Planning Your Wedding Day Timeline
My personal guide for planning an intentional wedding day with room to breathe!
A lot of couples see the wedding day timeline as something the venue can arrange – a set of logistics to provide to other vendors – but if your goal is having a wedding day that feels intentionally thought out, that flows well for your guests and that prioritizes the things that truly matter to you, creating your own custom timeline and working everything else around that is a must.
I have photographed a LOT of weddings. Over 350 over the last 15 years, and the common thread that connects the couples who truly had the best day of their lives is a realistic timeline that is customized to their unique priorities and personalities.
A good timeline doesn’t make your day feel scheduled — it makes it feel free. When you’re not rushing, you’re present. When you’re present, it shows in every photo.
1 – Getting Ready: Give Yourself Time – But it doesn’t have to eat up your photography hours!
Most couples underestimate getting-ready time. Here’s what is generally recommended:
- Hair & makeup: Allow 45–60 minutes per person, including yourself.
- Time to eat, use the washroom and collect your thoughts.
- Getting ready shots: I usually arrive about 60-75 mins before getting ready ends for the Bride(s). This allows for a few curated detail shots (10-20 mins) and lots of candid goodness, including getting into the dress. Allow more time if you plan any group photos once you’re ready.
- First look at your dress in the mirror/with parents or wedding party: 15 minutes
The golden rule: whatever time you think you need, add time. Build in the buffer before it’s needed (see #4).
Photographer tip: Ask your hair and makeup artist to do YOU second last. You’ll be fresh, calm, and ready — not sitting in your dress for two hours waiting, but you won’t be running behind for a first look or to head out the door if things do run late. You’ll be able to get into your dress while the last person finishes.
2 – First Look vs. Aisle Reveal
This is the decision that shapes your entire wedding day timeline.
First Look (Before Ceremony, photos to follow)
- More portrait time
- Nerves are gone before vows/standing in front of everyone
- Cocktail hour gets to be enjoyed with your guests
- More flexibility if anything runs behind
- Ideal for golden hour/dusk portraits, which are THE most important couples shots of the day besides documentary stuff.
Traditional Reveal (At the Aisle)
- Traditional, emotional moment that a lot of couples have dreamed about
- Guests witness the reveal, it’s not private
- Portrait time happens after the ceremony before dinner/reception. Usually this requires 1.5-3 hours total between events.
- Less flexible if running behind
Both options are beautiful. The key is building your timeline around whichever resonates with you both the most. This is why it’s usually one of the major questions I ask when we chat about your timeline.
3 – Golden Hour/Blue Hour: The Light Worth Planning For
Golden hour is the time just before sunset (in NL, I use ‘sunset’ as a loose term because it depends on the day/weather. The light is warm, soft, and flattering in a way that no studio light can replicate. Some of the most breathtaking wedding portraits ever taken happened in this window. Blue hour happens right around sunset or after it, if the sun isn’t visible. It’s dim light that’s soft and romantic.
Taking advantage of this light means knowing your sunset time, building portrait time into your reception schedule, and having a photographer who will pull you away from the room for 15–20 minutes. Most couples say it’s the best decision they made all day. It allows time to breathe, connect without all the hoopla of the day, and to recalibrate before the speeches/party.
4 – Buffer Time: The Secret to a Calm Day
Every wedding runs behind at some point. Hair takes longer. Someone can’t find the rings. Traffic is unpredictable. Drizzle puts people in a tizzy.
The couples who stay calm on their wedding day built buffer time into their schedule. The ones who feel rushed didn’t. It really is that simple.
If we work together, I am HUGE on grounding yourself during the day. Making sure you are headed into one of the most important days of your life calm so you can ENJOY it. It is about you both, after all. Planning a timeline down to 5-10 min increments is counterintuitive to a natural, candid and emotional experience of your wedding day. That’s the bottom line.
Here are some areas you can build this buffer time into your day:
- Between getting ready and leaving for the ceremony: 20 min buffer
- Between ceremony end and portrait time: 15-20 min buffer (say hi to your people if all goes as planned!)
- Between portraits and reception entrance: 15 min buffer
- Before the speeches, after you finish eating: 15-20 min buffer
5 – Sample Timelines
Below are two sample timelines, one has a first look before ceremony and the other has first look at the aisle – regardless of your plan, each timeline can be used for either of these options. I can help customize a timeline based on your preference and plans so nothing is missed.
6-7 Hours Coverage
| Time | |
|---|---|
| 1:15 PM | Photographer arrives, detail shots |
| 1:30 PM | Wedding party prep & into dress (guys take a bit less time) |
| 3:00 PM | Ceremony begins |
| 3:30 PM | Ceremony ends/Family formals |
| 4:15 PM | Portraits (usually at another location) |
| 5:45 PM | Return to venue |
| 6:15 PM | Entrance & Housekeeping |
| 6:30 PM | Dinner & Reception Begins |
| 7:15 PM | Sunset photos, Speeches, Cake/Dances, Party |
8-10 Hour Coverage
| Time | |
|---|---|
| 12:00 AM | Photographer arrives, detail shots |
| 12:50 PM | Wedding party prep & into dress (guys take a bit less time) |
| 2:00 PM | First Look & Portraits (1.5hr) |
| 4:00 PM | Ceremony begins |
| 4:45 PM | Cocktail hour / Family formals |
| 6:00 PM | Entrance & Housekeeping |
| 6:30 PM | Dinner & Reception begins |
| 7:15 PM | Sunset photos |
| 8:00 PM | Speeches, Cake, Dances, Party (1-2.5 hrs) |
A Few Final Thoughts
Your wedding day will go by faster than you can imagine. Every couple says this, and every couple is surprised anyway.
The best wedding photos aren’t just the perfectly posed ones. They’re also the ones where you forgot the camera was there. Where you weren’t being pulled away from connecting with your people or your partner. That only happens when the day is running smoothly. And the day only runs smoothly when someone planned it well.
That someone is you — and hopefully, your photographer (me?!)
Of course I’d love to help you plan your best day ever. If you’d like to chat about having me be a part of your day, feel free to reach out! You can find more of my work, my packages and my vibe here:
Not quite ready to book your photographer? Pop on over to my instagram and give it a follow or say hi!
