Your Wedding Day Timeline and Runsheet Guide
Your wedding day, mapped out.
Your runsheet is the backbone of your wedding day. It maps out every timing and every moment so your vendors know exactly where to be and when - and you can actually enjoy your day instead of managing it.
Your ceremony start time, reception start and sunset are the three anchors everything else builds around. Here are sample 8 hour photography timelines for each season to get you started.
To adapt these for a 6 or 10 hour package - add time to prep or reception depending on what matters most to you. A 6 hour package generally skips prep or reception entirely. An 10 hour package is lovely to slow down the day and have full day coverage.
You can add or subtract hours - and have 7 or 9 hours of photography depending on your timelines for the day. Just split the difference in the package costs.
Obviously travelling between locations takes time. So adding the time between each segment for travel is important.
These are guides not rules. Add a first look, plan a lunchtime wedding, do portraits at dawn, cut portraits to 20 minutes, include a 5 minute Hollywood style flash shoot at night. Your wedding, your way.
Any questions at all - just ask. I look at a lot of runsheets and I'm happy to look at yours.
Sample Photography Timelines
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Summer
8 hours / 4pm Ceremony / 8pm Sunset
1.30pm - photography starts
1.30 - 2.30pm groom/partner 1 prep (travel to partner 2)
2.30 - 3.30pm bride/partner 2 prep (travel to ceremony)
4 - 4.30pm ceremony
4.45 - 5pm group photo, family photos
5 - 5.30pm canape hour with guests
5.30-6.15pm wedding party photos
6.30pm enter reception
7.40 - 8pm couple sneak out for sunset photos
(sunset is 8pm)
8pm onwards reception
9.30pm photography finishes
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Autumn
8 hours / 3pm Ceremony / 7.30pm sunset
12.30pm - photography starts
12.30 - 1.30pm groom prep/partner 1 (travel to partner 2)
1.30 - 2.30 pm bride prep/partner 2 (travel to ceremony)
3 - 3.30pm ceremony
3.45 - 4pm group photo, family photos
4 - 5pm mingle with guests, canapes
5-5.45pm wedding party photos
6pm enter reception
7.10 - 7.30pm couple sneak out for sunset photos
(sunset is 7.30pm)
7.30pm onwards reception
8.30pm photography finishes
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Winter
8 hours / 3pm Ceremony / 5pm Sunset
12.30pm - photography starts
12.30 - 1.30pm groom prep/partner 1 (travel to partner 2)
1.30 - 2.30 pm bride/partner 2 prep (travel to ceremony)
3 - 3.30 pm ceremony
3.45 - 4pm group photo, family photos
4.15 - 5pm wedding party photos
(sunset is 5pm)
5 - 6pm mingle with guests and canapes
6pm reception
6pm onwards reception
8.30pm photography finishes
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Spring
8 hours / 3.30pm Ceremony / 7pm sunset
1pm photography starts
1 - 2pm groom/partner 1 prep (travel to partner 2)
2 - 3pm bride/partner 2 prep (travel to ceremony)
3.30 - 4pm ceremony
4.15 - 4.30pm group photo, family photos
4.30 - 5pm mingle with guests and canapes
5-5.45pm wedding party photos
6pm enter reception
6.40-7pm couple sneak out for sunset photos
(sunset is 7pm)
7pm onwards reception
9pm photography finishes
How much time do we need for photos?
Preparation / Getting Ready 30 - 1.5 hours
Time needed - min. 30 mins / max. 1.5 hours per person
Ideal - 1 hour for groom/partner 1 and just over an 1 hour for bride/partner 2
Getting ready - detail shots 20 mins - rings, outfits, people, bouquets, process of getting ready to story tell, candids of moments unfolding 20 mins + , and more formal style portraits when everyone is dressed ready to go 15 mins +
If you gather your details - rings, jewellery, perfume, flowers, shoes, invitations - in one spot for me I can photograph those while you finish getting ready without interrupting you to find them
First look? 10 mins - 1 hour
Time needed - min. 10 mins up to 1 hour with portraits
Ideal - 30 mins for first look and a small set of wedding party portraits
A first look is the wedding couple seeing each other for the first time before the ceremony - think tap on the shoulder and turn around
Add family or parents seeing couple for first time? A set of couple and/or wedding party portraits before the wedding? Or family portraits before the ceremony?
Sunset Portrait Session 10-30 mins
Time needed - min. 15 mins up to 30 mins
Ideal - 20 mins starting 20 mins before sunset
If you want to bring your wedding party add more time + 15-20 mins
Couples only need 15-30 mins + travel to location
Group Photo and Family Photos 10-20 mins
Time needed - min. 15 mins up to 30 mins
Ideal - 15 mins for family portraits, 5 mins for group photo if you want it
Sometimes it’s nice NOT to have a group photo and do smaller groups through the day.
We’ll do as group photo straight after the ceremony before everyone wanders off and family photos straight after that
Please send me a family photo list so we can go from the list and a person to help me call out names and wrangle! When we are organised it’s very smooth, when we aren’t it’s very stressful!
