Wedding Day Timings · Philippa James Photography

Here is a guide to what your wedding day timings may look like. I’ve written this based on the majority of weddings I photograph, but of course every wedding is different.

GETTING READY

I usually arrive 1.5–2 hours before the ceremony to photograph the busyness of the morning. I try to document both of you, even if you’re getting ready in different locations.

Once you’re dressed and ready, I’ll take a few quick portraits of you and some with your gang. This doesn’t take long, but it’s worth building into your morning schedule.

For more tips, read: WHAT TO EXPECT ON THE MORNING OF YOUR WEDDING DAY

bride getting ready - wedding day timings

Young boy in a striped top lying on a bed laughing as an adult dresses him on the wedding morning

groom getting ready - wedding day timings

Man in a tweed jacket pinning a buttonhole on the groom in a wood-panelled room

bride getting ready at dewsall court

Bride lifting the train of her beaded, backless gown as she walks past a snooker table

Bride holding a loose bouquet of pink and lilac roses, white ranunculus and greenery against her lace dress

ARRIVING AT THE CEREMONY

Find out exactly what time you’re expected to arrive. Traditionally the groom greets guests first and the bride walks in last, but this doesn’t apply to everyone. Same-sex weddings, couples entering together, brides already in the room — you can do whatever feels right.

In churches, most paperwork is done before the ceremony. At registry offices, you both speak to the registrar separately for about 10 minutes before you marry. If you don’t want guests to see you beforehand, time your arrival carefully.

Empty ceremony room with rows of wooden chairs under a ceiling of hanging greenery and festoon lights

Bride in a flower crown crouching to talk to a page boy in a tweed suit on a stone doorstep

Bride holding hands with a page boy in a tweed suit at the stone doorway of a country house

Page boy in a tweed suit holding a leaf as he walks hand in hand with the bride, bridesmaids behind

Bride walking down the aisle hand in hand with a page boy as guests watch under hanging greenery

THE CEREMONY

Ceremonies usually last between 20 minutes and 1 hour, depending on what type you choose. Catholic weddings with Mass can last up to 1.5 hours.

If you’re marrying in a religious venue, speak to your officiant about photography rules. Some are relaxed, others are strict. I’ll introduce myself on the day, but it helps to know any restrictions in advance.

If you’re looking for ideas, read: SIX WEDDING CEREMONY IDEAS YOU WOULDN’T HAVE THOUGHT OF

Barn wedding at Dewsall Court Hereford

Bride and groom sharing their first kiss as guests clap beneath a canopy of greenery and fairy lights

Bride and groom walking back up the aisle holding hands with a page boy between them

CONFETTI

Confetti usually happens straight after the ceremony. Some venues don’t allow confetti, so many couples do it at the reception instead.

I help plan this moment with you ahead of time. I also organise your guests on the day so it runs smoothly.

For inspiration, visit: WEDDING CONFETTI IDEAS

Bride in a leather jacket and groom walking hand in hand with a page boy as guests throw confetti

Bride and groom kissing on a gravel path lined with guests after the confetti throw

GROUP SHOTS

I aim to shoot group photos straight after the ceremony. At that moment no one has disappeared to the loo or the bar, so it’s fast and painless.

This isn’t always possible due to weather or timings, but it’s the plan I start with. I usually take around five essential combinations — parents, siblings, grandparents, and anyone especially important.

If there are children in the bridal party, I photograph them now too. Kids give me a very small window of cooperation, so I move fast while they still look clean and sweet.

More on this here: WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHY PLANNING – THE GROUP SHOTS

Bride and groom with three family members in front of old wooden doors and a stone wall

Bride in a leafy crown smiling beside a woman in a pink cardigan against old wooden doors

Bride and groom in a family group photo outside the wooden doors of a stone building

THE DRINKS RECEPTION

This is when the storytelling begins. Everyone hugs you, wishes you well, and chats excitedly. Guests reconnect, meet new people, or laugh about the hen or stag do.

I mingle with everyone and photograph the atmosphere: hugs, jokes, movement, and little unscripted moments. I also take informal group photos here and there.

The drinks reception usually lasts between 1.5 and 2.5 hours.

Bride in a leather jacket hugging a guest in a red floral dress during the garden drinks reception

Guests picking canapés on cocktail sticks from a silver bowl on a copper tray

Wedding guests chatting with glasses of fizz in a garden, one bridesmaid holding a pink bouquet

Bride in a hand-painted personalised leather jacket and flower crown greeting a guest by a conservatory

Guest in red lace holding the bride's hand to look at her new wedding ring as the groom shows his

Older guests laughing with glasses of fizz as they chat with the bride in her painted leather jacket

WEDDING PARTY PHOTOS

At some point I photograph you both with your wedding party — bridesmaids, best men, ushers, etc. I like doing this before your first portrait session when everyone looks fresh and the flowers are still perfect.

This is the shot you’ll want printed big, framed, or on a vinyl-style cover.

Bride and groom with bridesmaids in pink and groomsmen in tweed suits inside an old timber barn

Groom in a dark suit and tweed waistcoat with two groomsmen in tweed suits against a brick wall

bridal party - wedding day timings by Philippa James Photography

Bride, groom and bridesmaids seen from behind, arms round each other and bouquets raised high

Bride seen from behind in a painted leather jacket, raising her bouquet in the air in an old barn

Groom drinking from a beer bottle and bride from a champagne flute against a dark brick wall

PORTRAIT SESSION ONE

Once you’ve hugged everyone, grabbed a canapé and a glass of bubbles, I take you away for 15–20 minutes for your first portrait session.

