full disclaimer

We LOVE wedding planners and coordinators over here, truly they make our job so much more fun and seamless, this blog is nothing against what they do with their timelines or their attention to detail.


with documentary style photography, which is what I lean more toward as my shooting style, it is still important to know what the key elements of your wedding day are like --


when should hair and makeup be finished?

where are florals being delivered that morning and where?

where are you both getting ready? do you want that photographed?

what time should everyone plan to be fully dressed for the day?

do you want a first look with anyone? where does it make sense for that to take place?

what time does ceremony begin?

are we able to do the formal portrait segment of the day before the ceremony?

who should stay close by after ceremony for formal portraits we may not have gotten before?

are you being introduced into the reception?

will there be speeches? first dance? parent dances? cake cutting?

do you want to step away from your reception to take in the sunset as newlyweds?

what time does photo coverage end?


all of these questions are huge in the planning and coordinating part of your wedding day but I am here to tell you that it doesn't need to be planned down to the minute if you want it to be a free-flowing, effortless and relaxed evening being celebrated with your very favorite people.


A white wedding dress hangs on a wooden hanger against a spiral staircase wall with a rattan lamp in the background.
Three women wearing matching light blue outfits and a white bridal gown sit together on a white bed.
Bridesmaids in light blue dresses help zip up and adjust gowns while getting ready in a sunlit bedroom.
A bride in a white wedding dress stands while being fitted and adjusted during a pre-wedding preparation moment.

the start of the day


wedding day photo coverage can start as early as you want to. if you like the look of the last minute touches getting ready, the casual time with your wedding party and family before the ceremony -- I'll plan to start about two to three hours before the ceremony. in that time frame, we will go from final touches, first looks and some formal portraits once everyone is dressed.


It doesn't have to be written out as 12:00pm photos start - getting ready, 12:15pm get dressed, 12:45pm first look, 1:00pm newlywed portraits, 1:15pm wedding party portraits, 1:45pm family portraits, 2:00pm tuck away for ceremony, 2:30pm ceremony start time -- but it can if you want it to.


I would more likely prefer 12-2:30pm or even photos start and we just let things unfold as they do without having to worry to much about specifics. We know that we want to happen in that time frame so we will just keep things rolling towards that without worrying if "we're behind schedule". And then 30 minutes before the ceremony, I do like to have everyone tucked away so that guests don't see you guys early and also so that the couple can get themselves together before walking down the aisle.

Someone releases flying kite-like sculptures in a modern gallery space with white walls and wooden railing.
A couple shares a special first look moment on an elegant white staircase during their wedding.
A couple in wedding attire sitting and chatting on outdoor patio chairs by the ocean.
A progression of five frames shows a couple at the beach, sitting side by side and gradually becoming more blurred.

The Ceremony


Documented completely documentary style, the whole point of my shooting style is to not be distracting at all to you both or your guests. I move around a ton but I try to be as discreet as possible while still getting all of the photos throughout the ceremony. Aside from the start time, this doesn't have to be a specifically timed thing. It can be as short or as long as you want it.

