Planning a Catholic Wedding Day Timeline: A Photographer’s Perspective

The first time I photographed a Catholic wedding Mass in 2024, I was freshly baptized and confirmed. As a Philadelphia Catholic Wedding Photographer, I was excited, a little nervous, and eager to glorify God with my work. It was a strange experience blending my work (formerly secular weddings) with my Sunday devotions. The whole wedding day was different from a secular one, so here’s a photographer’s guide to Catholic Wedding Day Timelines (specifically for you, my friend in faith).

With a lot of the secular weddings I photograph, I’ve noticed the ceremonies have gotten shorter and shorter over the years. Like—what!? That’s the whole reason we’re here! It’s also a challenge for me as a documentary wedding photographer when I want to get a beautiful variety of angles and reactions of loved ones. Unlike those shorter ceremonies, Catholic wedding Mass timelines are built around the sacred. So: how do you honor that sacred rhythm and still make the most of your time for all kinds of great photos?

The Catholic Wedding Mass Play-by-Play

First, let’s understand the Catholic wedding Mass timeline. This tripped me up when I was planning my own wedding, because it’s a tidbit different from a regular Sunday Mass. Here’s a general outline of a traditional Catholic wedding ceremony timeline:

Typical breakdown: processional > readings > homily > vows > rings > Eucharist > Nuptial blessing > recessional

Your church might be sliiiiightly different, of course, so be sure to work closely with your priest to understand the flow of the whole thing. He might have a variation, and sometimes the first kiss is timed differently depending on the structure. It’s helpful for your photographer if you can find out when that’s going down. (Bonus: check out the USCCB on the Catholic wedding Mass)

Sample Catholic Wedding Day Timeline (8-hour Coverage)

Here’s a sample 8-hour Catholic wedding day timeline based on weddings I’ve photographed in Bucks County and Philadelphia. Remember, this is just a sample. I typically recommend that you weigh your photography coverage to the morning (so I can be there for all your sweet, intimate moments with your close family + bridal party. It also gives me an opportunity to get your details & get acquainted with everyone so they know who I am and are already comfortable with me for the fun day ahead)

• 12:30pm photography coverage begins; details photographed
• 1pm candids & men getting ready; groom portraits
• 1:30pm candids & women getting ready; bridal portraits
• 2pm couple + wedding party travels to church
• 2:30pm ceremony
• 3:45pm group photos
• 4:15pm couples photos
• 5pm cocktail hour
• 6pm reception begins; entrances, first dance, parent dances
• 7pm dinner is served; toasts; dance floor opens
• 8pm cake cutting, then flash photos after dark
• 8:30pm photography coverage ends

Catholic Wedding Day Timeline Tips from Your Photographer

Build in extra time between your wedding Mass and the reception.

Catholic ceremonies often run long, and unless you’re making a fun exit and dashing off fast, you’re going to want breathing room for your group formals and portraits.

Consider going without a first look.

First looks are great for keeping timelines tight, but if I’m being honest, there’s absolutely nothing that can compare to the beautiful feeling of seeing each other for the first time in the church in the presence of God.

Get as many group photos before the ceremony as you can.

If you do go without a first look, you can still get group photos. For example, you can still get the bride with her bridal party or the groom with his groomsmen (groups and individual), as well as certain essential family photos (like bride + mom, groom + siblings, etc.)

Don’t forget sunset portraits!

Around sunset, during golden hour, I’ll come and poke you on the shoulder and ask if you want some gorgeously lit portraits of the two of you. I always encourage a little sneak out for these, but they’re always optional (sometimes the party is worth staying for!)

These Catholic wedding day timeline tips apply beautifully to Mass weddings anywhere in Pennsylvania or New Jersey.

Capturing the Sacred: Catholic Wedding Photography Ideas

How can you capture the beauty of your church in your portraits?

Ask your priest first, but a great way to start your Catholic wedding portraits (or even just take a few private moments after your ceremony) might be to take some photos in your church! You can quietly pray together in a pew, before the cross, or at any beautiful corner. I’ll help direct you a little bit to get the best light, but these moments are also for you. Catholic church wedding photography is unique and special in the world of weddings, and I always encourage couples to take advantage of the beauty of churches.

Plan a Marian devotion or built-in prayer moments.

This is a great way not only to ease jitters before or after the ceremony, but a great way to find a little bit of peace in an otherwise crazy day with faith-filled wedding moments. I’ve seen the groom spend a little time in adoration with his groomsmen while they’re waiting for the ladies to arrive at the church, the newlyweds stopping in the grotto after the ceremony, or just a private moment for prayers before the couple’s portraits at sunset! As a Catholic wedding photographer, I’ve found that these are the moments that truly capture the sacredness of the day.

Invite your priest to your reception.

This one is case-by-case of course depending on your relationship with your priest and his schedule, but inviting him to celebrate your nuptials with you and treating him to a great meal is a wonderful way to say thank you! (also, my husband and I forgot to do this at our wedding, yikes, but we wish we got a photo with our priest right after the ceremony.) If you and he feel comfortable with it, you can also invite him to pray grace before everyone digs into dinner.

Need help Planning your Catholic Wedding Day Timeline?

As part of all of my wedding day packages, I include timeline assistance. That means you give me all your details and I’ll work together with all of your vendors to help string it together. I’ve also been to one or two (read: many many many) Masses and wedding Masses so I can help you work around that as well.

If you’re planning a Catholic wedding in Bucks County or Philadelphia, I would love to help you create a Catholic wedding day timeline that honors this beautiful sacrament (in that artful way you + I are dreaming of).

“Let all that you do be done in love.” — 1 Corinthians 16:14

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This post was written without AI. 😉