Example Wedding Timelines for Your Wedding Day

Yay! You’re engaged! Now it’s time to start thinking about all the details that encompass a wedding. As the wedding date gets closer, you will start to plan out how that day will flow. You will think about what time you need to start getting ready, what time pictures should start, and how long you will stay at the reception. With all of those details, creating a wedding timeline can be a little stressful! That’s why I decided to create three possible sample wedding timelines that should serve as a guide to help you plan your special day! 🙂

Before we dive into the timelines, let’s take a look at how much time each activity will need on a wedding day.

First Look/Bride & Groom Portraits

Time: 45-60 minutes

First looks are very special! It is the first time you see your spouse before the major festivities of the wedding day. Usually, first looks can take about 10 minutes. I like to combine the first look pictures with the bride and groom portrait time. Since the day is all about you and your significant other, bride and groom portraits can take up to 45 minutes. This time will differ if you plan on taking pictures at a different location that is not near the ceremony. Altogether, expect around 45 minutes to 1 hour for these photo sessions.

If you decide you want your first look to be down the aisle, expect to take around 45 minutes for portraits after the ceremony.

Wedding Party

Time: 30-45 minutes

Calling all bridesmaids and groomsmen! Taking bridal party photos can be a party! During this time, we will take pictures of the bride and her ladies, as well as the groom and his men. We will also take combined bridal party photos. I like to allow around 30-45 minutes for these photos.

Family Photos

Time: 30-45 minutes

I like to take family photos after the ceremony right before the reception. It is hard to ask all family members, immediate or extended, to be at the photoshoot location 30 minutes before the ceremony. By doing these photos after the ceremony, we are able to make sure everyone you want is there. I would expect these photos to take 30-45 minutes, depending on how large the family is.

Cocktail Hour

Time: 45-60 minutes

This time is used between the ceremony and reception. Many times, we will use this time to finish taking any family photos.

Grand Entrance

Time: 10 minutes

Once everyone has found their seats, it’s time to introduce the wedding party!

First Dance / Parent Dances

First Dances: 5 minutes

Parent Dances: 10 minutes

Hair & Makeup

Time: Varies

Please check with your hair & makeup artist to get an approximate on how long it will take to get this done. Every stylist varies. 🙂

FOUR HOUR BY HOUR WEDDING TIMELINES

Now that you know a little more about how long it takes to do certain activities and take certain pictures, it’s time to take a look at four different timelines based on 6-hours, 8-hours, and 10-hours of photography coverage. I also included a 8-hour day of coverage that does not do a first look. Remember, these timelines will vary depending on if you are doing a first look or not. The following timeline examples are written with then intention of having a first look, unless otherwise specified.

6 Hour Timeline

Key Coverage: First look, ceremony, family portraits, couple portraits, and part of the reception.

1:30 PM | Photographer arrives, captures getting-ready details (dress, shoes, rings) and candid moments of the bride and groom preparing.
2:00 PM | First look between the bride and groom
2:15 PM | Couple portraits
3:00 PM | Wedding party photos.
3:30 PM | Back to bridal suites, time to freshen up
4:00 PM | Ceremony begins.
4:30 PM | Ceremony ends, guests head to cocktail hour.
4:30 PM | Formal Family Photos
5:30 PM | Reception coverage begins – Wedding Party entrances
5:35 PM | First Dance + Parent First Dances
5:55 PM | Prayer + Dinner starts
6:45 PM | Speeches
5:55 PM | Cake Cutting
7:00 PM | Open Dance Floor
7:30 PM | Photographer departs after capturing early reception moments.

8 Hour Timeline

Key Coverage: Comprehensive coverage of pre-ceremony moments, full reception events, and golden hour portraits.

1:30 PM | Photographer Arrives
2:00 PM | Hair & Makeup is complete
2:30 PM | Put on Dress, Reveal to bridesmaids
3:00 PM | First Look
3:15 PM | Couples Portraits
4:00 PM | Wedding Party Photos
4:30 PM | Back to bridal suites, time to freshen up
5:00 PM | Ceremony
5:30 PM | Ceremony ends, cocktail hour starts
5:35 PM | Formal family photos
6:30 PM | Guests are seated
6:40 PM | Entrances into reception
6:50 PM | First Dances + parent dances
7:10 PM | Dinner
8:00 PM | Speeches & Toasts
8:10 PM | Cake Cutting
8:20 PM | Dance Floor opens to guests
8:30 PM |Sunset portraits (all depends on season/month)
9:20 PM |Mock Send Off (Or actual send off)
9:30 PM | Photographer leaves, party keeps going!!

10 Hour Timeline

Key Coverage: Full-day storytelling from start to finish, with every special moment included.

12:30 PM | Photographer Arrives
1:00 PM |Put on Dress, reveal to bridesmaids
1:45 PM | First Look
1:55 PM | Couple Portraits
3:00 PM | Wedding Party Photos
3:30 PM | Start Immediate Family Photos
4:00 PM | Back to bridal suites, time to freshen up
4:30 PM | Ceremony
5:00 PM | Ceremony Ends // Cocktail Hour Starts
5:10 PM | Formal Family Photos (Extended Family + Immediate if not possible before)
6:00 PM | Guests are seated
6:10 PM | Entrances into Reception
6:15 PM | First Dance
6:20 PM | Dinner
7:15 PM | Speeches
7:30 PM | Parent Dances
7:45 PM | Cake Cutting
8:00 PM | Open Dance Floor
- Including Bouquet toss, garter toss, etc.
8:30 PM | Sunset Portraits (all depends on season/month)
10:00 PM | Private Last Dance
10:20 PM | Send Off
10:30 PM |Photographer Leaves

8 Hour Timeline (No First Look)

Key Coverage: Full-day storytelling from start to finish, with every special moment included.

1:30 PM | Photographer Arrives
1:45 PM | Getting Ready Photos
2:00 PM | Put on Dress, Bride Portraits
2:15 PM | Bridal Party Photos (Bride & Bridesmaids)
2:45 PM |Back to Bridal Suites, time to freshen up
3:00 PM | Ceremony
3:30 PM | Ceremony ends, cocktail hour starts
3:35 PM | Formal family photos
4:15 PM | Wedding Party Photos
4:45 PM | Bride & Groom Portraits
5:30 PM |Guests are seated
5:45 PM | Entrances into reception
5:55 PM | First Dance
6:00 PM | Dinner
7:00 PM | Speeches & Toasts
7:10 PM |Cake Cutting
7:30 PM |Parent Dances
7:45 PM |Open Dance Floor
8:30 PM | Sunset Portraits (all depends on season/month)
9:20 PM | Mock Send off (or actual send off)
9:30 PM | Photographer leaves, party keeps going!!

I hope these timelines help make your wedding day planning so much easier! In the end of the day, just remember it is your day! Make sure to breathe and ask for help if anything gets overwhelming <3