Create a Sample Wedding Timeline with First Look
Now that you’ve figured out WHAT to include in your timeline, let’s make a sample wedding timeline with a first look! Our wedding packages are 6, 8, & 10 hours so I will use those as examples for the sample wedding timeline plans.
The 3:30 pm Ceremony, 6 hour sample wedding timeline
With this 6 hour sample wedding timeline, you have plenty of time to get a full day’s worth of photography in a short amount of time. One thing to keep in mind though, is how long your ceremony will be. This timeline allows for a shorter, 15 minute ceremony followed by 10-15 minutes of Just Married Portraits.
1:00-1:30 pm | Bride arrives with hair & makeup finished, Bride getting ready photos (staged hair & makeup shots, shoes, jewelry & dress)
1:35-1:50 pm | Groom getting ready photos (Tux/Suit, shoes, cuff links, buttons, tie, boutonniere)
1:55-2:15 pm | Groom setup for first look, Bride enters, First look shot
2:15-3:05 pm | Bridal Party & Family Portraits
3:10-3:25 pm | Bride hides, Guests are seated, Detail shots for Ceremony & Reception Spaces shot
3:30-4:00 pm | 15 minute Ceremony, Followed immediately by Just Married Portraits
4:10-6:30 pm | Reception Activities
6:40-7:00 pm | The Exit (Real or Staged)
The 3:00 pm Ceremony, 8 hour sample wedding timeline
With an 8 hour sample wedding timeline, you’re given more time to grab a few photos of your hair and makeup as well as opting for a longer ceremony time. This also allows the bride some downtime while the groom and groomsmen get ready.
12:00-12:45 pm | Bride arrives, final hair & makeup photos (on site), Bridal party getting ready photos & group photos, detail shots (rings, jewelry, dress, etc)
12:55-1:25 pm | Groom getting ready photos (Tux/Suit, shoes, cuff links, buttons, tie, boutonniere)
1:30-1:40 pm | Bride getting into her dress
1:45-2:00 pm | Groom setup for first look, Bride enters, First look shot
2:20-2:40 pm | Wedding Party Portraits
2:45-2:55 pm | Bride hides, Guests are seated, Detail shots for Ceremony & Reception Spaces shot
3:00-4:25 pm | 30 minute Ceremony, Followed immediately by Just Married Portraits (10-15 Minutes), and Family Formals (40 minutes)
4:30-7:30 pm | Reception Activities
7:40-8:00 pm | The Exit (Real or Staged)
The 3:00 pm Ceremony, 10 hour sample wedding timeline
If you’re looking for the full shebang, and are planning to have your ceremony and reception held at different venues, this is the collection for you. Plus when you want photos of hair and makeup being completed at the salon, you’ll need the biggest possible collection. While we usually won’t arrive while you have a clean face (because no one wants photos without their makeup on), we will arrive in time to get photos of you and your bridesmaids at the salon getting your hair did. This sample wedding timeline also gives plenty of time for a long ceremony (45 minutes) and extended family and wedding party portraits (1.5 hours).
10:30-11:00 am | Bride arrives, hair & makeup completed off site, Bridal Party downtime
11:10-11:30 am | Travel from Salon to Venue
11:40am-12:00 pm | Groom getting ready photos (Tux/Suit, shoes, cuff links, buttons, tie, boutonniere)
12:05-12:40 pm | Bride arrives, Bridal party getting ready photos (shoes, jewelry, dress), Detail Shots
12:45-1:00 pm | Groom setup for first look, Bride enters, First look shot
1:00-2:30 pm | Bridal Party & Family Portraits
2:35-2:55 pm | Bride hides, Wedding Party downtime, Guests are seated, Detail shots for Ceremony shot
3:00-4:00 pm | Ceremony, Followed immediately by Just Married Portraits
4:10-4:30 pm | Travel to Reception Venue
4:40-5:00 pm | Reception details shot, Guests mingle
5:10-8:10 pm | Reception & Events
8:15-8:30 pm | The Exit (Real or Staged)
Depending on how busy you want your wedding day to be, the amount of time you book your photographer for can make a world of difference. Keep in mind that you may want to completely change a few things around (like family portraits) from your sample wedding timeline and you’re completely allowed to do that! Afterall, it’s your wedding day and it should work your way!
