I LOVE helping my couples with their wedding day timelines! Not only do I love the planning process, but it ensures that we have enough time to get ALL the photos that you want! Your wedding day runs super smoothly when you have a timeline.
A timeline helps all vendors organize and plan out their jobs. Plus, your family and wedding party will appreciate knowing where they need to be and when!
Most importantly, it helps you relax on the day of your wedding. You don’t need to wonder, “What’s next?” or “Do we have time for _____?” You can focus on being present with your honey!
Don’t worry friends, you don’t have to figure it out alone. I can help you every step of the way! Timelines are how I make sure you get all the details and amazing memories of your day captured. A couple months before your big day, we’ll schedule a meeting to sit down & build a wedding day timeline together!
While you’re thinking about your wedding day timeline, here are some tips, questions to consider, & a couple examples!
Wedding Day Timeline Tips:
I want to start out by saying EVERY WEDDING IS DIFFERENT! These tips are just general guidelines that have worked for most of my past couples. The most important thing is to plan the day that you’ve always dreamt of. Whatever will make your day perfect for you, do it!
The biggest question I get: How much time do we need for everything? Oftentimes, my clients have no clue how much time to designate for each event, which is totally understandable if you’ve never planned a wedding before!
Let’s chat about how much time we’ll need to get you the best photos possible AND help your wedding day run smoothly!
Details: 20-25 minutes
Getting Ready: 30-60 minutes
Getting into the Dress: 15-20 minutes
- This varies depending on how long it takes to get into your dress! Sometimes the bigger dresses or dresses with lots of buttons or accessories will take longer.
- If you have someone helping you into your dress (like your mom or maid of honor) then we’ll get pics of that sweet moment!
First Looks: 10 minutes each
Bridal Portraits: 30-45 minutes
Wedding Party: 30 minutes
Family Photos: 30-45 minutes, depending on size
- Extended family pics work best after the ceremony because everyone is in one place so make sure they know to stay!
- If you have a first look, I’ll usually do immediate family pics before the ceremony.
Couples Portraits: 15-20 minutes
- Couples portraits are a great chance to get some alone time with your new spouse! I usually plan this around golden hour so you get that magical glow we all dream of.
BONUS TIPS:
- Schedule in lots of wiggle room for bad weather, traffic, or normal hiccups.
- Build a timeline with both your photographer AND your planner if you have one.
- Hire a day-of coordinator to keep everyone on schedule!
- Relax and go with the flow, friend! Something always goes wrong, but it will all work out.
- Include time in the reception timeline for cake cutting, first dances, speeches, dinner, or garter and bouquet toss, before the open dance floor!
Questions to Ask When Making Your Timeline:
- Do you wanna have a first look?
- There’s usually more flexibility if you do!
- How many locations are there? How far are they from each other?
- Think about the different locations so you can schedule in some travel time.
- Getting ready, ceremony, pictures, and reception.
- When is the sunset? What season is your wedding in?
- Golden hour is the best time for pics & this changes throughout the year.
- How many toasts will there be at your reception?
8 Hour Wedding Timeline WITH First Look:
Remember, your timeline changes based on the best time for photos and your unique plan! These are just examples to give you an idea of what your day could look like if you hire me to shoot for 8 hours.
11:00 a.m. Start Hair & Makeup
1:30 p.m. Photographer Arrives
2:00 p.m. Hair & Makeup is complete
2:30 p.m. Put on Dress // Reveal to bridesmaids
3:00 p.m. First Look
3:15 p.m. Couple’s Portraits
4:00 p.m. Bridal Party Photos
4:30 p.m. Formal Family Photos
5:00 p.m. Back to bridal suites
5:30 p.m. Ceremony
6:00 p.m. Ceremony ends // Cocktail hour starts
6:30 p.m. Guests are seated
6:40 p.m. Entrance into reception
6:45 p.m. Speeches & dinner
7:30 p.m. Sunset Portraits
7:45 p.m. First dance // parent dances
8:00 p.m. Dance floor open to guests
9:30 p.m. Photographer leaves & party keeps going!!
8 Hour Wedding Timeline WITHOUT First Look:
Some people dream about the traditional, magical moment of seeing each other for the first time down the aisle!
12:00 p.m. Start Hair & Makeup
1:30 p.m. Photographer Arrives
2:00 p.m. Hair & Makeup is complete
2:30 p.m. Put on Dress // Reveal to bridesmaids
3:00 p.m. Ceremony
3:30 p.m. Cocktail Hour Starts // Extended Family Photos
4:00 p.m. Formal Family Photos
4:30 p.m. Bridal Party Photos
5:00 p.m. Bride & Groom Photos
5:30 p.m. Guests are seated
5:45 p.m. Entrance Into reception
6:00 p.m. Dinner Starts
6:25 p.m. Speeches & Toasts
6:45 p.m. Cake Cutting
7:15 p.m. First dance // parent dances
7:45 p.m. Bouquet & Garter Toss // Dance floor open to guests
8:00 p.m. Sunset Photos
9:30 p.m. Photographer leaves + party keeps going!!
If you’re unsure & want my personal opinion, I’ll recommend doing a first look. However, my priority is just capturing whatever YOU want!
10 Hour Wedding Timeline:
While most of my couples book me for 8 hours on their wedding day, sometimes it works out better to have me for longer!! When you choose 10 hours with me, I’ll do one of three things.
- Arrive two hours earlier to capture more getting ready footage.
- Stay two hours later until your final dance or grand send-off!
- Arrive one hour earlier and stay one hour later.
With any option, you’re getting more pictures, so I don’t really think you can go wrong. 🙂
Happy planning, friends!! If you’re looking for a PNW wedding photographer to capture your beautiful day, contact me to see if we’re a good fit! I can’t wait to chat!
P.S. – The photos you see throughout this blog post are from Shelby & Shaq’s wedding at The Loft in Chehalis, Washington. Not only was their wedding day beautiful, but everything flowed very smoothly because of how organized their wedding timeline was!
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