Guests in formal attire gather at an outdoor venue with white chairs and balcony railing for an elegant event.
Black and white photo of someone in a formal suit waiting outdoors with others in an urban setting.
Four sequential photos show wedding party members walking down a white boardwalk decorated with string lights at dusk.
A collage of wedding reception moments showing guests dancing and celebrating in an elegant ballroom setting.
A group in formal attire gathers on an outdoor terrace with tall apartment buildings visible in the background.
An outdoor beach wedding ceremony takes place on a wooden deck with string lights overhead and guests seated on white chairs.
A rooftop wedding ceremony in progress with guests seated in rows and a couple standing before an officiant in the city.
An intimate beach wedding ceremony takes place on a wooden deck with string lights and ocean views in the background.
A romantic seaside wedding ceremony where a couple stands on a wooden boardwalk with beach fencing and dunes in the background.
A scenic beachside wedding ceremony takes place on a wooden deck with string lights and ocean views in the background.
A couple exchanges wedding vows on a scenic beach with wooden fences and dunes in the background.
People relax outdoors near a wooden fence at sunset, creating a peaceful coastal atmosphere.
Black and white photograph of a seaside wedding ceremony on a deck with string lights and ocean views.
A black and white photograph shows spectators watching a sporting event from a grandstand at a stadium.
A beachside wedding ceremony with guests seated in white chairs overlooking the ocean and sand dunes.
Wedding guests observe an intimate beachside ceremony from white chairs on a wooden deck with coastal scenery.
Beautiful outdoor wedding ceremony on a wooden deck overlooking sandy dunes with string lights and white chairs.
Panoramic view of guests seated in white chairs on a wooden deck with string lights during an outdoor seaside event.
An outdoor wedding ceremony takes place at a scenic desert venue with white chairs and string lights overhead.

Posed Portraits


There are a few times throughout the wedding day where a little photography direction is needed and that is for the posed portraits of each of you, you both and the wedding party (separated and together), family portraits with the couple and then newlywed portraits. By all means, just because it is "the norm" to have these photos taken during a wedding day, if it doesn't suit you guys to have posed formal portraits and you would rathe just have organic, in-the-moment photos as they come up throughout the wedding day, we can cut this segment out of any timeline just fine.


But for those who want to make sure we get a truly posed portrait with their most important people, we do that! And we do that efficiently and in an organized way so that you guys get back to being in the moment, back in the conversations, and back to the celebrating. If we are able to get some of these portraits done before the ceremony, awesome! If we are doing the portraits after the ceremony, that is fine too! I try to get these done within at 15-30 minute time frame. It definitely helps if I have list of family member names so I know who to call on for the next photo so we can roll them kind of quick. The portraits that take the longest are the Newlywed Portraits and we focus on those for about 10-15 minutes if we are only using one location.

A sandy beach with wooden fence posts extending along the shoreline next to beachfront buildings under a cloudy sky.
A couple in wedding attire holding hands while walking on a sandy beach path with ocean and dunes in background.
A bride in a flowing white gown holds a light blue bouquet while standing on a sandy beach with a wooden fence behind her.
A smiling bride in a white strapless gown holds a blue and white bouquet on a beach with a wooden fence behind her.
Three sequential photos of a couple having a tender moment together on a beach boardwalk with ocean views.
The bride in a white wedding dress sits at a wooden table while sharing a sweet laughter-filled moment with guests.
Wedding party in pale blue and black attire poses in modern white venue with skylights and pendant lights.
A wedding party in light blue bridesmaid dresses and formal attire poses for group photos in a bright indoor venue.
Wedding celebration in modern restaurant with wooden tables and geometric pendant lights in a bright, airy space.
A formal wedding celebration at an elegant venue with light blue floral bouquet and wooden dining tables in the background.
Four people in formal attire pose elegantly in a rustic wedding reception venue with wooden tables and decorative lighting.
A wedding party in classic black suits and royal blue dresses poses together in an elegant reception venue.
Modern coastal event space with minimalist decor features rattan pendant lights, white walls, and wooden bench seating.
Wedding party relaxes in a modern white sunroom with woven pendant lights and coastal decor.
Wedding party shares joyful laughter while seated in a row at a bright reception venue decorated with floral arrangements.
Elegant gathering in a blue and white decorated venue with people in formal attire seated on a white couch.
A bridal party wearing white and light blue silk dresses hold delicate bouquets of white and blue flowers at a wedding.
A couple in wedding attire pose together outdoors with a tall modern hotel building visible in the background.
A couple shares an intimate moment on a serene beach with the ocean in the background and cloudy skies above.
A romantic beach wedding scene with a couple in formal attire standing by the ocean at sunset.

