Your Wedding Day Timeline With F-U-N, Loving, + Photos in Mind

I think, as we start this conversation it is critical to talk about how important this day is, and what this day is about. Your wedding day is about celebrating your love with your fav people (or maybe just you two solo). It is about focusing on being in the moment and holding on tight to everyone you are with.

Yes you can have a vision, yes you can hope your photos look a certain way. That is why you hire a photographer you trust, and who’s work you adore. If you are looking for a photographer who does magical, dramatic posed shots that you have on your pinterest board, find someone who does that! If you are looking for someone who is there to document your day with minimal posing etc, we are out there too. Even a combo of these styles exists!

You should NOT walk into your day worried about photography. I work tirelessly with me couples to establish a timeline we both feel good about, and agree follows the flow of the day YOU had hoped for. You want to immerse yourself in your day, that is why we do that heavy lifting ahead of time, so it is one less thing for you to worry about.

Below your will find 2 sample timelines for a wedding day - one with a first look, one without. OF COURSE every day is different so these are some general flows, with ideas of how long you might need for some photo portions of the day. Both are based on an 8 hour day.

If you would like to work on your own template you can download the files at the bottom.

Variables to note:

-travel time (if applicable)

-amount of getting ready coverage

-ceremony length

-photo locations

-”traditional” parts of reception (dances, cake cutting etc)

-these are all suggestions!

Friendly note:

everyone’s wedding is different and unique, that is what I love! These are some general suggestions but I am always happy to work together on a timeline that is for YOU!

First look timeline

| based on an 8 hour day with limited getting ready photos, and ceremony + reception at the same location |

[allowing buffer time, time for travel, and some family photos before the ceremony]

1230pm - getting ready/detail photos

115pm - bride(s)/groom(s) get dress/suit on

130pm - first look + couples portraits

2pm - wedding party photos

3pm - pre ceremony family photos

345pm - regroup and get ready for ceremony!

4pm - ceremony

430pm - family photos

5pm - cocktail hour starts

515pm - couples portraits

530pm - candid time with guests

6pm - guests go in for reception/dinner

615pm - couple’s entrance

---

-everything from here down can flow in a different order depending on your day + preference-

---

620pm - cake cutting (if applicable)

630pm - food service begins

645pm - speeches

715pm - sneak out for sunset photos

730pm - dances/dance floor opens

8pm - dance party, last call, night photos

830pm - “hug” + say goodbye for now!

no First look timeline

2pm - getting ready photos (+details)

245pm - bride(s)/groom(s) get dressed

3pm - first look with wedding party

310pm - wedding party photos (separate sides

325pm - leave for ceremony

330pm - arrive at ceremony space

4pm - ceremony

430pm - family photos

5pm - wedding party photos (combined)

530pm - couple photos (start cocktail hour)

545pm - leave for reception

6pm - cocktail hour with guests

630pm - end cocktail hour, guests seated

645pm - grand entrance

650pm - cake cutting

7pm - food service

730pm - sunset photos

745pm - speeches

815pm - first dance / parent dances

830pm - dance floor opens

930pm - night photos, dance floor

10pm - coverage ends

I hope this gives you even 1% less stress in your planning! Go ahead and grab some customizable timelines below!

---

---