One of the biggest things you can do to not only get the most out of your wedding photography, but also reduce stress on your wedding day is to have a carefully planned timeline. I’ll be the first to admit that even when you do have a carefully planned timeline, everything can fall apart day of (insert laughing/crying emoji here!) but there are ways to help safeguard & prepare strategically! I’ve compiled a post of my top tips for a smooth & successful wedding day timeline – with suggestions for where you can take things away, and for what you should consider adding in, as well as a sample timeline!
Plan In Buffer Time
First of all, you should definitely plan in plenty of buffer time for things to go awry. Your groom’s button popped off his jacket, a vendor got lost finding the venue, thunder storms created a giant puddle where your ceremony was supposed to be, or *this is not a joke*, a semi-truck transporting porter potties tipped over & blocked 4/5 lanes on the highway. This may look like adding in 15 minutes here and there so that if something skips a beat, you can make up the time elsewhere & one snafu doesn’t de-rail the entire timeline. This can also look like letting little mishaps go & focusing on the importance of the day – you’re getting married! Truly nothing matters as much as you two saying “I Do”!
Consult Your Vendors
Find out ahead of time – at least a couple of months in advance – what time constraints all of your vendors need. This may mean coordinating between multiple vendors for start time in which case a wedding planner or even day of coordinator becomes invaluable. I’ve seen many a day delayed due to not allowing the hair & makeup artist enough time to work on each bridesmaid’s up do! I can’t emphasize enough the peace of mind you can get from having a planner and/or a stellar venue coordinator. Once Kevin & I starting asking questions like who would move the chairs from the ceremony site to the reception area or who would put the gifts in the car at the end of the night, our stresses were instantly put at ease knowing that our fabulous caterer & venue coordinator were on top of all of those little details. I wanted my family to enjoy the celebration & not worry as much about taking down centerpieces at the end of the night!
Timeline from a Photographer’s Perspective
I personally work backwards from the ceremony time to decide when I need to start the day. I’ve listed the elements I consider below & how they all typically fit together. This is, however, just a guideline, and every wedding day comes with its own nuances. This is 100% welcomed and we are all here to support your perfect vision for your wedding day!
You should consider, however, your priorities when it comes to photography. If you care more about dancing photos, you can skip out on some getting ready photo time. If you really want me there for your exit, but don’t want to add on additional hours, you can consider adding a controlled send off. This is when we pull you two, and a few friends/family or members of the wedding party and do a mock exit. It’s actually a great option for sparkler send off’s because we wrangle less people & I can actually pose you with the sparklers instead of just getting one quick run-through shot! Some couples worry that this will distract their guests from the party and/or be just plain weird, but I promise that I’ve done it quickly and successfully and then sent the bride & groom back to the dance floor! Win, win!
THE ELEMENTS
Getting Ready
Depending on if you have a second photographer or not, I like to have about 1 to 1.5 hours to take detail photos, finishing touches on hair and makeup, the boys getting ready, robe photos, and getting into your gown.
- Remember to have your details ready & set aside so I can start shooting them right away, including invitation suite, all three rings & bouquet
- Boys Getting Ready: Details (shoes, tie, watch, groomsmen gifts, boutineer personal items) followed by putting on ties, jackets, shoes, opening gift
- Bridesmaids & mom(s) should get into dresses before the bride so they can help!
- Be mindful – if you have a corset back dress, this can take longer!
Plan to put on jewelry, shoes, perfume & open gift after you get into your dress – this looks so beautiful for photos!
First Look
Allow 15-30 minutes for getting in position, the first look, and a few portraits of you two.
I personally suggest you do your first look alone and not have anyone watching. This may very well be the only time you have alone together all day & you are more likely to fully enjoy the moment if you know your best friends aren’t watching you. I’ll get the pictures so they can enjoy the moment later!
Wedding Party Photos
Plan for 30-45 minutes for photos with your wedding party. This allows for us to get several combinations in a couple of different backdrops, as well as individual wedding party photos with each bride and groom, i.e. bride + maid of honor, bride + bridesmaid, etc.
Not having a first look? You have the option to do bride + bridesmaid, and groom + groomsmen photos before the ceremony. This will cut down the wedding party photos following the ceremony down to 15-30 minutes – I don’t want to keep you from your guests for too long! I also suggest doing wedding party photos after family photos so your family can join the party – just don’t have your maids & men wander off to cocktail hour! See below for a sample timeline.
– Conclude photos 30 minutes prior to ceremony start time to rest & hide away from guests –
This is key because guests will start arriving at minimum 30 minutes before the ceremony & you’ll need time to catch your breath and freshen up your make up if need be!
Ceremony
Ceremonies typically last about 30 minutes. Again, this varies from wedding to wedding, but in general, this is a good guideline!
Family Portraits
Plan for about 30 minutes for family photos.
Family photos can happen before or after the ceremony. I recommend doing them immediately after because there always seems to be one key member missing before the ceremony.
I will ask you to provide a family shot list one month out from your wedding date. You should keep this pretty simple (generally immediate family only) and include any complicated family relationships that I should be aware of.
Reception
I defer to your Planner/DJ/Band/Venue during the majority of the reception. Typically receptions go something like: entrance, dinner, toasts, cake cutting, first dances, open dance floor!
Sunset Portraits
I like to steal you for 10-15 minutes during golden hour for a few extra portraits. This is a great time to take a deep breath & soak it all in! I’ll coordinate with your reception timeline, keep an eye on the sun, and keep your Planner/DJ in the loop for when I’d like to steal you. This usually happens once the dance floor is open for dancing, or towards the end of dinner.
SAMPLE TIMELINE
This is a general guide! Most pieces can be moved & rearranged (or deleted) as needed. I’m also always happy to have additional portrait and buffer time – things rarely run perfectly on schedule! These timelines also don’t include travel time between ceremony and reception locations if applicable. I always help each of my couples customize their timeline to their specific day & vision!
8 Hours Coverage, One Photographer, With First Look, 5pm Ceremony
1:30pm Start: Details & Girls Getting Ready
2:15pm Boys Details & Getting Ready
2:45pm Bride Get into Dress
3:15pm First Look
3:45pm Wedding Party Photos
4:30pm Rest, Conclude Photos
5:00pm Ceremony
5:30pm Ceremony Conclude
5:35pm Family Portraits
6:00pm Reception Begins
Dinner, Toasts, Cake Cutting, First Dances
7:45pm Sunset Portraits
8:15pm Sunset
Open Dance Floor
9:30pm Conclude Photography
I hope this helps solve the – what can be – overwhelming mystery of wedding timeline planning! I can’t reiterate enough though that each day is unique & you should absolutely consult with your vendors to find the perfect flow for your day. As always, I’m happy to answer any questions you may have – happy planning!
Want to read more FAQs answered? Check out my Wedding FAQ page!
