If you are having a more traditional Desi wedding where the groom cannot see their bride before the ceremony, we can plan a private reading of your personal vows or plan to share a first touch. Either of these would allow you to still have an emotional moment captured without breaking that culture.

Ceremony Timing & Light

In photography, natural light is everything. Outdoor ceremonies in Dallas are especially gorgeous close to golden hour, when the light is soft, warm and glowing. If you’re having a daytime ceremony, we will plan around it to make sure that portraits still have that dreamy light.

In the case of weddings with a white wedding there is a typical ceremony time of 30–45 minutes on the shorter end, although the South Asian wedding ceremonies are longer, typically 1-2 hours long. This allows for some buffer time, enabling us to make sure nothing feels rushed.

Family & Wedding Party Portraits

Family formal portraits are among the most special photographs we take – but with no planning, this segment of the day can run long. I suggest making a short list of family combinations prior to the day, as it will keep this moment on track. I anticipate spending around 30–45 minutes for family formals and a similar amount of time for bridal party photos. 

For Desi weddings, with large family and extended guest lists, I recommend you plan for at least one entire hour for family formals. 

Golden Hour Couple Portraits

This is my favorite time of the day for photography; when the sun is setting and the light is warm, romantic, and soft. I always tell my clients to plan for at least 20 minutes before sunset for golden hour portraits. Whether it’s a luxurious ballroom wedding in Dallas, or a sweet outdoor elopement, this is when we create those dreamy, light-filled, timeless photographs together.

Reception Flow

Grand entry, first dances, speeches, cake cutting, and dancing all start at the reception. Everything will go more easily if you have a good plan for the reception festivities’ schedule. We will make sure that everything is sufficiently spread out to catch everything wonderfully. If you want those heartfelt moments, such as parents crying during speeches and guests applauding during your grand entrance.  

Receptions at South Asian weddings are frequently bigger affairs with several entries, coordinated dances, and costume changes. In addition to ensuring that nothing is hurried, planning ahead for extra time before each event enables me to catch all the color, joy, and enthusiasm.

Plan for Extra Time

Weddings nearly always are not on time, and that is perfectly fine! If you schedule events 10 – 15 minutes apart, if one runs late, you won’t feel as rushed or have to skip pictures. I always try to help you enjoy your day and make sure everything important is photographed.

Together, let’s create your ideal timeline

Whether it’s a traditional white wedding, a vibrant Desi wedding, or an elopement, every wedding is a unique reflection of the couple. Because of this, I always help my couples create a timeline for their wedding day that suits their traditions, style, and photography goals. 

As a seasoned wedding photographer (and videographer), I have mastered the art of striking a balance between cultural customs and stunning, organic, and heartfelt photography. I will walk you through every stage of the planning process if you choose me as your photographer or videographer, ensuring that your wedding day runs well and your pictures look classic.