The Wedding Day Timeline. Stuff of nightmares, right? Everyone involved in the wedding has an opinion about how your day should go. Their personal experiences or hopes and expectations for your day may have you drowning in unsolicited, but well intentioned advice. You may have clicked on this post because you are about to scream. You may have clicked on this post because you haven’t the faintest idea how to create a timeline. Or you may have clicked on this post because you really do want to have an effortless day.
I work with all of my couples in the weeks leading up to their wedding to create a seamless day of timeline. Granted, I am mostly interested in the timeline as it relates to photos. However, photos are an incredibly important part of a wedding day. I have never met a guest, family member, or fellow vendor who was shocked that time was being allotted for wedding photos.
Start in the middle
So where do we begin with all of this? Well, we start at the middle. The ceremony is where I like to start organizing timelines. I work towards either end of the day, keeping in mind the allotted hours, the wishes and expectations of the couple, and the needs of the other vendors. As much as I would love to keep my couple out for portraits during golden hour, I know that the venue is most likely waiting for our return to begin serving dinner. My needs as a photographer are not the only ones to exist (Or so I tell myself in a professional manner).
The middle. We start at the middle. And then, we go to the most important element of the day- will there be a first look or will things be kept traditional? We may have started the timeline in the middle, but this key factor is what shapes EVERYTHING. How so? Well, if we have a first look, I know our timeline will be heavy with photos before the ceremony. I know that we need time for the first look, couple portraits, wedding party portraits, and family portraits all before the ceremony.
If things are being kept traditional, I know that we will need to use every second of cocktail hour to accomplish the beforementioned photos, and possibly some time at sunset as well. There is not right or wrong answer as to whether or not to have a first look. It really comes down to personal preference, but it does heavily influence the timeline. Tip: If you plan on having a first look, write personal vows and read them to each other during the first look.
Hop to the end
Okay so now we look at when things are set to end, and how they are set to end. Do you have plans for an elaborate send off? Or do you expect the party to fizzle into an after party at the hotel bar? Do you want pictures towards the end of the night, or would the photos be too….embarrassing?
For most weddings, I do not stay to the end of the night. I inform my couples that I will get everything I need if I stay through all formalities and then a dance set. What are the formalities? Formalities include first dance and special dances, speeches and toasts, cake cutting, garter and bouquet, and any special dances like anniversary dance or dollar dance. A dance set, which is about a half hour of songs, helps get everyone up and dancing and allows for some epic dancing photos. Tip: Make sure to get out on the dancefloor as well!
Don’t forget the beginning!
Make sure you don’t forget about the beginning. Chances are, if you are a bride, you will have hair and makeup schedule to begin with the sunrise. Is this necessary? Oh yes. The biggest derailment from a wedding day happens because hair and makeup are running behind. It’s hard to get that time back. Be upfront with your hair and makeup artists. How many people need to be done and how in depth will things be? 10 bridesmaids with waist length hair will require a lot more time than the average up-do.
Are either of you planning on a first look with parents or wedding party? These are sweet moments, and while they don’t take long, it is important to add them to the timeline to help organize the flow. Obviously if you want a first look with Dad, we need to make sure we know when and where it is happening so we don’t accidentally have an early viewing!
Travel adds up
Are we doing a lot of traveling? Are there multiple stops for getting ready, portraits, ceremony, and reception? This will also play into our timeline, and I like to have this information early on. This may lead to a conversation with my couples about adding extra hours or an additional shooter to the day. Some of the best weddings included detours to the beach or stunning parks and were well worth the extra travel time we built in.
For the love of family
Okay. Here it is. The toughest 20-30 minutes of the day. There really is nothing that can compare to the importance of family photos at a wedding. I get it. I really do! Everyone is together at last! And they look pretty good too.
Family photos can be taxing, so it is wise to keep the formal family portrait time to immediate family only. Mom, dad, siblings, Grandma… yes! Uncle Rob’s sister in law and that distance cousin you met once twenty years ago? Save it. Save it for when you ask? Well, the cocktail hour or reception are great times for odd groupings. College friends, your co-workers, every living person who shares your DNA— take it during cocktail hour or reception! Your DJ or band can even help this process by making a quick announcement for extra large groups.
My rule of thumb is to keep family photos to 30 minutes or less. To achieve this, make sure everyone involved in family photos knows when and where they are happening. Despite best efforts, it is common to misplace a family member by the bar during family photos.
Download your timeline tool
This has all been great, but I am not actually making your timeline for you. If you’ve read through this post, hopefully you have learned a thing or two. It’s time to put this newfound knowledge to work! But I am not about to kick you to the wolves. I have made a handy timeline organizer for you. Not only that, but I have completed one as a sample. The sample is based on 9 hours at the same location, so keep that in mind.
You now have the chance to download and create your own! Your timeline might not look exactly like this one, so feel free to get creative.
A quick summary of some of the labels:
- Detail photos- time the photographer needs to photograph details of the day, such as dress, rings, shoes, etc
- getting ready photos- photos of you getting ready! This is for guys and girls! This is a time for candid photos
- special moments- first look with mom, dad, or wedding party. Any non-standard photos like photos with a pet
- Set up for first look- get everyone where they need to be!
- Tuck away for the ceremony- we want to make sure no guests see you early!
Well, I sincerely hope this helps! I am here for any questions you may have. Now go forth and conquer your timle-line!