Melbourne Wedding Day Timeline: A Realistic Guide for an Unrushed, Luxurious Wedding
If you are reading this, you are probably looking for ideas on how to plan your wedding runsheet.
The reason I am writing this is that after planning my own wedding, and shot many myself, as a photographer, I would like you to have an enjoyable wedding day. And secondly but equally as important, I want you to have beautiful photographs to keep.
Most wedding timelines look good on paper. Very few feel good on the day.
After photographing over 150 weddings across Melbourne and Victoria, I’ve seen one clear truth: the most beautiful, emotional weddings aren’t the ones packed with more — they’re the ones given enough space.
This guide shows you how a wedding day actually flows, how long each part really takes, and where couples most often underestimate timing. It’s written for couples who want their day to feel calm, intentional, and luxurious — not rushed from moment to moment.
I don’t just photograph weddings. I help lead them — so you can stay present and enjoy what you’ve spent months planning.
If you want a Melbourne wedding day that feels as good as it looks, start here.
Groom Preparation
(allow 60-90 minutes)
Groom prep sets the tone for the day.
When it’s rushed, nerves spike. When it’s calm, confidence builds.
This is where the story begins.
What Happens During Groom Preparation
During groom prep, I typically capture:
Creating a well composed flatlay of the Groom’s accesories that sets the tone of the day (15 mins)
Groom suiting up properly (15 mins)
Capturing relaxed, confident, candid moments in-between
Creating strong editorial portraits of Groom (5 mins)
Group Photos with Groomsmen and Family (15 mins)
Additional photos (eg. Personalised Gifts from Bride or Parents, Car, Pool Table, Drinks, Cigar) (15 mins)
Any traditions like shaving, dancing, prayers, etc. (15 mins)
It’s relaxed, candid, and masculine — but it still deserves structure.
How Much Time You Really Need
A smooth groom prep takes 60 to 90 minutes.
60 minutes works if:
Everyone is mostly dressed when I arrive
Details are ready in one place
There’s no scrambling for missing items
If groomsmen are still in casual clothes, learning how to tie ties, or unpacking suits, you’ll need closer to 90 minutes — sometimes more.
Common Mistakes That Cause Rushing
The most common issues I see:
Assuming groom prep “doesn’t matter as much”
Groomsmen not dressed on arrival
Missing buttonholes or accessories
Underestimating how long men take to get ready
It’s ironic — groomsmen often take longer to dress than bridesmaids.
How We Keep This Calm on the Day
I keep groom prep efficient by:
Directing who gets dressed first
Organising details immediately
Guiding simple movements instead of stiff posing
Making sure we leave with a buffer, not stress
You start your day feeling ready — not already behind.
Bride Preparation
(Allow 120-150 minutes)
Bride prep is not just about photos.
It’s about how you arrive at your ceremony — emotionally.
This is where anticipation builds, nerves settle, and the day becomes real.
What Happens During Bride Preparation
This time usually includes:
Casual photos in PJ with the bridesmaids
Flat lays of rings, stationery, perfume, shoes
Dress hanging in natural light
Hair and makeup finishing touches
Bridesmaids helping with the dress
First looks with parents or bridesmaids
Calm portraits near a window before leaving
These moments often become the most emotional images of the day.
How Much Time You Really Need
While some guides say 90 minutes is enough, in reality:
90 minutes = tight and stressful
2 to 2.5 hours = calm and luxurious
That extra time allows:
Space for delays
Proper dressing (this always takes longer than expected)
First looks without panic
A buffer so you’re not rushed out the door
Most brides who rush here feel it all the way through the ceremony.
Common Mistakes That Cause Stress
Hair and makeup finishing late
Underestimating how long changing takes
Searching for jewellery or shoes last minute
Family pressuring the bride about being “late”
Trying on shoes, earrings or dresses for the first time on the day
All avoidable. All emotionally expensive.
How Preparation Time Affects How You Feel
When bride prep is rushed:
You feel flustered walking into the ceremony
Emotions get buried under logistics
The morning becomes something to survive, not enjoy
When it’s calm:
You’re present
You feel supported
You actually enjoy being the bride
That’s not about photos. That’s about experience.
