How To Create a Wedding Timeline
March 29, 2025
Creating a Wedding Timeline: Where To Begin
Creating a wedding timeline can be an overwhelming task for couples, and you might be unsure where to start. I began my photography business back in 2018, and since then, I’ve been to hundreds of weddings. I’ve seen what works, and unfortunately, what doesn’t. With my husband also being in the wedding industry as a DJ, I also have a pretty good idea about what other vendors need on a wedding day. Speaking of wedding vendors, it is so important to choose a photographer you enjoy spending time with. Your photographer will be your professional third wheel all day long, and you’ll spend more time with your photographer than you will any other vendor.
Ceremony Start Time
Let’s talk about your ceremony start time. If you can decide on a time that works for you and your vision for the day, the rest of the timeline will be easier to build. Are you wanting to get married earlier in the day, or would you prefer an evening ceremony? One of the first things you’ll want to check on is the sunset time for your chosen date. For you to get those gorgeous golden hour photos you see all over Pinterest, you’ll want there to be at least an hour between your ceremony end time and the predicted sunset time.
Consider Doing a First Look
I always recommend getting as many photos done before the ceremony as possible.
Have you considered doing a first look with your significant other?
Choosing to do a first look prior to the ceremony has several perks. Doing a first look allows couples to spend more time with their friends and family members during the reception. It can sometimes frustrate guests if they have to wait on the couple to return from taking photos for more than an hour after the ceremony.
Your guests want to spend time with you and your partner, and let’s be honest, they want to eat. Doing a first look also gives you and your partner some alone time together prior to the ceremony. Often times, this is the only alone time you will get with your partner on your wedding day. If you schedule enough time for your wedding portraits prior to the ceremony, you won’t feel rushed.
You can do first looks with other friends and family members as well. These will be some of the most cherished photos in your wedding gallery.
For those that prefer not to do a first look, you could do a first touch or a private vow reading.
Other Things to Consider
Other things you’ll want to consider:
How do you want to approach dinner?
Will you have a contact hour?
Do you want your reception to be a party, or would you prefer it be more laid back?
Care about a cake cutting?
Do you want to do a bouquet/garter toss?
Considered doing a grant exit?
Do you want to do the shoe game?
Do you want to do a money dance?
Have something special planned for your reception?
Want to do something less traditional?
It’s YOUR wedding day, and you can do whatever you want! Don’t let anyone make you feel like you have to do something if it doesn’t feel true to you.
Sample Wedding Timeline
Below is a sample photography timeline for a Knoxville, Tennessee wedding in April. This should give you an idea about how much time your photographer needs to capture different parts of your wedding day.
2 p.m. Photographer Arrives
2:10 p.m. Details (dress, invitations, jewelry, perfume, lipstick, shoes, rings, etc.)
2:45 p.m. Getting Ready Photos
3:15 p.m. Bridal Portraits / Bridesmaids Photos
3:45 p.m. Groom Portraits / Groomsmen Photos
4:15 p.m. First Look with Dad
4:30 p.m. First Look with Groom
4:45 p.m. Bride / Groom Portraits
5:15 p.m. Bridal Party Photos
5:30 p.m. Ceremony Reception Details
6 p.m. Ceremony
6:30 p.m. Family Photos / Cocktail Hour
(INSERT FAMILY GROUPINGS LIST)
7 p.m. Golden Hour Portraits
7:30 p.m. Grand Entrance to Reception
7:35 p.m. First Dance
7:40 p.m. Father / Daughter Dance
7:45 p.m. Mother / Son Dance
7:50 p.m. Dinner (your guests could be eating while you take photos if you prefer that)
8:15 p.m. Toasts
8:30 p.m. Party
10 p.m. Exit
It’s important to note that if your day-of coordinator or wedding planner will create a much more detailed wedding timeline for the day. Your photographer and day-of coordinator/wedding planner will collaborate to make sure the photographer’s timeline and the planner’s timeline match up and work well for everyone.
Book Your Photographer
I would love to be considered to photograph your wedding if you’re still looking for an experienced photographer. Please complete the contact form on my website so we can hop on a Zoom call to discuss your vision for the day!
