Hey there, beautiful bride! If you’re like most first-time brides, you might be wondering how the heck to create your wedding timeline and plan it around capturing the most special moments of your day. Don’t worry, you’re in good hands! I’ve done this thing a time of two (or ten) and I’ve got you. Today, I’m here to walk you through creating a timeline that ensures your big day flows as smoothly as possible.
How to Create Your Wedding Timeline
Things to Consider
Creating a timeline is key to making sure everything runs like clockwork on your special day. Let’s chat about what you’ll need to consider:
- When do the ceremony, cocktail hour, and reception start and end?
- Are you planning a first look?
- Will all events be onsite, or will you need to travel?
- What is the distance and time between locations, and the typical traffic conditions?
- Are the gentlemen getting ready at a different location than the bride and the ceremony location?
- If you’re getting ready in a separate location, what is the earliest you can arrive at the venue?
- What time does the sun set at the venue’s location? Bear in mind that tree lines and buildings affect this greatly!
- What aspects are your priority when it comes to photography?
Budgeting Your Time
Understanding the average time needed for each part of your wedding day—from getting ready to the final send-off—is crucial in ensuring everything flows smoothly and stress-free. By planning around these timeframes, you’ll be able to savor each moment without feeling rushed, making your special day truly unforgettable. Here are some average times spent documenting each segment of your day:
- 1 hour for details, like invitation suites, shoes, flowers and your dress
- 1.5 hours for getting ready, to include hair and makeup, and getting into your dress and accessories!
- 1 hour for first look and private portraits, just the two of you
- 30 minutes for wedding party photos
- 30 minutes for family photos (because I know you filled out your list, right?)
- At least 30 minutes before ceremony to grab a drink, relax, and get ready to marry your man!
- 30-60 minutes for the ceremony
- At least 30 minutes for cocktail hour / portrait time
- 2-3 hours of reception coverage, including your exit
A Few Notes About Photography Coverage
During wedding photography coverage, the photographer typically captures detail shots while hair and makeup are underway, with getting ready and staged moments photographed once the artists have finished. The groom and groomsmen are photographed before and after getting ready, with the photographer recreating key moments like tying bow ties and putting on accessories. It’s important to carve out some alone time after the ceremony while guests enjoy cocktail hour, which also serves as your portrait session during golden hour. For the reception, depending on its size and the special moments planned, 2-3 hours of coverage is usually ample to capture all the key events, allowing you to dive in and enjoy the party!
Sample Wedding Timelines
Single Location With a First Look
If you are getting ready at the same venue as your ceremony and reception, then you don’t have to account for travel times. This is the most flexible arrangement since it allows for more portrait time as husband and wife, and even has space for down time to relax in between the day’s events!
**Keep in mind, your timeline should be planned around two major photography components: golden hour portraits and the ceremony time. The sun sets earlier in the winter and later in the summer, so adjust these times accordingly with the guidance of your photographer.**
12:30pm-2:30pm Details & getting ready
2:30pm-3:30pm First look & portraits
3:30pm-4:00pm Wedding party
4:00pm-4:30pm Family formals
4:30pm-5:00pm In hiding/ relax time before the ceremony
5:00pm-5:30pm Ceremony
5:30pm-6:30pm Cocktail hour (includes a few minutes for golden hour portraits)
6:30pm Reception begins
9:30pm Send off or coverage ends
Two locations With a First Look
Having two locations means you’ll need to add in travel time between the ceremony and reception venues respectively. Always add in buffer times, especially for your photographer, to ensure that they reach the reception venue prior to you, so your grand entrance can be captured beautifully!
12:00pm-2:00pm Details & getting ready
2:00pm-3:00pm First look & portraits
3:00pm-3:30pm Wedding party
3:30pm-4:00pm Family formals
4:00pm-4:30pm In hiding/ relax time before the ceremony
4:30pm-5:00pm Ceremony
5:00pm-5:30pm Travel to reception venue
5:30pm-6:30pm Cocktail hour (includes a few minutes for golden hour portraits)
6:30pm Reception begins
9:30pm Send off or coverage ends
Single Location Without a First Look
Many couples still choose to plan their day without a first look, and that’s perfectly fine too! Cocktail hour should be extended to 90 minutes to accommodate family formals and your portraits as a couple. This will overall impact the hours of coverage you need, so between 9 and 10 hours total. Remember, your photographer will know how to create your wedding timeline with your priorities in mind, like leaving ample time for golden hours portraits and scheduling buffer time in there to capture the important details.
1:30pm-3:30pm Details & getting ready
3:30pm-4:00pm Bridal portraits
4:00pm-4:30pm Wedding party photos
4:30pm-5:00pm In hiding pre-ceremony
5:00pm-5:30pm Ceremony
5:30pm Cocktail hour begins (family formals and couple portraits completed in this time block)
5:30pm-6:00pm Family photos
6:00pm-6:30pm Wedding party photos
6:30pm-7:00pm Couple’s portraits
7:00pm Reception begins
10:30pm Photo coverage ends
Church Ceremony Without a First Look
Church ceremonies (particularly Catholic ones) are longer and often times the couple are not allowed to get ready at the church itself. This requires you to have three separate locations: getting ready, church ceremony and finally, the reception venue. Your photographer will work closely with you to ensure your day is planned around having ample light for couples portraits, as well as creating space between events to allow for set up and photography preparation.
11:00am-1:00pm Details & getting ready
1:00pm-1:30pm Travel to church
1:30pm-2:00pm Arrive at church, set up
2:00pm-3:00pm Church ceremony
3:00pm-3:30pm Family formals at church
3:30pm-4:00pm Travel to venue
4:00pm-4:30pm Wedding party photos
4:30pm-5:30pm Couple’s portraits
5:30pm-6:30pm Cocktail hour
6:30pm Reception begins
9:00pm Send off
A final note on creating your own wedding timeline
Every wedding day is unique, which means your timeline should be too! The sample timelines I’ve shared are just a starting point, and over the years, I’ve found these structures work well for many of my couples. However, it’s always best to have a chat with your photographer to ensure they understand your top priorities for photos. Some couples love extending their portrait time to fully enjoy their venue’s stunning grounds, while others prefer to relax and have some downtime before the ceremony.
No matter how your day is planned, I encourage you to make decisions that keep your timeline as smooth and stress-free as possible. Build in some buffer time, remember those little things like bathroom breaks, and coordinate with your vendors early on to avoid any surprises on your special day!
As you set out to create your wedding timeline, remember that it’s all about making the day uniquely yours. If you have any questions or need more tips to make your day perfect, feel free to reach out—I’m here to help! Want more wedding planning resources from the best pros in the industry? Check out Brides magazine for some of the best advice and tips for making your dream day a reality!
Hugs,
Shannon
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