Wedding Day Timeline
the perfect
TEMPLATE
As a photographer timing really impacts the type of light you're able to shoot in and how the portraits you create look. After over 10 years shooting Weddings I have used this same template again and again as a base to help couples decide on how much coverage they would like and what the timing of a typical Wedding Day looks like. Keep in mind what time sunset occurs on your day and everything can be based around that.
EXAMPLE WEDDING DAY TIMELINE WITH FIRST LOOK. SUNSET (hypothetically) AT 7PM with 2 shooters.
2pm - Photographers arrive, checkout venue, take scenic shots and meet everyone- begin detail shots (details including bands should be in the same location)
2:30pm Bride/Partner finishes up hair/makeup, gets dressed
2:30pm Groom/Partner gets dressed.
3pm - First look with the couple ONLY. A few portraits to follow.
3:30pm - Wedding party meets in central, designated location, dressed with bouquets in hand and boutonnieres pinned. EXCLUDING little ones.
3:30-4pm Wedding Party Photos.
4pm - Wedding Party freshens up and relaxes out of sight
4pm Photographers shoot details. ALL DETAILS MUST BE PHOTO READY one hour before ceremony. This includes table scapes and all decor. Candles lit, water glasses full (at least for a photo). This is the only time photographer(s) will have to shoot all of the beautiful decor
4:30pm - Guests arrive.
5pm - Ceremony.
5:30 - Ceremony ends and officiant announces, "All guests are invited to head over to cocktail hour. All immediate family please stick around for some quick photos".
5:30- 5:45pm Family formal shots
5:45 -6pm Entire Wedding Party shots. INCLUDING little ones.
6-6:30pm Portraits of the couple ONLY for sunset- this is our ideal light- these are the photos you'll frame.
6:30-Reception!! Dinner, speeches, cake cutting, dances, etc.
10pm- Photographers coverage ends.
EXAMPLE WEDDING DAY TIMELINE WITHOUT FIRST LOOK WITH SUNSET (hypothetically) AT 7PM with two shooters.
2pm - Photographer(s) arrive, checkout venue, begin detail shots (details including bands should be in the same location)
2:30pm - Bride/Partner finishes up hair/makeup, gets dressed.
3pm - Portraits of Bride, then Bride and Bridesmaids.
3:30 - Groom/partner gets dressed.
3:45 - Photographer takes shots of Groom and groomsmen
4pm- Photographers shoot details. ALL DETAILS MUST BE PHOTO READY one hour before ceremony. This includes table scapes and all decor. Candles lit, water glasses full (at least for a photo).This is the only time photographer(s) will have to shoot all of the beautiful decor
4:30pm - Guests arrive.
5pm - Ceremony.
5:30pm - Ceremony ends and officiant announces, "All guests are invited to head over to cocktail hour. All immediate family please stick around for some photos".
5:30pm - Family formal shots
5:40pm - Entire wedding party shots, INCLUDING little ones.
6-6:40pm - Portraits of the couple ONLY. This is typically the most ideal light of the day- these are photos you will frame.
6:45pm - Reception!! Dinner, speeches, cake cutting, dances
10:00pm - Photographers coverage ends!