I guide you the whole time. No awkward posing. No forced smiles. You’ll end up with natural, non-cheesy portraits of the two of you on your wedding day.

It’s also your moment to breathe and say, “hell yeah — we just got married!”

Bride kneeling on the lawn handing a flower to a page boy holding a small green basket

Close view of the bride's hands holding a small daisy against her wedding dress

Bride and groom crouching on the lawn as a page boy with a green basket hunts for eggs by a yew hedge

Bride in a flower crown with her hand on the groom's shoulder as they gaze at each other under birch trees

Bride and groom kissing on stone steps with a page boy sitting between them holding a green basket

THE WEDDING FEAST

Guests are usually called into dinner about 15 minutes before food is served. Once everyone is seated, the two of you make your entrance to cheers and applause.

I photograph the atmosphere — all the people you love in one room, sharing one big feast. This is also the time I take my break to eat. I’m happy to sit with your guests if there’s space, or in a separate supplier area if that’s what the venue prefers.

Dinner usually lasts around 2–2.5 hours.

Long wooden banqueting table set with tall white candles, eucalyptus and glassware in a dim barn

Waiter holding a plate of smoked salmon with ribbons of cucumber and a crisp rye wafer

Guests eating the wedding breakfast at long candlelit tables under festoon lights in a barn

Bride in a flower crown reading a picture book with a page boy at the reception table

SPEECHES

Many couples do speeches before dinner to help nervous speakers. Others keep them after dinner for the traditional feel.

Either works. I photograph speakers and, more importantly, the reactions — the laughter, the tears, the cheers, the “oh my god did they just say that?” moments.

If you have more than three speeches, consider splitting them up. (A few before dinner, a couple after, or one between each course — a tradition borrowed from Denmark.)

Together, speeches and dinner usually take 2.5–3 hours.

Guests listening to a speech at long tables under hanging greenery and festoon lights in a barn

Groom covering his face, laughing, during a speech as the bride smiles beside him

Wedding guest in a floral dress blowing a kiss from a candlelit reception table

PORTRAIT SESSION TWO

By now the formal parts of the day are over. Ties are loosened. Heels are off. You’re relaxed and happy. This second portrait session is quick and easy.

We sneak out for a few minutes, catch the gorgeous evening light, and get those soft, golden shots.

Bride in a leafy crown laughing with the groom in a tweed waistcoat outside a rustic barn

Couple Just Married

THE BIT BEFORE THE PARTY

The first dance usually happens 1–1.5 hours after dinner. This gives the venue time to turn the room around (if needed) and gives guests a breather.

During this time, I finish portraits, photograph mingling, and document the natural build-up to the evening party.

Bride in a black leather jacket laughing with guests under festoon lights in the evening

Guests toasting marshmallows over a fire pit at an evening wedding reception

Groom eating a toasted marshmallow while holding a toddler in a matching tweed waistcoat

Wedding guest in a suit roaring with laughter outside a barn lit with fairy lights

Illuminated pink PHOTOS sign on top of a photo booth van against silhouetted trees at dusk

Young girl in a fox mask holding a pink flamingo prop at a wedding photo booth

Photo Booth fun at Dewsall Court

CUTTING THE CAKE

Couples commonly cut the cake right before the first dance because everyone is gathered in the same place. If you’re serving cake as dessert, you may cut it before dinner so the caterers can slice it up in time.

Bride and groom cutting a tall pink iced wedding cake as guests watch

FIRST DANCE

Evening guests usually arrive just in time for the first dance. If you’ve choreographed anything or have a secret plan, tell me beforehand. I once had a bride switch all the lights off for her fireworks reveal mid-dance — stunning, but a heads-up helps!

Not every couple has a first dance. Gareth and Amy chose to skip it and had a small private dance during their portraits instead. When the band started, everyone piled straight onto the dance floor.

Groom holding the bride from behind, her hand on his, in a lace wedding dress outdoors

Bride and groom embracing on a lawn in a walled garden with stone columns behind

Bride and Groom at Dewsall Court

PARTY INTO THE EARLY HOURS

After the first dance, the real party starts. If you’ve booked me to stay late, this is when I look for the wild moments — friends throwing shapes, relatives letting loose, and everyone fully in celebration mode.

Dance floors warm up slowly. Slower songs don’t photograph as well, but once the upbeat tracks hit, the pictures are magic.

If you want tips for a great dance floor, read: HAVING A WEDDING DISCO? MY TOP TIPS ON CREATING A BUZZING DANCE FLOOR

Bride and groom laughing with guests on a dance floor under strings of fairy lights

Toddler in a tweed waistcoat raising his hands on the dance floor as guests clap around him

Groom throwing his arm in the air and bride laughing with drinks on the dance floor

Wedding guest in a checked waistcoat downing a drink at the evening party

Bride and groom holding hands and dancing among guests under fairy lights

Bride and groom kissing on a crowded dance floor at night

FINAL THOUGHTS

Each wedding is different, but I hope this guide gives you a helpful starting point when thinking about your wedding day timings.

SUPPLIER LIST FROM THIS MAGICAL WEDDING:

WEDDING VENUE: Dewsall Court

DRESS: Lana Gown – Alexandra Grecco

FLOWERS: Love Lilli

CAKE: La Fleur de Chocolat

PHOTO BOOTH: Silver Trailer Photo Booth