The Timeline That Actually Works for Micro Wedding
Why 6 Hours Is the Sweet Spot for a Micro Wedding (And Why Less Usually Feels Rushed)
Most couples planning a micro wedding start out thinking they only need two or three hours of coverage.
Totally normal. The guest list is small, the day feels simple, and it’s tempting to assume everything will move fast.
But here’s what actually happens once the day arrives:
Small weddings breathe slower.
People linger longer.
Emotions have room to settle in.
And suddenly that “quick ceremony and a few portraits” turns into a day full of moments you didn’t expect — the kind you want documented instead of squeezed.
After photographing a lot of intimate weddings (10 to 40 people, sometimes less), there’s a rhythm that fits almost every time.
It lands right around six hours.
Not because you need more stuff.
Because you need space.
Let me show you what that looks like.
The Quiet Start That Sets the Tone
You don’t need a big “getting ready” production — but you do want the beginning of your story.
A little time to document the calm:
your dress hanging on the cabin door, your partner finishing their tie, your mom quietly steaming your veil. These are tiny moments, but they shape the whole energy of your gallery.
If we skip this part, the photos jump straight into the ceremony.
It’s like starting a book at chapter four.
Florals by: @vickyp_floraldesign
A First Look That Isn’t Rushed
Micro-weddings run on emotion.
A first look gives you space to settle into the day together instead of diving straight into the spotlight.
Six hours lets this moment breathe.
No pressure. No hurry. Just the two of you having a real reaction — not a staged “we have three minutes” moment.
Ceremony
Small ceremonies are short, yes.
But they’re layered. People cry sooner, laugh more freely, hold hands tighter.
You don’t want a photographer racing out early because the timeline only allowed 90 minutes of coverage.
Six hours gives room for the ceremony and the genuine aftermath — hugs, tears, the “we actually did this” glow.
Family Photos That Stay Calm
The group is small, but this part still deserves breathing space.
We get the important combinations, the grandparents, the candid moments that happen right after — without the “we’re losing light, hurry!” energy.
Time to Wander for Portraits
Micro-weddings often happen in pretty places — forests, lakes, backyards, private estates.
The best portraits happen when we can walk a little, pause, let the light shift, let you two actually enjoy the moment.
This is where 6 hours shines.
We’re not jamming portraits into a 12-minute window before dinner.
Dinner, Toasts, And the Heart of the Day
This is the part couples underestimate the most.
Small weddings aren’t quick.
They’re deeper.
People gather around one long table.
They tell stories, cry during toasts, pass bread, clink glasses, share inside jokes.
This is where the real magic lives — the part you’ll want to look back on.
Six hours means I stay long enough to capture the atmosphere without intruding or overstaying.
You get the full story without stretching into full-day coverage.
Reception venue: Selanne Steak House In Laguna Beach
So… why six hours?
Because micro-weddings aren’t “mini weddings.”
They’re intimate weddings.
And intimacy takes time.
Six hours tells the whole story — the quiet start, the emotional middle, the warm and glowing end — without feeling like you booked too much or too little.
It’s the package couples end up grateful for every time.
If you want help shaping a sample timeline around your location, your ceremony time, or your specific plans, I can build one for you.
Meet Your Photographer
I truly hope that you found this blog inspirational for your own wedding!
I’d love for you to explore a few more stories on my blog — each one filled with heartfelt moments and timeless inspiration from weddings I’ve photographed across Idaho, Spokane, and San Diego.
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Whether you’re planning a celebration close to home or dreaming up a destination wedding, I’d love to help capture your story. As a Spokane wedding photographer, San Diego wedding photographer, and Idaho wedding photographer, I specialize in documenting genuine emotion, romantic details, and the kind of love that lasts a lifetime.
✨ Contact Me Today to learn more about how we can create timeless memories together.
