Creating your wedding day timeline doesn’t need to be a complex task. Even if event planning isn’t your forte, you can confidently manage your wedding day schedule. Below, I’ve compiled a collection of my preferred suggestions to serve as your starting point. To begin, sit down with your partner and discuss the top three priorities you have for your special day. From there, allocate the appropriate amount of time in your schedule to these priorities. For instance, if your family holds great importance, you might consider extending the time for family photos or weaving in opportunities for your photographer to capture candid family moments throughout the day. Alternatively, if a longer reception where you can interact with your guests matters most, allocate more time towards the end of your day for this purpose.
Start documenting your plans now.
You might find it more convenient to jot down your list using Word or Excel, but I highly recommend utilizing a free tool like an Online Wedding Planner or Canva to craft an online version of your timeline that can be easily shared with friends and family. What’s more, with an online tool like this, you won’t need to concern yourself with redistributing an updated schedule whenever changes occur. Each time someone accesses the online link, it will automatically display the most up-to-date version!
Some time blocking ideas:
- Details (rings, heirlooms, flowers, etc) = 20 minutes
- The Gals getting ready = 45 minutes
- The Guys getting ready = 30 minutes
- Groom + groomsmen portraits = 20 minutes
- Bride dressing = 10 minutes
- Bride + bridesmaid portraits = 10 minutes .
- First looks (often with Dad, then the groom) = 15 minutes
- Full wedding party photos = 20 minutes
- Couples portraits = 15 minutes
- Ceremony = 30-45 minutes average
- Family formals = 30 minutes
- Optional sunset couple photos during reception = 15 min
- BONUS: Travel time! Be sure to account for any travel time between your ceremony, reception, or prep venues.
Sample Timelines
These examples are not detailed but should give you an idea of what a wedding timeline looks like!
Morning
6:30 am – Get Ready
8:30 am – Transportation to Venue
9:00 am – Pre-Ceremony Photos
10:00 am – Ceremony
10:30 am – Brunch Reception
11:00 am – Dances/Traditions
12:00 pm – Lawn Games/Live Band
1:00 pm – Dessert and Farewell
Early Afternoon
9:00 am – Get Ready
12:00 pm – Bride gets dressed
12:20 pm – First looks
12:40 pm – Party photos
1:30 pm – Bride and Groom photos
2:30 pm – Ceremony
3:00 pm – Cocktail Hour and Photos
4:00 pm – Reception Begins
5:00 pm – Speeches and Toasts
6:00 pm – Cutting of the Cake
6:30 pm – Dancing and Celebration
7:30 pm – Late-Night Snacks
8:00 pm – Farewell and Grand Exit
Late Afternoon
9:30 am – Get Ready
12:00 pm – Bride gets dressed
12:30 pm – Bride and Bridesmaids
1:00 pm – Groom and Groomsmen
1:30 pm – First Looks
2:00 pm – Full Bridal Party
2:30 pm – Family Photos
3:15 pm – Places for Ceremony
4:00 pm – Ceremony
4:30 pm – Cocktail Hour
5:30 pm – Reception Begins
6:00 pm – Toasts/Dinner
7:00 pm – Dancing
8:00 pm – Sunset Photos
9:30 pm – Farewell and Grand Exit
Evening
12:00 pm – Get Ready
2:30 pm – Groom and Groomsmen
3:00 pm – Bride gets dressed
3:30 pm – Bride and Bridesmaids
4:00 pm – First Look
4:15 pm – Full Bridal Party
5:00 pm – Places for Wedding
6:00 pm – Ceremony
6:30 pm – Reception Begins
7:00 pm – Toasts/Dinner
7:45 pm – Dancing
8:00 pm – Sunset Photos
10:30 pm – Farewell and Grand Exit
Alternative Considerations:
You don’t need to strictly adhere to old traditions; in fact, I’ve witnessed some fantastic new customs at recent weddings that I encourage you to contemplate incorporating into your special day!
- Personal Private Vows: Consider writing heartfelt personal vows and sharing them only with each other during a private moment before the ceremony while taking portraits.
- Intimate Bridal Party: Opt for having no bridal party or just one person on each side. This allows for greater flexibility in moving around on your wedding day and puts the spotlight on you as a couple.
- Unplugged Wedding: Encourage guests to put away their cell phones during the ceremony to ensure that your professional photography and videography teams capture uninterrupted moments without distractions.
- Anniversary bouquet – I’ve noticed a lot of couples ditching the single ladies/garter dance for an anniversary dance. The DJ invites all of the married couples on the dance floor, then dismisses them by decades. Whoever is left at the end gets the bouquet from the bride.
- Photobomb song – the couple sits in chairs and then the DJ plays one song where all of the guests have to rush in and photobomb the couple. This is a great option if you want to feature all of your guests in your wedding album.
- Mother + son/Father + daughter dances – instead of spending the whole time on the dance floor with your parents, invite all mothers + sons and all fathers + daughters join you halfway through your dance. This also gets folks out on the dance floor!
About Rebekah Heffington Photography
Rebekah Heffington Photography specializes in skillfully intertwining emotional images to narrate genuine tales of human connection, love, and moments of loss. These captivating stories are crafted with an artistic touch to beautifully bind family narratives in the present, leaving behind precious keepsakes that will hold immeasurable value for generations to follow.
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