How to create the perfect wedding day timeline (with photography in mind)

Your wedding day is the most important day ever. How are you possibly suppose to know how to plan your dream wedding?? You probably have endless questions like what color napkins to have, who will photograph your day effortlessly and how long you need them for, so they can document your wedding unique to you.

Hi, I’m Rylee, a Michigan wedding photographer with a passion of capturing genuine, timeless and emotion-filled photos you will continue to feel years later. With photographing over 30+ weddings, I have learned a few tips + pieces of advice that can help you to ensure your wedding day runs smoothly!

A well thought-out timeline is crucial to structuring a stress-free wedding day and to make sure you don’t miss a single beat. The worst thing is to pay for photography coverage that ends up being rushed and that does not highlight your wedding in the way you had envisioned it!

Creating Your Perfect Wedding Day Timeline. 

1. Decide if you are wanting a small or big wedding.

Th rule of thumb is weddings with less than 50 guests is considered small, or wedding guests varying around 100 and more, are considered big.

For couple’s planning higher numbers of guests for your wedding, I recommend your photography timeline to be at least 10/12 hours of full coverage.

I know, you’re probably thinking “That’s so long 😧 “, but when it comes to your wedding day, time passes by very fast. 10-12 hours allows practical time for your photographer to capture your once in a lifetime day; from you getting ready with your bridesmaids to your end of day send off.

For intimate weddings with 20 or less guests, 4 or 6 hours will be reasonable timeframes. Depending on if you are simply just wanting your ceremony or reception captured, intimate weddings don’t necessarily involve a lot of intricate puzzle pieces when it comes to planning your special day!

2. Are you planning on doing a “First look”?

A first look is when you and your partner see each other right before the ceremony. This can be very personal and sweet! 

Leaning towards doing a first look: Allows time to schedule in couple’s portraits, bridal party, groomsmen, and family photos before the ceremony. Doing this releves lots of stress. Instead of worrying about pictures, you will be able to celebrate and socialize with your loved ones.

No first look: Keeps up the tradition of not seeing each other until you walk down the aisle. After the ceremony, pictures will most likely need to be taken prior to reception time, if you plan around an hour and a half to 2 hour break, you can be sure to receive the effortless pictures you are envisioning.

3. Is the location of where you are getting ready, ceremony, and the reception in different places?

If so, you will need to consider the driving time between locations AND the true amount of time it will take:

-are the places located by popular streets

-what is the weather like (rainy, windy, very humid, sunny)

-is your bridal party very interactive and social (can cause staying on tract a little harder)

-is there parking nearby or will there be a bit of walking for guests

It’s thinking about these easily forgotten details that can prevent you from getting behind on your wedding day. If your plan is to have various places, implementing drive time and such should be in your timeline planning.

4. Are you having a cocktail hour?

Implementing a cocktail hour into your wedding day is perfect to carve out intentional time with your guests and family members.

Are you thinking of including this? If so, choosing a longer timeline coverage like 10 or 12 hours will benefit you! Then, you don’t have to worry about not having enough time with your loved ones and getting your well deserved beautiful wedding pictures.

Your ready to plan your dream wedding!

Below are 3 FREE wedding timeline templates (with photography in mind) for you! Please feel free to save these to help you. Interested in learning more about my work? I’d love to continue our journey together— head over to my contact form and I will get in touch with you shortly. I can’t wait to chat with you!

Free Wedding Day 6, 8 and 10 Hour Timeline Templates: