Wedding Day Timeline Breakdown From a Photographers Perspective
I wanted to share a typical Wedding Day Timeline Breakdown from my perspective! So if you’re planning a wedding and wondering how the heck to put together your timeline this is a breakdown of just that! I’m speaking from a photographers perspective of course, giving you my opinion and suggestions based on getting all the photos you may want.
I do want to mention that I’m following a typical wedding timeline format. This is just your reminder that you can set up your wedding day however you’d like! It’s your day and I don’t want you following a specific flow if it doesn’t feel right to you. So take whatever info is helpful and informative to you!
Also if you have a wedding planner or coordinator they will want to peak at the timeline too. It’s important to share your timeline and plans with all your vendors so you’re all on the same page way before your wedding day. I like to send out a questionnaire two weeks to a month before wedding days. This is to collect all the info I’ll need so checking in with all your vendors around that time frame is great!
The Beginning of your Timeline: Getting Ready
Usually beginning of photo coverage starts with getting ready. I like to start photographing the getting ready portion when you’re all wrapping up. Because who really wants photos of hair and makeup half done?
As soon as I arrive I like to pop in, say hi, find a good spot for my equipment and get started on detail photos. Then I’ll snap photos of you putting on the final touches before slipping into your outfits. If I have a second shooter, sometimes we’ll split at this point and to get each sides getting ready at the same time.
First Look or not?
Once everyone is dressed and ready nows the time to do a first look if you decided to do one!
Doing a first look and jumping into wedding party and family photos before the ceremony allow for much more time with your guests during your cocktail hour and reception. If you choose not to do a first look, we can do each wedding party photos and finish up all group portraits after the ceremony.
I’d say to plan about an hour or two for first look, wedding party and family portraits (before or after the ceremony) depending on how many groupings you want. This is something I walk through with my clients in my guide and on planning calls if needed. Coming up with groupings can be overwhelming so having them listed before the wedding day makes for a much smoother photo experience for all.
Once portraits are wrapped up I’m just capturing each part of the day candidly as things happen!
The Big Wedding Day Moment: The Ceremony
After portraits I suggest leaving a 30 minute gap before the ceremony for everyone to take a breather, grab a snack and touch anything up before the ceremony. Wedding days go so fast and couples are constantly being pulled in all directions. Making time in your timeline to just sit and nourish yourself is so important!
Here I like to take a little walk through the venue if I haven’t had a chance already. That way I can get photos of your ceremony set up, reception area and all the little details throughout. Like signs, florals, and personal touches.
When the ceremony begins I like to be up front to get everyone coming down the aisle. If I have a second shooter I’ll have them positioned at the top of the aisle to get all expressions from a different angle. Especially when couples choose to do a first look at the ceremony. Having a second shooter to get all angles of that quick moment is so helpful.
You’re officially married!
You’re now pronounced married and head back up the aisle, usually back to getting ready spaces. This is another great time to add in buffer room in your timeline. As the lead photographer I will follow you, snap a few photos fresh off the ceremony. If I have a second shooter, I like the send them with your guests as they all enter cocktail hour. They can get all the candid photos of your guests mingling.
This is a great time for couples to sign their marriage licenses and take a few minutes together as newlyweds. Depending on timing and the sunset, or if all group photos are done, this is a good time to take care of those while guests are enjoying cocktail hour. I suggest getting as many photos as you can done before the ceremony. That way you can enjoy cocktail hour with your guests too!
It’s party time at the wedding reception!
Cocktail hour is wrapping up and you’ll be introduced to your reception! Sometimes couples like to do first dances or toasts right away before dinner. Others lead straight into dinner. Consider your timing and decide which flow feels better for you.
Usually during dinner I take a break to eat myself. Not many people want photos of everyone eating anyway. I do love to get photos of the food though for your gallery though. The meal is such a big planning component so it’s important for me to photograph.
After dinner is a great time for golden hour portraits. Before dances, toasts and cake cutting, depending on lighting, it’s a perfect time to sneak out now or during dancing to get those dreamy golden lit portraits. These are the more formal wedding photos you’ll hang on our walls. I always suggest looking up sunset times on your wedding day and saving 15-30 minutes for these photos. I promise it’s always worth it!
Now it’s dancing time! I love the dancing portion of the reception! Everyone is just jumping, having a grand old time. I’ll get all the snaps of the party happening before the send off.
Off to your happily ever after!
Send offs can be a great photo op even though they are must always in the dark. I’ll use my flash to capture this. Some fun send off ideas are sparklers, bubbles are my favorite, flower petals or some ribbon wands.
Then you’re off to your happy ever after, and I’m headed home to backup and edit away on your photos!
Wedding Day Timeline Breakdown Complete
There you have it, a wedding day timeline breakdown. Having a better understanding of a wedding day will hopefully help you piece together your perfect wedding day timeline. If any questions or ideas popped up as you worked through this, please message me or reach out here! I’d love to help in your planning in any way I can!
Wedding days are the best and I love being a part of so many special days. If you’re still on the hunt for your wedding photographer I’d love to connect! Message here to get started!
Want some Spring engagement or Fall wedding inspo? Check out these spring engagement photos at the tulip fields here or Madi and Nicks classic country Colorado wedding day!
Vendors List
Venue | Stilly Brook Farm
Planner | BD Event Management – Cortney Beede
Video | Larissa Johnson
Catering | Gusto Pizza
DJ | B. Siow Productions
Officiant | David Cooper
Bartender | Leann White
HMU | Ashley Young
View comments
+ Leave a comment