Portrait Session 45mins - 1.5 hours
Time needed - min. 45 mins up to 1.5 hour
Big wedding party + multiple locations = more time
No travel + small wedding party = less time
You can do this is a much shorter time - just keep in mind less time = less photos
Ideal - 45mins - 1 hour + travel time
Reception Highlights
Cake cut 5-10 minutes
First dance -duration of the songs
Sparkler exit - 15-20 mins to set up and photograph
Everything else is candid as it unfolds
Night time Hollywood style shoot 5-10 mins
Real Client Runsheets
Here are some real and recent runsheets from my clients so you can see how the whole day looks. Feel free to copy and paste whatever you like from any of this information and use it as a base!
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Bride / Partner 1
900 Make up arrive and set up
1000 Flowers delivered
1015. Hairdresser arrive and set up
1315 Make up - finished
1330 Bride style hair
1400 Photographer Kirsten arrives
1415 Touch up hair
1430 Makeup pack down and depart
1430 All hair and makeup done - get dressed
1445 Photos of Bridesmaids and Parents
1530 Photographer depart for ceremony
1530 Bride departs
Groom / Partner 2
1030 Someone from groom party to come and pick up the buttonholes
1130 Groomsmen arrival
1230 Photographer arrival
1230 Groomsmen to get dressed
100 Photos with groomsmen and parents
1.30 Photographer departs for bride
1515. Groom & Groomsmen depart
Venue
1400-1500 Cake delivery
1530 Bus arrives with guests
1550 Bridesmaids/Bride + parents arrive - park in lower car park
1600 Photobooth set up
1600 Outdoor Ceremony
1630 Family Photos
1645-1730 Wedding Party Photos onsite
1630 Canapes at Butter Factory for Guests
1630 Music - Butter factory
1730 Wedding party arrives back to mingle with guests
1730 Table settings - Venue staff
1730 DJ set up
1820 MC to get Microphone from DJ
1820 Guests go to Reception area
1825 Guests are asked to take their seats
1830 Photobooth commences (unattended)
1830 MC delivers welcome followed by entrance of the bridal party
1840 2 speeches
1900 Main is served
1930 2 speeches
1930-1945 Serve crew meals
2000 Cutting the cake
2015 Wedding game
2030 Dessert is served
2100 Bride and Groom Speech
2115 First dance
Dance floor
Self-serve tea and coffee available
Wedding cake served - cut up on self-serve platter
2230 Bride and Groom Farewell
2230 Photographer departs
2245 Event concludes and all guests depart
2300 Everyone to be out of the venue by this time
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9:30- Makeup Begins
11:00 - Hair Begins
1:30- Photographer Arrives Groom
1:45 - Put on Suits - Groom Photos
2:30 - Photographer Arrives Bride - Prep Photos
3:00 - Final Makeup Touch Ups
3:00 - Getting Dressed
3:30 - First Looks, Wedding Party Gather Together
3:45 - Coach Pick Up Guests
4:00 - Guests Begin to arrive
4:30 - Ceremony Begins
5:15 - Canape Hour. - Guests
5:15 - Photo Session onsite - Wedding Party
6:00 - Reception Begins
6:15 - Entrees Served
6:45 - Sunset Photos - Couple
7:00 - Mains Served
7:45 - Speeches
8:20 - Cake Cutting
8:30 - First Dance
9:00 - Party Time!
9:30 Photography Ends
10:45 - End / Coach Pickup
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8.30am Bouquet drop off
8.45am Cake and grazing food to cool room
9.00am Table flowers and decorate cake
9.30am Makeup starts
10.30am Hair starts
12.15pm Photographer arrives Groom Prep
1.15pm Photographer arrives Bride Prep
3.00pm Depart for ceremony
3.30pm Ceremony Starts
4.15pm Family photos
4.30pm Mingle with guests - grazing table and music
5.30pm Bridal party photos
6.00pm Reception starts
6.05pm Entrance
6.15pm Speeches x 2
6.30pm Entrees served
7.00pm Speeches x 2
7.20pm Sunset photos
7.30pm Mains Served
8.15pm Cake cut
8.30pm Serve dessert
8.45pm First dance and dancefloor
9.15pm Photography ends
10.45pm Bus pickup / End
Family Photos Reminder
Straight after the ceremony - or before if you're doing a first look - is the ideal time for family photos. Everyone is still together and hasn't wandered off for drinks yet.
Group photo first if you want one, then family photos immediately after.
Send me your list beforehand in the exact order you want them. Have someone loud who knows everyone ready to help call names. 15 minutes maximum - under 10 photos is ideal.
A standard list looks like this:
Both partners with Partner 1's extended family
Both partners with Partner 1's immediate family
Partner 1 with immediate family only
Both partners with Partner 2's extended family
Both partners with Partner 2's immediate family
Partner 2 with immediate family only Both partners with grandparents
Add whatever combinations matter to you - siblings, parents only, both sets of parents together, important friend groups. Just keep it under 15.
