Crafting Your Day, Moment by Moment
Wedding Timelines
Let's face it, a well-crafted timeline is crucial for the flow of your wedding day. A carefully planned schedule ensures peace of mind, something we all aim for on such a significant day. As your wedding photographer, my role includes keeping you on track, especially since our time together is so limited. The last thing I want is for you to feel pressured by time. By strategically planning the sequence of events, we can maximize our photography coverage, potentially saving you valuable time and money. After all, while we're all willing to invest in our best day ever, finding savings is always a bonus!
Crafting a timeline for your wedding day is essentially about prioritizing what matters most to you and your partner. Whether you wish to mingle with your guests during cocktail hour, which might mean scheduling a first look, or if personally greeting each attendee is key, in which case a receiving line would be fitting, each decision shapes the day. There are countless elements to consider in wedding planning, but the core focus should be on what resonates with your values and vision for the day. Reflecting on these priorities not only ensures a day that feels genuinely yours but also leads to authentic and memorable photographs that truly capture the essence of your celebration. Remember, the most beautiful moments are those that reflect your unique connection and the choices you've made to celebrate it.
Closer to your wedding day, you'll be asked to complete a WEDDING QUESTIONNAIRE, enabling me to tailor the perfect schedule for your day. Please fill this out a few weeks before your wedding to allow us time for any adjustments that might be needed!
Sample Timelines
Some typical wedding day schedules are listed below.
Remember, every wedding is different — these are just suggestions
Schedule 1 - No First Look
1:30PM-3:30PM: Bridal Preparation
3:30PM-4:00PM: Photographing Ceremony/Reception Details
4:00PM-4:30PM: Ceremony
4:30PM-6:00PM: Formal Photos (Family, Bridal Party, Newlyweds)
6:15PM: Grand Entrance
6:30PM-8:00PM: Dinner + Speeches
8:00PM-9:00PM: First Dances, Cake Cutting and Dancing
(10-15 minutes of sunset photos during the reception!)
Schedule 2 - With a First Look
1:00PM-3:00PM: Bridal Preparation
3:15PM-3:30PM: First Look
3:30PM-4:00PM: Photographing Ceremony/Reception Details
4:00PM-4:30PM: Ceremony
4:30PM-6:00PM: Formal Photos (Family, Bridal Party, Newlyweds)
6:15PM: Grand Entrance
6:30PM-8:00PM: Dinner + Speeches
8:00PM-9:00PM: First Dances, Cake Cutting and Dancing
(10-15 minutes of sunset photos during the reception!)
Schedule 3 - With a First Look
12:00PM-2:00PM: Bridal Preparation
2:15PM-3:30PM: First Look/Newlywed + Bridal Party Formal Photos
3:30PM-4:00PM: Photographing Ceremony/Reception Details
4:00PM-4:30PM: Ceremony
4:30PM-5:00PM: Family Formals
5:00-6:00PM: Enjoy Your Cocktail Hour!
6:15PM: Grand Entrance
6:30PM-8:00PM: Dinner + Speeches
8:00PM-9:00PM: First Dances, Cake Cutting and Dancing
(10-15 minutes of sunset photos during the reception!)
First Look and Couple Photos
The timing for a first look varies greatly, from a quick 15 minutes to a full hour. Incorporating this into your schedule allows for either just the first look or completing all wedding party formals before the ceremony. This strategy frees you up to enjoy cocktail hour with your guests! For a deeper dive into the advantages and considerations of adding a first look to your wedding day, check out the FIRST LOOK page.
The Ceremony
A typical ceremony lasts about 30 minutes; the shortest I've seen is 15 minutes and the longest was a 90 full Catholic mass! The person marrying you will be able to guide you on the expected duration for this portion of your wedding day. If you need some suggestions for who to hire, I have some suggestions in my VENDOR list (coming soon).
Family & Friends Photos
I recommend allocating around 30 minutes for family photos, considering it takes 2-3 minutes per group. A shot list is super necessary, it helps you to determine the important photo combinations that you'll want captured, as well as helping you to budget the time needed for this section of the day.
The time allocation for this portion of the day does vary for each couple. If you have numerous guests attending your wedding that you don't get the chance to see often, it might be important for you to get photos with them. In contrast, other couples place a lot of importance on mingling with their guests during cocktail hour and grabbing photos in this more informal setting. It all comes down to what's important to you on your wedding day. Also, don't forget to factor in travel time to the photo location if it’s different from the ceremony site. Visit the PORTRAITS page for a sample shot list and further details.
Bridal Party and Newlywed Formals
Set aside an hour for formal photos with the bridal party and newlyweds. If traveling by limo, allow extra time as limos may travel slower. We’ll need 20-30 minutes with the wedding party and 30 minutes with the couple. Additionally, we’ll capture sunset portraits during the reception for 5-15 minutes to utilize the golden light.
Check out the PORTRAITS page for more guidance.
The Reception
The bulk of our remaining time together will be dedicated to capturing your reception, where scheduling can often slip. Ceremony and reception details will be photographed 30-45 minutes prior to the ceremony if at the same venue. Cake cutting is recommended right after dinner and speeches, followed by the first dance and family dances. If you'd like some photos of you and your guests hitting the dance floor, I recommend just keeping me 30 minutes into when you anticipate dancing to begin. That's plenty of time for me to grab some awesome party photos as you unwind from your wonderful day. Read the RECEPTION page for more details and tips!
Remember, a well-structured timeline not only ensures that no moment is missed but also keeps the day enjoyable for you and your guests.
The Shot List
I know you've invested a tremendous amount of effort into planning your wedding, and you definitely want to capture every detail perfectly. This list highlights the usual shots I capture on wedding days.
Getting Ready
- Candid moments of preparation and anticipation
- Bridal attire (dress, shoes, jewelry)
- Groom's attire (suit, tie, cufflinks)
- Detailed shots of the wedding rings and other special items
- Hair and makeup application
- Wedding party and groomsmen getting ready
- The bride and groom reading pre-ceremony notes or gifts
Ceremony
- Venue and decor before the arrival of guests
- Guests being seated
- Wedding party entrances
- Groom’s reaction to seeing the bride
- Bride's entrance and walk down the aisle
- Family and guest reactions throughout
- Candid moments between the couple during the ceremony
- Exchange of vows and rings
- The first kiss
- The recessional
- A group photo
Portraits
- Bride and groom with their respective family and friends
- Wedding party group photos
- Bride with bridesmaids and groom with groomsmen
- Bride and groom together
Individual portraits of the bride and groom
For more information on the breakdown for this section of your wedding day, see the PORTRAITS section.
Reception
- Reception venue and tables before guest arrival
- The grand entrance
- The first dance
- Speeches and toasts
- Parent dances (mother/son, father/daughter)
- Guest interactions and dancing
- Cutting of the cake
- Bouquet and garter toss
- Candid moments and reactions
- Send-off (sparklers, confetti, etc.)
One of my brides during my 2023 wedding season made a checklist of her wedding day and it was so wonderful seeing this attention to detail! It helped to keep everyone on track throughout the day so that everything planned ran smoothly.
In summary...
Here are the suggested minimum durations for various segments of your wedding day. If you need assistance crafting your schedule, please reach out!
Preparation for Bride(s): 1 to 2 hours
Groom(s) Preparation: 30 minutes
First Look: 15 minutes
Ceremony: ~30 minutes
Family Formals: 30 minutes
Bridal Party & Couple Portraits: 30-45 minutes
Reception: 2 to 4 hours
Sunset Session for the Couple: 15 minutes
The biggest takeaway from this section? If your timeline is rushed, your photos will also be rushed.
