How to build your wedding day timeline: Are you struggling with your wedding day timeline? Not sure how your wedding day should flow? This is the ultimate guide for getting an inside scoop on a wedding day timeline!

As an East Coast and Destination Wedding Photographer, I see a lot of different preferences when it comes to the flow of the wedding day timeline. There is no wrong way to do it and ultimately comes down to doing what you prefer. First things first, you’ll have to secure a ceremony time (it’s gotta be on the invite, right?!). But how do you figure out the ceremony time?
There are two MASSIVE things to consider BEFORE selecting an OFFICIAL ceremony time, of which should be consulted with your planner and/or photographer.

1. Are you doing a first look?
2. What time of year is it?

Now there are some exceptions to this, like if you’re having a traditional church wedding early in the morning or something of that nature. But if you’re having ceremony, cocktail hour, and reception all in one space, this is definitely important stuff to consider when it comes to how to build your wedding day timeline.

Determine if you are going to do a first look

If you are NOT doing a first look, you definitely need to consider an earlier ceremony time, at least 2 hours prior to sunset. You may be curious why a first look is even important in this matter and the explanation is simple.
No first look means more photos to do after the ceremony!
A cocktail hour typically immediately follows a ceremony, which in the case of NOT doing a first look, means having to do formal family portraits, full wedding party photos, AND couples portraits ALL within the time of cocktail hour. Now, if the couple wants to join cocktail hour, this becomes even MORE challenging because that means there may only be 45 minutes for ALL of those things so that the couple can enjoy cocktail hour for at least 15 minutes!

A couple of options I suggest if the couple does not want to do a first look is:

1. Consider a longer cocktail hour
2. Consider larger groupings of family formal portraits and a smaller amount of grouping variations to prevent utilizing a long portion of the cocktail hour
3. Ensure your ceremony time is AT LEAST TWO HOURS before sunset. This is critical!!!!

Imagine having to take family formals and couples portraits in the dark because your ceremony started late and your ceremony was too close to sunset… trust me!!! I’ve had it happen MANY times! This will be the ONLY time in your entire day that you have couples portraits done. The ones that will hang in your home and live in an album FOREVER. This should be a priority over everything and shouldn’t be rushed!

Imagine doing a first look prior to your ceremony so you could literally get ALL photos out of the way, and either enjoy cocktail hour with your new spouse, OR spend it with all your guests at cocktail hour!

Heres a peek at a pre-ceremony shot list (using bride/groom as an example but of course we’re inclusive here!)

• Bride/groom getting dressed
• Bride/groom with immediate family
• Bride/groom with bridesmaids/groomsmen
• Bridal portraits / groom portraits
• First look, private vows, couples portraits
• Bride and/or groom with full wedding party
• Couple with both sides of family

Building your wedding day timeline: the rest will fall into place

After determining those key elements of a wedding day timeline, everything else will fall into place.

Other things to consider when establishing your timeline

Hair and make up: when will they start? How many people are getting their services? How many hair stylists and make up artists will be there? Ensure they have the timeline and know when to have ALL clients completed.

Venue: When are you allowed at the venue? will you have to get ready off site? Is there a place for you to get dressed? Does it cost extra to access this space?

Reception: Will you do introductions? Will you do your first dance immediately following your first dance or do it later in the evening? What time will dinner be served?

And these are just to name a FEW. When in doubt… get a wedding planner who will help you alone the way!