6 Tips to Planning Your Wedding Timeline
Tips and suggestions from a photographers perspective how to stricture the wedding day and fit in all the best photos!
1) Top Favorite Photo/s
Before you begin drafting a rough timeline, I recommend identifying the top 2-3 most important photos you want to have from your wedding day. Consider which images you envision displayed on your walls for years to come. Pinpointing these key photos will be essential in organizing the flow of your day. Many of my clients treasure the golden hour shots (my personal favorite of the day), while others prioritize the first look and the moments leading up to it. Perhaps there’s a special photo with Grandma Sue that means a lot to you. Whatever your must-have images are, be sure to make a note of them.
2)Sunset
After confirming the wedding date, find out what time sunset occurs. This information is crucial for planning your favorite photos in the best possible and romantic lighting.
A wedding day offers numerous photo opportunities for your photographer. Are there any specific shots you’d prefer to forgo? Ensuring all the shots you want are in your wedding timeline will be key to capturing all the best photos of the day. Typically, a wedding photographer plans to capture the following unless you specify otherwise:
Detail shots (dress, rings, vow books, shoes)
Venue photos (before guests arrive)
Moments between mom and bride (helping button the dress)
Bride getting ready (putting on jewelry, shoes, etc.)
First look with bridesmaids
First look with dad.
Bride and groom first look, vows, and mini portrait session
Bridal party photos
Ceremony coverage
Family portraits
Golden hour portraits
Once these photos above are completed, the rest of the day usually flows easily and according to the schedule, and these key shots are usually unaffected by lighting conditions.
Grand Entrance
Toasts
Cake cutting
Garter toss
Bouquet toss
Dancing
Grand exit
3)Photos to Forgo
Wedding Day Timeline (*NOTE. A photographer’s timeline will be based on Sunset. Adjust the time accordingly to when sunset is on your wedding day)
1:00 PM – Photographer arrives; bride finalizes hair and makeup; detail and venue photos
2:00 PM – Mom and bride photos; bridal portraits
2:30 PM – Bridesmaids’ first look
2:45 PM - First look with dad.
3:00 PM – First look with bride and groom and private vows
3:30 PM – Bridal party photos
4:00 PM – Ceremony begins
4:30 PM – Family photos; cocktail hour starts
5:30 PM – Bride and groom sneak away for golden hour portraits
5:50 PM – Sunset
6:00 PM – Grand entrance; dinner served
6:30 PM – First dances (bride and groom, mother and son, bride and father)
6:45 PM – Speeches and toasts
7:00 PM – Cake cutting
7:15 PM – Garter and bouquet toss
7:30 PM – Dance floor opens
9:45 PM – Grand exit (photographer leaves- 10 hour day. Pro tip: if you have an 8 hour day you can always “mock” your grand exit and run back in to party!)
4)Suggested timeline
By planning ahead with your photographer, you can include some truly fun and creative shots in your session. Here are a few of my favorite photos, time permitting:
Bride and Groom beneath a cathedral veil
A blurry photo of the bridal party walking, with the Bride and Groom kissing in the center
Framing the bride’s face with flowers from the bouquets
Bridal party forming a “tunnel” for the Bride and Groom to run through
A Vogue-style, thoughtfully posed photo of the entire bridal party
Three-generation shots focusing on the bride, her mom, and grandmothers’ hands and rings
Drone shot of venue
Do you have other photo ideas that inspire you? Consider creating a Pinterest board and sharing it with your photographer!
5)Pinterest Board
Lastly, remember to relax. Wedding days often require flexibility and adjusting. Rest assured you’ve communicated throughly with your photographer and you both have a good idea of what photos are important to you and what photos, if need be, might need to forgo. At the end of the day, your photographer has the expertise to make quick adjustments and still document your wedding day beautifully! Soak in your wedding day and all the love and joy there is to be had! Your photographer has your back.
