Planning a timeline for your wedding day can induce insane levels of stress. How much time will family photos take? How long do you really need for a first look? What if there is traffic??!!! When you are getting to the last push before your wedding, the timeline can be the thing that pushes you over the edge.
After 7 years of photographing weddings, I have helped my couples with hundreds of timelines! I am breaking it down for below with my Ultimate Timeline Guide!
Planning the Perfect Wedding Day Timeline
Before we get started, it’s important for me to clarify that this timeline is for your wedding photography. Also, every wedding is different, and one timeline does not fit all. Therefore, I am not GIVING you a timeline, but more of a guideline. So buckle up. We are about to begin in my FAVORITE form —- BULLET POINTS
- Step # 1- Hire a photographer like me who will do this for you (I kid I kid…but shoulda-coulda-woulda….)
- REAL Step #1- Map out a VERY basic timeline draft with ceremony time, reception start time, reception end time. This is all you need to do to start. See, not too hard!
- Step # 2- Work BACKWARDS from the ceremony. Yes. That’s right. What needs to be planned prior? Several major things. First look (if you are having one), getting ready (as in getting dressed), travel, detail photos, and portraits are the main objectives. Some couples who choose a first look also want all wedding party and family photos done prior and I AM ALL FOR THAT. Keep in mind you will need step #3 before to complete step #2….
- Step #3- how long does everything take? This is the trickiest part! This is the general cheat sheet I use for EVERY wedding:
Estimated times for wedding day portraits
Family photos- 20- 30 minutes OR 3 minutes per grouping
Bride and groom portraits- 30-40 minutes (can be broken into 2 times, such as first look and sunset portraits)
Detail photos at the start- 45-60 minutes
getting into dress- 20 minutes
wedding party photos- 20-30 minutes (usually only 20 but I always put 10 extra minutes here)
And now….
- Step # 4- put it all together working backwards from the ceremony to organize the beginning half of the day (and don’t forget travel time!). What might this look like? See below!
12:00- Photographer’s arrive to photograph details.
12:45- 2nd shooter to guys for getting ready photos
1:00- Bride into dress
1:30- First look (on location)
1:45- Bride and Groom portraits
2:15- Wedding party portraits
2:40- Family portraits
3:10- Prep for ceremony
3:30- GET MARRIED!
4-5:00- Cocktail Hour
5:15- Reception introductions
Okay, see not so hard! And guess what I have to tell you now? Psych! That’s the hardest part! You have the majority of the timeline done! The last step is to figure out the reception with your band/dj/mc and let the photographer know of the ending time and any special moments.
Make sure to leave some room for flexibility in your timeline (I do 10 minutes before and 10 after the ceremony) for any delays or any spur of the moment photo ops- or to just relax! Remember that this is your day, and at no point should photos get in the way of your special moments.
I am here for any questions you may have!
xoxo
allie