black and white image of newlywed couple recessing down ceremony aisle arm in arm

December 3, 2019

How to Create a Wedding Day Timeline

Ensure your dream day runs smoothly with a wedding day timeline

A well-organized wedding timeline is a must for your wedding day! Either your photographer or wedding planner can help you create out a wedding day timeline to execute your dream day. More than likely not everything will go as planned and that’s completely normal when it comes to weddings, trust me! But there are steps you can take to prepare for the unexpected. After photographing weddings for over 16 years, my biggest piece of advice is to add in cushion time. Sometimes the simplest things can take an extra 20 minutes and then all of sudden things start running behind. It’s a smart idea to overestimate time allowances here and there and build in some wiggle room.

How to Create a Wedding Day Timeline

First, you must decide if you will do a first look or not with your partner. A first look is when two partners see each other for the first time before their wedding ceremony. Usually, I will put one partner in a secluded place to wait for the second partner. The second partner will then approach from behind and tap partner one on the shoulder to turn around. This is when I step back and let the couple share a few intimate moments taking in all that is happening in private. This is a good option if you are both nontraditional, private, or highly emotional. After a few minutes when the couple is ready, I begin taking more posed romantic portraits. Afterward, we can then move on to wedding party photos. Once complete, the bride goes into hiding so guests cannot see her while they are arriving. Sub-sequentially, the ceremony takes place. Immediately following the ceremony, family portraits are taken and then the newlyweds and wedding party can be announced at the reception. First looks save time after the ceremony, so that the couple is able to enjoy more time during their cocktail hour and reception.

Here are two different timelines to consider when figuring out your ideal wedding day:

CEREMONY, COCKTAIL & RECEPTION AT ONE LOCATION WITH FIRST LOOK

This timeline is based on a couple who has opted to do a first look and wedding party portraits before the wedding ceremony, meaning they’ll be able to attend their own cocktail hour which gives the bride & groom extra time to mingle with guests. Usually, this will result in the couple getting to eat dinner in peace instead of greeting guests at their table.

Getting ready and bridal details: 1 Hour
Bridal portraits: 20 Mins
First look & romantic portraits: 30-40 Mins
Wedding Party: 30 Mins
Family formals: 30 Mins
Groom’s portraits: 20 Mins
Pre-ceremony hiding (the time before the ceremony when the bridal party goes into hiding so as not to be seen by guests – I do this 30 minutes before the ceremony is set to begin)
Reception setup: 20 Mins
Ceremony: 15-30 Mins
After the Ceremony everyone goes straight to cocktail hour
Extra Newlywed Portrait Time: As much time as you’ll give me later on in the evening for things like sunset photos

TRADITIONAL COCKTAIL & RECEPTION AT ONE LOCATION NO FIRST LOOK

This timeline is based on a couple who’s decided NOT to do a first look, meaning all of their portraits will take place after the ceremony. This is when I advise my couples that they will need to extend cocktail hour to 75 minutes, to make time for all their portraits, and also let them know that by pushing all portraits until after the ceremony, they will miss their entire cocktail hour.

Getting ready and bridal details: 1 Hour
Bridal portraits: 20 Mins
Groom’s portraits: 20 Mins
Pre-ceremony hiding (the time before the ceremony when the bridal party goes into hiding so as not to be seen by guests – I do this 30 minutes before the ceremony is set to begin)
Reception setup: 20 Mins
Ceremony: 15-30 Mins
Family formals: 30 Mins
Wedding party photos: 20 Mins
Newlywed photos: 20 Mins
Wedding Party Introductions to Reception

RECEPTION TIMELINE

If your reception will be at a second location don’t forget to add travel time to get there. As a side note, I only do the timeline up until the reception. I generally leave the reception timeline up to the planner/ DJ because most of them prefer to do things in a certain order. But here are the important moments that occur during a typical wedding reception: