Central Coast & Hunter Valley Wedding Photography Timelines: How Daylight Savings Impacts Your Day
When you’re planning your wedding in the Central Coast, Hunter Valley, or Newcastle, the time of year you choose makes a huge difference to how your day will flow — especially when it comes to your wedding photography timeline.
The biggest factor? Daylight Savings vs. Standard Time.
In this guide, we’ll break down how the seasons affect your wedding schedule, how we adjust photography coverage for the best light, and tips to make sure your day flows effortlessly. Let’s dive in!
How Daylight Savings Affects Your Wedding Timeline
If you’re getting married between October and April, you’ll enjoy longer evenings, golden sunsets, and warmer weather—perfect for outdoor ceremonies and dreamy portraits.
During April to October, the sun sets earlier, meaning we tweak your timeline to fit the earlier golden hour and make sure no beautiful light is missed.
Quick overview:
- Daylight Savings Weddings (Oct-Apr): Full-day coverage typically runs 1PM – 9PM.
- Standard Time Weddings (Apr-Oct): Full-day coverage typically runs 12PM – 8PM.
Daylight Savings Wedding Timeline (October to April)
Here’s how a typical Daylight Savings wedding in the Central Coast or Hunter Valley flows:
- 1PM – Prep photos begin (details, candid moments, getting ready)
- 3PM – Head to the ceremony location
- 3:30PM – Ceremony start (approx. 30 minutes)
- 4PM – Group photo + family portraits immediately after the ceremony
- 4:30PM – Bridal party and couple portraits (using shaded light)
- 6PM – Grand reception entrance
- 6:30PM – Dinner and first round of speeches
- 7:15PM – Sunset portraits (if the timing’s perfect!)
- 7:45PM – More speeches, cake cutting, first dance
- 8PM onwards – Dance floor action and night portraits
- 9PM – Photography coverage concludes
Pro tip: Sunset photos are magical during Daylight Savings—you’ll love those golden, romantic shots!
Standard Time Wedding Timeline (April to October)
For weddings in Standard Time, we adjust everything about an hour earlier:
- 12PM – Prep photos start
- 2PM – Head to the ceremony site
- 2:30PM – Ceremony begins
- 3PM – Group photo + family portraits
- 3:30PM – Bridal party and couple portraits (perfect golden hour light!)
- 5PM – Reception entrance
- 5:30PM – Speeches and dinner
- 6:30PM – Cake cutting, first dance
- 7PM onwards – Dance floor photos and fun
- 8PM – Photography coverage wraps up
Why this matters: Earlier sunset means we maximise the best natural light before it disappears!
How Your Dinner Style Impacts Your Timeline
Sit-Down Dinner:
- Speeches are often split between courses.
- A more structured timeline with formal moments spread throughout the evening.
Cocktail-Style Reception:
- Speeches usually happen all at once.
- A relaxed, roaming vibe where we capture more candid guest moments.
No matter your style, we’ll build a timeline that feels natural, seamless, and stress-free.
Other Timeline Adjustments to Consider
- First Look: Want to see each other before the ceremony? We’ll shift portraits earlier.
- Pre-Ceremony Portraits: Perfect for couples who want more time with guests after the ceremony.
- Travel Time: If your ceremony and reception locations are far apart, we allow extra time in the schedule.
Remember: Every wedding is different. We create a flexible, personalised timeline so your day flows exactly how you envision it.
Final Thoughts: Plan a Timeline That Feels Effortless
Your wedding should feel relaxed, joyful, and natural—not rushed or stressful.
Whether you’re planning a dreamy vineyard wedding in the Hunter Valley or a stunning coastal celebration on the Central Coast, the right timeline ensures every moment is captured beautifully.
We’re here to guide you every step of the way—from your first look to the last dance!
🎥 Coming up next:
Stay tuned for our next blog post where we’ll cover the biggest wedding timeline mistakes—and how to avoid them.
📩 Ready to plan your perfect day?
If you’re planning a Central Coast, Hunter Valley, or Newcastle wedding, we’d love to capture your day!
