You’re significant other popped the question, you’ve set the date, and the planning has begun! Once you’ve found and booked your DREAM photographer, it’s important to build the perfect wedding day timeline to ensure the day runs smoothly. 

Before creating a timeline you’ll need to decide if you want to have a first look! If you choose to have a first look you’ll have plenty of flexibility in your timeline. If you choose not to have a first look you’ll want to make sure your ceremony is earlier in the day. This will allow enough time before your reception, and sunset, to capture all the special moments.

In this blog post I’ll discuss how to plan the perfect wedding day timeline, with or without a first look! For the sake of this post let’s say you are planning a Summer wedding in the Midwest – that means the sun begins to set at 7 and is fully set by 8pm.

THE PERFECT WEDDING DAY TIMELINE- WITH A FIRST LOOK

When creating a timeline it is important to set your ceremony start time and then build off of it. If you choose to have a first look you’ll be able to have your ceremony later in the evening. An hour or two before sunset is a golden hour that provides golden light, and amazing photos! For this beautiful imaginary Summer wedding we are planning the ceremony will start at 5pm.

TIP: non-religious ceremonies typically last 10-30 minutes and religious ceremonies tend to last 30-60 minutes.

BEFORE THE CEREMONY

Once you’ve set the ceremony start time you’ll plan backwards and set a time for everything that needs to be captured before the ceremony begins.

To start, you’ll want to be hidden away at least 30 minutes prior to the ceremony. As guests begin arriving you don’t want any sneak peaks of your beautiful dress!

Wedding Party Photos

Before hiding away you’ll want to be done with all of your wedding party photos. This includes bridesmaids, bridesmen, groomsmen, groomswomen, guests of honor, flower girls, ring bearers, or anyone that is standing up with you during the ceremony. Depending on the size of your wedding party, I suggest having 30 minutes to an hour set aside for these photos. If you have a large party and you know you specifically want multiple photos with each of them individually, you might need more time. For a majority of my couples an hour is plenty of time!

Couples Portraits

You’ll need to set aside 30 minutes to 45 minutes for couples portraits! This day is all about the two of you and it is important to capture some moments together before saying “I do.” This can be before or after photos with the rest of your wedding party, but you’ll want a little extra time alone together.

The First Look

Before you can take any photos together you’ll need to have your first look! This is such an intimate moment between the two of you. I usually suggest setting aside 15-20 minutes for a first look. But if you know one or both of you will cry… you might want to allow for an extra 5-10 minutes.

Getting Ready

This part of the planning process includes the input of multiple different people: your wedding party and your hair and makeup stylist (if you’re using them). You have to decide how long it will realistically take for everyone to get ready. For some people it takes an hour and for others it takes four! It’ll really depend on the size of your wedding party and how many people will need their hair and makeup done. 

AFTER THE CEREMONY

Since you’ll be having a first look, there won’t be too much to capture after the ceremony. This will allow you to be able to make it to your cocktail hour or reception earlier and get to spend more time with your guests!

Family Formal Photos

Most likely, the only photos that will need to be captured after the ceremony will be family formal photos. I recommend setting aside an hour, this allows plenty of time to make sure every family grouping on both sides is captured. I’d rather add more time into the timeline than have to rush through these!

Sunset Couples Portraits

After family formal photos are done I recommend sending everyone into the reception for cocktail hour while you and your spouse take a few more photos, just the two of you, during sunset. This is the perfect time for you to soak in a few moments as a newly married couple and it typically only takes about 10-20 minutes!

Reception Time

Now it’s time to party!!! Enjoy your first dances, eat a delicious meal, cut the cake, and celebrate with your closest friends and family.

SAMPLE TIMELINE (WITH A FIRST LOOK)

Getting Ready!!

2:30pm- First Look

3:00pm- Couples Portraits

3:30pm- Wedding Party Photos

4:30pm- Hide Away While Guests Arrive

5:00pm- Ceremony

6:00pm- Family Formal Photos

7:00pm- Sunset Couples Portraits

7:20pm- Reception Time!

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THE PERFECT WEDDING DAY TIMELINE- WITHOUT A FIRST LOOK

Whether you have a first look or not I still suggest starting with your ceremony when you plan the perfect wedding day timeline.

If you are not doing a first look I recommend having your ceremony earlier in the day to guarantee enough daylight to capture all of your photos after the ceremony. This is easier to accomplish during the Spring and Summer months because the sun sets later in the day. If you are planning a Fall or Winter wedding it becomes a little more difficult because the sun sets much earlier in the day. For the lovely imaginary Summer wedding we are planning, let’s say our ceremony is beginning at 3pm.

TIP: For a ceremony earlier in the day, consider choosing a location indoors or a shaded area outdoors. The closer to noon the harsher the sun. Not only will the shade or indoor setting help with lighting for photos, but your guests will appreciate not having to squint into the sun!

BEFORE THE CEREMONY

To start, you’ll want to be hidden away at least 30 minutes prior to the ceremony. As guests begin arriving you don’t want any sneak peaks of your beautiful dress!

An Alternative First Look

Even though you aren’t having a first look with your soon to be spouse you might be interested in having an alternative first look. You could have a special “first look” moment with a parent, grandparent, or anyone that has made a significant impact on your life (even your dog!). I’d plan about 15-30 minutes for each person you’d like to do a first look with.

Getting Ready

Without having a lot to capture before your ceremony there will be plenty of time to get ready- you might even have enough time to sleep in a little! Take this time to bond with your wedding party, relax, and get pampered!

AFTER THE CEREMONY

After you say your, “I do’s” all of the wedding party, family, and couples photos will be captured!

Family Formal Photos

I recommend starting the family formal photos right after the ceremony. This is a good way to make sure you capture everything before any relatives have the chance to wander off! I recommend setting aside an hour, this allows plenty of time to make sure every family grouping on both sides is captured. I’d rather add more time into the timeline than have to rush through these!

Wedding Party Photos

Now it’s time to gather up your wedding day crew and all the special guests that stood by your side. Depending on the size of your group I’d plan for around an hour. A smaller party can get by with less time, but the general rule of thumb is the more people the longer it can take!

Couples Portraits

FINALLY!!! It’s time for the happy couple to have a moment to yourselves. Plan to have at least a few minutes of peace and quiet together as a married couple (YAY!!). This time is so special and it is so much fun to capture the intimate and fun first moments as “Mr. and Mrs.”!

Reception Time!

After the couples portraits have wrapped up it’s time to party! Chit chat with guests, grab a bite to eat, hit the dance floor, and make it a night you’ll never forget!

SAMPLE TIMELINE (WITHOUT A FIRST LOOK)

Getting Ready!!

3:00pm- Ceremony

4:00pm- Family Formal Photos

5:00pm- Wedding Party Photos

6:00pm Couples Portraits

7:00pm Reception Time!

Now that you know how to build the perfect wedding day timeline (with or without a first look) you’re ready to take on the big day!

The wedding featured in this post is The Powers, who got married in downtown Kansas City! I captured beautiful rooftop photos with the wedding party and their couple portraits near the World War I Museum and Memorial. It was a beautiful day!