When Should We Take Wedding Photos?
A Helpful Guide for Couples
One of the most common questions couples ask is: When should we take our wedding photos? It’s an important question because timing your photos well means that you capture the best light, the most natural moments, and most importantly, that you enjoy the day without feeling rushed or pulled away from the celebrations.
Let’s dive into when you might want to plan your photos, so the day flows beautifully, and your memories are captured perfectly.
1. Pre-ceremony photos
Capturing the start of your day and the excitement you’re sharing with loved ones before exchanging your vows is something many couples choose to have included in their wedding photos. These can include getting ready shots, bridal portraits, and candid moments with your close family or bridal party. If you're having a "first look" (where the couple sees each other before the ceremony, or your friends and/or family see you in your outfit for the first time), this can also be a special moment to photograph ahead of time.
Why it works: These photos help tell the full story of your day and capture the nervous excitement before the ceremony.
Tip: Allow plenty of time for these shots, so you’re not rushing to get to the ceremony venue. In Wales, it's important to keep an eye on the weather — indoor spaces might be used for these photos if it's raining. Your photographer should be able to help locate a suitable space for these photos.
2. Ceremony, confetti & group photos
Straight after the ceremony is the perfect time for some key photos. One of my priorities is to capture the confetti shots and group photos right after the vows, before guests have the chance to wander off and miss out on being in the pictures! The excitement is still fresh, and everyone is gathered in one place, making this the most efficient time to gather your loved ones for those important group shots.
Why it works: No one is missing from the photos, and the joyful post-ceremony energy adds life to the images.
Tip: Group photos don’t need to take too long. Create a short list of must-have groupings to keep things moving smoothly and avoid disrupting the flow of the day. I’ve heard many people talk/comment about weddings where the group photos took over an hour to do, so keep it short where you can to keep your guests happy and make the most of the day.
3. Post-ceremony couple portraits
After the ceremony and group shots, it’s time for some portraits of just you two as newlyweds. This is a great time to step away from the crowd, enjoy a few quiet moments together, and let your photographer capture intimate, candid moments. I usually have you mingle with your guests and grab a drink before these photos, even if it’s just for 10-15 minutes so you don’t feel tense and need to rush back to finally see your guests.
Why it works: This window usually offers a more relaxed atmosphere after the ceremony buzz has settled.
Tip: These photos don’t need to take long. You can spend just 15–20 minutes with your photographer while your guests mingle, grab a drink, and get ready for the next part of the celebration. If there are multiple locations you want to have your photos taken, or somewhere away from the venue, make sure you work in enough time for this in your timeline.
4. Golden Hour
One of the most magical times for photos is during golden hour, which is the hour before sunset when the light is soft and golden. If you have the opportunity, stepping out for 10–15 minutes during this time can give you some of the most beautiful, romantic portraits of the day which you won’t regret! I like to have my couples backed by the setting sun to get a dreamy, golden halo effect.
Why it works: The light during golden hour is flattering and creates a dreamy atmosphere. It’s also very flattering and adds a beautiful set of photos to your couple portraits that you’ll absolutely love.
Tip: Depending on the time of year and your wedding timeline, you can plan your schedule to include golden hour photos. If you’re in Wales, where weather can be unpredictable, you might want to be flexible and go for it if the sky clears up! Ask your photographer if you want them to keep an eye on the best time to get these photos on the day, and be prepared to hurry outside so you don’t miss it.
5. Evening reception
This is where the fun, candid shots happen! Once the evening sets in and the party gets going, your photographer will be there to capture the atmosphere if you’ve paid for their time. From your first dance to candid shots of guests enjoying themselves, these photos are ones you can look back on and laugh at! Evening photography focuses more on the candid, fun moments, and the lighting can create a warm and lively mood.
Why it works: These photos show the lively, celebratory side of your wedding — a wonderful contrast to the earlier romantic portraits. You and your guests may also be feeling the warm fuzziness of a couple of drinks, which adds to the fun photos!
Tip: Evening photos also give you a chance to include any unique moments, such as fireworks, sparklers, or late-night dancing. Let your photographer know if you plan to do any of these so they can be prepared.
6. Seasonal considerations for wedding photos in Wales
The timing of your photos will also depend on the season. With shorter days in Autumn and Winter and with the unpredictable weather, flexible timing can be key. For autumn and winter weddings, you might lose daylight earlier, so plan your couple portraits before the sun sets. In spring and summer, the longer days give you more time to play with natural light, especially for golden hour.
If you’re getting married in the height of summer, remember that golden hour will be quite late in the day, so if golden hour photos are important to you, discuss this with your photographer to make sure they’ll be there. You may have to pay extra hours for this.
Why it works: Your photographer will take these considerations into account when they plan their photography timeline. They’ll need to navigate around the lighting on the day as well as the weather to make sure you have the photos you want.
Tip: Always have a wet weather plan — an indoor backup location can still provide beautiful, intimate shots in case the rain makes an appearance. Your photographer will be able to scout locations for this too.
Final thoughts – Make the timeline work for you
The best time to take wedding photos is when it feels natural and fits into the flow of your day. I do come across some couples who just want to have fun and party rather than be dragged away to have photos taken. If you think you’ll be one of these couples, remembering that you’ll never have another chance to get those photos again is important. You’ll never regret or be disappointed with making time for some beautiful photos together over having another drink or having a boogie on the dance floor!
While it’s important to have a plan, flexibility is key — especially when dealing with the unpredictable Welsh weather! Don’t worry too much about the details — your photographer will help guide you through the day and ensure you get stunning photos without missing out on the fun and excitement of your celebration.
Planning your wedding photos is about more than just finding the right time — it’s about capturing the love, joy, and special moments that make your day unique.