Real Wedding Reviews
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100% yes — and I absolutely love it. Love is love, full stop. Same sex couples have exactly the same rights as everyone else, and I'm genuinely excited to be part of your day.
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Wedding photography packages start from $5,800, including an online gallery, sneak peek within 24 hours, 35mm film, highlights slideshow and online print store. Packages including a Fine Art Album start from $7,500. Additional hours are available beyond the base package. A $1,000 non-refundable retainer secures your date, with the balance due one week before your wedding.
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Natural, joyful and editorial — guided enough that you look incredible, relaxed enough that it never feels posed. My work blends candid storytelling with an editorial eye, focused on light, genuine emotion and authentic moments. Think real faces, real colour, real joy — beautifully composed. No stiff posing, no manufactured moments. Just your day, captured exactly as it feels.
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Once your retainer is paid and contract is signed you'll get access to a client area with everything you need to plan your day — timeline guides, vendor recommendations and more. I'll check in throughout the lead up to your wedding and I'm always available if you need me. No question is too small — I've heard them all and I genuinely love helping couples feel prepared and excited rather than overwhelmed.
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I arrive, get across the vibe, and get to work. I'll cover getting ready, ceremony, family formals, portraits and reception — moving through your day quietly and efficiently so nothing gets missed. I work to your timeline, adapt when things shift, and keep everything relaxed and fun throughout.
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Honestly? You don't need to figure this out before you book. Timelines evolve — and what you need will become clear as your day takes shape. The most important thing right now is locking in your date.
As a rough guide: 6 hours covers ceremony, family formals and portraits with a taste of prep and reception. 8 hours is the sweet spot for most weddings — more prep time and a proper slice of reception. 10 hours is (almost) full day coverage, getting ready to dance floor, nothing missed. My most popular packages are 8 hours with an album or 10 hours of coverage.
Additional hours are always available if you need them.
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Simple. Email me at hello@kirstencunningham.com to say you'd like to book — I'll send through a contract and booking fee invoice. Once that's signed and paid, your date is locked in and officially mine to protect.
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For weddings a $1,000 non-refundable retainer secures your date — after that, all other enquiries for your day get turned away. The remaining balance is due one week before your wedding. You can pay in full or in instalments, whatever works for you. You don't need to confirm your final package until closer to the day.
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Fast. You'll have a sneak peek preview of 20-50 images delivered to your online gallery within 24 hours of your wedding. The full gallery — every edited image — will be ready in 4 weeks. Portrait and family sessions are generally around 2 weeks.
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There's no cap. For weddings you'll receive approximately 50-100 professionally edited images per hour of coverage — so an 8 hour wedding means roughly 400-800 images. Every edited photo is included. No culling your favourites down to a tiny selection.
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Absolutely — and I love it. I'm based in Orange NSW and shoot weddings across Mudgee, Hunter Valley, Blue Mountains, Dubbo and Bathurst with no travel fees for these locations. For weddings further afield across regional NSW and beyond, travel fees apply but are very reasonable, covering transport and accommodation. I've also photographed weddings in Italy, New Zealand, Queensland and all over Australia — just ask and we'll work it out.
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Yes — and this is one of my favourite parts of the job. I'll be with you every step of the way, especially when it comes to timing your portrait session with the light. After you book you'll have access to a client area with everything you need to plan your day. Need a vendor recommendation? Just ask — I know everyone worth knowing in regional NSW.
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Most weddings I photograph solo and easily cover everything. After 300+ weddings I know how to be everywhere at once. That said, if you have 100+ guests or specific requests, a second shooter can be a great addition. Just mention it when you enquire and we'll work it out — subject to availability based on your location and date.
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Elopements are intimate micro weddings of fewer than 20 people. With less on the schedule they generally need less coverage — elopement packages start from 2 hours. Weddings have 20 or more guests and a full day of activities that need more comprehensive coverage. Not sure which category yours falls into? Just ask.
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Yes — the moment your $1,000 retainer is paid and your contract is signed, your date is locked in. From that point I turn away all other enquiries for that day. Your date is officially, completely yours.
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The $1,000 booking retainer is non-refundable — once your date is secured, all other work for that day is turned away. If you need to change your date, the retainer can be moved to a new mutually agreed date where possible. Full details are outlined in your contract.
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Yes — and weddings are actually the best training ground for commercial work. On a wedding day I'm an event, portrait, food, wine, architecture and fashion photographer all rolled into one. I love commercial work across Orange NSW and regional Australia. Outline your brief when you enquire and I'll provide an accurate quote.
You can see my commercial work at kirstencunningham.com/commercial-photography
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Absolutely. I hold current public liability insurance up to $20 million. Happy to send a copy to you or your venue on request — just ask.
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All high resolution images are uploaded to a private online gallery where you can download everything in both web and print size. I'll send the link via email and you can share it with family and friends. Simple, beautiful, easy to access forever.
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Yes — two rolls of 35mm film are included in every single wedding package at no extra cost. Film adds a timeless, tactile quality to your gallery that digital alone can't replicate. It's one of those details that makes your photos feel a little bit special — and a little bit timeless.