Sample Wedding day Timeline

For the last 2 years I have been a wedding photographer and before that, I was a full time wedding coordinator. Because of that, I have spent my weekends at hundreds of weddings, and I have a pretty good idea of what goes into making a successful wedding day. One of the major things that determines if a wedding day will be smooth and successful is if there is a timeline in place. If there is, the day flows better and everyone feels less pressure throughout the day, but if there isn’t, we often miss things and end up having to rush through certain parts of the day. 

SO, one of my major tips to couples is that you have a wedding day timeline for your vendors, wedding party, and photographer to reference. 

Every couple that books their wedding with me gets timeline creation assistance as a part of their wedding package because I believe that all couples deserve to feel comfortable and taken care of on their wedding day. If your photographer doesn’t offer timeline creation, here is a sample timeline for you to view and base your wedding day off of. 

Things to note:

• The timing of your wedding depends heavily on the time of year and your location, but a good rule of thumb is to begin your ceremony 1.5-2 hours before sunset. 
• I will include all the traditional things in this timeline, but you do not have to include all of these in your wedding day. 
• Timelines are flexible! Once you have a timeline created, you DO NOT have to stick to it minute for minute. Wedding days are anything but rigid, but timelines are just in place to help make things more smooth. If we move things around on the day of, no biggie!
• Extra time is built into the timeline just in case. If something runs late, we don’t have to worry too much. If we run ahead of schedule, you can have some time to breathe and just soak in the moment.

Here is a sample wedding timeline with 10 hrs of photography coverage. 

TIMELINE

8:00 AM Girls are allowed into venue

9:00 AM Hair & Make-up Arrives & Girls begin getting ready

9:00 AM-1:00 PM Get ready to get married!!

12:00 PM Photographer arrives, checks in with couple, gets detail photos
– Please have a box with all things needed for details photos ready when the photographer arrives (invitation suite, veil, bride & groom shoes, perfume bottle, jewelry, rings, cufflinks, bouquet, etc.) 

1:00 PM Getting ready photos with the girls (final make-up touch ups)

1:25 PM Pajama photos with the girls 

1:40 PM Bride slips into dress

1:50 PM First look with the girls 

2:00 PM First look with Bride’s parents/ Photos with Bride’s parents 

2:10 PM Bride & Bridesmaid photos 

2:45 PM Groom needs to be almost ready (minus jacket & shoes for “getting ready” pics)

3:00 PM Photographer takes “Getting Ready Pics” of Groom

3:20 PM First look with Bride & Groom/ Couples portraits

4:00 PM Groom & groomsmen photos

Relax before ceremony

5:00 PM Wedding Party is tucked away and Guests begin arriving for ceremony

5:30 PM Ceremony begins 

6:00 PM Ceremony Ends

6:00 PM Family Portraits 

6:20 PM Whole Bridal Party Photos

6:40 PM Golden hour couples portraits 

7:00 PM Go back inside & bustle dress

7:11 PM Sunset

7:15  PM Grand entrance- Bridal party & bride & groom

7:20 PM First Dance  

7:30 PM Dinner

8:30 PM Toasts (can happen while some people are still eating) 

8:40 PM Couples mingles with guests before dancing begins

9:00 PM Specialty dances (mother/groom & bride/father/mother/sister)

9:10 PM Open Dance Floor

9:40 PM Cake cutting & Bouquet/ garter toss

10:00 PM Grand Exit