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! 🙂Â
Before we dive into the timelines, let’s take a look at how much time each activity will need on a wedding day.Â
First Look/Bride & Groom Portraits
Time: 45-60 minutes
First looks are very special! AÂ first look is when the bride and groom have a private moment to see each other before the ceremony. 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 photos.Â
If you decide you want your first look to be down the aisle, expect to take around 35 minutes for portraits after the ceremony before the reception starts.Â
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 wedding party photos. I like to allow around 30-45 minutes for these photos.Â
If you are deciding to wait to do a first look, I would recommend 20 minutes for each side of the wedding party to get photos taken separately before the ceremony. We will take the entire wedding party photos between the ceremony and reception.Â
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.Â
Cocktail Hour
Time: 45 – 90 minutes (varies depending on if you’re doing a first look)
This time is used between the ceremony and reception. How much time between the ceremony and reception depends on if you are doing a first look or not. If you are not doing a first look, we will need to use the entire hour and a half for photos. During this time, we will do family photos, wedding party photos, and bride/groom portraits. Â If you are doing a first look, then we will only need to do family photos during cocktail hour.Â
Grand Entrance
Time: 10 minutes
Once everyone has found their seats, it’s time to introduce the wedding party!Â
First Dance / Parent Dances
First Dances: 5 minutes
Parent Dances: 10 minutes (5 minutes per parent dance)
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. 🙂Â
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.
1. 6 Hour Timeline
- 1:30 p.m. Photographer Arrives
- Flat Lays/Detail Shots will be short, if at all present
- 1:45 p.m. Put on Dress
- 2:00 p.m. First LookÂ
- 2:15 p.m. Bride & Groom Portraits
- 3:00 p.m. Wedding Party Photos
- 3:45 p.m. Back to bridal suites, time to freshen upÂ
- 4:00 p.m. Ceremony
- 4:30 p.m. Ceremony Ends | Cocktail Hour starts
- 4:35 p.m. Formal Family Photos
- 5:15 p.m. Guests are seated
- 5:20 p.m. Entrances into reception
- 5:30 p.m. First Dance | Parent Dances
- 5:45 p.m. Dinner
- 6:30 p.m. Speeches
- 6:45 p.m. Cake Cutting
- 6:50 p.m. Dance floor opens to guests
- 7:20 p.m. Mock Send Off (This is where you do a send off but don’t actually leave afterwards)
- 7:30 p.m. Photographer leaves | Party keeps going!!
2. 8 Hour Timeline (Most Versatile/Popular)
- 1:30 p.m. Photographer Arrives
- Detail Shots/Flat Lays Captured
- Dress Photos
- 2:00 p.m. Hair & Makeup is complete
- Getting Ready Shots Taken
- 2:30 p.m. Put on Dress | Reveal to bridesmaids (if doing a first look with bridesmaids)
- 2:50 – First Look with Dad
- 3:00 p.m. First Look with Groom
- 3:15 p.m. Couples Portraits
- 4:00 p.m. Wedding Party Photos
- 4:45 p.m. Back to bridal suites, time to freshen up
- 5:00 p.m. Ceremony
- 5:30 p.m. Ceremony ends | Cocktail hour starts
- 5:35 p.m. Formal family photos
- 6:20 p.m. Guests are seated
- 6:30 p.m. Grand Entrances into reception
- 6:40 p.m. First Dances | Parent dances
- 6:55 p.m. Dinner
- 7:55 p.m. Speeches & Toasts (To keep things flowing, I suggest for this to happen as soon as the last table gets their food)
- 8:10 p.m. Cake Cutting
- 8:20 p.m. Dance Floor opens to guests
- 8:30 p.m. Sunset Portraits (timing depends on the season/month)
- 9:20 p.m. Mock send off
- 9:30 p.m. Photographer leaves // party keeps going!!
3. 10 Hour Timeline
- 12:30 p.m. Photographer Arrives
- Detail Shots/Flat Lays Captured
- Dress Photos
- 1:00 p.m. Hair & Makeup is complete
- Getting Ready Shots Taken
- 1:30 p.m. Put on Dress | Reveal to bridesmaids (if doing a first look with bridesmaids)
- 1:50 – First Look with Dad
- 2:00 p.m. First Look with Groom
- Optional: Private Vow Exchange
- 2:15 p.m. Bride/Groom Photos
- 3:00 p.m. Wedding Party Photos
- 3:45 p.m. Back to bridal suites, time to freshen up | Photographer takes photos of ceremony/reception
- 4:30 p.m. Ceremony
- 5:00 p.m. Ceremony Ends | Cocktail Hour Starts
- 5:10 p.m. Formal Family Photos
- 6:00 p.m. Guests are seated
- 6:10 p.m. Grand Entrances into Reception
- 6:15 p.m. First Dance (B&G)
- 6:30 p.m. Prayer/Dinner
- 7:30 p.m. Speeches & Toasts (To keep things flowing, I suggest for this to happen as soon as the last table gets their food)
- 7:45 p.m. Parent Dances
- 7:55 p.m. Cake Cutting
- 8:00 p.m. Open Dance Floor
- Including Bouquet toss, garter toss, etc.
- 8:30 – 8:45 p.m. Sunset Portraits (all depends on season/month) | Open Dance Floor is going at this time
- 10:00 p.m. Private Last Dance
- 10:20 p.m. Send Off
- 10:30 p.m. Photographer Leaves
4. 8 Hour Timeline (No First Look)
- 12:15 p.m. Photographer Arrives
- Detail Shots/Flat Lays Captured
- Dress Photos
- 12:45 p.m. Hair & Makeup is complete
- Getting Ready Shots Taken
- 1:15 p.m. Put on Dress | Reveal to bridesmaids (if doing a first look with bridesmaids)
- 1:30 p.m. First Look with Dad
- 1:45 p.m. Bide + Bridesmaids Photos
- 2:15 p.m. Groom + Groomsmen Photos
- 2:45 p.m. Back to bridal suites, time to freshen up
- 3:00 p.m. Ceremony
- 3:30 p.m. Ceremony ends | Cocktail hour starts
- 3:35 p.m. Formal family photos
- 4:20 p.m. Guests are seated
- 4:30 p.m. Grand Entrances into reception
- 4:40 p.m. First Dances | Parent dances
- 5:55 p.m. Dinner
- 6:55 p.m. Speeches & Toasts (To keep things flowing, I suggest for this to happen as soon as the last table gets their food)
- 7:10 p.m. Cake Cutting
- 7:20 p.m. Dance Floor opens to guests
- 7:30 p.m.. Sunset Portraits (all depends on season/month) | Open Dance Floor is going at this time
- 8:00 p.m. Mock send off
- 8:15 p.m. 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! All of the items on the timelines can be adjusted/moved around, especially during the reception. If you’re interested in learning more specifically about what happens during the reception, click on this link to take you to my reception resource!Â
As part of my wedding packages, I will help you create a wedding day timeline that suits your needs! When you’re ready, we can schedule a time to chat about what you want in your wedding day timeline! Â
At the end of the day, make sure to breathe and ask for help if anything gets overwhelming <3Â
Check Out More of My Tips for Wedding Planning!
Why Do A First Look: read here!