If you’re planning a wedding in Punta Cana, you’ve probably asked yourself what will be typical Punta Cana Wedding Timeline. After photographing and filming thousands of weddings here, Nata and I can tell you there’s a rhythm that repeats itself. Every couple, every love story, every detail is unique, but the general flow of the day in Punta Cana follows a timeline that works beautifully with the Caribbean light and energy.
For brides just starting to plan, you’ll probably want to look at our Frequently Asked Questions. It covers many of the details that couples ask us before booking.
Getting Ready (2.5 to 3 hours before the ceremony)
We always suggest to our couples to give us a minimum of 2 hours and 30 minutes before the ceremony for preparations. Ideally, 3 hours. Here’s why:
- 1 hour with the groom: to capture details (rings, vows, shoes, jacket…), getting dressed, relaxed portraits and time with groomsmen.
- 1 hour with the bride: details (dress, shoes, jewelry, stationery, bouquet, etc.) getting ready (hair and makeup, getting dressed, etc.) and moments with family and bridesmaids.
- 30 minutes buffer: this lets us set up all the equipment at the ceremony site, capture gazebo and the decor before guests arrive, fly the drone for wide shots, etc.
- If a couple decides on a first look, photos of close family and the bridal party before the ceremony, additional time should be added to the schedule.
The more time you allow, the more creative we can get. When couples cut this window short, we lose opportunities to capture shots that take a little longer to prepare but add so much to the final gallery.
If you’re still looking into different services for your day, take a look at our curated Punta Cana wedding vendors list. It’s full of trusted people we work with all the time: planners, DJs, travel agents, officiants…
Things to know: First Look or Aisle Reveal
Many couples choose to see each other for the first time at the aisle. I usually stand just behind the bride and the person walking her down the aisle, focusing on the groom’s face between their shoulders. This layered composition shows both perspectives, often turning into an emotional highlight of the day, a photo-jewel we never miss.
First looks have their place as well. Some couples choose them to enjoy a few private minutes together before the whirlwind of the wedding day, or because they prefer to read personal vows in private rather than in front of everyone. A first look also makes it possible to take family and bridal party portraits ahead of time, which frees up more of the cocktail hour later. Both options work, it simply depends on what feels right for each couple.
The Ceremony
In Punta Cana, ceremonies usually start late afternoon, between 4:00 and 5:00 PM. That’s when the light softens, the beach looks its best, and the atmosphere feels perfect. Photo shoot will last around 30 minutes, or as we say “as long as you can give us” since we can do some amazing photos during the photo shoots and we appreciate every minute our clients can give us for it.
Ceremonies in Punta Cana come in many forms, and the type you choose will influence the timeline. Religious services, for example, often run longer than symbolic ones, and Catholic ceremonies must be held on a solid surface rather than directly on the sand. Private venues are usually well prepared for this, Kukua’s palapa gazebo is a good example. It sits right on the beach with the ocean as a backdrop, giving couples the beauty of the seaside setting while meeting the requirements for a Catholic wedding.
At resorts, ceremonies often follow strict schedules set by the on-site coordinators. At private venues like Kukua, Jellyfish, Boho Beach, or The Palms, couples often have more freedom to shape the timeline.
Unfortunately, some resorts in Punta Cana have increased fees for external vendors, and a few, such as Hard Rock and Hyatt Ziva/Zilara, currently do not allow outside photographers at all. Private venues like Kukua, Jellyfish, Boho Beach, or The Palms do not apply these restrictions, which gives couples additional flexibility.
Cocktail Hour and Portraits
Right after the ceremony, we usually start with a big group photo of everyone together. Guests have a habit of disappearing once the cocktail hour begins, so this is the best moment to gather them all. From there, we move into smaller groups: parents, close family, and friends. We save the bridal party for last, they’re usually the youngest, so keeping them until the end keeps the energy high and fun. As soon as each group finishes their photos with the bride and groom, they can head straight to cocktail hour to enjoy drinks and music. Meanwhile, we continue working through the portraits until it’s time for the couple’s own session in the golden Caribbean light.
At resorts, cocktail hour is usually a strict one-hour block. At private venues, there’s usually more flexibility in timing, which gives couples extra room for portraits if needed.
For more planning help, our wedding guides page is full of blog posts where we go deeper into choosing venues, organizing travel, and structuring your day.
Reception and Party
Dinner flows into first dances, speeches, cutting the cake, and then the party begins. In Punta Cana, receptions often take place outdoors, under the stars, with the sound of the ocean in the background.
Punta Cana also has a lot of very talented entertainment options: Carnival shows, fire dancers, fireworks, and different types of dance performances. Couples can choose from a wide variety of ways to entertain their guests and light the party up. Our friends at Hots Productions are right people to ask about those.
For full coverage, we recommend keeping your photo and video team at least one hour into the party. That’s the bare minimum to complete the story. The sweet spot is 8 to 10 hours of coverage, because it captures everything – preparations, ceremony, portraits, and the party atmosphere.
Things to know: Rain Plan
Every resort and every private venue in Punta Cana has a backup plan in case of rain. Covered terraces, indoor spaces, and quick setup changes ensure the celebration continues without disruption.
Sample 8-Hour Punta Cana Wedding Timeline
Let’s say the ceremony starts at 5:00 PM. A typical flow would look like this:
- 2:00 PM – Groom preparations start
- 3:00 PM – Bride preparations start
- 4:30 PM – Photographer and videographer move to ceremony site for setup, décor, drone shots
- 5:00 PM – Ceremony begins
- 5:30 PM – Big group photo of all guests
- 5:40 PM – Family photos (parents, close family, friends)
- 6:00 PM – Bridal party portraits
- 6:15 PM – Couple portraits during golden Caribbean light
- 7:30 PM – Reception starts: first dances, dinner, speeches, cutting the cake
- 9:00 PM – Party kicks off
- 10:00 PM – Minimum coverage ends (though 11:00 PM or later captures more of the party)
Wrapping It Up
Every wedding in Punta Cana is unique, but the timeline above is what we see most often. With enough preparation time, a smooth ceremony, and coverage deep into the party, your story gets told in full. Nata and I have been photographing weddings here longer than almost anyone else still active in Punta Cana. We know the beaches, the venues, and how to adapt when things shift, and we love putting that experience to work for couples who trust us with their day.
For more inspiration, visit our real weddings in Punta Cana
Your only job? Enjoy it. Ours? Capture it all, so you’ll relive it for years to come.