A joyful newlywed couple share a romantic embrace on a country road as they wrap up preparations – a relaxed moment captured before the ceremony.

Couples often choose to do a first look — a private reveal before the ceremony. This allows you to have your intimate moment when you’re fresh and relaxed, and then knock out many of your portraits early. For example, with a later afternoon ceremony, we might schedule the first look a couple of hours earlier. This way, all those portraits (aside from sunset shots) can be done before guests arrive. In fact, one pro photographer notes that for a 4pm ceremony in the Caribbean, doing a first look earlier “allows for more photos and you’ll be maximizing your use of your day without feeling rushed” .

During this time, consider shooting a variety of couple’s portraits in scenic spots near your venue. In Barcelona or the countryside of Spain, that might mean a vineyard or olive grove. We love to guide couples through these shoots gently – giving space to relax and forget about the camera. Assign someone (like your Maid of Honor) to help gather you for photos and keep you on schedule, so you can savor each moment.

A vineyard portrait at golden hour: the bride and groom share an embrace among sunlit vines, capturing the romance and rustic elegance of a European countryside wedding.

Right after “I do,” everyone will celebrate — often with champagne. This moment doubles as the perfect opportunity for group shots. We recommend gathering all your guests together immediately following the ceremony, as advised by one wedding planner: “1 large shot of all your guests and then (time permitting) a photo with each group” while everyone is still together.

It’s also smart to prepare a shot list of must-have family photos and assign a helper (like the Maid of Honor) to round up those relatives quickly. This ensures you capture every important face without everyone wandering off.

One of the joys of a destination wedding is the light. The best time for wedding portraits is during “golden hour” — the hour before sunset — when the sun casts a soft, warm glow. As one photographer puts it, “Golden hour is that magic window right before sunset when everything looks soft, warm, and perfectly romantic.” We always plan our timeline around this. For example, if sunset is at 7:00pm, we’ll carve out portraits around 6:00–6:30pm. That might mean stepping away from cocktail hour briefly, but it’s worth it: as another source notes, scheduling portraits for golden hour means you get “gorgeous wedding photos without sacrificing a minute of your party” .

Evening light can transform any location. On a Thai beach or an Italian cliffside, the colors become extra vivid. Our advice: don’t miss this window. We’ll coordinate with your planner so you can slip away for a 20–30 minute photo session at sunset. The result will be stunning portraiture against your dream backdrop.

A bride gazes out at a golden sunset on a pristine beach, exemplifying the “magic window” right before dusk when outdoor portraits look soft, warm, and utterly romantic.

With dusk fading, it’s time to celebrate. A steady flow in your timeline will keep guests happy and give us time to catch all the best moments. We recommend scheduling dinner early enough that toasts and speeches can happen at the table. In fact, one planner suggests, “do your speeches during dinner – combining the two will free up more time for the party and dancing afterwards.” This way, as soon as dessert comes around, everyone can hit the dance floor while our videographer captures the atmosphere.

During the party and first dance, our wedding photo and video team will move around unobtrusively, capturing laughter and energy without interrupting. Later in the evening, consider a special exit (sparklers, fireworks, or a lantern release) as a grand finale. We’ll be on hand to shoot those final romantic moments under the stars.

A whimsical beach celebration: after the ceremony, the bride and groom enjoy a playful moment aboard a traditional wooden cart, soaking up the relaxed, festive atmosphere of a tropical evening.

By organizing your day thoughtfully — from getting ready, to that magical first look and ceremony, through golden-hour portraits and lively reception — you’ll create a relaxed flow that lets everyone enjoy the celebration.

As your wedding photo and video team, we’ll be there every step to capture the joy. With a plan in place, your wedding day will feel effortless, and the photos will transport you right back to those perfect moments.