How to create an organized wedding day timeline

How to Create a Wedding Day Timeline (That Actually Works for Photos)

Intro:
If you’re starting to think about your wedding day timeline, first—yay! That means things are getting real, and the big day is getting closer! One of the most important things (in my humble, photographer opinion 😄) is creating a timeline that gives you space to breathe and helps us capture all those beautiful, emotional, can’t-miss moments.

Here’s a simple guide to building a wedding day timeline that keeps you calm, the photos flowing, and the memories magical.

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1. Start With Your Ceremony Time

Everything revolves around this. Is your ceremony at 4:00 PM? Great! We’ll work backward and forward from there.

2. Consider a First Look

If you’re doing a first look, we can capture so much before the ceremony:

• Couples portraits
• Wedding party photos
• Even some family formals

This often means you get to your cocktail hour and reception faster—more time with your guests (and appetizers)!

First Look Tip: Start it about 2–2.5 hours before the ceremony.

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3. Pad Your Timeline (Seriously, Do It)

Hair and makeup always take longer than expected. Add 15–30 minutes more than you think you’ll need.

Add buffer time throughout your day—getting into the dress, driving between venues, grabbing a snack. A well-padded timeline = a low-stress wedding.

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4. Here’s a Sample Timeline

With a 4:00 PM Ceremony & First Look

Time	Event
11:30 AM	Photographer arrives (details, flat lays, getting ready)
12:30 PM	Hair & makeup complete / get into dress
1:00 PM	First look
1:30 PM	Couples portraits
2:00 PM	Wedding party photos
2:30 PM	Family formals
3:30 PM	Hide away / touch-ups
4:00 PM	Ceremony
4:30 PM	Cocktail hour
5:30 PM	Reception begins
6:00 PM	Dinner & toasts
7:00 PM	Golden hour portraits (my fav!!)
8:00 PM	Dancing!
9:00 PM	Photographer wraps (if doing 9-hour coverage)

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5. Plan for Golden Hour Photos

Golden hour = that dreamy, soft sunset light. It’s perfect for a quick 15-20 minute sneak-away session that adds romantic, glowy portraits to your gallery.

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6. Communicate with Your Photographer

Send me (or your planner!) your draft timeline early—I love helping fine-tune it to make sure we have time for all the important moments. And I promise: no one wants to rush through portraits in a panic!

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Final Thoughts:
Your wedding day will go by so fast. A great timeline helps you feel present, unrushed, and relaxed—and it makes for even better photos. Whether you’re building it from scratch or starting with a template, I’m always here to help you customize it to fit your vision.

Let’s make magic ✨

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P.S. Want a free wedding day timeline template? Just reach out—I’ve got one I’d love to send your way!