A Kent wedding photographer's guide to planning your perfect wedding day timeline
Imagine this: it’s the morning of your Kent wedding. Soft sunlight is pouring through the windows, there’s a gentle buzz of excitement in the air, and you’re right there in the moment—calm, present, and completely wrapped up in the joy of the day. No rushing, no stressing, no frantic “What’s next?”—just you, your love, and the beginning of your beautiful story.
The key to creating a day that feels like this? A thoughtfully planned wedding timeline. It might not sound romantic, but trust me—it’s the behind-the-scenes magic that lets everything flow smoothly, so you can fully enjoy each and every moment. This blog is based on a civil straight wedding, but these tips can be tailored to suit any kind of celebration—whatever your love story looks like.
I’m still fairly new to photographing weddings in Kent (my first was at Oakwood House, in June 2024!), but I’ve been lucky enough to learn from the lovely Laura Jayne Photographer. She’s been such a kind and generous mentor, and during one of our chats, we talked about how important it is to have a plan for the day. She even shared a sample timeline with me, and I’m really excited to pass it on to you! Whether you’re saying “I do” in Sittingbourne, Maidstone, Canterbury, or somewhere else in Kent, this guide will help you shape your day in a way that feels relaxed, joyful, and full of love.
So grab your favourite drink, and let’s chat about how to make your Kent wedding day everything you’ve always dreamed of—and more.
Preparations (8:30am-12:30pm)
The morning of your wedding day is pure magic—it’s calm, exciting, and full of special moments you’ll want to cherish forever. Soft music, perhaps a glass of bubbly, and a mix of happy nerves (and probably a few joyful tears too!).
If you’ve chosen to have me capture this part of your day, one of the first things I’ll do is photograph your bridal details—your shoes, jewellery, perfume, invitation suite, and any sentimental items that are important to you. These little touches really help tell the story of your day, and I love capturing them before the whirlwind begins.
To make sure everything’s ready for when I arrive, I’d recommend gathering all your bridal details ahead of time—ideally the day before. Having everything ready means no last-minute scrambling, and I can dive straight into capturing those beautiful moments without any stress.
Try to keep your getting-ready space neat and tidy—it may seem like a small thing, but trust me, it makes a world of difference in both your photos and how you feel that morning. A tidy space sets a calm tone for the day ahead. If you can, have a separate area (or even another room) for everyone’s bags, coats, and personal belongings, so the main room stays serene and picture-perfect.
Keeping the number of people in the room to a minimum is another helpful tip. It helps keep the atmosphere relaxed and gives you space to enjoy the moment, without feeling crowded or rushed. A smaller, more intimate group will help you feel at ease and allow you to fully take in the excitement of getting ready.
And don’t forget to eat and drink! It can be so easy to get caught up in the excitement, but it’s really important to stay hydrated and have a little something to eat.
When it’s time to get into your dress, I always recommend doing this at least an hour before the ceremony. Some dresses can take a little longer than expected—especially if they have lots of buttons or delicate fastenings—so it’s best not to leave it until the last minute. Giving yourself that extra time means there’s no rushing, no stress, just a calm, gentle moment to take a breath and really soak in the excitement of what’s to come.
Arrivals (12:00pm onwards)
This is the calm before the ceremony begins, where everything starts to come together as guests arrive, the groom gets settled, and you get ready for the big moment.
12:00pm – Groom, Groomsmen & Ushers Arrive
The groom, groomsmen, and ushers should arrive around 45 minutes to an hour before the ceremony begins. This allows everyone to settle in, take a deep breath, and ensure everything is in place before the day officially kicks off. It’s a quiet time to relax and soak in the final moments before everything moves into full swing.
12:15pm – Guests Begin to Arrive
Your guests will start to arrive around 45 minutes to an hour before the ceremony. The venue will begin to fill, the soft sound of music will fill the air, and the anticipation will grow. This is when it really starts to feel real and magical—the moment you’ve been waiting for is almost here.
Bride’s Travel Time & Registrar Interview
It’s important to give yourself enough time to travel to your ceremony location, even if it's just the other side of where you are. Don’t forget that you’ll need to make time for your interview with the registrar too!
Ceremony (1:00pm-1:45pm)
The ceremony typically lasts between 30 to 45 minutes, depending on the type of ceremony you’re having. Whatever the length, make sure to take everything slow. Whether it’s walking down the aisle, exchanging vows, or sharing your first kiss, there’s no rush. Take your time to fully enjoy each moment—you’ve been looking forward to this for so long, so savor every part of it.
Confetti (1:50pm)
If you're having confetti, I’d recommend having it right after your ceremony. You can have someone hand it out as guests leave the ceremony area or have it on their seats beforehand.
When you walk through, make sure to take it slowly so you can enjoy the moment.
Drinks Reception (2:00pm - 4:00pm)
It’s time for everyone to relax, mingle, and let the excitement of the day sink in. Guests will be congratulating you, catching up with old friends, and soaking in the atmosphere, while you get a quiet moment to breathe and take it all in together. I’ll be there, quietly capturing all of those candid, heartfelt interactions.
