Planning a wedding in Bozeman is exciting—from the breathtaking mountain views to the unique charm of Montana's rustic venues, there’s no shortage of stunning backdrops. But when it comes to capturing your wedding day through photos, a little planning goes a long way! A carefully crafted photography timeline ensures that you get the shots you’ve always dreamed of without feeling rushed or overwhelmed.

As a Bozeman wedding photographer, I know how to make the most of the scenic beauty here while keeping your day stress-free. So, here’s my guide to creating the perfect wedding day photography timeline!

1. Start with the Big Picture: Key Moments to Capture

Before we dive into the nitty-gritty of timing, it’s important to identify the must-have moments you want to capture. These usually include:

• Getting Ready Photos (Bride, Groom, Bridesmaids, Groomsmen)
• First Look (if you choose to have one)
• Ceremony (including guests arriving and walking down the aisle)
• Family and Group Portraits
• Couple’s Portraits
• Reception Entrance, First Dance, Speeches, Cake Cutting, etc.

These moments will anchor your timeline and help you plan when and where to fit each photography session.

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2. Getting Ready Photos: Allow 1-2 Hours

Getting ready photos are some of the most personal and emotional moments of the day. I recommend starting early—2 to 3 hours before the ceremony is ideal. This will give you time for:

• Hair and makeup photos for the bride
• Detail shots (dress, rings, invitation suite)
• Candid moments with family and friends

If you’re planning a first look, you’ll need to build in extra time for that as well. As a general rule, I suggest allowing about 1-1.5 hours for bride prep and 30-45 minutes for groom prep.

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3. First Look: 30-45 Minutes

If you’re planning on a first look, this can be one of the most intimate and memorable moments of the day. I recommend scheduling it about 90 minutes before the ceremony. This way, you can have a quiet, private moment together and also get a head start on some couple portraits.

A first look also opens up time in your schedule for bridal party and family portraits before the ceremony, which helps reduce the number of photos you’ll need to take after the ceremony when time can feel more crunched.

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4. Ceremony: Plan for 30-60 Minutes

Ceremonies can vary in length, but most last about 30 minutes to an hour. During this time, I’ll capture moments like:

• The walk down the aisle
• The exchange of vows
• The first kiss
• Recessional photos

For outdoor ceremonies in Montana, keep in mind that the midday sun can be quite harsh, so consider starting the ceremony in the late afternoon when the lighting is softer, typically around 3-4 p.m. during summer months.

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5. Family and Group Portraits: Allocate 30-45 Minutes

Family portraits can take longer than you think! I recommend setting aside about 30 minutes for immediate family and 15-20 minutes for bridal party photos. To make things run smoothly, have a family shot list prepared ahead of time and assign someone (like a close friend or wedding coordinator) to help gather people.

Tip: Group shots can take longer than expected, so try to keep the groupings minimal and focused on your closest family members to avoid feeling rushed.

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6. Couple’s Portraits: 45-60 Minutes

This is your time to shine! Plan for about 45 minutes to an hour for your couple’s portraits, ideally during golden hour (the hour before sunset) when the lighting is soft and romantic. This time is great for capturing both traditional and candid shots, taking advantage of Montana’s natural beauty.

If your timeline doesn’t allow for a full golden hour session, we can always sneak away for a few extra minutes after the ceremony or reception to catch those dreamy, sunset-lit photos.

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7. Reception Coverage: Plan Around Key Events

Once the formal photos are complete, it’s time to relax and celebrate! I usually recommend covering the reception highlights:

• Entrance and First Dance
• Toasts and Speeches
• Cake Cutting
• Dancing

Most of these moments will happen naturally within the first hour or two of the reception, so be sure to coordinate the exact times with your DJ or planner to ensure nothing is missed.

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8. Leave Some Room for Flexibility

Even with the best planning, things may run a little late on your wedding day—and that’s okay! Building some buffer time into your schedule allows for unexpected delays without cutting into your photography sessions. I usually suggest adding 15-20 minutes between each section of the day for travel time, touch-ups, or spontaneous photo ops.

Final Thoughts

Creating a wedding day photography timeline might seem overwhelming at first, but with a little planning, you can ensure that your day is captured beautifully and seamlessly. As your Bozeman wedding photographer, I’ll be there to help guide you every step of the way, so you can relax and focus on making memories.

Looking for more wedding planning tips or inspiration? Be sure to check out my Instagram for more Bozeman wedding photography ideas, and don’t hesitate to reach out if you’re ready to start planning your perfect day!

(Photo idea: A close-up of the bride and groom sharing a quiet moment at sunset, with soft golden light highlighting their features.