How To Write A Timeline

The wedding day timeline. Where to start, right? Some couples plan around the ceremony, others prioritize golden hour portraits. Trying to figure out what the day looks like that can be straight-up impossible if you've never done it before. How long does everything actually take? How long do you need your vendors?

Writing a basic timeline early in the planning process can make planning easier. We'll get to the nitty gritty scheduling later! First, decide where to actually start by asking "What is most important to me?" Extra time on the dance floor? Late ceremony? Golden hour for portraits? A brunch ceremony and extended afternoon portrait session?

Maybe you haven't asked yourself these questions yet. That's okay! I'm going to break it down further and take the guess work out of planning. The timelines that you'll see are based on what I encounter most often and can easily be rewritten to match your ceremony time. And if you want to throw tradition out the window and get right down to dancing your timeline is below, too!

 
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5pm Ceremony - Traditional timeline

2:00pm Photographer arrives, photographs details (rings, invitations, dress, perfume, shoes)
2:30pm Candid photos of getting ready, hair and makeup, etc
3:00pm Hair and makeup complete
3:00pm Bridesmaid photos (matching robes, popping champagne, etc)
3:45pm Wedding party gets dressed while bride reads card from partner
4:00pm Bride puts on gown with help from bridesmaid, mom, etc
4:00pm 2nd photographer arrives to photograph partner and groomsmen/wedding party
4:30pm Optional items: Bridal portraits, first look with Dad, first look with bridesmaids
5:00-5:30pm Ceremony
5:30-6:30pm Cocktail hour
5:30-5:50pm Family photos
5:50-6:10pm Wedding party photos
6:10-6:40pm Couple portraits
6:30-6:45pm Guests invited to be seated
6:45pm Grand entrance, thank you’s, welcome
7:00pm-8:00pm Dinner served/buffet opens
7:40pm Speeches and toasts during dinner
8:00pm Father/Daughter and Mother/Son dances
8:05pm DJ announces open dance floor
8:30pm Cake cutting, bouquet toss
9:45pm DJ announces last song
9:50pm DJ announces sparkler exit
10pm Sparkler/bubble/glow stick exit!

 

5pm Ceremony - A first look!

1:00pm Photographer arrives, photographs details (rings, invitations, dress, perfume, shoes)
1:30pm Candid photos of getting ready, hair and makeup, etc
2:00pm Hair and makeup complete
2:00pm Bridesmaid photos (matching robes, popping champagne, etc)
2:30pm Wedding party gets dressed while bride reads card from partner
2:50pm Bride puts on gown with help from bridesmaid, mom, etc
3:00pm 2nd photographer arrives to photograph partner and groomsmen/wedding party
3:20pm Optional items: Bridal portraits, first look with Dad, first look with bridesmaids
3:20-4:30pm First look and couple portraits, wedding party photos
5:00-5:30pm Ceremony
5:30-6:30pm Cocktail hour
5:30-6:00pm Family Photos
6:00pm Couple joins cocktail hour (hell yeah, grab a drink!)
6:30pm Guests invited to be seated
6:40pm Couple’s entrance, right into first dance
6:45pm Welcome, thank you’s, blessing before dinner
7:00pm Dinner served
7:40pm Speeches
8:05pm DJ announces open dance floor
8:30pm Cake cutting, bouquet toss
9:50pm DJ announces last song
10:00pm Go home! And by home I mean, after party!

 

2pm Ceremony - Catholic wedding ceremony

11:00am Photographer arrives, photographs candids and details (rings, invitations, dress, perfume, shoes)
11:45am Hair and makeup complete
11:45pm Bridesmaid photos (matching robes, popping champagne, etc)
12:10pm Wedding party gets dressed while bride reads card from partner
12:30pm Bride puts on gown with help from bridesmaid, mom, etc
1:00pm Bridesmaid first look and/or first look with Dad
1:00pm 2nd photographer arrives to photograph partner and groomsmen/wedding party
1:20pm Wedding party travels to church
2:00-3:00pm Ceremony
3:15-3:45pm Family photos
3:45-4:15pm Wedding party photos
4:15-4:45pm Couple portraits at church
4:45pm-5:15pm Couple travels to portrait location
5:15-5:40pm Couple portraits at reception venue
5:00-6:00pm Venue opens to guests for cocktail hour
6:05pm Guests invited to be seated for dinner
6:15pm Grand entrances, first dance
6:25pm Welcome speech, blessing before dinner
6:30pm Dinner served/buffet opens
7:30pm Speeches and toasts during dinner
7:45pm Father/Daughter and Mother/Son dances
7:50pm DJ announces open dance floor
8:30pm Cake cutting, bouquet toss
9:25pm DJ announces last song
9:30pm Reception end

Brunch Wedding (Quiche and mimosas? Count me in!)

8:00am Photographer arrives (with coffee, obvs)
8:00-8:30am Detail photos (rings, invitations, dress, perfume, shoes)
10:00am Hair and makeup complete
10:15-10:40pm Bride(s) put on gown
11:00-11:30am Ceremony
11:30-12:30 Cocktail hour (appetizers, drinks, lawn games)
11:30-11:50am Family photos
11:50-12:10pm Wedding party photos
12:10-12:45pm Portraits
12:45pm-2:00pm Lunch reception (toasts, parent dances or cake cutting!)

Most brunch weddings must end early enough for the venue to set up for an evening wedding. Brunch weddings are typically shorter and have less reception time. If you want to have time for dancing, cake cutting and a bouquet toss then consider adding a portrait session immediately after the wedding ends. The three of us can go to a nearby park for private photos with no time crunch. This can make your wedding feel longer AND get you some exceptional portraits!

 

Additional Tips

  • Include travel time between hotels, churches and venue on your timeline.

  • Do not go last for makeup! If the day runs late, you don't want to be the one that’s rushed.

  • Have your details together for your photographer (invitations, perfume, clean jewelry and rings, flower clippings).

  • Make sure you schedule for at least an hour of daylight after your ceremony.

  • For large families, write a detailed shot list of the family photos. Ask me for examples!

  • Photo booth should start during cocktail hour and end an hour before the reception ends.

  • If you aren't doing a sparkler exit, have the DJ announce a last dance. It's the perfect way to end the night!