Stress-Free Wedding Timeline Guide

Your ultimate guide to your Wedding Timeline

A well-planned wedding timeline is the backbone of a seamless and stress-free wedding day. I’ll share my expert tips on how to create a perfect wedding timeline that allows you to capture the most beautiful and authentic moments of the

1.Hair & Makeup

Discuss with your hair and makeup team how much time is needed for you and the bridal party to get ready. Every wedding request is unique so once they finalize your order they will give you a good idea on when to start your preparations.

2. Flatlays & Details / 2-1 hours

• Flatlays have become an essential part of wedding photography, adding a touch of elegance and storytelling to your gallery. They provide an opportunity to showcase the intricate details and emotions of the big day.

• Ideally you would need about 2 hours so that your photographer can carefully design each setup and document each bit without being rushed. This can happen at the same time as you and the wedding party are getting your hair and makeup done. This would comfortably include Flatlays photos and setup, detail shots of the wedding dress, candid getting ready and finishing touches, bridal party fun shots.

• A reasonable wedding day timeline would include at least 1 full hour for Flatlys and getting ready.

• Ideally you want a second photographer and about 60 minutes to document the groom and groomsmen

• A reasonable timeline would include a minimum of 30 minutes for the groom

3. First Look / 10 minutes each

The first look provides an opportunity for the two of you to be alone or with minimal presence from others. It's a private moment to connect, exchange thoughts, and express your love for each other without an audience.

It is also ideal for your timeline as it allows for Family Formal photos to be arranged right after but before the ceremony leaving more room for Bridal portraits and Cocktail Hour

Consider leaving 10-15 minutes per First Look.

Common variations:

• Bride and Groom

• Bride and Father

• Bride and Bridesmaids

• Bride and Children

• Bride & Groom observing wedding reception decor for the first time

4. Private Notes, letters & Vows / 10-15 minutes each.

Private messages and vows can bring a lot of emotion to your gallery and I highly recommend not to skip it!

5. Family Formal Photos / 2 minutes per grouping

Family formal photos serve as a historical record of a family's growth and evolution. They capture a moment in time when families gather together, and these images become a part of the family's history.

Consider about 2 minutes per each group of people and a bit more time with elders and children.

This session will take place right after the ceremony if you don’t want the First Look. This way all the family members are gathered together and you will need less time to organize all.

6. The Ceremony / 30 minutes - 1 hour

Communicating your preferences and vision for the ceremony allows the officiant to tailor the service to your beliefs, values, and expectations. This ensures the ceremony reflects your unique love story. Make sure you communicate the timeline as well as other details. Communicating this timeline with your photo and video team will ensure that the key moments like the first kiss are captured in detail and don’t come as a surprise.

7. Bridal Party Formal Portraits / 30 minutes

Capture special relationship and friendship.

Bridal party formal portraits help document the close friendships and family bonds that have led to this important day. They showcase the people who have supported and stood by the couple throughout their journey.

Ideally you want about 30 minutes to capture these moments and not to be rushed, however 20 minutes is still very reasonable

8. Bridal Formal Portraits / 30 minutes

Couple's portraits are a visual celebration of the love and connection between the bride and groom. They capture the essence of the relationship and serve as a reminder of the special bond shared by the couple.

Ideally you want about 30 minutes to capture these moments and not to be rushed, however 20 minutes is still very reasonable

This session often happens while the guests are enjoying their cocktail hour.

9. Reception / 4 hours+

Reception usually begins with an Introduction, often followed by speeches, First Dance / Dances, or Cake Cutting.

• We would recommend that you start your reception with Cake Cutting. This way your cake doesn’t sit long and can be cut for the guests right after your entrance. It will be served right after the dinner

• It’s important to communicate with everyone giving a speech how much time they will take.

• Consider about 3-4 minutes for the First Dance. Ask your Dj to cut all the following songs to 90 seconds if you have more than one dance.

10. Dinner / 1 hour

Consider about 60 minutes for your meal before your next activity. Your vendors should be getting a meal after the Parent Table so that they are ready for you when you are ready to party.

11. Cake Cutting / 10 minutes+

Whether you have a large cake to cut into, a desert station or a pie, this may take as little as 10 minutes to photograph and as long as 40 minutes for all to enjoy the desert.

Consider a cake table on wheels so that the cake could be easily positioned at any part of the room for the best light and composition to frame your photos.

11. Games and Entertainment

Your Dj will be the greatest help to establish your after-dinner timeline.

Here is a quick list of fun activities to consider:

• Bouquet Toss

• Garter Toss

• Generation Dance

• Shoe Game

• Board and outdoor games for the guests

• Consider hiring a mini-golf course for the evening

• White bounce house for fun action shots for the wedding party and the guests

• Consider caricaturist for the evening. Double original artworks as favors.

• Money dance. Those shots can be a lot of fun although the idea might be perceived as outdated

• Live entertainment and band. Huge hit of every party.

• Sunset Couple’s portraits (Consider 10-20 minutes for the spectacular views)

• Champagne pops or confetti can be very fun

12. Sparklers and light painting / 15 minutes+

Consider finishing up your evening with sparkler send off. You would need about 15-20 minutes to organize all guests. Make sure you get extra long sparklers and multipple lighters for best result

Sample Timeline

*Your wedding coordinator or a planner should be the first person to help you to create a unique timeline.

** Don’t want First Look? Make sure you have more time between your Ceremony and Reception to fit all the important moments without stress.

• 11:00 AM…………Getting Ready and Flatlays *You will start earlier. This is when your Photographer arrives.

• 1:00 PM…………First Look with groom & father

• 1:30 PM…………Bridal Party Formal Portraits

• 2:00 PM…………..Family Formal Portraits

• 3:30 PM…………..Relaxation

• 3:00 PM………….Ceremony

• 4:00 PM………….Couple’s Formal Portraits / Cocktail Hour

• 5:00 PM…………..Reception Introduction

• 5:15 PM……………First Dance. Bride & Groom, Father Daughter, Mother Son.

• 5:30 PM…………..Cake Cutting

• 5:40 PM…………..Group Photos with each table

• 6:00 PM………….Speeches

• 6:15 PM…………..Dinner

• 7:30 PM…………..Couple’s Sunset Portraits

• 7:50 PM……………Bouquet Toss

• 8:00 PM…………..Dance Floor

• 9:00 PM…………..Sparkler Send off *or later