The key to creating a wedding day timeline that will keep your day running smoothly is all in the details! And relying on your wedding vendors, especially your wedding planner and photographer. 

The more organized you are leading up to your wedding day, the more likely your day is to go smoothly! When I meet with couples in the weeks before their wedding day we work together to take into consideration all the people and events involved in their wedding day. 

If you’re getting married and have never had to think about a wedding day timeline before, it can be extremely overwhelming to even know where to start. That’s why I want to share my planning advice and two sample timelines with you.

Today I’m highlighting two sample timelines, one with a first look and the other without. 

If you’re wondering if you should have a first look on your wedding day check out this blog post where I share my opinions on first looks!

For the sake of these timelines we’re going to say you’re having your wedding in June with sunset being around 9pm. The ceremony time changes slightly between the two timelines to take into account the differences between the reception events.

Sample timeline with a first look

12:30pm Photography Coverage Begins – Detail/flat lay photos

• The amount of time spent on details varies based on how important these photos are to each couple I work with. Typically, I spend 30-45 minutes photographing details at the beginning of a wedding day! I recommend setting aside at least 30 minutes to get some simple photos of your wedding dress, florals, wedding stationary, and rings.
• Learn more about wedding detail photos: HERE!

1:15pm Getting ready/robe/pajama photos with bridal party

• This often takes only a few minutes, but I like to plan for a little extra time just in case hair/makeup run behind schedule!

1:25pm Wedding party and family get dressed

• Anyone who will be with you when you get into your dress or get the final “getting ready” images taken should get fully dressed at this time.

1:40pm Brides gets into dress, Grooms gets dressed

• 20 minutes may seem like a lot of time to get dressed, but you’ll be grateful for some buffer time just incase of a wardrobe malfunction! This will also give you some extra time to breathe before the day gets really busy.
• You could also build in a bridesmaids first look or parent first looks during this time!

2:00pm First look + couples portraits

• The first look itself will take less than a minute, but it takes a little time to get the two of you set up in the location and after the first look I prefer to give couples a few minutes to talk with one another before we move on to portraits.

2:30pm Wedding party photos

• 30 minutes is the usual amount for average-sized wedding parties.

3:00pm Family photos

• Immediate family generally includes parents, siblings, any sibling spouses or children.
• Grandparents will often arrive with an aunt/uncle for the ceremony time, but not beforehand (to avoid unnecessary waiting time). Because of this, photos with grandparents will generally happen after the ceremony.

3:30pm Refresh before ceremony, photographer photographs ceremony set up

• This gives you time to hide away while guests arrive, touch up hair and makeup, and relax for a bit!

4:00pm Ceremony

• Ceremonies generally run ~30 minutes if you include getting all the family members seated, the processional, and the recessional. Of course, each ceremony is different so it’s important to speak with your wedding planner and officiant to get a better idea of how long yours will take!

4:30pm Cocktail Hour – “Just married” portraits of couple

• As guests find their way to the cocktail hour I love to take the couple to do just 5-10 minutes of “just married” portraits. Your energy is incredibly after the ceremony is done and it’s a good way to use your time before you make your “grand entrance” into the reception!

5:30pm Your reception

• Your reception is generally managed by both your wedding planner/venue coordinator and your DJ.
• I generally see reception events happen in this order: grand entrance, welcome/thank you speech, dinner, wedding party/parent speeches, cake cutting, first dance, parent dances, open dance floor.

7:30pm Sunset photos

• Building in sunset photos is a really special time for you and your new spouse to sneak away and get a few moments together away from the hustle and bustle of the night! These photos are often relaxed and fun, and we have the opportunity to use some beautiful golden hour light. I usually recommend 20-30 minutes for sunset photos.
• Sunset varies at different points in the year and it’s important to keep in mind that summer sunsets will look very different from winter sunsets and the timing is very different!

