How to Make your Wedding Timeline for the Best Portraits

Petaluma wedding ceremony at barn wedding at Olympias valley estate wedding

Wedding Day Tips

March 16, 2022

Why do you need a timeline for your wedding day?

Having a well planned timeline will create a smooth experience for all involved including the couple, guests and vendors.The wedding timeline allows all involved to know where to be and where as well. Most importantly it allows the bride and groom to relax by having an organized wedding day.

Few things to consider when making your wedding day timeline:

Travel time to and from ceremony and reception venue (if they are at two different locations)

Contracted coverage/hours from vendors

If you are doing a first look or not (more below)

Lighting, primarily sunset time. If your ceremony start time is later in the evening we will need to make sure your portraits are done before the ceremony. You want all your important portraits taken in natural light.

Who is responsible for creating the wedding day timeline?

This is unique to each wedding but usually the coordinator/planner, couple, venue and photographer or better yet input from all.

Should you have a First Look at your wedding?

This is what I tell my couples: If you want to go to cocktail hour then you most likely will need to do a first look. If you do not see each other before the ceremony you will not be able to do any of the full wedding party photos and those will need to be done at cocktail hour. Also if you are at the same property during the pre ceremony photos we will need to choose two distinct areas of the property so you do not see eachother which sometimes can be troublesome.

I am not one to push my couples to do a first look. Do whatever you feel most comfortable with and we will work around it.

First Look at Park Winters Wedding

Photographer Timeline Tips for your Wedding Day:

If you are a person who is heavy into detail shots such as your stationary, invitations, shoes etc. make sure to communicate this with your photographer as those type of shots take a lot of time. For example flat lay photos take around 30 minutes from the beginning of gathering and styling to taking the perfect shot. This time will need to be built into your timeline. It would also be a good idea to communicate with your florist that you would love a few extra flowers delivered to your getting ready location so the photographer can use to style your stationary and flat lay.

Have all your details in one location to give to your photographer when they arrive. This will save SO much time. Details can include: invitations (include 2 full sets including stamps and envelopes, dress hanging on the hanger you want it documented on, shoes, vow books, garter, veil, jewelry, perfume, all 3 rings, ring boxes and anything else of importance. Again would be extremely beneficial to have some fresh florals from your florist to style these items

Very important to schedule a time for golden hour photos which are typically taken 60 minutes prior to sunset. These are the photos you will LOVE and cherish for life and it’s extremely important to make this 15-20 minute time happen for you guys. If your venue’s property is expansive we may need a method of transportation to get us to the best spot- this can be a golf cart or car but something to plan for ahead of time.

If you are incorporating sparklers into your wedding day its best to do these when its fully dark but doesn’t necessarily have to be an exit-could be your first dance. Make sure your photographer knows ahead of time as sometimes this requires time to set up for off camera flash.

Park Winters Wedding Photos

Wedding Day Timeline with a First Look

130pm Bride and Groom full dressed and ready

2-245pm First look and couples portraits

245pm-345pm Wedding Party, Groomsmen portraits, Bridesmaid portraits, solo bride portraits, solo groom portraits

345pm Bride tucked away so guests do not see her

430pm Ceremony

5pm-6pm Cocktail Hour

Family Formal Portraits

Any portraits we didn’t get to above

Couple can attend cocktail hour

6pm Dinner service begins, straight into first dance

645pm Toasts

715 First dances

Take couple after for sunset photos at golden hour

Open up the dance floor

Cake cutting, garter/bouquet toss- dependent on the couple and if they want it documented by photographer/videographer

Sunset: 830pm (you want sunset photos around 60 minutes before the sun setting)

Wedding Day Timeline Without a First Look

215-3pm Groomsmen portraits, Groom solo portraits

3-345 Bridesmaid portraits, Bridal solo portraits

345pm Tuck bride away

430pm Ceremony

5pm-6pm Cocktail Hour (May need a 90 minute cocktail hour to get all portraits finished)