Wedding Day Timeline

wedding sign pointing to the ceremony site

Wedding Day Timeline Tips

If you’re not using a wedding coordinator, you’ll need to work closely with your photographer when making your timeline. Their experience will be invaluable when creating a realistic timeline.

In this post, I’ll go over some of the basics and give you some sample timelines for wedding photography. Feel free to adjust them to your needs and use them as a starting point for your wedding.

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When should your wedding photographer arrive?

Believe it or not, there’s a lot to photograph before the ceremony. I usually start with the dress and find some great places outside to hang it. I might find a hallway that I love or even an amazing door to hang it on. Then, I make sure to photograph the rings and other jewelry. I’ll also grab some loose flowers from the florist and use them to style the invitation suite and any other small family heirlooms. I take my time and get the composition just right before moving on to the next item.

Finally, I’ll get a lot of photos of the bride and bridesmaids getting ready and having some laughs before the ceremony. These are always fun photos to have and look back on.

I recommend having the photographer arrive no later than 2 hours before the ceremony. If wedding party photos need to happen before the ceremony, I’ll need to be there even earlier to allow for enough time.

bride and groom looking at each other while sitting on some steps in front of wood double doors

groom lifting the bride in an outdoor hallway

Bride a groom holding hands walking toward the camera with lush greenery behind them

Photos after the ceremony…

The time needed for these photos can vary greatly from one wedding to another. Weddings with lots of family members in attendance will take a bit longer because of the group combinations needed during family photos. Larger wedding parties will also take a bit longer.

Having a detailed list of the photos needed will help speed up the photos after the ceremony, but there will always be a few extra that we’ll end up taking without them being on the list.

After the ceremony, I recommend allocating at least 1 hour for photos. This will allow for family photos, wedding party photos and a few couples photos for just the bride and groom. If your family photo list is rather long, you may need to increase this time by 15-20 minutes.

Reception and sunset photos

After the formal portraits, it’s time for the bride and groom to relax a bit and just enjoy the party. I no longer need them for photos and won’t be asking anyone to pose. I will, however, be taking tons of pictures! This is when I like to get pictures of the guests. My second shooter will usually get a photo of the tables and everyone at the table. While she does that, I’ll get candid photos of guests and small groups where friends are talking or posing for a selfie.

After dinner, at sunset, I’ll suggest we head out for a few minutes to get those perfect sunset photos. This is likely the last time I’ll ask you for photos. You’ll be ready to enjoy the party by then and I’m happy to get candid photos for the remainder of the evening.

Sunset photos should take just 10-15 minutes. They may take longer if we need to travel to the perfect tree or bridge for the sunset shots, but you won’t be gone long.

bride and groom celebrating as they walk back down the aisle

Reception Photos

Reception photos aren’t scheduled in a timeline, but they are an important part of the day. I like to get shots of the dancing, the laughing and the fun! You’ll want pictures of the cake cutting and the bouquet toss as well as how hilarious it was when Uncle Joe started break dancing in the middle of the dance floor.

If you’re planning a grand exit, be sure to let your photographer know. It’s extremely important that they know what’s coming and when. You need to communicate with them before you exit. There have been many times when I almost missed the grand exit because I was across the room when the bride and groom decided to leave. Pushing though the crowd to get the photos is never fun and guests aren’t too happy about it either.

Sample Wedding Day Timelines

Below are 3 sample timelines for the average wedding. If you don’t have a timeline already, these are great to start with. I’ve included a 6 hour wedding, an 8 hour wedding and a 10 hour wedding as examples.

Bride and groom smiling while walking into the reception at Loma Grande Ranch

6 Hour Wedding Timeline

2:00 – Photographer arrives
2:00 – Photographer photographs dress, etc.
3:00 – Bride gets dressed
3:30 – First looks
4:00 – Ceremony
4:30 – Family photos
4:50 – Wedding party photos
5:15 – Bride and Groom photos
5:30 – Grand entrance to reception
6:00 – Dinner
7:00 – Sunset photos
7:30 – Cake cutting
7:45 – Bouquet/garter toss
8:00 – Photographer departs

8 Hour Wedding Timeline

1:00 – Photographer arrives
1:00 – Photographer photographs dress, etc.
2:30 – Bridesmaids get dressed
3:00 – Bride gets dressed
3:30 – First looks
4:00 – Ceremony
4:30 – Family photos
4:50 – Wedding party photos
5:15 – Bride and Groom photos
5:30 – Grand entrance to reception
6:00 – Dinner
7:00 – Sunset photos
7:30 – Cake cutting
7:45 – Bouquet/garter toss
9:00 – Photographer departs

10 Hour Wedding Timeline

12:15 – Photographer arrives
12:15 – Photographer photographs dress, jewelry, flowers, etc.
2:00 – Bridesmaids get dressed
2:30 – Bride gets dressed
3:00 – First looks
3:30 – Photographer photographs reception and ceremony decor before guests arrive
4:00 – Ceremony
4:30 – Family photos
4:50 – Wedding party photos
5:15 – Bride and Groom photos
5:30 – Grand entrance to reception
6:00 – Dinner
7:00 – Sunset photos
8:00 – Cake cutting
8:55 – Bouquet/garter toss
10:00 – Grand exit
10:15 – Photographer departs