One of the most common questions couples have when planning their wedding day is:
How much time do we actually need for photos?
The answer depends on the kind of wedding you are having, how many group photos you want, whether you are travelling between locations and how relaxed you want that part of the day to feel.
The good news is that wedding photos do not need to take over your day.
With a little planning, it is usually possible to get beautiful portraits, family photographs and candid moments without disappearing for hours.
How Long Do Couple Photos Usually Take?
For most weddings, I would usually allow around 20 to 30 minutes for couple portraits.
That is normally enough time to get a lovely variety of photographs without making you feel like you have left your guests for too long.
If everything is happening in one location, it can be even easier. We can often step away briefly, take a relaxed walk and then get you back to your guests quickly.
If your venue has lots of different areas you would like to use, or if you are travelling to another location, it is worth allowing a little more time.
The aim is never to turn the day into a photoshoot.
I prefer to keep things relaxed, natural and moving, rather than spending ages posing you in lots of different setups.
How Much Time Should You Allow for Family Photos?
Family photographs are often the part that can take longer than couples expect.
The actual photographs are usually quick. It is gathering everyone together that takes the time.
For a small list of immediate family groups, around 15 to 20 minutes is normally plenty.
If you want lots of combinations involving extended family, grandparents, siblings, bridal party and larger groups, then you may need closer to 30 minutes.
My biggest advice is to keep your formal photo list fairly short.
You will usually enjoy the experience more, and it means there is more time for natural photographs of everyone actually enjoying the day.
What About the Bridal Party?
Bridal party photos do not need a huge amount of time either.
Around 10 to 15 minutes is generally enough, especially if everyone is nearby and ready to go.
I like to keep these relaxed too. We can get the classic photographs everyone wants, but there is no need for endless combinations.
Should You Do Photos Before or After the Ceremony?
Most couples have their main photographs after the ceremony, but there are a few different ways to structure the day.
Some couples choose to do a first look before the ceremony and take some portraits then.
That can be a great option if you want to spend more time with your guests later.
For smaller weddings, registry office weddings and city weddings, it can also work really well to take photographs as you move from one part of the day to the next.
For example, if you are getting married in Dublin City Hall or the Registry Office and then walking through the city afterwards, the photographs can simply become part of the day rather than a separate block of time.
How Much Time Should You Allow After the Ceremony?
As a general guide, I would allow around 45 minutes to one hour after the ceremony if you want:
- congratulations and hugs
- a few family photographs
- bridal party photographs
- couple portraits
You do not necessarily need to spend that entire hour posing.
A lot of that time is simply allowing the day to flow without feeling rushed.
If there is travel between your ceremony and reception, make sure that is factored into the timeline too.
Trying to squeeze everything into a very short window can make the day feel more stressful than it needs to.
What If We Hate Having Our Photo Taken?
This is probably one of the biggest worries couples mention to me.
You do not need to know how to pose, and you definitely do not need to spend hours in front of the camera.
Most of my approach is about giving you a little direction and then allowing things to happen naturally.
Walking, talking, laughing and simply being together usually creates much more natural photographs than trying to hold a perfect pose.
The less rushed you feel, the easier the whole experience becomes.
Do You Need to Leave Your Reception for Photos?
Not necessarily.
If the light is beautiful later in the evening, I may suggest popping outside for another 5 or 10 minutes.
That can be enough to get some gorgeous evening portraits without taking you away from dinner or your guests for long.
These little pockets of time throughout the day can often work better than trying to do everything in one long photoshoot.
How Long Should You Allow Overall?
For most weddings, I would suggest allowing roughly:
20 to 30 minutes for couple portraits
15 to 20 minutes for immediate family photographs
10 to 15 minutes for bridal party photographs
You do not always need to do these as separate blocks.
A good wedding timeline allows photography to fit naturally into the day.
And if you are planning a smaller or more relaxed wedding, you may need much less time than you think.
The Most Important Thing Is Not to Over-Schedule
Your wedding day should still feel like your wedding day.
You should have time to talk to your guests, enjoy your drinks reception and actually take everything in.
The best photographs usually happen when there is enough breathing room in the timeline for real moments to unfold.
When I work with couples, I always help them look at the timings beforehand so we can make sure there is enough time for the photographs they want without letting photography take over the day.
If you are planning your wedding in Dublin or elsewhere in Ireland and you are unsure how much photography time you need, I am always happy to help you work through the timeline before the day.
