how to build a wedding day timeline + timeline examples (from a wedding photographer!)
Wedding day timelines can feel overwhelming at first, right? Planning your whole wedding day down to the minute? What if something goes off track? What if something goes wrong?
No worries cutie, I gotchu. I’ve built hundreds of timelines and I know just the tricks to make it planned, but laid-back. Organized, but not overwhelming.
MY TOP TIMELINE TIPS
Plan for something to go off-schedule! Give yourself an extra 5-10 minutes for every activity. If something runs late or a family member ran to get a drink during family portraits, we don’t have to stress about running behind. And best case scenario, if everything runs on time, we have more time to relax and take in your wedding day!
Consider if you’d like to do a first look or not and how many people you want to do first looks with! Having a first look with your partner can help your wedding coverage go further because we're able to finish bridal party photos before the ceremony! Think about how many first looks you'd like to incorporate with others (a parent, sibling, bridal party, or friend).
Consider the size of your bridal party! The more people in your party, the more time you'll need to account for group photos. Each wedding day is unique though, so talk to your photographer and they can help guide you through what your day might look like specifically!
How much travel and transportation is involved? This also accounts into the timing of your day and is often forgotten about!
Do you want a second photographer with your wedding photo package? Many photographers will offer a second photographer as an add-on to your photo package and there’s a good reason why! Having second photographer helps knock out different portions of the day so that they can work simultaneously which can give you extra coverage at the end of the day!
8-HOUR WEDDING DAY TIMELINE EXAMPLE
WITH SECOND PHOTOGRAPHER & FIRST LOOKS
11am - Girls start getting ready
12:30 - Guys start getting ready (Guys should be getting final details put on by the time my second photographer comes to shoot their getting ready photos. Hold off on putting on details like the tie, jacket, watch, shoes, cuff links.)
1:00pm - Photographer arrives to venue, getting ready photos
1:35pm - Second shooter arrives; Groom getting ready photos (shot by second photographer)
1:35pm - Bride getting ready photos & putting the dress on (shot by lead photographer)
2:15pm - First Look with Bride & Dad (or bridal party, mom, or close friend)
2:30pm - First Look with Bride & Groom & Couples' Portraits
3pm - Bridal Party Photos (20 minutes each side & full group)
4pm - Bride and bridesmaids hide away before ceremony
4:10pm - Lead photographer gets photos of guests arriving
4:30pm - Ceremony begins
5pm - End of ceremony/Cocktail hour begins
5pm - Family Photos (Timing varies here depending on how extensive you want family photos to be!)
5:30pm - Couples’ Portraits
6pm - Reception Entrance (Depending on reception events and other details, Second Photographer may depart at this point)
6:15pm - Dinner begins
7pm - Cake cutting & first dances
7:15pm - Dancing/any other traditions you choose to implement into your reception
8:40pm - Sneak away for some golden hour/sunset couples' portraits (this time varies depending on time of year)
9:00pm - Lead photographer departs
(*First Look is included in order to keep the day running smoothly and get as many photos as possible throughout your wedding day. Your wedding timeline does not have to include a first look if you choose not to have one, but it is included in the example since it would provide the greater advantage of your time frame.)