Wedding day timelines are an important way to ensure you get the portraits you want on your big day! Below you will see a few sample timelines, one with a first look and one with the couple waiting till the ceremony to see each other. Each event is unique and each client has different wants and needs for their wedding day portraits. I am always available to answer your questions and help you craft the perfect timeline.
These tips are just for your reference and I hope you find them helpful. There are many factors that will make your timeline different from this guide. Some clients have many off-site locations we’ll be traveling to for portraits and for some weddings we are all at one location or the whole event. Please use these sample timelines as just a basic guide to the flow of the day. A month before your wedding I will be in touch with a questionnaire for you to complete that will fill me in on all the important details and people of your day and then we will schedule a consult call to go over all the day’s details and timeline.
Sample timeline #1 – With a first look
- 1.00pm – Photograph details and final moments of getting ready
- 2.00pm – First look with the couple
- 2.15 – 3.30pm- Bridal party portraits and Bride and Groom portraits
- 3.30pm – Formal immediate family portraits
- 4.00pm – Pre-wedding portraits complete
- 4.30pm – Ceremony
- 5.00pm – Additional bridal party portraits/ additional location(s)
- 6.30pm – Arrive at reception for announcements
- 7.00pm – Reception events and candids coverage
- 9.30pm – Night photos with couple
- 10.00pm – Photographer departs
Sample timeline #2 – Remain separate before the ceremony
- 1.00pm – Photograph details and getting ready
- 2.00pm – Portraits of the Bride with bridesmaids
- 2.30pm – Portraits of Groom with groomsman
- 3.00pm – Pre-wedding portraits complete
- 3.30pm – Ceremony
- 4.15pm – Formal family portraits
- 5.15 – 6.30pm – Bridal party portraits, Bride and Groom portraits
- 6.30pm – Arrive at reception for announcements
- 7.00pm -Reception events and candids coverage
- 9.30pm – Night photos with couple
- 10.00pm – Photographer departs
Additional tips
- Be sure to figure in travel times to locations. Also transportation of your bridal party, party buses are convenient if you’re going to additional locations for portraits.
- If you will be receiving your guests after the ceremony be sure to account 30-45 minutes for this, depending on your guest count.
- Make sure to inform all the immediate family needed for family portraits when they are needed and where to be. These portraits go fast as long as everyone is there and ready to go. When we spend a lot of time searching for an individual to complete a grouping it cuts into the time we have for creative portraits.
- A list of family portrait groupings you wish to have photographed is valuable if you make one email it to me and I’ll bring it and make sure we get them all. Each grouping takes about 2-3 minutes. 5 minutes for groupings with 20 or more people.
- When I first arrive I’ll start shooting details so having your dress, shoes, jewelry, and any other details you want to be photographed set aside is very helpful. Other items to consider would be your invitation or save the dates, your signature perfume, and any other special item you’ll be wearing the day of. If you have a wooden hanger (with notches) consider bringing that along as it will photograph better than the standard plastic dress hanger.