The reception

For the 8 hour and 10 hour packages, you can bet that I will be there photographing pretty much the whole day to the very end of maybe( for the 8 hour package), I'll be finishing up with only an hour or so left on the dance floor. The reception is photographed completely documentary style, I try to blend in with the guests, get those candid in-the-moment photos so no one feels weird about enjoying their time with a camera in their face, and never interrupting a moment with a loved one. I move around A TON to get all the photos of everything going on.


Often times, people are big on making sure I know when cake cutting is, first dance, etc. I am photographing everything and as long as we have things happening in a way that makes sense regardless of what time it is (this is all a theoretical 8 hour coverage day)--


Getting Ready + Portraits 2:30pm -- 2.5 hours

Tuck Away 5:00pm

Ceremony 5:30pm

Cocktail hour 6ishPM -- one hours

Opening of Reception 7ishPM -- four hours

Welcome Speech (?)

Meal Service

Toasts (?)

Cake Cutting (?)

First Dance (?)

Parent Dances (?)

Opening of Dance floor

Coverage ends 10:30pm


then it doesn't really matter what time things are happening once we lead into the next part of the night. If we know that Cocktail hour ends at 7pm and that is when reception begins, it is okay if we don't know exactly what time toasts are scheduled to take place. Once catering or DJ see that meals are mostly being eaten and every one has been served, let's do toasts then. Whether it is 7:20 or 7:40, it's okay either way. Once toasts are finished and you want to do cake cutting so people can enjoy dessert -- whenever toasts are done, let's cut cake. To open up the dance floor, once you guys have cut the cake, let's go into first dances and parent dances then invite everyone onto the dance floor. It doesn't really matter what time it is as long as everyone knows when coverage ends.

A sun-filled modern venue space with an open garage door, guests mingling under pendant lights during a daytime event.
Wedding guests gather on a balcony with geometric wallpaper and modern pendant lighting during a celebration.
Close-up shot of various plates and drinks being served at an indoor dining event.
Light-filled reception venue decorated with woven pendant lamps and string lights for an elegant wedding celebration.
Group of people gathered around wooden tables during a celebration event with floral arrangements and informal attire.
A group of people in floral dresses gather together at an elegant event with white floral decorations.
Wedding reception dining area with white table settings and rustic industrial decor elements.
Wedding guests seated in an elegant venue with warm lighting from woven pendant lamps overhead.
Modern wedding ceremony in a bright venue with floor-to-ceiling windows and woven pendant lighting.
Wedding celebration in a modern venue with large windows overlooking a scenic view.
Couple dancing and embracing on an oceanfront terrace with cocktail tables and railing in background.
A server in formal attire pours champagne into a glass at an upscale restaurant.
Large bright event space with rattan pendant lights and round tables set for a wedding reception.
Wedding reception setup with white tables and ocean view through large windows.
Wedding reception guests dancing together in an elegant indoor venue decorated with hanging pendant lights.
A speaker addresses guests during an outdoor reception on a deck overlooking water at sunset.
Large banquet hall with ornate gold pendant lights and geometric wallpaper during a wedding celebration.
Wedding celebration with guests dancing under warm hanging lights in an elegant venue.
A banquet hall set with white tablecloths features elegant gold pendant lights and wedding guests enjoying drinks.
A couple dances together during a wedding reception as guests watch under warm pendant lighting in an elegant venue.

the whole takeaway


is for you to have a wedding that fully represents you both individually and together and that has you enjoying the moments that you have spent so much time dreaming about. Having an amazing vendor team who gets it is the best decision you can make for your big day because they will make sure that you don't feel like it is a big production but will also make sure that everything you want your wedding to be, will be.


if you prefer to have a timeline that is thorough and planned out -- make that a priority for how your day takes place.


if you prefer for things to be super fluid and whatever feels natural in the moment -- have a team that prioritizes that too.


because every wedding vendors goal is for you to have a beautiful, seamless, stress free wedding day that you can look back on for a lifetime to come with only the best memories.


This wedding featured in this real wedding took place on April 25th 2025 at Ashore Resort and Beach Club.