Wedding Day Timeline
The biggest key to a smooth and stress-free wedding day is good communication and a well planned timeline. A good timeline has built in extra time in case things run late. A good timeline also allows for enough time for all the things you want without wasting time
Perhaps the biggest factor that will effect your wedding day timeline is whether or not you choose to do a first look. So, before diving too far into your timeline I suggest you answer that question first.
Need a little help deciding? Click below...
Importance of a solid timeline
Shoule we do a first look?
Below are two sample timelines. One with a first look and one without. Keep in mind these are sample timelines. Every wedding is different and you can obviously alter the timeline to best suite your needs. These are meant as a guide to point you in the right direction.
Sample Timelines
1:00-2:30 First Look, Bride/Groom portraits & Wedding Party
2:30-3:00 Family Formals
3:00-4:00 Bride Tucked away
4:00 Ceremony
1:00 is the latest we would want to schedule the first look for a 4:00 ceremony. This timeline assumes we will doing a sunset session during the reception. The goal is to be done with all formal pictures 60 minutes before the ceremony. This allows the bride to get tucked away before early-bird guests arrive and allows me and my second photographer to grab details shots before the ceremony.
Sample timeline with first look
3:00-3:20 Groomsmen only
3:20-4:00 Tucked away and details
4:00-4:45 Ceremony
5:00-5:20 Family Formals
5:20- 6:00 Wedding Party and Bride/Groom Portraits
6:10 Grand Entrance
With this timeline it's a good idea to grab the groomsmen only shots before the ceremony to cut down on the number of pictures afterward. After the ceremony we will want to work as quickly as possible without rushing. This suggested timeline also assumes we will be doing a sunset session during the reception.
