wedding journal

Looking for an 8 hour wedding photography timeline that keeps your day stress-free? I’ve got you covered! Planning your wedding day can feel overwhelming, but having a structured timeline can make everything flow smoothly. If you’re looking for a simple yet effective 8-hour wedding photography timeline that includes a first look, I’ve got you covered! I’ve used this template year after year to help my couples have a stress-free and beautifully documented day.

8-Hour Wedding Photography Timeline

12:30 PM – Coverage Begins & Detail Shots

Your photographer will start by capturing all the gorgeous details—your dress, rings, invitations, shoes, and any sentimental items. Candid moments of you and your wedding party getting ready will also be documented.

1:00 PM – Bride + Bridesmaid Getting Ready Photos

Bridesmaids in their dresses, final makeup touch-ups, and those beautiful pre-ceremony moments happen now.

1:45 PM – Hair & Makeup Final Touches + Getting Dressed

Hair and makeup should be completed at this time, and the bride and bridal party start getting dressed.

2:00 PM – Bride Gets Dressed & Groom + Groomsmen Getting Ready Photos

Final getting ready moments for both the bride and groom, capturing those emotional and candid interactions.

2:30 PM – First Look & Portraits

One of the most emotional and intimate moments of the day! The first look allows you to share a quiet, special moment together before the hustle and bustle begins. This is also a great time to take couple portraits while hair and makeup are fresh.

3:15 PM – Bridal Party & Family Photos

With the first look done, we’ll capture fun and formal shots with your wedding party and immediate family.

4:00 PM – Hide Bride Away Before Ceremony & Photograph Ceremony + Reception Space

The bride takes a moment to freshen up while the photographer captures the beautifully set ceremony and reception space before guests arrive.

4:30 PM – Ceremony Begins

Time to say “I do!” Your photographer will capture the processional, vows, ring exchange, first kiss, and all the little moments in between.

5:00 PM – Cocktail Hour

Guests enjoy drinks and appetizers while you relax or take additional portraits.

6:00 PM – Reception Begins

Your reception officially kicks off!

6:05 PM – Entrance, First Dance & Toasts

Your grand entrance, followed by your first dance and heartfelt toasts.

6:30 PM – Dinner

Time to enjoy a meal with your loved ones.

7:10 PM – Special Dances, Cake Cutting & Dancing

Parent dances, cake cutting, and the dance floor opening up for celebration!

7:30 PM – Sunset Photos

A golden hour session to capture dreamy, romantic portraits.

8:30 PM – Coverage Ends

Final moments captured before wrapping up your photography coverage.

Why This Timeline Works

This 8-hour timeline ensures that all the key moments of your wedding day are beautifully documented while keeping things relaxed and enjoyable. With a first look included, you get extra time for portraits and can fully enjoy your cocktail hour with your guests.

Need a customized timeline? I’m here to help! Let’s craft the perfect schedule for your special day.

You’re engaged…woohoo! Now comes the fun (and sometimes overwhelming) part, researching and booking vendors. When it comes to photography, you might be wondering: what questions to ask a wedding photographer? Having been on both sides, planning my own wedding and now working as a wedding photographer, I’ve learned there are things I wish I had asked and things I want my potential clients to know. So, let’s dive into the must-ask questions to help you find the perfect photographer for your big day!

1. What is your style, and how do you approach a wedding day?

This is such an important question because every photographer has a unique style and approach! Some focus on a documentary, candid style, while others lean towards a more posed, editorial look. Their approach to a wedding day can also vary, do they take charge and direct moments, or do they blend into the background and capture things as they naturally unfold?

It’s essential to find a photographer whose style matches your vision and whose personality makes you feel comfortable. Ask to see full wedding galleries, not just highlight reels, to get a true sense of how they capture an entire day.

2. What is your backup plan? If you aren’t able to be there on my wedding day due to an emergency, what happens?

Life is unpredictable, and while no one likes to think about worst-case scenarios, it’s important to know your photographer has a solid backup plan in place. Ask if they have a trusted network of photographers who can step in if needed. Do they have second shooters or assistants who could take over?

3. What happens to my photos after the wedding? Do they get deleted once delivered, or do you keep them?

This is so important, I can’t stress it enough! After your wedding, your photos (and video, if chosen) are the one thing you have left from the day. You want to make sure your photographer has processes in place to keep your images safe.

Ask about their backup system, do they use dual memory cards while shooting? How and where are the photos stored after the wedding? How long do they keep them? Also, find out how long your online gallery will be active and whether there’s a fee to have it re-uploaded if needed.

For me, both of my cameras have dual memory cards, and as soon as I get home, I upload everything to my computer, two hard drives, and the cloud. And they never get deleted. Like, never. I keep online galleries active for a year, but since I always have backups, I can easily re-upload them, for free.

Quick story: A bride from 2021 reached out to me today because her wedding photos were on an old device, and she forgot to move them over. She thought she’d ask if I still had them but understood that I probably didn’t… but I did! I was able to re-upload her photos, and she was beyond grateful.

Not all photographers keep images forever, and some charge to re-upload galleries, so it’s crucial to ask before booking. That way, you know what to expect and can take any necessary steps to back up your photos yourself!

