Planning a wedding timeline is part puzzle, part vibes. You want a day that flows, great light for photos, and time with your people. The good news: once you set a few anchors, everything else slides into place. This guide walks you through those anchors, then shows real timelines you can copy and tweak for your venue, season, and ceremony time.
Start with the anchors
- Ceremony time. Everything orbits around this.
- Sunset. Light matters for portraits. If golden hour is important, protect 10–20 minutes near sunset.
- Travel. Count parking, elevators, and load-in walks. Add a cushion.
- Family list. Decide who is in formal portraits. Short lists keep you calm and on time.
- First look or aisle reveal. Either works. It just changes when portraits happen.
Build around those five and your timeline will feel easy instead of rushed.
Photographer’s rules of thumb
- Hair and makeup done 45–60 minutes before you get dressed.
- Getting dressed 60–90 minutes before a first look, or 60 minutes before ceremony if you’re skipping it.
- Portrait blocks work best in 20–30 minute chunks.
- Buffer time is your best friend. Add 10 minutes after each move.
- Family photos run about 2–3 minutes per grouping if everyone is present.
Example timelines you can copy
Below are real-world, copy-and-paste timelines. Adjust times to your ceremony and sunset.
1) Classic timeline with a First Look (spring or fall, 5:00 pm ceremony)
Morning: Sleep, snack, playlist, and details gathered by a window
12:00 Hair and makeup finish for the couple
12:15 Get dressed, detail photos, candids
1:00 First look
1:15 Couple portraits
1:45 Wedding party portraits
2:15 Immediate family portraits
2:45 Travel and water break
3:15 Hide from guests, venue touch-ups
5:00 Ceremony
5:30 Hugs, quick just-married photos
5:45 Cocktail hour with guests
6:15 Room reveal or private vows if needed
6:45 Golden hour portraits (10–15 minutes)
7:00 Grand entrance and dinner
8:00 Toasts and dances
9:45 Night photo or private last dance
10:00 Send-off
Why it works: You bank portraits while hair and makeup are fresh and spend cocktail hour with your people.
2) No First Look, Aisle Reveal (4:00 pm ceremony, golden hour after)
11:30 Hair and makeup finish
11:45 Get dressed and details
12:30 Separate wedding party photos (each side)
1:15 Hide and reset
4:00 Ceremony
4:30 Family portraits at ceremony site
4:50 Full wedding party portraits
5:10 Couple portraits
5:40 Join cocktail hour or line up for intros
6:15 Reception
6:45 Quick golden hour touch-up if the light is perfect
Why it works: You keep the aisle reveal and still get everything done by staying close to your ceremony location.
3) Winter timeline with early sunset (3:30 pm ceremony, sunset 5:10 pm)
10:30 Hair and makeup finish
10:45 Get dressed and details
11:30 First look
11:45 Couple portraits
12:15 Wedding party portraits
12:45 Immediate family portraits
1:15 Travel and snack
3:30 Ceremony
4:00 Just-married photos with twinkle lights or window light
5:15 Indoor cozy portraits if we want a second look
5:30 Reception
Why it works: You beat the sun. Everything important is in daylight.
4) Catholic Mass + travel (2:00 pm Mass, 60 minute drive to reception)
8:30 Hair and makeup finish
8:45 Get dressed and details
9:30 First look at church grounds
9:45 Couple portraits and immediate family
10:30 Wedding party portraits
11:15 Hide and hydrate
2:00 Mass
3:00 Receiving line and church exit
3:30 Travel to reception, snack in the car
4:30 Photos at a scenic stop near venue (15–20 minutes)
5:30 Cocktail hour, room reveal
6:00 Reception
Why it works: Mass days are long. Early portraits reduce the in-between scramble.
5) Micro-wedding or courthouse + dinner (Friday, 4:00 pm ceremony)
2:00 First look and couple portraits in the city
3:30 Meet family at ceremony spot
4:00 Ceremony
4:30 Group photos
5:00 Walk to dinner, street candids
5:30 Private room dinner
7:00 Night portraits under string lights
Why it works: Simple flow. You still get a full story without a big timeline.
6) Summer evening outdoor ceremony (6:30 pm ceremony, hot afternoon)
1:30 Hair and makeup finish
1:45 Get dressed and details
2:30 First look in shade
2:45 Couple portraits in shaded spots only
3:15 Wedding party portraits indoors or in shade
3:45 Break, cold towels, water
6:30 Ceremony
7:00 Family photos
7:20 Golden hour couple portraits (soft light, cooler temps)
7:40 Reception
Why it works: You avoid harsh sun and heat fatigue, then lean into dreamy evening light.
How to personalize your timeline
- Your personalities. Introverts often love a private first look. Big extrovert energy might prefer the aisle reveal and a lively cocktail hour.
- Your venue. One-location days run faster. If you have multiple stops, keep each move short and near parking.
- Season and light. Winter favors early portraits. Summer favors shade and late portraits.
- Family dynamics. Combine groupings when possible and pick a photo captain who knows names.
- Cultural moments. Tea ceremonies, Barat, Ketubah signing, Zaffe entrances, or jumping the broom deserve proper space. Add them first, then build around them.
Building your own timeline in 15 minutes
- Write down ceremony time and sunset time.
- Decide first look or aisle reveal.
- Place your portrait blocks: couple, wedding party, family.
- Add 10 minute buffers after each move.
- Block golden hour for 10–20 minutes if the light is special.
- Share with your planner, photo/video, and DJ so everyone is in sync.
Quick answers we give our couples
How long do family photos take?
Plan 20–30 minutes for immediate family if everyone stays close. Build a simple list and stick to it.
Can we still do golden hour if we do a first look?
Yes. We’ll step out for 10 minutes when the light is soft. It’s worth it.
What makes timelines fall behind?
Transit, missing people at photo time, and overlong lists. Solve with buffers, clear meet-up points, and a small photo captain team.
What if it rains?
Windows and covered porches are beautiful. We build a Plan B with your planner so portraits still feel intentional.
