Wedding Day Timeline: The Ultimate Guide to Having Perfect Timing and Less Stress on Your Wedding Day

I can say that I have been to quite a few weddings, so I have seen what leaves my couples the most stressed, and that answer is the timeline! Things are bound to run late, maybe the caterer is stuck in traffic or the DJ can’t get their mics to work, but leaving enough time for everything will leave you with enough free time to allow for things to go off the rails a little. Use this template as a guideline to perfectly time your wedding day and to help plan for the unexpected. Remember that your wedding day timeline can be as detailed as you want it to be, so allowing cushion will help things run more smoothly.

Photography average time investments:
Details: 1 hour
First Look: 15 minutes
Portraits: 30 minutes
Wedding Party: 30-45 minutes
Family Portraits: 30 minutes
Sunset Portraits: 20-30 minutes

Example 8 hour timeline (with a first look):
12:00 – photographer arrives and starts on details
– Details may include: rings, shoes, invitation suite, florals, tie, cufflinks, perfume/cologne, ring box, special sentimental items
12:45 – finish hair and makeup, photographer grabs photos of you and wedding party in robes before getting dressed
1:00 – partner 1 gets dressed and puts on any details
1:15 – partner 2 gets dressed and puts on any details
– Make sure to leave time for traveling between locations if needed
1:30 – first look and portraits
2:15 – wedding party portraits
3:00 – down time before ceremony
3:30 – CEREMONY!
4:00 – family photos, social hour starts for your guests
4:30 – you join social hour
5:45 – guests take their seats for dinner
6:00 – grand march and dinner
6:45 – sneak out for sunset photos
7:10 – speeches
7:30 – first dances
7:45 – dance floor opens
8:00 – photo coverage ends

Example 8 hour timeline (without a first look):
12:00 – photographer arrives and starts on details
12:45 – finish hair and makeup, photographer grabs photos of you and wedding party in robes before getting dressed
1:00 – partner 1 gets dressed and puts on any details
1:15 – partner 2 gets dressed and puts on any details
1:30 – wedding party side 1 portraits
2:15 – wedding party side 2 portraits
3:00 – down time before ceremony
3:30 – CEREMONY!
4:00 – family photos, social hour starts for your guests
4:30 – formal portraits
5:00 – you join social hour
5:45 – guests take their seats for dinner
6:00 – grand march and dinner
6:45 – sneak out for sunset photos
7:10 – speeches
7:30 – first dances
7:45 – dance floor opens
8:00 – photo coverage ends

So how much photo coverage do you need? The average time investment for most wedding photographers is 8 hours. Depending on your specific needs (like maybe you don’t want detail shots and you don’t have a wedding party), then 6 hours will suffice. If you have to travel in between your getting ready location to your ceremony location, then to your reception location, then 10 hours (or more) will be your best fit. Talk to your photographer and have them help you build a custom timeline so you can see your options!