Planning your wedding day timeline can seem so overwhelming. How much time do you book for your photographer? When do you do cake cutting or toasts? Should you have a cocktail hour? There are so many places you can seek out for advice or tips: your DJ, venue, or caterer, but many forget the portion of the day that you have devoted to photos. Here are tome tips and examples of different ways you can plan your big day.

Getting Ready Photos – 1 hour

An hour for getting ready photos should be enough. Now keep in mind, if a second photographer is booked, your photo count might even double! It provides one photographer to be with each party. Groom's getting ready photos usually consist of putting ties on, shoes, special details such as watch or shoes, drinking beers, playing lawn games, etc. At this time bridesmaids are drinking champagne, curling their hair, giving gifts, etc. The most famous getting ready images are the last. The bride getting her dress ready and simple, sweet moments of reveling the bride in her dress to her female loved ones. Here’s a pro tip: Starting hair and makeup earlier, the better!

First Look and couple photos – 1 hour

So not every couple chooses the a first look, but I also have not ever, ever heard that it wasn’t a sweet, memorable moment or a waste of time. The first look can include both partners and even the fathers. It can be a perfect time to exchange gifts (such as boudoir albums) , letters, or sweet sentiments with parents. An hour should be plenty of time for the first look and couple photos- although sometimes some couples prefer to do all the couple photos all at once during sunset photos later in the evening.

Wedding Party Photos – 45 minutes

Seems like a lot of time for just wedding party photos, but I love to take photos of each group, and then each individual, and then each individual with. the couple. A second shooter makes a huge difference here, it might even allow time for a pit stop for a toast at a favorite hang out! Incorporating activities provides some amazing opportunities for natural and candid images with the couple’s closest friends.

Ceremony Prep –30 minutes

The wedding day is long! I always encourage the couple to take a minutes before the ceremony as guests trickle in. Drink some water, spend time in prayer, allow a silent moment with a parent or child, sneak in a snack, or just a simple hair touch up and freshen up before the ceremony. During this time, I can focus on detail shots of your ceremony area, flowers and prepare for the big event.

Ceremony – 30 minutes

30 minutes is usually enough time, unless you have planned a specific religious ceremony. Keep in mind, time to gather family, walking down the aisle, and if you have a receiving line, be sure to factor this in as well.

Family Photos – 35 minutes

I recommend doing these after the ceremony. I often press my couples for a list of family that is attending that will be in the wedding photos. Having a “shot list’ naming each family member per photo makes this process go so much faster! I prefer to aim for portraits with disabled or elderly family members first (especially if it is outside in a hot environment), and of course, those adorable, wriggly children.

Signing of Marriage License – 15 Minutes

You can make a signing a certificate an event that your whole friends and family watch, or something private and sacred between you and your love. This action “seals the deal” as many say, and documenting it is just a

Cocktail Hour – 45 min to 1 hour

The cocktail hour is a wonderful option to entertain your guests while family and couple photos are being taken. It really comes down to your preference. If you want to mingle casually with guests before your grand entrance- do so! It YOUR day! This means you an do pretty much what you want!

Grand Entrance and First Dance or Welcome- 30 min

Grand entrance is that pivotal moment of walking in, presenting yourselves as a married couple. Many have our introductions for the wedding party as they enter the reception area and sit down at the head table. As a newly married couple, you can greet each tale, or jump right on the dance floor for special dances.

Dinner Service – 30-45 minutes

My team and I will take a small break at this time to eat some food, change batteries, perfect dance floor lighting possibilities, and the rest our feet before the night of celebration ahead of us.

Toasts – 15 minutes

Making your guests sit a little too long can cause restless seats and feet! Beginning toasts as dinner is starting to finish up is a perfect time!

SENTIMENTAL Dances – 15-25 minutes

Whether you save your first dance for this time, want to do a father/daughter and mother/son dance or an anniversary dance, this is a good way to get things rolling on the dance floor!

Cut the Cake – 15 minutes

Some people prefer to wait until later in the evening after dinner to cut the cake, and some couples would like all the events clustered into one convenient time period. Make sure to communicate with your DJ, caterer and photographer to allow any lighting adjustments if your Venue is not well lit, I like to be sure the cake cutting are has adequate area for flashes in time.

Open dancing for guests and sunset photos- 45 minutes

I often encourage guests to plan their wedding around “the light”, as a photographer would say. You have carefully planned this beautiful, wonderful day with intricate details and personalized touches. You want it all documented beautifully! Keeping in mind the time of the day that the light is best for photos will enable you to have breathtaking reminder are the best day of your life. Ask for assistance and advice! Allow your DJ to warm up the room so the dance floor is poppin’ as you return just time to boogie down.

Bouquet/Garter Toss – 30 minutes
Dancing - 1 hour

There are many fun games that can be incorporated into the reception. For most American weddings the bouquet and garter toss is most popular. For some couples, those fun moments may include a bouquet and garter toss, money dance, chair dance etc. You can choose to do a game, a fun night shot, or just me finishing up the evening on the dance floor. A common misconception is that the photographer has to cover every second of dancing. I you don’t have a grand exit panned, an hour of dance floor coverage should be plenty to get some awesome shots for you getting down with your friends and family.

