Why Time Is so Important on Your Wedding Day

Why your wedding day timeline matters

As a wedding photographer, I’ve photographed a lot of weddings and time is the thing that makes the day feel calm (or rushed). I talk to every couple about their wedding day timeline, so it’s likely I’ve already banged on about this with you!

People will tell you time goes quickly on your wedding day. One minute you’re getting ready and the next you’re getting ready for bed – and honestly, they’re right.

A lot of couples book me because they want a relaxed day, and my photography style suits that vibe. But the only way the day actually feels relaxed is if you give yourself plenty of breathing space when you plan the timeline.

How much time you need between ceremony and dinner

From the moment your reception actually starts, aim for at least two hours before guests are called in for dinner.

And I mean reception starts – not when your ceremony ends. If you’re travelling between venues, that travel time can quietly swallow the bit you were counting on for mingling, group photos and portraits.

What happens during drinks reception (groups + portraits + mingling)

This reception time is super important for you both. It’s when we’ll do group photos (keep the number low – more on this here), couple portraits and – most importantly in my opinion – the pair of you will get to mingle with your guests and soak up your wedding day. It’s really important to me that you feel like you’ve enjoyed your wedding day and not just been pulled around for photos. So, how long should you leave for wedding reception drinks? 

I truly believe that two hours is not a long time and your guests will not be bored – a common response when I chat about this in person! 

Ideas to keep guests entertained

We don’t socialise in person the way we used to (especially since 2020), so your guests will genuinely love this part of the day. Give them a drink, a bite to eat and a bit of space and they’ll happily fill the time catching up, hugging people, taking selfies and exploring your venue.

If you’re worried about boredom, a few easy extras can make it feel even more like an experience: lawn games, live music, a magician, a photo booth/Polaroid station, a “help yourself” drinks moment, or something fun like an ice cream cart. Great canapés and good people usually does the job.

More time = stronger photographs

Leaving a good chunk of time here doesn’t just make the day feel calmer – it genuinely changes your photos.

This is when I get to capture the story of your wedding: guests arriving with hugs, little moments with family, you two actually mingling (not just being pulled from one “bit” to the next), canapés, laughter, and all those in-between moments you don’t realise are happening until you see them back. It’s also when I can photograph the wedding breakfast space before it’s full of coats and half-finished drinks, and we can do group photos and couple portraits without it feeling like a sprint.

I’m always happy to talk through what you want from your day and help you build a timeline that supports it. Venues can help too – just remember they may naturally suggest timings that suit their staffing and turnaround, not necessarily what gives you the most breathing space.

When venues suggest timings (and how to make them work for you)

Venues are juggling a lot behind the scenes – room turnarounds, staffing, meals, check-ins, supplier access – so the first timeline you’re offered is often the one that runs most smoothly for operations. And that’s not a bad thing… it just might not be the one that gives you the most breathing space.

For example, I’ve had couples told a 3pm ceremony “makes sense” so guests can check in before the wedding. But if your ceremony runs 3–4pm and dinner is at 5pm, you’re left with about an hour for confetti, hugs, group photos, portraits, mingling… everything. It gets tight fast.

If you can, consider marrying a little earlier and giving yourself more of the afternoon to actually enjoy your guests. People can always nip off to check in during drinks reception – it doesn’t need to eat into your best bit.

Neerali and Ketan left four hours between the ceremony finishing and being called for food, so guests could drift, settle in, and enjoy the venue – and we had loads of time for portraits, at their request, without it feeling rushed.

Bottom line: let the venue’s structure support you, but don’t be afraid to tweak timings so the day feels spacious.

Remember this is your day, so make choices that give you breathing space, not a packed schedule.

Wedding planning guides:

If you enjoyed this, you’ll like my wedding planning advice blogs all about my top tips for stress-free wedding planning and 12 jobs to delegate on the wedding day (little things that make a big difference).

If you’re planning a relaxed wedding and you think we sound like a good fit, you can contact me about being your wedding photographer using the contact form, or browse my approach and pricing here.