One of the most common things I hear from couples is this:
“We just want candid photos.”

Don’t we all?

While it’s always nice to have a few photos of ourselves smiling at the camera, deep down we know why wedding photos really matter. Photos exist to help us remember moments, and moments, by nature, are candid. They’re spontaneous, emotional, unposed, and real.

So if so many couples are craving “candid” wedding photos, it probably means we’ve collectively overdone it with stiff, rushed, overly posed images.

As a wedding photographer who deeply values authentic, emotional moments (and as someone who is very much recovering from a season of posting 90% posed portraits to my social media), here’s one of the biggest truths I’ve learned:

If you want candid wedding photos, your timeline matters more than you think.

Why Your Wedding Day Timeline Matters for Candid Photos

Your wedding timeline is the backbone of your day. It’s created with your planner and vendors to map out everything: from when hair and makeup start, to when you get into your dress, to when you walk down the aisle.

The problem?
Many timelines are packed minute-by-minute, leaving no room to breathe.

When that happens, couples feel rushed, stressed, and constantly “on.” And when you’re bouncing from one thing to the next, it’s nearly impossible to be fully present, let alone candid.

A Common (But Rushed) Wedding Day Timeline

Here’s an example of a timeline I see often when couples are trying to be as “efficient” as possible:

• 2:35 – Hair and makeup done
• 2:40 – Bridesmaid pajama photos
• 2:50 – Bride gets in dress
• 3:00 – Bridesmaid reveal
• 3:15 – Bridesmaid photos
• 3:30 – Bride hidden away
• 3:50 – Line up for ceremony
• 4:00 – Ceremony
• 4:30 – Ceremony ends
• 4:35 – Family photos
• 4:55 – Full wedding party portraits
• 5:10 – Bride & groom portraits
• 5:25 – Bustle dress
• 5:30 – Line up for entrances

Every single moment requires the bride to be doing something. There’s no margin. No pause. No space for organic interaction.

Let’s think about that for a second…

When does she get a quiet moment with her parents?
When does she laugh with her friends without a camera waiting?
When does she just feel the day?

The Secret to More Candid Wedding Photos: Buffer Time

If you want photos of you laughing, crying, hugging your people, and actually enjoying your wedding day, you need buffer time built into your timeline.

Buffer time creates comfort.
Comfort allows for connection.
Connection creates candid photos.

Here are a few practical ways to build that space:

• Tell your planner you want buffer time and a relaxed pace
• Consider a first look (this dramatically reduces the post-ceremony photo list)
• Add an hour or two to your venue rental
• Add an hour or two to your photography coverage
• Give yourself more time than you think you’ll need (you’ll use it)

A More Relaxed Wedding Day Timeline (With a First Look)

Here’s that same timeline, adjusted to allow for breathing room and a first look:

• 1:25 – Hair and makeup done
• 1:30 – Bridesmaid pajama photos
• 1:45 – Bride gets in dress
• 2:00 – Bridesmaid reveal
• 2:20 – First look
• 2:30 – Bride & groom portraits
• 3:00 – Wedding party photos
• 3:30 – Bride hidden away
• 3:50 – Line up for ceremony
• 4:00 – Ceremony
• 4:30 – Ceremony ends
• 4:35 – Family photos
• 4:55 – Any extra bride & groom portraits
• 5:10 – Enjoy cocktail hour
• 5:25 – Bustle dress
• 5:30 – Line up for entrances

This timeline starts hair and makeup over an hour earlier. Yes, that might mean waking up earlier and possibly adding time to your venue or photography coverage, but it changes everything.

Here’s what it gives you:

1. A calmer, more enjoyable getting-ready experience
2. Flexibility when things run late (because they often do)
3. Time to actually enjoy cocktail hour with your guests

Why This Leads to Better, More Candid Wedding Photos

Couples who choose a relaxed, spacious wedding day timeline always end up with more authentic photos.

Not because they’re “better at being candid”, but because they’re less rushed.

They have time to interact with each other. They have space to connect with their families. They’re not constantly watching the clock.

And when people feel present and at ease, they smile more. They hug longer. They feel deeper. And those are the moments worth remembering.

Final Thoughts

If candid wedding photos matter to you, don’t just think about how you want your photos to look. Think about how you want your day to feel.

A thoughtful, well-paced wedding day timeline doesn’t just give you better photos.
It gives you a better wedding day.

If you’re planning a wedding in Raleigh (or beyond) and want a photographer who works with you and your planner to create a timeline that prioritizes presence, connection, and genuine moments, I’d love to chat! You can reach me at my contact form here.

Lastly, if you still need a wedding planner or coordinator to help with your timeline, here are a few recommendations:

• Raleigh Weddings
• Harmony Weddings & Events
• Mandy Owen Events
• LP Planning & Design