4. What does communication look like when working with you?

Planning a wedding involves a lot of moving parts, so knowing how and when you can communicate with your photographer is key. Ask what their preferred method of communication is, can you text them, or is it strictly email? How many meetings are included in your package? What’s their typical response time?

For me, I want my couples to feel like they can reach out anytime! I’m available via email and text, and I include however many meetings needed in my collections to go over details, timelines, and any questions you have. I also aim to respond within 24 hours/days because I know how important quick communication is when planning a wedding.

Every photographer has a different approach, so it’s important to find someone whose communication style aligns with your needs and expectations. The last thing you want is to feel like you’re left in the dark leading up to your big day!

5. Do you have insurance?

This one is pretty simple, all professional photographers should have insurance, especially when working at venues (and most venues require it!). Liability insurance protects both you and the photographer in case of accidents, and equipment insurance ensures that if anything happens to their gear, your wedding day coverage isn’t at risk.

6. How long until I get my final gallery?

Turnaround time is an important detail to discuss and should be clearly stated in your contract. Some photographers take several months, while others have a quicker turnaround depending on their workload.

For me, I take on a limited number of weddings each year so that no one has to wait months and months for their photos. I believe in delivering galleries in a timely manner while maintaining the highest quality.

Make sure to ask about sneak peeks as well, some photographers provide a small selection of edited images within a few days so you have something to share while you wait for the full gallery!

7. What do you love about weddings?

Ask this!! The person you choose should truly love photographing weddings. You want someone who is passionate, excited, and genuinely cares about capturing your day, not just someone who sees it as another job.

When your photographer is just as excited about your wedding as you are, it makes the experience that much better!

8. What is your booking process?

Understanding the booking process upfront ensures there are no surprises. Ask what’s required to officially secure your date, do they require a retainer fee? When is the final payment due? What does the contract include?

For me, I make the process as simple and clear as possible. A signed contract and retainer fee are required to lock in your date, and I provide a payment schedule so you always know what to expect. Everything should be discussed in advance, so you’re never left wondering about the next step!

9. Can I see full wedding galleries?

You should always be able to view a couple of full galleries from real weddings! While Instagram and website portfolios showcase the best highlights, they don’t show how a photographer captures an entire wedding day, from getting ready to the ceremony, reception, and all the in-between moments.

Seeing full galleries will give you a better idea of their consistency, editing style, and how they handle different lighting situations. It’s one of the best ways to make sure their work aligns with your vision for your own wedding photos!

Choosing the right wedding photographer is about more than just loving their photos—it’s about trusting them to capture one of the most important days of your life. By asking what questions to ask a wedding photographer, you’ll gain a better understanding of their style, process, and professionalism, ensuring they’re the perfect fit for you.

If you’re looking for a photographer who truly cares about your experience, values communication, and will preserve your memories with passion, I’d love to chat! Reach out here to inquire about your date, ask any additional questions, or just say hello! And be sure to check out my Pinterest to get wedding inspo!

I’ll wait… but honestly, I don’t think so!

When Elizabeth & Grady chose to do their engagement photos in Maine, it wasn’t just because of the scenery (though, let’s be real, it’s stunning). Maine is home for them, it’s where they grew up, where their love story began, and where they’ll soon be saying “I do.” Naturally, we wanted to capture all the beauty and meaning this place holds for them, so we picked a few different locations to showcase Maine’s coastal magic.

But here’s the thing about Maine, it always has surprises up its sleeve. Read more about these beautiful Maine engagement photos.

A Hidden Gem & The Fastest Fog Ever

Our first stop was a hidden gem whose name I still can’t remember, but wow, what a spot! Picture rocky cliffs jutting into the ocean, waves crashing below, and that perfect mix of rugged and romantic.

And then… the fog rolled in.

Now, there was zero fog in the forecast, but within minutes, it swept over the landscape like something out of a movie. I’ve seen fog before, but never moving this fast. Instead of fighting it, we embraced the moody, filmy vibe it created, because honestly, it made the photos even more magical.

Pemaquid Point: A Classic Maine Icon, Now Fogged In

Next up: Pemaquid Point. If you’ve never been, it’s one of the most beautiful spots on the Maine coast, complete with a lighthouse, massive rock formations, and endless ocean views. Well, usually endless ocean views.

By the time we got there, the fog had fully settled in. You couldn’t even see the ocean, but instead of being a setback, it gave the session a dreamy, intimate feel. We made the most of it, and I loved how the fog softened everything, giving the photos a timeless, filmy quality.

The Beach: A Foggy, Minimalist Dream

Our final stop was a beach (again, name forgotten but trust me, it was gorgeous). At this point, the fog was thick. You could only see the sand and water if you got close enough. Instead of sweeping ocean views, we got something even more unique: a quiet, minimalist scene where the only focus was Elizabeth & Grady. And honestly? It was perfect.

Oh, and let’s talk about Elizabeth for a second. She did all of this while still recovering from ankle surgery! She didn’t just power through, she fully embraced every moment, climbing over rocks, walking across sand, and making the session feel effortless. She absolutely crushed it.

So… Is There a Better Location Than Coastal Maine?

After this session? I’d say no. Coastal Maine gives you a little bit of everything—epic landscapes, unexpected weather, and those quiet, intimate moments that make engagement photos so special. Whether it’s sunshine, fog, or something in between, Maine always delivers.

Thinking about your own engagement session? Let’s create something just as unforgettable!