Exit- 15 minutes

I could do a whole blog on the do’s and don’ts of executing the perfect exit. (Don’t worry, it’s coming!) The time needed depends on if you have videographer or not! Most 36” metal sparklers burn for about 5 minutes. In this time, the guests must be in place before lighting the sparklers, but not too close, to avoid any mishaps. both the videographer and photographer must have great teamwork to capture the perfect shots! Most times, We will have you do more than one run through! I suggest going over the details with the photographer and videographer before the night kicks off.

Other tips for planning your day:

Follow the light. A huge key to those breathtaking images… most often is perfect light. The light is best right before sunset! This is why I highly encourage couples to plan their timeline with their photographer, or if you have a wedding planner, be sure that they recognize the importance of this subject so that you get your investment's worth and the best results possible! I've had some couples plan their wedding so perfectly around the light of the day and put aside a large chunk of time for the photographer, because they already knew what sort of photos they wanted…. and the result were EPIC. Many times couples forget to equate for walking time to get to the perfect location, such as a nearby wooded area, the beach, or a breathtaking Mountaintop for my adventurous couples.
Pace yo’ self… and your wedding party. As much as we all love celebrating, be sure to discuss compliance and responsibility with the wedding party and family in in regards to pacing themselves with alcoholic beverages, promptness, and meeting in a designated place for portraits. Having rowdy or inebriated subjects in the photos might not result in the best documentation of your day, and cost a lot of time trying to encourage cooperation.
Shot list, shot list, shot list. Along with the timeline, you will hear me refer to this as your ”wedding homework”. Don’t forget to make your shot list! [don’t worry, I wont let you forget!] Specify in your shot list the relationship, age, any accommodations (such as disabilities, wheelchairs, canes) and so forth. List elderly and children first, this will make it safe, enjoyable, easy and fast or everyone,
Family Drama. I am a nonjudgmental, loving soul. As a wedding photographer, I have seen some family drama! I could tell stories... but I don’t! At times, it’s all people talk about, and at times, the wounds are deep and it is “hush hush”. If there are any complicated relationships in the wedding party or family, please let me know. Starting out as a wedding photographer, I once placed two people next to each other the whole night, and turns out it was a very uncomfortable situation for them. No one told me! After the wedding, the bride confided in me and I felt so awful! I would hate to ever contribute to an uncomfortable situation for anyone.
Make the connection. I love having contact with all the vendors in your wedding before the big day- even just the day before. So be sure to fill this info out in the inquiry questionnaire. You can update this form weeks later and I will immediately see your response! If you don’t have a wedding planner, this will eliminate you as the middle man and liaison. Better yet, assign the type-A, organized family member who is NOT in the wedding party to do your bidding. Having early communication with the decorator, DJ, emcee, caterer, or florist will make for a seamless night so we can all work together as a team. It also allows me to credit them for their contribution on social media!
BREATHE. The timeline provides structure for your vendors [photographer, videographer, DJ, band, emcee] for ease of planning and so I can be in the right lace at the right time to get “the perfect shot” every time. It is our job to make sure we execute certain tasks at certain times, it is your job to relax and ENJOY the night. Basically, I will be communicating with you briefly before each “event”. All you have to do is show up. I will give you a 10- 5 minute heads up, and most of the time if we aren’t right on time, that’s okay. The exceptions to this are sunset images, and keeping within the contracted time if you don’t have full day coverage.

What to know what some REAL timelines from look like ? Here you go!

10:00 am Bride arrives
11:00 am Groom and Groomsmen getting ready
2:00 pm Groom will arrive
3:45 pm Bride in and ladies in “hiding” before guest arrive
4:00 pm Ceremony Seating Begins
4:30 pm Ceremony Begins
5:00 pm Ceremony Ends and Cocktail Hour Begins: Bridal Party Photos / Couple Portraits begin
6:00 pm Cocktail Hour Ends
6:05 pm Bridal Party Introductions Mr & Mrs Introduced for the very first time
6:10 pm First Dance Father+Daughter Dance and Mother+ Son Dance
6:15 pm Welcome Toast and Blessing
6:20 pm Dinner Begins.
7:20 pm Toast and Cake Cutting- (MOH, then Best Man)
9:30 pm Bouquet & Garter toss
9:55 pm Last Song
10:00 pm Exit & Farewell Sparklers

Example 2

7:00 pm- Wake up and eat a good breakfast
7:30 pm- Hair and makeup artist arrive
8:00-12:00 pm- Hair and makeup are completed
11:00 pm- Photographers arrive for getting ready photos
12:30 pm- Groomsmen get ready- 2nd shooter with them.
12:45 pm- Bride and (fathers) first look
1:00 pm - Bride pictures(see photographer must have list)
1:30 pm- Depart for venue
1:30 pm- Guest start arriving (pre-ceremony playlist playing)
1:45 pm- Bridal party line up
2:00 pm- Processional starts(ceremony playlist begins)
3:00 pm-Recessional
3:00-4:00 pm- Cocktail hour
3:00-4:00 pm- Bridal party pictures
4:00 pm- Guests begin to take their seats
4:30 pm- Wedding party enters (star wars main title)
5:00 pm-Band makes announcement food is being served
5:15 pm- MOH and Best Man toast
5:30 pm- First dance (Never Enough)
6:00 pm- Father daughter dance (I loved her first)
6:30- Money dance (Beauty and the Beast)
7:00 pm- grandfather dance (My Wish)
8:00 pm- Cake cutting- band invites everyone to enjoy dessert ice cream bar.}
9:45 pm- Last song- (Gettin’ You Home)
10:00 pm- Band directs everyone to exit for sparkler exit