Crafting the perfect wedding timeline
Ah the wedding timeline. It may be the most important to-do list item to figure out. It may also be the one that causes the most stress! Whether you have a planner or your DIY-ing it, your vendors will thank you for a timeline that is well thought out. We always want to help our couples aim for perfection so here’s some sample timelines, with and without first looks, in two different seasons.
THINGS TO KEEP IN MIND:
Sunset first: If you’re stuck, Google your sunset time. Then work backwards from there. The best photos/video are going to happen in the hour before the sun actually sets. Your golden light can be anywhere from 15-60 minutes before, depending on the surrounding landscape. Make sure to visit the venue in the same time of year and see when the sun actually sets before making any firm decisions!
Cushion: Ever been trying to leave a family party and 30 minutes later you’re still saying goodbye? Imagine that times 10. Unless you opt for an elopement, your closest family and friends will make up your wedding. It’s key that you allow for time to soak that in during every part of the day. The last thing you want is to choose between losing the light or snubbing grandma.
Talk to the pros: It’s so important to involve your photographer and videographer when creating your timeline. Send them a rough draft before it’s set in stone. Often times we can tell you when you haven’t given something enough time or if you should switch things up a little. For example, our couples have drone coverage, so we always advise extra 10 minutes during pictures to get some fun aerial shots.
Glam early: While your glam squad may already account for extra time, it’s never bad to add even more cushion to your hair and makeup schedule. From a videographer’s perspective, we like to sit down to have our couples read their vows (or letters) right before they get dressed so this allows for that. If all goes according to plan, you’ll even get extra time with your wedding party!
Sample Timeline 1:
6 pm sunset, first look
1:00 Photo + video coverage starts
1:45 Hair + makeup done
2:00 Read vows with videographer
2:15 Getting ready photos + video
2:30 Get dressed
3:00 First look + couple photos
3:15 Wedding party photos
4:00 Tucked away, vendors prep ceremony
4:30 Ceremony
5:00 Cocktail hour + family photos
5:30 Couple photos + video
6:00 Sunset, guests get seated
6:05 Grand entrance straight into first dance
6:10 Welcome toast or blessing (optional)
6:15 Dinner
6:45 Toasts
7:15 Family dances
7:20 Open dancing
8:00 Cake cutting (optional)
9:40 Last dance (group)
9:50 Private last dance, guests line up for exit
10:00 Send-off
Sample Timeline 2:
8 pm sunset, first look
1:00 Photo + video coverage starts
1:45 Hair + makeup done
2:00 Read vows with videographer
2:15 Getting ready photos + video
2:30 Get dressed
3:00 First look + couple photos
3:30 Wedding party photos
4:00 Tucked away, vendors prep ceremony
4:30 Ceremony
5:00 Cocktail hour + family photos
5:15 Couple photos + video (just in case)
5:30 Couple enjoys cocktail hour
5:45 Guests get seated
5:50 Grand entrance straight into first dance
5:55 Welcome toast or blessing (optional)
6:00 Dinner
6:30 Toasts
6:55 Family dances
7:00 Open dancing
7:15 Couple photos + video
8:00 Sunset
8:30 Cake cutting (optional)
9:40 Last dance (group)
9:50 Private last dance, guests line up for exit
10:00 Send-off
Sample Timeline 3:
6 pm sunset, no first look
1:00 Photo + video coverage starts
1:45 Hair + makeup done
2:00 Read vows with videographer
2:15 Getting ready photos + video
2:30 Get dressed
3:00 Individual wedding party photos
3:30 Tucked away, vendors prep ceremony
4:00 Ceremony
4:30 Cocktail hour + family photos
5:00 Full wedding party photos + video
5:30 Couple photos + video
6:00 Sunset, guests get seated
6:05 Grand entrance straight into first dance
6:10 Welcome toast or blessing (optional)
6:15 Dinner
6:45 Toasts
7:15 Family dances
7:20 Open dancing
8:00 Cake cutting (optional)
9:40 Last dance (group)
9:50 Private last dance, guests line up for exit
10:00 Send-off
Sample Timeline 4:
8 pm sunset, no first look
1:00 Photo + video coverage starts
1:45 Hair + makeup done
2:00 Read vows with videographer
2:15 Getting ready photos + video
2:30 Get dressed
3:00 Individual wedding party photos
3:30 Tucked away, vendors prep ceremony
4:00 Ceremony
4:30 Cocktail hour + family photos
5:00 Full wedding party photos + video
5:30 Couple photos + video (just in case)
5:45 Couple enjoys cocktail hour
6:00 Guests get seated
6:05 Grand entrance straight into first dance
6:10 Welcome toast or blessing (optional)
6:15 Dinner
6:45 Toasts
7:15 Family dances
7:20 Open dancing
7:30 Couple photos + video
8:00 Sunset
8:30 Cake cutting (optional)
9:40 Last dance (group)
9:50 Private last dance, guests line up for exit
10:00 Send-off