8:30pm Photography Coverage Ends

The majority of my wedding clients book me for 8 hours of coverage which allows me to be there from details and getting ready in the morning through just enough dancing to see all your guests having fun on the dance floor!

Sample timeline without a first look

12:30pm Photography Coverage Begins – Detail/flat lay photos

• The amount of time spent on details varies based on how important these photos are to each couple I work with. Typically, I spend 30-45 minutes photographing details at the beginning of a wedding day! I recommend setting aside at least 30 minutes to get some simple photos of your wedding dress, florals, wedding stationary, and rings.
• Learn more about wedding detail photos: HERE!

1:15pm Getting ready/robe/pajama photos with bridal party

• This often takes only a few minutes, but I like to plan for a little extra time just in case hair/makeup run behind schedule!

1:25pm Wedding party and family get dressed

• Anyone who will be with you when you get into your dress or get the final “getting ready” images taken should get fully dressed at this time.

1:40pm Brides gets into dress, Grooms gets dressed

• 20 minutes may seem like a lot of time to get dressed, but you’ll be grateful for some buffer time just incase of a wardrobe malfunction! This will also give you some extra time to breathe before the day gets really busy.
• You could also build in a bridesmaids first look or parent first looks during this time!

2:00pm You + your wedding party + your immediate family

• 30 minutes is the usual amount for average-sized wedding parties.

2:30pm Your partner + their wedding party + their immediate family

• 30 minutes is the usual amount for average-sized wedding parties.
• We take extra care to be sure there’s no overlap between the two sides and you stay separate before seeing one another at your ceremony!

3:30pm Refresh before ceremony, photographer photographs ceremony set up

• This gives you time to hide away while guests arrive, touch up hair and makeup, and relax for a bit!

4:00pm Ceremony

• Ceremonies generally run ~30 minutes if you include getting all the family members seated, the processional, and the recessional. Of course, each ceremony is different so it’s important to speak with your wedding planner and officiant to get a better idea of how long yours will take!

4:00pm Cocktail Hour + formal portraits (wedding party, family, couple)

• Combined wedding party and family portraits. Any photos that involve both of you! The amount of time that this will take depends on the number of group combinations we need to do.
• Couple portrait time would take place after the wedding party and family photos.
• During this time I will generally have the second photographer at the cocktail hour to get photos of your guests mingling.

5:30pm Your reception

• Your reception is generally managed by both your wedding planner/venue coordinator and your DJ.
• I generally see reception events happen in this order: grand entrance, welcome/thank you speech, dinner, wedding party/parent speeches, cake cutting, first dance, parent dances, open dance floor.

7:30pm Sunset photos

• Building in sunset photos is a really special time for you and your new spouse to sneak away and get a few moments together away from the hustle and bustle of the night! These photos are often relaxed and fun, and we have the opportunity to use some beautiful golden hour light. I usually recommend 20-30 minutes for sunset photos.
• Sunset varies at different points in the year and it’s important to keep in mind that summer sunsets will look very different from winter sunsets and the timing is very different!

8:30pm Photography Coverage Ends

The majority of my wedding clients book me for 8 hours of coverage which allows me to be there from details and getting ready in the morning through just enough dancing to see all your guests having fun on the dance floor!

How to build your own wedding timeline

• Start with your ceremony time and work backwards from there. Take into consideration all the events you want included in your wedding day, both big and small.
• Decide if you’d like to do a first look or not
• Plan to spend around 30 minutes taking wedding party, family, and couples portraits each! Whether they happen pre or post ceremony, most photographers will take about an hour and a half to photograph all those groupings
• Consult your photographer and wedding planner before finalizing your timeline! They are the wedding day experts and will be able to guide you through any timeline challenges you may have

Most importantly, be flexible and give yourself grace! Sometimes weddings don’t go exactly as planned and that’s okay. I’ve photographed dozens of weddings and I’ve learned how to roll with the punches and make your wedding run seamlessly, even if we wind up straying from your timeline a little!