Creating a Killer Wedding Day Timeline

You’re a bride. Your days are spent researching centerpiece ideas, changing your mind over colors for the 17th time, and sampling every flavor of wedding cake imaginable. It. is. the. LIFE! Well, sort of. :) Let me be the first to say I KNOW wedding planning is overwhelmingly stressful. So I thought it might be helpful if I tackled one of the largest items on your list from a photographer’s perspective. That item being, your wedding day timeline.

The following sample timeline is one that I’ve found works best for ME as a wedding photographer. There is definitely room for adjustments depending on weather, transportation needs for you and your wedding party/family, and most essentially, sunset time. I’m a HUGE proponent of portraits shot in natural light. But all in all, what is broken down below is a timeline that prioritizes what will best help you remember this most important day in your life: YOUR IMAGES.

Also keep in mind that while the length of time I have allotted for various things may sound crazy, it is essential for ensuring enough cushion should the inevitable happen. I.e., You think it will only take five minutes to put on your dress, but you find a random wrinkle that MUST be steamed. The groom and his entire entourage get stuck in traffic due to an unforeseen parade right before your first look. Or Uncle Bobby goes MIA, but you need him for family formals. :) I have been through this with enough brides to tell you, something unexpected might definitely happen. But the beauty is that if we nail down a solid timeline that allows for cushion ahead of time, your day will be that much less stressful. That much more enjoyable. And that much more memorable through photographs.

Without further ado, a wedding day timeline that assumes that all prep, as well as the pre-ceremony, ceremony, and reception festivities occur at the same venue. It also includes a first look, which I truly believe is the best option for ALL brides and grooms. (Here’s why!) I’ve also included in parenthesis the exact length of time needed for specific segments of coverage, should your ceremony start time differ from the sample.

12:30PM – Begin bride’s hair (dependent on hair style of course!)

1:30PM – Begin bride’s makeup

2:00PM – Photographers arrive to photograph details and final prep (1 hour)

3:00PM – Bride puts on dress (0.5 hours)

3:30PM – Bride & groom’s first look/portraits (0.5 hours, but 45 minutes would be even better!)

4:00PM – Wedding party portraits (0.5 hours)

4:30PM – Family formal portraits (0.5 hours, but 45 minutes would be even better!)

5:00PM – Final primping while wedding guests arrive; Photographers shoot ceremony/reception details & decor

6:00PM – Ceremony begins (1 hour-ish before sunset)

6:30PM – Short cocktail hour

7:00PM – Grand entrance/first dance/prayer

7:15PM – Meal is served

8:00PM – Toasts/special dances

8:30PM – More dancing

9:00PM – Cake cutting/bouquet toss/more dancing

10:00PM – Photographers leave

Our full day coverage translates to eight hours. It’s my hope that this post helps you realize that all you want out of your wedding day images is more than possible with a well-planned timeline! And your photographers are always willing to help you in this capacity! :)