The Importance of a Wedding Timeline

Your wedding day is one of the most important days of your life, and having a well-structured timeline can make all the difference in ensuring it runs smoothly and stress-free. In the beautiful setting of Riviera Maya, proper planning is essential to take full advantage of the breathtaking scenery and ideal lighting conditions for your wedding photos. One of the recommendations for your wedding day is to schedule the ceremony two hours before sunset. In this post, I’ll explain why this timing is perfect and provide tips on how to plan a fantastic wedding day.

The Perfect Getting Ready Time for Photography

An image-rich getting ready session typically lasts about an hour and a half.

Why is this timing ideal?

It allows enough time to capture all the special details and moments without feeling rushed. I don't want to spend hours photographing you sitting in a makeup chair, only to rush to the ceremony afterwards. Instead, this timeframe is perfect for documenting the intricate details, sharing heartfelt moments with loved ones, and capturing those emotional instances when you put on your dress or suit.

Key Moments to Capture:

• Details: Photographing items like the dress, shoes, jewelry, and invitations.
• Special Moments: Interactions with your mother, bridal party; toasts and shared laughter, first look with dad or the couple's children.
• Emotional Scenes: The touching moment of getting dressed, whether you are putting on a gown or donning a suit. These moments are filled with genuine emotions that you'll want to savor.
• Portraits: Beautiful window-lit portraits, full-length shots of the dress, intimate family moments, and candid group photos with your wedding party.

First Tip: Coordinate with Your Makeup and Hair Stylist

Ensure that your makeup and hair are completed just as the photographer and videographer arrive.

For example, if the photographer is scheduled to arrive at 12 pm, let your makeup artist know to have you ready by 11:40 am at the latest.

This way, even if there are slight delays, we can start with a few final touch-up shots and then move on to capturing those precious moments. It's also important that the bridesmaids and the mother (or whoever is helping you ) are ready before you.

This ensures that everyone who needs to be in the photos is prepared and looking their best.

Remember: Take Time to Relax

You’ll need a moment to eat, use the bathroom, and just breathe before heading out.

With a calm and well-planned schedule, everything flows more smoothly, allowing you to enjoy every minute of your big day.

Second Tip: The First Look

Sometimes couples prefer to have a first look before the ceremony. This intimate moment allows them to share their vows privately, exchange a personal gift, or simply enjoy a few moments of solitude together.

Another popular option is the "first touch," where the couple shares a special moment without seeing each other. This way, you preserve the excitement of you seeing your partner for the first time during the ceremony. During a first touch, it's crucial to coordinate everything carefully to ensure you don't accidentally see each other. You can hear, touch, and feel one another, and maybe even exchange something, but you won't see each other.

For either option, we recommend setting aside 30 minutes. This time frame is perfect for leaving your respective preparation areas, meeting each other, experiencing the moment, and then moving calmly to the ceremony.

In the Riviera Maya, many hotels have fixed ceremony times that can't be adjusted. If your ceremony is scheduled one hour or 30 minutes before sunset, I suggest having a first look. This way, you can capture beautiful daylight photos.

If the ceremony is just before sunset, consider setting aside one hour for the first look and couple portraits. If you want to include bridal party and immediate family photos as well, plan for 1.5 hours. This ensures you have enough time to capture all these moments without feeling rushed and to take advantage of the best lighting conditions.



By planning ahead and setting aside the right amount of time, you can ensure your day is filled with beautiful, relaxed moments that you'll cherish forever.

The Perfect Ceremony Time in Riviera Maya

Why are two hours before sunset ideal?

The reason we recommend planning your ceremony two hours before sunset is to ensure you have the most beautiful light of the day for your portraits and to allow your guests to enjoy the golden hour during the cocktail hour.

Symbolic ceremonies typically last about thirty minutes. After the ceremony, there is usually time allocated for group photos, including shots with all your guests, family, and bridal party. However, there’s no need to rush. Watching your guests celebrate, hug, and toast with you right after the ceremony is incredibly beautiful and adds a lot of candid moments to your photo album.

After the group photos, which are important since your guests have traveled from various places to be here, enjoying the cocktail hour is essential. Plus, being in the Caribbean means it can be quite warm, so having time to refresh, grab a drink, and mingle with your guests during the cocktail hour can be very relaxing. This break also allows you to start the couple’s portrait session in a more relaxed and enjoyable manner.

