The timeline is one of the most important aspects of your wedding day. A detailed timeline to structure your day well help make sure that everything goes as smoothly as possible and help guide all of your vendors throughout the day. It also helps you stay organized, stress-free, and on time. That being said, no wedding timeline or wedding is perfect. It’s important to leave a little bit of wiggle room throughout each event just in case things start to run behind. That way, when the inevitable happens, you will still have plenty of time for everything.
Your Timeline is a Guideline
Make sure that you send the finalized timeline to all of your wedding vendors. As your wedding photographer it’s important for me to work with you on your timeline. That way we can ensure there’s enough time for all of the photos that you want captured on your day. Wedding planners and day of coordinators are also incredibly helpful in making sure that everything goes to plan.
Timeline Tips:
Sunset times change throughout the year – plan accordingly!
Keep toasts short and to a set group of people. (I have seen toasts go on for over an hour & people start to get bored!)
Set aside plates & utensils for your vendors to eat dinner
Plan for your photographer & videographer to eat with the bridal party so they are ready to capture the next event in your timeline
Have bridal party ready by a certain time. Getting ready photos are usually staged or taken in the last few minutes of hair/makeup. (Groomsmen are often running behind!)
Ensure groomsmen have boutonnieres on for groomsmen photos
Allow for plenty of wiggle room in your timeline and expect for things to change throughout the day. No day follows the timeline perfectly, it serves as more of a guide.
Sample Wedding Timeline
12:00 – Detail Photos
12:30 – Guys getting ready photos
1:30 – Girls getting ready photos
2:00 – First look, vow reading + couple photos
2:30 – Wedding party photos
3:00 – Family photos
3:30 – Line up for ceremony
4:00 – Ceremony
4:30 – Cocktail hour
5:25 – Grand entrance
5:30 – Dinner 6:15 – Toasts
6:30 – First dances
6:45 – Cake cutting
7:15 – Bride + groom sunset photos
7:30 – SUNSET
7:45 – Open dance floor
9:00 Photography coverage ends
One of the most important takeaways from the wedding timeline is working with wedding professionals to get insight on how your timeline should look and flow. Also remember that it is okay if things don’t go to plan, and having a strong support team behind you will help your wedding run smoothly. This is a day that you should be enjoying, and not having to worry about each little detail as it happens!
Check out more wedding planning tips here.
*Photos second shot for Ashley Moore Photography
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