Ohio Wedding Photographer | Ashleigh Grzybowski Photography

I begin discussing wedding timeline planning with couples as soon as they inquire. To be clear, we don’t align and flush out every single wedding timeline detail within hours of the inquiry! But, I do begin the discussion because so much of providing my couples with adequate photography coverage depends on the timeline.

Every wedding is unique and has different aspects to account for when creating a wedding timeline. This is one of the reasons I work with each of my couples directly or their planner to create a custom wedding timeline for their day. To help provide a better understanding of how different parts of the day shape up below are details on how time is typically allocated to each part of the day. These are general guidelines only. A custom timeline created by your planner or photographer is always the best. But to give a little behind the scenes look, keep reading below!

Details – 60 Minutes

I start every wedding day photographing details. These include the full stationary suite (invitation, programs, menus, etc), rings, jewelry, vow books, perfume shoes and so much more! These items are all part of the wedding day story that have been carefully selected for the day.

Getting Ready – 60 Minutes

Planning an hour to photograph the getting ready portion is planned for the bride and groom. In total it is two hours of coverage but I typically plan for my second photographer to cover the gentlemen getting ready while I spend time with the ladies. This maximizes photography coverage time for the couple.

If a couple chooses to add parent first looks or a bridesmaid reveal I will add additional time to the getting ready portion to adequately cover.

Bride & Groom First Look – 30 Minutes

I allocate 30 minutes to setting up, photographing and providing time for the Bride and Groom to enjoy their first moment together. This time is some of the sweetest for a couple as they get to see each other for the first time and talk! The wedding day is spent with family and friends. Having time together as a couple to soak in the day is rare. A first look provides this time for the couple.

Bride & Groom Portraits – 45 Minutes

Bride and Groom portraits are the bread and butter of what a wedding photographer delivers to a couple! This time is so important! The highest frequency of printed images from your entire gallery will be couple portraits and then family portraits. This day is about you! This portrait time is spent photographing the couple, the bride individually and the groom individually. I highly recommend to not cut time out of bride and groom portraits – this is the one chance for portraits together!

Wedding Party – 30 Minutes

For a standard size wedding party (4-6 individuals on each side), all wedding party portraits can be completed within 30 minutes. For larger wedding parties, I add an additional 15 minutes so the full wedding party, bride and bridesmaids, groom and groomsmen and individuals with the bride and groom can be taken.

Family Formal Portraits – 30 Minutes

Other than bride and groom portraits, family portraits will be the photographs printed in the high frequency. It is rare to have the entire family together and dressed up in front of a photographer! Parents LOVE these portraits and a full 30 minutes provides time to take up to 20 different family combinations.

I recommend up to 20 family combinations but if more are needed additional time is added to ensure all portraits can be taken.

Ceremony – 30-60 Minutes

Ceremonies planned outside of a church typically last 30 minutes. For Catholic masses I plan 60 minutes for a full mass and 45 minutes for a partial mass.

If a couple plans a ceremony exit (highly encouraged!) an additional 15 minutes is added to the ceremony coverage.

Cocktail Hour – 60-90 Minutes

The length of cocktail hour needed is dependent on if a bride and groom first look is planned. If a first look is planned, 60 minutes is plenty of time for a cocktail hour. If no first look is planned, I recommend planning a 90 minute cocktail hour.

Reception – 2 Hours

The standard amount of reception coverage is 2 hours. I do add additional time to reception coverage for the following situations:

• Larger than 200 guests attending to account for a longer dinner service timeframe
• Night end reception send off or last dance the couple would like photographed

Ashleigh Grzybowski is a Wedding Photographer based in Columbus, Ohio and serving couples across Ohio.  Ashleigh specializes in producing timeless, high quality imagery for kind-hearted couples who desire a warm, boutique experience honoring their life-long commitment and legacy.