For religious ceremonies, which can vary from forty minutes to an hour, scheduling the ceremony two hours before sunset is crucial. Ideally, it should be 2.5 hours before sunset to achieve the same relaxed mood as a symbolic ceremony, but if that’s not possible, at least two hours will still work. This might shorten the time available for couple portraits, but at Quetzal Wedding Photo, we know how to make the most of every moment.

By planning your ceremony at this time, you ensure that the lighting conditions are perfect, creating the best possible environment for capturing stunning photos and enjoying your special day.

The Perfect Couple Portraits Time in Riviera Maya

Just one hour before sunset, the light in the Riviera Maya is simply stunning.

Every couple is different—some prefer to spend more time with their guests during the cocktail hour, while others want to maximize their portrait session. It's important to consider at least 40 minutes for your portrait session. If you have both photography and videography, an hour would be ideal.

After taking photos with the wedding party, you might spend a few minutes at the cocktail hour, which typically lasts an hour. This timing is perfect because we can always steal a few extra minutes before making the grand entrance to the reception.

This part of the day is one of my favorites!

The more time you consider for your portraits, the more magic happens. As a photographer, I always say, it depends on each situation. If you give me a little time in a small corner, I will make the most of it. If you give me more time, I will create magic with different scenes and textures from the venue.

If you invest this time, we will make the most of it. Remember, these are the photos that will definitely end up in frames. Your parents and grandparents might ask for one to display in their living rooms, and your children will definitely want to see these portraits.

It's also a very fun time. It's a chance for you to be together, play a little, chat a bit, and even though you're in a portrait session, believe me, you'll enjoy having these moments almost alone!

The big secret is also knowing the seasonal sunset times. I'll share this with you shortly ! ;)

The Perfect Reception Time in Riviera Maya

How Much Photo and Video Time Do I Need?

This depends on each couple. Some want coverage until the very last minute, which is wonderful! However, it may not always be necessary.

No matter the order of events during the reception, what’s important is that the key moments are captured.

Third tip: Party

Ensure that your photographers and videographers stay at least 1.5 hours after the dance floor opens for the party.

After dinner, where speeches, cake cutting, and other events typically happen, comes the party time. Whether the first dances occurred before or after dinner, the party is where many candid moments unfold. Not everyone immediately hits the dance floor—some may go to the restroom, chat at the bar, or engage in other activities. By ensuring coverage during this time, I can guarantee that you’ll have action shots of your guests, even those who might not dance. This period allows capturing everyone in a more relaxed and fun atmosphere.

Keep in mind that all major events that occur before the cameras leave are ensured to be a part of your visual legacy.

Sunset Times in Riviera Maya, Mexico

These times are approximate and can vary slightly each year.

It's always a good idea to check the exact sunset time for your specific wedding date to ensure optimal lighting for your photos.

Expert Tips for a Stress-Free Wedding Day

1. Work Closely with Your Vendors Communicate your timeline clearly with all your vendors—photographer, videographer, caterer, florist, and entertainment. Ensure everyone is on the same page or contract a Wedding Coordinator. Regular check-ins leading up to the wedding day can help address any concerns and confirm details.

2. Include Buffer Times Incorporate buffer times between major events to account for any delays. This extra time allows for unexpected moments and ensures that you don't feel rushed. For example, plan for a bit more time than you think you'll need for getting ready, transportation, and transitions between events.

3. Stay Flexible While having a detailed timeline is essential, being flexible is equally important. Weddings are dynamic events, and sometimes things don't go exactly as planned. Embrace the unexpected moments—they often become the most memorable parts of your day.

4. Delegate Tasks Assign tasks to trusted family members or friends. This helps distribute the workload and ensures that you're not overwhelmed with responsibilities on your big day. Having a point person to coordinate with vendors and handle any last-minute issues can be incredibly helpful.

5. Take Time for Yourselves Amidst the hustle and bustle, carve out a few moments to spend alone with your partner. Whether it's during the first look, a quiet moment after the ceremony, or a quick walk together, these intimate moments help you stay connected and present.

Your wedding day is a once-in-a-lifetime event, and our goal is to help you enjoy every moment to the fullest. With thoughtful planning, open communication, you can create a stress-free and unforgettable celebration.