The key to having a stress-free wedding day is to create a detailed timeline. It’s important to have an idea of what time things should be happening, because it means that you can enjoy each step of the process and truly enjoy your day. I’ve created a sample timeline for your wedding day, which can be adjusted to work with your ceremony start time. In my example, the ceremony will start at 4:30pm.

My goal here is to give you a timeline that is pretty typical. This timeline matches what I have observed so far in the wedding industry from a photographers standpoint. Let’s get into it.

12:00pm Hair and Makeup

Talk to your hairstylist and makeup artist to determine how long it will take to do you and your bridesmaids’ hair and makeup. You will want to choose a start time so that you will be finishing up just about a half-hour after the photographer arrives.

1:30pm The Photographer Arrives

The photographer should arrive at least a half hour before you finish getting ready. The photographer will use this time to take some detail shots of the wedding venue while you are are doing your final touch-ups. This includes the dress shots, rings, shoes, makeup, bouquets, etc.

2:00pm Bride Gets Ready

The photographer will use this time to get the classic “getting ready” shots which includes the bride putting in her earrings, someone helping her zip the last inch of her dress, putting on her shoes, etc.

2:30-4pm First look and Bridal Portraits

If you would like to do a first look, make sure you tell your photographer ahead of time or as early as you can. Your first look is typically done before the other portraits, so that there’s no need to worry about time. Bridal portraits and bridesmaid group photos are done after the first look, because those photos are less time sensitive and can be taken at any point during the day. The wedding party group shots are a lot of fun, and are a great way to spend those last minutes before you are married!

4-5pm The Ceremony

When I’m done with the bridal shots, I will typically go straight to the ceremony location to take candid shots of the guests as they arrive. This also gives me time to set up my equipment and troubleshoot anything that might pop up.

Typically, ceremonies last around 20-30 minutes. When I am photographing ceremonies, its my personal goal to be noticed as little as possible. I bring the proper lenses so that I can stay to the back and sides of your guests to get all of your photos. Some photographers will like to get up close and that’s okay too. If you prefer your photographer to do one or the other, make sure you talk to them about your wishes ahead of time.

5-6pm Family Formals

After the ceremony, its common that the couple will talk with their guests as they head for the cocktail hour. After the guests start to filter into the reception area, it is time to take the family formal photos. I like to run these sessions as quickly and efficiently as possible so as a result, they typically last around 20-30 minutes. It is a good idea to give your photographer a list of everyone that you want included in the photos. I find it best to give a copy of the groupings to a dedicated person to help call out names. This can be another family member or even the brides maid, someone that knows who people are so that we can expedite the group photo session and get everyone to the party quicker!

If you weren’t able to get any bridal or couple photos completed before the ceremony, this is also a good time to get those done or add to what you already have.

After we’re done with taking photos, your photographer will head to the reception area to capture more photos of guests and to prepare for your wedding party’s arrival. This is also a great time to relax with your spouse and hangout before the party because, believe it or not, you may not see much of each other for the rest of the night.

6-8:30pm Dinner

This is where the introductions and speeches happen. A new trend that I have noticed is that people do their first dances immediately after being introduced at the reception. It flows really naturally, and is something I wish I could have done on my wedding day. People are excited to watch you move in your wedding dress, and lets your guests get to dancing more quickly after dinner.

During the dinner, don’t be surprised if your photographer asks you to come out and take photos between courses. Evening is a beautiful time to get more photos taken.

8:30-9pm First Dances, Cake Cutting

Typically, the cake cutting occurs immediately after dinner. Cake cutting only lasts for a few minutes. After cake cutting comes the bouquet toss, and then the first dance if you haven’t had that yet. For an 8-hour wedding, I typically leave about a half-hour after these festivities end.

9-11:30pm Dance Floor

Dance, Dance, Dance.

11:30pm Grand Exit

Make sure you have your exit song ready ahead of time with your DJ. Say goodbye to loved ones and friends who stayed until the end. Congratulations! Your wedding day is complete.