We’ll also use this time for your group photos. I recommend keeping these to around eight to ten groups—it’s the perfect balance between capturing everyone important and making sure things still feel relaxed and enjoyable. We can do these straight after the confetti if you’d prefer to get them done early, or we can space them out a little further into the reception—it really depends on what suits you best and how you’d like the flow of your day to feel.
Here’s an example of a group shot list, based on a method Laura recommends, which I’ve found to be a great way to capture all your nearest and dearest while keeping things relaxed and enjoyable:
Partner 1 immediate family
Partner 1 parents & siblings
Partner 1 parents
Partner 2 immediate family
Partner 2 parents & siblings
Partner 2 parents
Bridesmaids
Groomsmen
Toward the end of the drinks reception, just as guests are starting to be called in for the wedding breakfast, is a wonderful time for your couple portraits. It’s a calm little pocket in the day—just the two of you, stepping away from the crowd for a few quiet moments together. These photos don’t need to be stiff or overly posed—they’re about capturing your connection, your joy, and the feeling of this moment. As a Kent wedding photographer with a natural, laid-back style, my goal is to make you feel totally yourselves in front of the camera.
By the time we return, your guests will be seated and ready to welcome you into the next part of your celebration.
Wedding Breakfast & Speeches (4:30pm-6:30pm)
The tables are set and your guests are seated! This is usually the time I take a short break to recharge and get ready for the evening celebrations. It’s also when you’ll be enjoying your first meal as a married couple—such a lovely, relaxed part of the day where everyone can sit down, share stories, and just enjoy being together.
When it comes to speeches, there’s no right or wrong time—it really depends on what feels best for you and your day. Some couples choose to do them before the meal, which can help settle any nerves and allow everyone (especially those giving speeches!) to fully relax and enjoy the food. It also means the tables are still nice and neat—no half-finished plates or accidental spills in your photos.
Others prefer to do speeches after the meal, when everyone’s full. Either way works beautifully, so it’s really about what fits your flow and your people.
Golden Hour (an hour before sunset)
Golden hour is that beautiful time of day when the sun starts to dip and everything is bathed in a warm, golden glow. It usually happens about an hour before sunset and, when the weather plays along, it can make for some really gorgeous, soft, romantic light.
To find out when golden hour might be on your wedding day, you can simply type into Google: “sunset on [your wedding date]”, and then subtract an hour from that. That’ll give you a rough idea of when it may happen.
I always try to sneak in a few golden hour portraits if possible—it’s a time of day I absolutely love as a wedding photographer in Kent, especially if your venue has scenic views, gardens, or countryside nearby.
The Evening (7pm - late)
Your evening guests are starting to arrive, there’s a new burst of energy in the air. The atmosphere shifts slightly—more music, more chatter, more dancing shoes arriving. It’s that lovely transition from the formal part of the day into a relaxed evening full of joy, laughter, and celebration.
This is usually the perfect time to cut your cake and have your first dance. It naturally brings everyone together and sets the tone for the night ahead. Whether you’re going for a classic slow sway or something a bit more upbeat, your first dance is always a really special moment—a little pocket of time where it’s just the two of you again, right in the middle of the party.
After that, the dance floor is open, the lights go down, and the real fun begins. From here on out, it’s all about letting go and enjoying every moment with your favourite people around you.
I’ll be there to capture those beautiful, candid evening moments—your guests laughing, dancing, maybe even a few impressive moves you didn’t know your uncle had in him.
Sample Timeline
8am – Makeup & hair stylists arrive
12pm – Groom and groomsmen arrive
12pm – Bride gets into dress
12:15pm – Guests start to arrive
1pm – Wedding ceremony begins
1.45pm – End of ceremony
1.50pm – Confetti & congratulations
2pm – Welcome drinks are served
2.30pm – Group photos
3.30pm – Bride & groom photos
3.45pm – Call to be seated
4pm – Bride & groom entrance
4.05pm – Speeches
4.40pm – Dinner is served
7pm – Evening guests arrive
7:30pm – Cake cutting & first dance
11:30pm – Final drink orders
12am – The end
A little note from this Kent wedding photographer
Everything I’ve shared here is just a guide to help you picture how the day might flow. But remember, this is your wedding—there’s no right or wrong way to do things. Do what feels right for you both.
I hope this has been helpful and has made things feel a little clearer, a little calmer. And if you’re still looking for a Kent wedding photographer to walk alongside you through it all, I’d love to hear from you.
I photograph straight, same-sex, gay, & LGBTQ+ weddings across Swale, Canterbury, Maidstone, Ashford, and beyond, capturing the moments that matter most—naturally, authentically, and with a gentle, relaxed approach.
Meet your Kent inclusive wedding photographer
Your wedding day is said to be one of the very best days of your life. A day where you truly celebrate your love, your relationship and everything — and everyone — that is part of your story.
As an award-winning wedding photographer, I blend in with your day — and put you at absolute ease. My style is relaxed, natural, candid and authentically you, working behind the scenes to capture those moments that almost pass you by — but have so much meaning.
