A wedding is more than just a single event—it’s a carefully choreographed series of moments, each filled with beauty, emotion, and connection. And for your photographer and videographer, those moments are what shape your wedding story. That’s why planning the perfect wedding day timeline is crucial—not only for a smooth and stress-free day, but also for capturing your love story in its most authentic and stunning form.
In this guide, you’ll learn how to structure your day to get the most out of your wedding photography and videography, how long you should allocate to each section, and key tips from behind the lens. We’ll also include Wellington-specific insights, like how long the light lasts in summer, and how to maximize it.
Whether you’re working with a wedding planner or creating your own DIY schedule, this timeline is for you.
Why the Timeline Matters for Photography and Videography
Photos and video are your wedding day’s visual legacy. Every hug, vow, tear, and laugh becomes part of a story that lives on long after the event. But the best images and footage don’t happen by chance—they require planning.
A thoughtful timeline ensures:
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You get enough time for natural, relaxed portraits
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Your vendors work in harmony (e.g., hair/makeup ready before photos begin)
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Key light moments (like golden hour) are used to their full potential
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You avoid the stress of feeling rushed or behind schedule
So, what’s the ideal structure?
A Sample Wedding Day Photography + Video Timeline
Here’s a sample 8 to 10-hour coverage day, common in Wellington and many New Zealand weddings.
9:30 AM – Details and Getting Ready (Photographer Arrives)
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Dress, shoes, rings, invitations, perfume, heirlooms
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Candid makeup and hair shots
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Bride and groom getting ready (if logistically possible)
Time needed: 1.5 to 2 hours
Photographers need space and time to shoot flat lays and details before the day gets busy.
11:30 AM – Candid Portraits and Final Touches
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Bride in gown, with parents or bridal party
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Groom getting boutonnière pinned or hanging with groomsmen
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First look with parent (optional)
Time needed: 30–45 minutes
Great time for videographers to capture voiceover opportunities too.
Should You Do a First Look?
The first look—when the couple sees each other before the ceremony—is becoming increasingly popular, especially for couples who want to enjoy more of their cocktail hour.
Pros:
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More time for photos before the ceremony
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Private emotional moment (great for video)
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Less pressure during the ceremony
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Can schedule portraits earlier (ideal in case of bad weather later)
Cons:
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Breaks tradition (if that matters to you)
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Earlier start time needed
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May need to touch up makeup/hair again later
Time needed for first look and couple shoot: 45 minutes to 1 hour
Tip: Choose a quiet location near your venue to minimize travel time.
1:00 PM – Bridal Party and Immediate Family Portraits (Optional Pre-Ceremony)
If you’ve done a first look, it makes sense to knock out bridal party and close family photos while everyone’s looking fresh.
Time needed: 30–45 minutes
Helps reduce stress post-ceremony and maximizes mingling time.
2:30 PM – Ceremony
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Guests seated
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Processional
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Vows and ring exchange
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First kiss and recessional
Time needed: 30 minutes (average), or 45–60 minutes for religious/cultural ceremonies
Ensure your videographer has time to mic the groom/officiant beforehand.
3:15 PM – Congratulations, Confetti, and Candid Moments
Right after the ceremony is one of the most joyful times—genuine emotion, group hugs, and spontaneous laughter.
Time needed: 15–20 minutes
Photographers and videographers love this time for natural, emotional footage.
3:45 PM – Group and Family Portraits
Have a pre-planned list and designate a helper from each side of the family to gather people quickly.
Time needed: 20–30 minutes
A list like “Couple with bride’s parents,” “Couple with both families,” etc., keeps things moving.
4:30 PM – Couple’s Portrait Session (Golden Hour)
In Wellington during summer, golden hour typically starts around 7:30 PM to 8:30 PM, depending on the date. But if your ceremony is early, you may need a short portrait session right after the group photos.
⏱ Time needed: 20–30 minutes post-ceremony, plus 20–30 minutes again at golden hour (if possible)
💡 Photographers may pull you out of the reception later when the light is perfect.
5:30 PM – Guests Enter Reception / Couple Freshens Up
Use this window to take a breath, touch up, and let guests grab a drink before dinner begins.
6:00 PM – Reception Starts: Grand Entrance, Speeches, Dinner
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Bridal party or couple enters
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Speeches interspersed with courses
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Candids of laughter and reactions
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First dance after dessert or at dusk
Time needed: 2–2.5 hours
These moments are rich in audio—great for your wedding film narration.
7:30–8:30 PM – Golden Hour Portraits (Optional)
This is the most flattering light of the day. Step out briefly for golden, cinematic shots.
Best for beach, garden, vineyard, or open landscapes. In Wellington, the waterfront and hills glow beautifully during this time.
8:30 PM Onward – Cake Cutting, Dancing, and Party Shots
After the formalities, your photographer and videographer will shift to party mode—capturing energetic dance floor action, sweet moments between guests, and final hugs.
Photographers often wrap up coverage by 9:30–10:00 PM, unless you’ve booked additional hours.
Wellington-Specific Tips for Your Photo/Video Timeline
Living and working as a wedding photographer in Wellington brings some unique local insights:
Wind Watch:
Wellington is known for being breezy. If you’re planning beach or clifftop portraits, bring veil weights, bobby pins, and don’t be afraid to embrace the movement for dynamic shots.
Long Summer Light:
In December–February, you’ll often have usable daylight until 8:30–9:00 PM. Schedule your ceremony accordingly to get full use of natural light for portraits.
Unpredictable Weather:
Have a backup plan for outdoor ceremonies. Many local venues like Old St Paul’s, Boomrock, or Silverstream Retreat offer both indoor and outdoor options.
How to Work with Your Photographer/Videographer on the Timeline
Photographers and videographers aren’t just vendors—they’re timeline partners. Include them early in the planning process so they can help you build a schedule that works.
Key tips:
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Send your draft timeline for feedback.
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Schedule a venue walk-through together.
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Factor in travel time between locations.
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Allow buffer time (10–15 mins) between events.
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Plan light meals/snacks during long shooting days (your team will thank you!).
Timeline Variations for Different Wedding Types
Not all weddings follow a traditional structure. Here are a few customizations:
Elopement Timeline (4–5 hours)
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1 hour: Prep and details
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1 hour: First look and couple shoot
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30 mins: Ceremony
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1 hour: Post-ceremony portraits
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1 hour: Sunset session + champagne picnic
Cultural Weddings (Multi-Day)
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Break the photo/video plan into multiple sessions:
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Ceremony Day
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Reception Day
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Pre-wedding (e.g., Haldi, Mehndi)
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Ensure your team understands cultural moments and their timing.
Short Weddings / Backyard Events
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Condense formalities into a smaller timeframe
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Focus on coverage during ceremony, couple portraits, and 1–2 hours of reception
Final Thoughts: A Timeline Built for Memories
No two weddings are the same, but every couple deserves beautiful, stress-free photography and video coverage. When you craft a timeline that gives space for real moments, light, and emotion—you set the stage for magic.
As you plan your day, remember to build in time for what matters most:
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Time with your partner
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Room for spontaneous joy
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And enough breathing room to soak it all in
If you’re getting married in Wellington, take advantage of the region’s long summer evenings, sweeping natural backdrops, and trusted local creatives who know how to capture it all.
A well-planned timeline isn’t just a schedule—it’s the framework for a wedding story you’ll treasure for the rest of your life.
