One of the big timeline questions I get from couples is: how long do bridal party photos actually take?
And while “bridal party” is the phrase most people search for, I’m going to use the term wedding party throughout this post because every wedding, and every couple ,deserves language that feels inclusive and true to them.
The short answer? Most wedding party photos take somewhere between 30–60 minutes depending on the size of the group, whether you’re doing a first look, travel between locations, and whether small children are involved.
As a general rule, I typically allow about 3–4 minutes per person in the wedding party. That timing gives us enough room for a strong variety of images without making the experience feel rushed or overly posed. While it can be done faster, rushing through yields photos with less of your personality.
Planning your wedding timeline and wondering how long do bridal party photos take? I help couples build realistic photography timelines that leave room for both the must-have portraits and the spontaneous moments that make the day feel like your day. If you’re looking for a photographer who will help create a timeline that keeps things stress-free, I’d love to chat.
What’s Included in Wedding Party Photos?
When I photograph wedding party portraits, I’m not just taking one big group photo and moving on. My goal is to create a gallery that feels personal, balanced, and reflective of the relationships between everyone involved.
Typically, this portion of the day includes:
- Full wedding party photos
- Individual sides (couple with their people)
- Formal portraits
- Fun and relaxed prompts
- More emotional or sweet moments
- One on Ones with the person whose side their standing
- A few solo portraits of both the bride & groom
My approach is fairly directorial in terms of keeping things moving efficiently, but prompt-based so the photos still feel natural and connected instead of stiff or overly formal.
Why Mixed Wedding Parties Make Sense
More and more couples are choosing mixed wedding parties, and honestly, I love it.
Your wedding party should reflect the people who matter most to you, whether that’s siblings, lifelong friends, or the people who have simply shown up for you over and over again throughout your life.
If your sister is your best friend, why should she stand on the opposite side because of tradition? If your closest friend happens to be a man and you want him standing beside you, that should feel completely normal too.
One of my favorite examples of this personally is that I was actually the best man in my best friend’s wedding. It made complete sense for our relationship, and I think more couples are realizing they don’t need to force traditional roles if they don’t fit who they are.
Not only does this approach feel more personal and authentic, but from a photography standpoint it often creates more natural interactions and personality within the photos themselves.
A Realistic Timeline Example
For a wedding where each person has about six people standing with them, I typically recommend allowing 45–50 minutes total for wedding party portraits.
That usually breaks down like this:
- Around 20 minutes for the brides side of the wedding party
- Around 15 minutes for the groom’s side
- About 10 minutes for the full group together
Remember that 3-4 minute per person rule? This means if you have a larger bridal party, we’ll need to set aside more time, if you have 10 people standing on each side, I would allow an hour at minimum, and we are simply going to have to move through these photos more quickly. Photo fatigue is real, and cycling through photos with ten people can easily trigger it. On the other side of things, say you only have four people standing on each side— here we could allow thirty minutes for all of your wedding party formals and be in a great position to capture genuine personality.
| Wedding Party Size | Recommended Time |
|---|---|
| 2 per side | 15–20 minutes |
| 4 per side | 25-30 minutes |
| 6 per side | 40–50 minutes |
| 8 per side | 45–60 minutes |
| 10+ per side | 60+ minutes |
Including Kiddos in Wedding Party Photos
If there are children under five involved in the full wedding party photos, I usually recommend adding another 5–10 minutes to the timeline depending on how many kids are participating. It’s a lot easier to get two children looking at the camera at the same time than it is to get six.
Because of that, I generally recommend taking dedicated photos with the flower girls and ring bearers rather than relying solely on the full group photo. This gives us a chance to capture sweet portraits of them without the added challenge of coordinating a large group at the same time.
If a couple does want children included in the full wedding party photos, I always tell them we’ll play it by ear. Wedding days simply aren’t built for long attention spans. There are new people to meet, snacks to find, varying nap schedules, and a lot of excitement competing for their attention. This becomes even more important if you’re not doing a first look, since the full wedding party photos will likely happen after the ceremony when little ones have already been going for several hours. Hell, it’s a lot for us adults!
Young kids can absolutely do great, but they often need a little extra flexibility and patience. When children are involved, I build some wiggle room into the timeline and encourage couples to embrace a little bit of the chaos. Sometimes the best photo isn’t the one where every child is looking at the camera. Sometimes it’s the one where they’re being completely themselves.
First Look vs. No First Look
Whether or not you’re doing a first look also impacts the timeline significantly.
If You’re Doing a First Look
I typically photograph all wedding party portraits before the ceremony. This keeps the day flowing smoothly and allows couples to enjoy more of cocktail hour afterward, or to dedicate that time to couples portraits in more flattering light.
It also means the full wedding party is already together, which tends to make this portion of the day faster and more cohesive.
If You’re Not Doing a First Look
In this case, I usually photograph each side of the wedding party separately before the ceremony, then complete the full wedding party portraits afterward.
This works perfectly well, but it does mean reserving a bit more post-ceremony time in the timeline.
The good news is that regardless of whether or not you decide to do a first look, wedding party photos don’t have to take hours. With a realistic schedule, a cooperative group, and a little planning, most couples are surprised by how smoothly this portion of the day goes. The Knot’s wedding day timeline guide is a helpful resource for understanding how the different parts of the day fit together. Just be sure to communicate with your specific wedding vendors, as every photographer and planner works a little bit differently.
The Biggest Thing That Impacts Timing
Honestly, it’s energy.
A wedding party that’s ready to have fun and stay engaged will move through portraits quickly.
A wedding party that disappears for drinks, gets distracted, or needs constant corralling will naturally take longer…
This is one of the reasons I guide so much throughout this part of the day. Keeping momentum up helps everyone stay relaxed and makes the photos feel more genuine in the end.
At the end of the day, wedding party photos shouldn’t feel like a checklist. They should feel like a celebration of the people who helped get you here.
Every wedding party is a little different, which is why there isn’t a one-size-fits-all answer to “how long do bridal party photos take?” The right timeline depends on your priorities, your wedding party size, and how you want the day to feel. If you’re looking for a photographer who can help you create a timeline that flows naturally while still making space for meaningful photos, reach out to L.Morgan Photography. I’d love to hear about your plans and help you build a day that’s both beautiful and enjoyable.
