Creating a timeline for your biggest day is everything. You have to plan everything out based on what you want the most. If you are having a sunset ceremony and you want natural light pictures together on your wedding day, it isn’t going to work if you don’t want to do a first look before the ceremony. If you go for the old fashion route seeing each other first during the ceremony, then plan on having the ceremony two hours before sunset so that you can get the natural light pictures you want with family and your soon to be husband. If you want a sunset ceremony you and don’t want to do a first look then all of your family pictures and couples pictures will be illuminated by flash. When creating a wedding timeline there are trade-offs. but this can help you plan your amazing day. Here is a wedding time line I created off of researching other photographers and what they do.
Ideal time line with a First Look:
2:00pm – Photographers arrive
2:00pm – 2:20pm – Photographers capture details: dress, shoes, jewelry, invitation, flowers ect.
2:20pm – 2:35pm – Bridesmaids get dressed while the photographer shoots hair and makeup
2:35pm – 2:55pm – Bride gets dressed photographer captures bridesmaids helping the bride
2:55pm – 3:00pm – Groom departs for First Look with second photographer or assistant to first look location
2:55pm – 3:00pm – Bride departs for First Look with main photographer to first look location
3:15pm – 3:45pm – First Look Pictures
3:45pm – 4:00pm – Bridal party photos
4:05pm – 4:15pm – Immediate family photos
4:30pm – 4:50pm – Bride prepares for the ceremony with last minute touch ups to hair and make-up
4:30pm – 4:50pm – Photographers capture details in the ceremony or reception area
4:55pm – 5:00pm – Bridal party begins to line up for the ceremony
5:00pm – 5:30pm – Ceremony
5:40pm – 5:50pm – Extended family members gather for photos
5:50pm – 6:20pm – Photography with bride and groom at sunset
6:20pm – 6:30pm – Photographers capture reception decor and guests at cocktail hour
6:30pm – 6:40pm – Guests enter the reception area and find their seats
6:40pm – 6:50pm – Grand Entrance
6:50pm – 7:00pm – First Dance
7:00pm – 7:45pm – Welcome toast and Dinner
7:45pm – 8:00pm – Wedding toasts
8:00pm – 8:10pm – Son and daughter dances with mother or father
8:10pm – 9:00pm – Open dancing
9:00pm – 9:20pm – Cake cutting and guest get desert
9:20pm – 9:30pm – Bouquet and garter toss
9:30pm – 10:00pm – Open dancing
10:00pm – Photographers leave
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Without First Look:
2:00PM Photographers Arrive
2:00pm – 2:20pm – Photographers capture details: dress hanging, shoes, jewelry, invitation, flowers ect.
2:20pm – 2:35pm – Bridesmaids get dressed while the photographer shoots hair and makeup
2:35pm – 2:50pm – Bride gets dressed photographer captures bridesmaids helping the bride
2:50pm – 3:15pm – Pictures with bride, bridesmaids and immediate family.
3:15pm – 3:30pm – Portraits of Groom, Groomsmen and Immediate Family
3:30pm – 4:00pm – Downtime, Groomsmen start ushering, Bride gets last minute touches with make up
4:00pm – 4:30pm – Ceremony
4:30pm – 6:00pm – Cocktail Hour
4:30pm – 4:45pm – Family Portraits
4:45pm – 5:00pm – Bridal Party Pictures
5:00pm – 6:00pm – Couples Pictures
6:00pm – 6:20pm – Photographers capture reception decor and guests at cocktail hour
6:20pm – 6:30pm – Guests enter the reception area and find their seats
6:30pm – 6:40pm – Grand Entrance
6:40pm – 6:50pm – First Dance
7:00pm – 7:45pm – Welcome toast and Dinner
7:45pm – 8:00pm – Wedding toasts
8:00pm – 8:10pm – Son and daughter dances with mother or father
8:10pm – 9:00pm – Open dancing
9:00pm – 9:20pm – Cake cutting and guest get desert
9:20pm – 9:30pm – Bouquet and garter toss
9:30pm – 10:00pm – Open dancing
10:00pm – Photographers leave
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There really isn’t a one size fits all timeline when it comes to weddings, and if you know what you want the most build your wedding day around that time. With the schedules you also have to think about the different sunset times during the summer as compared to winter when it gets dark earlier. Sometimes it takes brides longer than 15 minutes to get ready, and family pictures can take much longer depending on the size of the family. I hope that these sample timelines help your wedding day planning woes and give you more time to sit back and enjoy the day. 🙂
With Eager Excitement For Your Incredible Day,
Dillon Driscoll