Creating a Wedding Timeline
When you’re wedding planning, it can be hard to picture how the day is really going to go. What happens first? When do I put on my dress? Does our ceremony time matter?
I’m here to ease some of the stress and help set you up for success when creating your wedding timeline!
Your wedding day schedule can really make or break your day. As a photographer, I have seen wedding days go off without a hitch, but I have also seen days that felt rushed and stressful. My goal for all of my couples is to craft a schedule that allows them to truly experience their wedding day and be fully present in each moment. Thinking about these 5 things before you start making your timeline will allow you to do just that!
5 things to think about when creating a wedding timeline:
1. Will you and your partner see each other before the wedding ceremony?
This might be the biggest deciding factor in terms of how your wedding day will go. If you and your partner do want to see each other before the ceremony, you can get almost all of your photos out of the way before guests arrive. This makes a late afternoon/ early evening ceremony possible. One of the biggest benefits to a first look, is that you will spend more of your day with your partner, which is something to keep in mind.
If you and your partner don’t want to see each other before the ceremony, an earlier ceremony time might be ideal. You will take all of your couple’s photos, combined family photos and wedding party photos after the ceremony. If you have a later ceremony and still need photos, you might run out of daylight for outside photos. Waiting to see each other also means your guests will wait longer in between your ceremony’s end and the beginning of your reception.
Like everything, there isn’t a right way to do this! It’s your wedding day, so you should do whatever you and your partner feel comfortable with. Just remember, it will affect your wedding timeline, so make sure you decide this with your partner before creating the rest of the schedule.
2. Where are you getting married?
This might be common sense, but it’s important to think about where your wedding day will be taking place. Some wedding venues have everything you need (a bridal suite, great spots for photos, ceremony space and reception space). Other venues may not be that comprehensive. This is especially true if you get married at a national park or somewhere in nature! If you need to travel in between getting ready, photos, ceremony and reception, this can impact the timing of the day. Always allow extra time for travel!
3. What will your reception look like?
Some couples do three first dances, a cake cutting, 4 speeches, a grand entrance, a bouquet toss and a garter toss. Other couples don’t do any of these wedding traditions. The best part is, there isn’t a rule book for what your reception should look like! You should do whatever you and your partner want for your day.
If you want to do all the traditional wedding reception things, make sure you allow enough time to do so. Some couples want a couple solid hours on the dance floor with their friends and family. That means you may want to start dinner earlier to get all the formalities out of the way so you can party! If you don’t want any structure at your wedding reception, you can be more flexible on meal times and when the dance floor opens. The goal here is to create a structure that leaves space for you to actually enjoy your reception.
Another thing to keep in mind is your photographer and videographer coverage. Will they be there all night? Are they leaving at 8pm? This may affect how the end of the night goes depending on what you want captured.
4. Do you want sunset photos?
Most photographers will ask you if you want to take photos at “golden hour.” It can make for some incredibly dreamy and romantic photos, but you do have to make sure to build it into your timeline. Golden hour is the hour before sunset, so there is a limited window to get these photos. Make sure to look up what time sunset is on your specific wedding date and in the city you will be in. Remember that if you’re near the mountains, the sun goes away before actual sunset. Ask your photographer for help with figuring out when you will actually loose light!
Most photographers can capture these photos in 15-20 min, so you just need to choose which window of golden hour would be easiest for you and your partner to sneak away for a few golden moments.
Not sure if you want golden hour photos? Hint: they are always a good idea. Even if you don’t have the dreamiest sunset, there is something really special about the newlywed bliss you and your partner will experience towards the end of your wedding day.
5. When you think about your wedding day, what do you think about? What’s most important?
This might be one the most important things to sit down and talk about when planning your wedding day. It’s a broad question, but it allows space for you and your partner to really come up with your own, unique answer. Some couples build in time for their wedding party to go to a bar after the ceremony, others prioritize time spent with family. Maybe the most important thing to you is time alone with your partner. Whatever your answer might be, don’t let anyone tell you it’s impossible. It’s your day! Just make sure you allow enough time for the things that matter most to you and your partner.
These tips will help you when creating your wedding timeline, but don’t forget to seek advice from the professionals! Ultimately, you should rely on the vendors you trust to help bring your wedding day to life. If you have a wedding planner or day of coordinator, let them know which things are most important to you, so that they can create a day you will love! If you aren’t working with a planner, make sure to keep your photographer in the loop! For all of my couples, I offer timeline creation complimentary in all of my packages. This ensure my couples get the best photos with the best lighting, but most importantly, it ensures my couples have time and space to experience their wedding day.
Creating a wedding timeline can feel overwhelming, but it doesn't have to! Start with these 5 things and ask for help when you need it. Happy planning!
