GUIDE TO PLANNING YOUR
WEDDING TIMELINE
Let us make your wedding planning checklist a little easier
Your ultimate guide to planning your wedding timeline
Planning a wedding can be overwhelming. To help you, we’ve put together this guide which goes over all of the major moments of your wedding, and how much time you should anticipate for each. We’ve also included some questions to make sure you’re not forgetting about anything.
Getting Ready: 30 Minutes to 1.5 Hours
Getting Ready for the Bride
Suggestions for getting ready photos:
Dress and getting zipped into your dress
Details: hair and makeup, shoes, jewelry, invitation, flowers, rings, attendants’ outfits, attendants’ gifts, etc.
You and your attendants getting ready together and hanging out
Gifts or notes from significant other
Getting Ready for the Groom
Suggestions for getting ready photos:
Details: cufflinks, tie, pocket square, shoes, watch, jewelry, attendants’ gifts, etc.
You and your attendants getting ready together, hanging out, etc.
You dressing - tying your tie, putting on cufflinks, etc.
Gifts or notes from significant other
Do either of you need to travel to the location? Make sure to take travel time into account!
First Look: 15 to 20 Minutes
Do you need to travel to the ceremony location? Do you want to be out of sight when your guests arrive? Make sure to allow adequate time.
Do you need to stagger your arrivals because you're not seeing each other before the ceremony? Are there any special events happening during or after ceremony?
Any restrictions as to where the photographer may or may not go during ceremony?
Ceremony: 30 Minutes to 1.5 Hours
Family Portraits: 30 Minutes to 1 Hour
Who do you want to include for family portraits? Make sure they know you want a photo with them. Make sure they know where to be at what time. Make sure they're dressed appropriately.
We suggest starting with the largest group, and removing people as you go. Then no one has to sit around and wait to be in one photo at the very end. This is also helpful for small children and anyone who is elderly.
Have a list of the photos you'd like, and who will be in each photo. Again, planning to start with the largest group usually works best.
Plan to take photos with small children as soon as possible so they don't get too antsy while waiting.
If other family or friends would like to take their own photos, that's fine, but please remind them to let the professional photographer get the shot first.
Wedding Party Photos: 30 Minutes to 1.5 Hours
Do you need to travel to a different location for your wedding party photos? Don't forget to take the travel time into account! Does the location require a permit?
Are you planning to do photos with each attendant individually? Sometimes these photos can be done before the ceremony to save some time.
Is everyone able to walk to the specific location you'd like to do photos - are there any special needs to take into account?
Remind the wedding party that the sooner you get through these photos, the sooner you can get to the reception! This generally helps keep everyone on track and get through the photos as quickly as possible.
Don't forget to take photos of just the two of you!
Do you need to travel to a different location for your couples portraits?
Don't forget to take the travel time into account!Does the location require a permit?
Do you want photos of each of you individually? Sometimes these photos can be done before the ceremony to save some time.
Booking an engagement session before the wedding is a great way to get to know your photographer, practice posing together and help you relax on your big day.
Couples Portraits: 30 Minutes to 1 Hour
Do you need to travel to a different location for your reception? Don't forget to take the travel time into account!
Are you planning any special traditions during your reception? If so, plan to do them as early as possible so you can relax and have fun for the rest of the night!
Reception: 1 to 3 Hours
