How to Build Your Wedding Timeline

One of the most important parts of planning your wedding lies in how you setup the timeline for your day! It is essential to allow enough time for photos, getting ready, and especially one often forgotten - transportation! However, if you are new bride - it can definitely be overwhelming to estimate how long everything will take! So, let's break it down.

Getting Ready 8am - 1pm

The first item on your timeline is getting ready - particularly hair & makeup. One you have the number of girls finalized who will be receiving services - get an estimate from your hair & makeup team for how long it will take! Also, quick tip, the bride should always go in the middle of the group - not the first, nor the last!

Oftentimes if you have 4-5 bridesmaids, getting ready takes 4-6 hours, but it is good to get an estimate from your team. Then, make sure to allow time for everyone to eat - they will be able to pick at the meal throughout the morning, but it's good to have some buffer time at the end in case anyone missed the meal!

Lunch/Buffer time 1-1:30pm

This is also a great time to have the guys start arriving to the venue.

Photo & Video team arrive at 1:30pm

Details & Dress: 1:30-2:00pm

When the team arrives, they will start with your details & dress, so even if hair & makeup took a little longer than expected, this gives you even more buffer time to finish up last minute details. However, once they arrive it is definitely a sign to wrap it up as quick as possible. Once, they are done with the details the photo timeline begins, and this is where the day can get very behind if it starts late. Your photo & video team will love you if you budget a half hour for the details. There is so much involved here - from setting up a gorgeous display, to finding a location to hang your dress (while making sure your groom doesn't peek!). It is very helpful to not be rushed.

Getting Ready Photos with the Gals 2:00pm-2:15pm

This is perfect for those last minute touchups - hair, makeup, etc! And, we'll also grab the cute pajama shots of you and your gals! Once these photos are over - it is time for all the girls, especially your mom to get dressed. It is also time to clean the bridal suite so it is ready for some gorgeous shots of you getting into your dress!

Getting Ready Photos with the Guys 2:15pm-2:30pm

Assuming the guys are at the same venue, this is the perfect time to grab their getting ready shots! These go by very quickly - assuming the guys have all arrived and are ready for the camera hehe.

Groomsmen Photos 2:30pm-2:45pm

I've found it's helpful t

o give the girls as much time as possible to get changed, so we will do groomsmen formal photos during this time outside! These are all the individuals of your groom & his guys, as well as the group shots.

Groom & his family photos 2:45pm-3:00pm

If we have time to squeeze in the shots of the groom, his siblings, and parents, we will do this now!

Bride Getting into her Dress 3:00pm-3:15pm

This is often with the help of Mom or a sister/bridesmaid. So it is essential they are dressed by this point! And, you will have your dress all the way up to a point you are comfortable to have cameras, and we will film the final buttons being buttoned or top being zipped up! We will also capture you putting on any jewelry, and some precious moments with you & Mom!

Bride first look with dad/bridesmaids 3:15-3:30

This is the time of the day where we do first looks with dad or bridesmaids - or both upon your request!

Bride first look with Groom & couples photos 3:30-4:00

If you are doing a first look with your man - this is the time for that. Definitely allow enough time to not feel rushed, but also time to capture photos of the two of you - you will be so glad you did this when hair & makeup is fresh and we aren't rushing against the daylight later in the night!

Guests start arriving & Bride & Groom are tucked away 4:00-4:30

As the bride, you ideally want to be tucked away 30 minutes before your ceremony, so guests don't see you!

Ceremony 4:30-5:00

Most outdoor ceremonies last around a half hour

Social Hour 5:00-6:00

It is good to have your social hour beginning immediately following ceremony, but don't forget to have your officiant announce who needs to stay by the ceremony site for family photos!

Family photos 5:00-5:30

Never allow less than 30 minutes for family photos. Even if you have a small family - people end up in the bathroom/the car/who knows where and we are always tracking down someone LOL so the time adds up quickly!

Wedding party photos 5:30-5:45

This is when we grab the bridesmaid formals as well as the whole wedding party together!

Golden hour photos of the couple 5:45-6:00pm

If you want any additional couples photos at this time closer to sunset - now is the time to grab them!

Shuffling people into your reception hall 6:00pm-6:15pm

During this time, you can be bustling your dress, running to the restroom, or grabbing a drink to prep for your grand entrance!

Grand Entrance 6:15pm

Your big entrance into your reception hall, that will head straight into spotlight dances!

Spotlight Dances 6:20pm

This starts off with your first dance, then into father-daughter, and mother-son if you are planning those spotlight dances!

Prayer over the Meal & Dinner 6:30pm

Toasts 7:00pm-7:30

It is important to allow an hour for dinner, but toasts can start as soon as the last table is through the buffet line, which is usually about a half hour into it! That way people can listen to the toasts while they finish their food!

After this point, the rest of the schedule is pretty fluid & flexible, but I just threw in my suggestions!

Open Dance: 7:45

Get that party started!

Cake cutting: 8:30pm

A little pick me up to your party, and once people have more space for dessert!

Bouquet/Garter Toss: 9:00pm

This is still before most people have left, but a good attention-grabber to keep people entertained!

Late night snack: 10:00pm

Love a good late night snack - plus it gives people energy to keep the party going! Ofc you can also end the party at 10pm if you'd prefer!

Last Song: 10:50pm

Sparkler Exit: 11:00pm

tip, use the follow the leader song to make a massive congo line to get everyone outside ASAP. Or else they will linger!

xoxo

Amy