Couples often book their wedding photographer and then go silent for six months until the wedding week. The studios that do their job well will not let that happen. Here is what to expect from a professional wedding photographer, in chronological order.
Week 0: The initial consultation
Before any money changes hands, expect a 30 to 60-minute call with the studio. They will ask about your wedding date, venue, traditions, guest count, expected coverage hours, and what you have seen on their portfolio that resonates. You should ask about team composition, deliverables, payment structure, and cancellation policies. This conversation is also where you decide if you like them as people.
Week 1: The contract and advance
A formal quotation and contract should arrive within a day or two of the call. Read the contract carefully — pay attention to delivery timelines, intellectual property clauses (who owns the photos), what happens if the photographer cannot make it, and the postponement and cancellation policies. A 25% to 30% advance is industry standard. The date is not yours until the advance clears.
Weeks 2 to 12: Quiet planning
Most of the next few months will be quiet on the photographer’s side, but expect occasional check-ins. They may share a pre-wedding questionnaire about family dynamics, must-have shots, special rituals, or any sensitivities (a parent who passed away, a sibling with a phobia of cameras). Reply to this carefully — it shapes how they show up on the day.
Week before the wedding: The recce and final call
A 15 to 30-minute call with the lead photographer the week before is standard. They will confirm timings, locations, key family members, and any last changes. If your venue is unusual or complex, they may want to do a recce in person. Use this call to flag anything you are nervous about.
The wedding day itself
A professional studio will arrive 60 to 90 minutes before the agreed start time, scout the lighting, and set up. From there, they should be present but invisible. You will probably not notice most of them most of the time. The lead photographer will check in with you briefly during the day to confirm key moments and groupings, but the day should otherwise belong to you.
Week after: The sneak peek
Within 7 to 10 days, expect a sneak peek — 15 to 20 hand-picked photographs that you can share with family. These are the photographs that will live on Instagram, in your parents’ group chats, and in your phone’s favourites folder for weeks before the full gallery is ready.
Weeks 4 to 8: The full gallery
Full edited gallery delivery is typically 30 to 60 days post-wedding, depending on the studio’s queue. Expect 800 to 1,500 photographs depending on the coverage length. Most studios share via a private online gallery you can download, share, and order prints from.
Weeks 8 to 12: The film and the album
The cinematic highlight (3 to 5 minutes) and the full film (20 to 40 minutes) typically arrive in this window. The printed album, if it is part of your package, is the final delivery — usually 75 to 90 days post-wedding. You will be asked to approve the album spreads before printing.
After everything is delivered
A good studio will stay in touch. Anniversaries, birthdays, baby showers — the families we have photographed across multiple events become part of how we measure our work. The first wedding is rarely the last.