How I Lead This Part of the Day
I will:
Clear cluttered spaces quickly
Sequence moments so nothing feels forced
Guide family gently but firmly
Protect quiet moments when they matter
My role is to make sure this part of the day feels like a deep breath — not a countdown.
Traditions
(1 to 2 Hours)
Having any traditions such as a tea ceremony adds a cultural chapter to your story. This sometimes starts prior to the Bride and Groom getting ready.
Door games: 30 minutes.
Tea ceremony: 45 minutes each, depending on how many people you are serving. Allow for time for family photos afterwards, plus travel time between locations.
Wedding Ceremony
(30 mins to 1 hour)
The moment everybody is looking forward to. The venue is fully decorated with flowers, and the guests are enjoying the soft music is playing in the background. The boys are all waiting nervously in front with much anticipation to see the Groom’s reaction when he sees the Bride. You two will exchange your personalised vows and sign your marriage certificates. And finally sealing it with a kiss and walk down the aisle for the first time as husband and wife!
My recommendation:
Allow 30 minutes for me to photograph the venue before the ceremony. This is enough for the videographer as well.
During the entrance of bridesmaids, space apart enough so that only one person is ever walking on the aisle.
During the ceremony, space apart the bridal party enough for each one’s reaction to be visible.
Try to savour your first kiss. The longer the kiss is, the more variations of photos you will receive.
For the exit, prepare a light-weight confetti that falls slowly. For example, flower petals fall slower than certain leaves. Rice paper is my new favourite. Bubbles are a great option too. Check with your venue beforehand.
Sharing a kiss mid-way through your exit looks great. A dip-kiss looks even better!
Group Portraits
(15 to 45 mins)
Usually right after the ceremony we will get everyone to join in for a big group photograph. After that, there will be time for the guests to congratulate you, before we proceed with taking portraits of smaller groups of family and friends.
My recommendation:
Create a list of the groups of people you’d like photographs with. Prioritise the ones that you know you absolutely want printed.
Assign your loudest bridal-party member to help gather the people according to the list above to make the process a lot quicker.
Consider guests that may require mobility aid.
Location Portraits
(1 to 2 hours + )
The goal here is to take amazing portraits of your entire bridal party and more importantly lots of just the two of you alone. This can happen around the at any location of your choice. Usually we do this after taking the formal group photos, where the guests can continue to mingle while I will travel with you and your bridal party.
My recommendation:
The more time we set aside for this the more variety and creative of photos you will get.
If possible, allow another 15-30 minutes for a second round of portraits sometime during your reception. This can be either 30 minutes before sunset or post-sunset.
Consider travelling time.
Reception
(varies)
Allow me to help you remember the venue as you envisioned, including all the decorations, flowers, wedding favours, gifts, details etc. After the bridal introductions, you may consider having formalities such as cake-cutting, speeches, couple’s first dance, family dance, open dance floor, garter and bouquet toss, games, or any other tradition/activities between meal intervals. We will stay until the end when you farewell your family and friends for the night.
A sample reception runsheet can be:
7:00 Bridal Entrance + Cut Cake
7:15 Entre
7:45 Speeches
8:10 Mains
8:30 Games
8:40 Dessert
8:45 Bride & Groom Speech, First Dance, Open Dance floor
10:00 Sparkler Exit
My recommendation:
Allow 30 minutes before any guests arrive for me to setup and photograph. This is enough time for videographer as well.
Consider doing a sparkler exit to end the night. Pro tip: Get either a long sparkler for each guest or two each.
Let me know if you are planning any surprises so I can be prepared for them.
Sunset / Night Portraits
(15 to 30 mins)
This may or may not be an option depending on the location, weather, and the reception schedule, but it’s something to keep in mind when formulating the timing with your venue. You can check out what time the sun will set on your wedding day by simply googling your wedding date, location and the word ‘sunset’. If, throughout the reception, there’s an interesting night shot to get, I may come and grab you. You may appreciate the break from the reception or you might tell me “no way, this song is my jam.” As long as you’re staying true to yourself and what you want, I’m happy and we’re going to get some amazing photos together.
