Wedding planning can feel overwhelming – but it doesn’t have to be. I’m here to help you build a day that flows naturally, starting with this free guide on creating a timeline that genuinely works for you.
A bit about me: I work with couples who know what they want – whether that’s a grand city celebration with a celebrant and custom cocktails, or an intimate gathering with just your closest people. Whatever your vision, I’ll be with you every step of the way.
Expect honest moments, great light, and a wedding day that feels completely, authentically yours.
YOUR NEW FAVOURITE WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHER
START PLANNING
I put this guide together to help you understand how long different parts of the day typically take – so nothing feels rushed and nothing gets missed. Every wedding is different, and I’m always happy to help you build a timeline tailored specifically to you both.
Inside you’ll find a sample timeline to use as a starting point, alongside practical tips for each part of the day.
PREP.
The morning of your wedding is a beautiful mix of nerves, excitement, and emotion. Keep it calm by surrounding yourself only with people who will keep you grounded, make you feel like a priority, and bring positive energy into the room.
Aim to be fully ready at least 15 minutes before you need to leave – that buffer will make a real difference.
*HOT TIP* – Give your people simple roles on the morning and let them know the schedule. Relentless questions will spin you out when you really want to enjoy this time
CEREMONY.
A straightforward civil ceremony typically runs around 20 minutes. Add readings and personal vows and you’re looking at closer to 30. A full celebrant-led ceremony can run up to 45 minutes or more – worth factoring in when planning the rest of your day.
*HOT TIP* – It’s your choice, but unplugged ceremonies are for you and your guests to witness your marriage. Leave the photos to me, I’m pretty good at this now.
DRINKS.
The drinks reception is your first real chance to breathe and take everything in. Don’t rush it. Give yourself enough time to move around, connect with your guests, and get through group photos without feeling frantic. In the warmer months especially, aim for around two hours – you’ll be glad you did.
*HOT TIP* – Ten minutes where you disappear just with your partner makes for a beautiful intimate moment you’ll both remember. Do this, and drink water too!
SPEECHES.
Give your speakers a clear time limit – around seven minutes works well. It keeps the energy up, the food on schedule, and the room engaged throughout.
Always do speeches before the meal, never between courses. It makes for a far smoother, more enjoyable evening for everyone.
*HOT TIP* – 7 minutes is the golden number for speeches. You can deliver a brilliant, heartfelt, hilarious speech in this amount of timeand gives you more time to connect with your loved ones.
PORTRAITS.
Portraits are my favourite part of the day – and I always save them for later, so you can be fully present with your guests rather than being pulled away at a critical moment.
By the time we head off together, you’ll have spent much of the day apart. This is your chance to reconnect, take a breath, and enjoy some quiet time as a couple. We’ll find the best spots available and make something genuinely beautiful.
*HOT TIP* – Bring a drink with you, kick off your heels if you want. This is us having fun and capturing that energy. It’s photography. Not Choreography.
EVENING.
The evening is where the celebration really opens up. As evening guests arrive and the atmosphere shifts, make sure you’ve built in enough breathing room between arrivals, your first dance, and evening food – so the dancefloor has time to come alive.
One more hot tip? Go mad, and enjoy your night. I dont need to tell you that. I’ll be there capturing every bit of it.
EXAMPLE TIMELINE
EVERY WEDDING IS DIFFERENT – BUT HERE’S A SOLID STARTING POINT
“Josh is simply the best wedding photographer.
