I’ll show you step by step the best way for you to create a wedding timeline for 6 hours of photography coverage (or more!) As a photographer, I’ve made sure that the most important moments (like your ceremony and sunset portraits!) fall when the light is hitting your venue just right. That means that this relies a lot on when the sun sets on your wedding day. Make sure you look up what time the sun sets on your wedding day when creating your wedding timeline, and adjust the times accordingly!

For this example timeline, we’re gonna pretend like the sun sets at 6:00pm!

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This is a great opportunity for you to get shots of all the tiny, beautiful details that tell the story of your wedding day. Half an hour is enough time to document details on their own, but may not be enough time to design a fancy styled flat lay like in this photo.

To make this go as smoothly as possible, make sure you pack a few items in an easy to grab bag the day before. This bag of details is typically the first thing I ask for when I arrive. This bag should have:

• Your shoes
• A fresh set of wedding invitations
• Any jewelry you’ll be wearing (including both of your wedding rings)
• Decorative hairpieces or veil
• Any extra flowers or greenery your florist is willing to part with
• Any special heirloom pieces that might be important to you (perfume, grandmother’s ring, handkerchief etc.)
• An open-top ring box, ribbon, and other decorative items
• If you’d like to see more info on what details to have ready, check out my details guide!

Recommended Time Needed: 30 minutes to an hour

Add More Time Here If: You have a lot of details that need to be photographed, or if you are wanting an elaborately styled flat lay that might take more design time.

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Getting ready photos usually happen at your venue, in the bride’s room. They show just the finishing touches of your hair and makeup, and then your family or bridesmaids helping you into your dress.

Give your makeup artist and hairstylist plenty of time to work their magic without getting rushed when you create your wedding timeline.

Recommended Time Needed: 30 minutes – 45 minutes

Add More Time Here If: You or your fiancée are getting ready somewhere other than your venue, you are wanting robe photos with your girls, or if you are wanting bridal photos taken after you get dressed.

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It’s a great idea to have a first look session a few days before your wedding day. It doubles the amount of frame-a-licious posed photos and calms the nerves. If you’re waiting until your wedding day, I recommend putting a small first look before the ceremony starts when creating your wedding timeline.

This will be one of the only times you two will get to be alone together on your wedding day. It can be a very special moment you get to share together. It’s also when we’ll be able to really take some good photos without family members and guests needing your attention.

Recommended Time Needed: 30 minutes

Add More Time Here If: You want more photos of the two of you together, or you want more alone time together on your wedding day.

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I say this will all the love in my heart- tell your bridesmaids and groomsmen (and your family for that matter) to show up earlier than you think they should be there. Not only is it probably going to take longer than you expect for them to get dressed, but they also have a bunch of responsibilities. If something needs to be picked up or if someone is running late, they’re the ones that will put their time on hold to take care of it.

Recommended Time Needed: 30 minutes

Add More Time Here If: Your bridesmaids/groomsmen are prone to running late, you have a large bridal party (more than 8 people), or you have small children in your bridal party.

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I’ve got a pretty smooth system down for taking family photos fast and painlessly. The catch is, it works best if your family is prepped for how this is going to go beforehand. Many family members will come up with a bunch of extra shots they want while we’re taking photos. Going out of order and trying to come up with a bunch of family groupings on the spot is the best way to get your timeline thrown off track. Family photos run amok can eat into your photos together as a couple!

You can make sure this doesn’t happen by:

• Creating a wedding timeline with plenty of time allotted to family photos.
• Asking your parents beforehand what family groupings they would like (then make sure you put those on the wedding questionnaire I send you!)
• Telling your relatives that I’ve been instructed to stick only to the shot list you’ve given me so we remain on time.
• Print out the shot list and give a copy to your parents the morning of. They’ll feel included, and they’ll know what to expect.
• If you’d like more ideas on making family photos quick and painless, check out my family photos guide!

Recommended Time Needed: 30 minutes

Add More Time Here If: You have a large family, or if you are wanting photos with your extended family.

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Modern ceremonies usually aren’t too long, but it’s always nice to plan for extra time here in case we’re running late. If we are running late, but you’ve planned in extra time when you created your wedding timeline, it won’t throw off the rest of the day.

Recommended Time Needed: 30 minutes to 45 minutes

Add More Time Here If: You’ll have an extra long ceremony, or if you want a more relaxed day without feeling rushed.

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Your ceremony and sunset photos are probably going to be your favorite photos from the entire day. Notice they’re listed just before sunset- that way you can get the dreamy golden hour light with the photos you’ll want to frame. Your guests can enjoy cocktail hour while we traverse the grounds and you can spend a little more time together.

No matter what the timeline for the rest of your day looks like, try to schedule some time an hour before the sun sets on your wedding day for these portraits together.

Recommended Time Needed: 30 minutes to an hour

Add More Time Here If: You won’t have a first look, or you have a large venue that requires us to spend a lot of time walking/driving to different spots.

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* 6:00 – Sunset *

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Now’s your chance to sit and relax a bit. Grab some food, and get ready for the party to start! During this time I will be eating when you eat, setting up for the reception, and grabbing candid photos of your guests at their tables.

Recommended Time Needed: An hour

Add More Time Here If: You are doing a reception line before dinner, or if you’re wanting photos with each table.

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Most people will have me cover only the beginning part of the reception. I’ll be able to capture the traditions like cake cutting and special dances, and you can have me leave when those are done. If you are wanting a sparkler exit covered, or another type of speciality exit, here are some ideas!

• Do a sparkler entrance instead! This is my favorite option because your guests aren’t drunk or disheveled yet, and everyone is still there- no one has left for the night. Plus, your entrance into the reception is a natural, celebratory point. It makes sense!
• Fake exit. Some people will do a faux exit about half way through their reception (or whenever their coverage ends), and then come back in and keep dancing. Just be aware that this can sometimes cause confusion with your guests, and some may decide to leave early!
• Add on additional hours. If your heart is set on doing your exit at the end of the night, you can add additional hours to reach the end of your reception.

If you want to see how to plan your reception step by step, you can check out the best reception timeline for your wedding day here.

Recommended Time Needed: Until your coverage runs out

Add More Time Here If: You have a lot of traditions or reception events spread out throughout the night, or if you have a specialty exit you really want to happen at the end of the night.

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Frequently Asked Questions

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Now you should have all the steps you need for creating a wedding timeline!

I hope this helps you on your way to creating a wedding timeline. This guide is meant to give you gorgeous light, and ample time to party. With this guide and the recommended photography time for each event, you can create a unique day that fits your wedding dreams!