Everyone who works in weddings will tell all couples the same thing: your wedding day is going to fly by. You’ll be in your room getting ready, then you blink, and they’re serving the cake. The best way to ensure you have a seamless, stress-free day is to make sure your wedding day timeline is planned as efficiently as possible. Being a wedding photographer, I am able to pretty accurately predict how long portions of the day will be. With that being said, I like to be as involved as possible in creating your wedding day timeline. Let’s dive into how to best streamline your day.
Getting ready
Most wedding day timelines are centered around more than just your ceremony and reception. Often times, the timeline is created with the intention of maximizing time for photos. About one hour before you’re scheduled to get dressed is about time for the photographer to arrive. This enables them to catch those last few getting ready moments – hair & makeup touch ups, attire/stationary details, and some general candids.
If you have a second photographer – it is highly recommended to catch every important moment & explore every angle. They will be photographing your lovely almost-spouse during their prep. Depending on how much prep is required for them, their start time could be earlier or later, but it will still allow for an hour of time to photograph details, touch ups, portraits, etc.
GETTING READY PHOTOS: 1-2 hours
First Look: Pros & Cons
It used to be considered bad luck to see your spouse in their wedding day attire before the ceremony. Now, almost every wedding day timeline includes a first look. I’m personally very pro first look, and it goes hand in hand with having your wedding day run like a well-oiled machine.
The best part about having a first look built into your wedding day timeline is that it allows you to enjoy your cocktail hour later on. When you have your first look, you’re free to mingle with your guests after the ceremony instead of being stuck taking photos. The only thing con with having your portraits earlier on in the day is the lighting will be drastically different. Instead of soft golden hour light like you’d get later on in the evening, it’ll likely be a harsher, more direct light. Both are beautiful and can be utilized in different ways, but if you want to be sure to have some golden hour portraits, set aside about 15-20 minutes of your cocktail hour.
FIRST LOOK AND COUPLE’S PORTRAITS: 1-2 HOURS
Family & Wedding Party Photos
This is notoriously the most chaotic portion of the day. It may be helpful to encourage VIP family members & friends to arrive extra early for family portraits before the ceremony and to STAY TOGETHER. Depending on how large the groups are, this could take up to an hour (especially if not everyone is on time). Create a shot list for your photographer with each group/combination and make sure everyone on the list is present for photos. If everyone is there at the selected time, it should be easy peasy. I’m able to (normally) get this done in under one hour. I also recommend getting wedding party photos done during the getting ready portion of the day. This way, there is some extra time for family photos.
FAMILY FORMAL PHOTOS: 1 1/2 HOURS
Your wedding ceremony
It’s that time! Don’t be nervous, you got this.
Your guests will likely take their seats about 15-30 minutes before the ceremony start time.
Make sure you’re out of sight of your guests, and ensure all portraits at the ceremony venue are finished 30 minutes to an hour before guests arrive.
If there are any traditions you are including in your ceremony, run times may vary, but the average time is about 30 minutes. This allows enough time for any meaningful readings, speeches, music & of course the vows and ring exchange.
CEREMONY TIME: 30-60 MINUTES
Cocktail hour
Cocktail hour is the best hour. If at this point you’ve already covered your photo session with your spouse and group family portraits, this hour is reserved for relaxing, eating, and some catching up with friends and family before the reception.
It will probably be golden hour at this time, so you may want to take advantage of a few minutes to get some more portraits, but you are by no means obligated to. Just alert your photographer and I’m sure they’ll (we’ll) be willing to put down the plate of charcuterie to get some stunning images.
COCKTAIL HOUR: 1 HOUR (LOL) (sometimes there’s the option to extend for 30 minutes, but that’s rare).
Your wedding reception timeline
People may have different traditions at wedding ceremonies, but there is some consistency in the reception: dancing & eating – a lot. The flow may vary, but the order of events normally goes like this:
- Guests enter (5 – 10 mins in)
- Band/dj plays some “getting the night started” tunes (10 – 15 mins in)
- Newlyweds entrance (15 mins in)
- First dance (15 – 25 mins in)
- Toasts/speeches (25 – 45 mins in)
- Parent Dances (45 – 60 mins in)
- 1st course (60 – 75 mins in)
- More dancing (75 – 95 mins in)
- Main course (95 – 125 mins in)
- Some more (125 – 140 mins in)
- Cake cutting (140 – 160 mins in)
- More dancing (160 – end)
Of course it’s not going to be exactly like that, but that’s pretty close. Three to four hours is a good amount of reception time, and it ensures all the important stuff gets done.
RECEPTION: 3-4 HOURS
Tip: How your wedding day timeline changes is based on how many hours you have with your photographer
When you book me as your wedding photographer, I’ll provide you with some helpful planning resources. Usually a month before your wedding day, I like to schedule a time to go over your projected timeline. We as photographers have a say in the timeline flow because we know how long photos are going to take. For instance, the timeline your caterer provides may not account for the proper amount of time to take family photos. Your timeline will change depending on if you have an 8, 10, or 12 hour day with your photographer.
In conclusion definitely make sure you get to enjoy your food and all of your guests! This is your day, and aside from making sure it runs smoothly, you have to remember to pause and take it all in once in a while. Assign the task of keeping everyone on track to someone else for a bit, everyone will be more than happy to help you out – including me!
Wedding day timeline with first look
- Getting ready begins
- START coverage at the end of getting ready:- 1 hour – 1.5 hours
- First look & couples portraits: 1 hour (if traveling to multiple locations, add an extra 30-40 minutes)
- Wedding party photos (if applicable): 30 minutes
- Family photos: 45 minutes
- Relax before the ceremony: 20-30 minutes (trust me, you’ll want this extra time.)
- Ceremony: 30 minutes – 1 hour
- Cocktail hour: 1 hour
- Reception: 3 – 4 hours
- END coverage: After dessert
Wedding day timeline without first look
- Getting ready begins
- START coverage at the end of getting ready:- 1 hour – 1.5 hours
- Wedding party photos (if applicable): 30 minutes
- Family photos (each spouse will take turns with their side): 1 hour
- Relax before the ceremony: 20-30 minutes (trust us, you’ll want this extra time.)
- Ceremony: 30 minutes – 1 hour
- COMBINED family photos: 15 minutes (RIGHT after ceremony)
- Cocktail hour (& Couples portraits): 1 hour (30 minutes)
- Reception: 3 – 4 hours
- END coverage: After dessert