The Ultimate Wedding Photography Timeline
So you’ve picked your date. You’re locked in at your venue. You’ve sent your save the dates. You’ve booked your photographer, florist, DJ, and hair + make up team…
But have you taken a moment to map out the logistics of your actual wedding day? If not… this blog is for YOU!
Mostly every bride I talk to jokingly tells me, “I’m not exactly sure what I’m doing here… I’ve never had a wedding before!” And you know what… she’s RIGHT! Most couples out there aren’t even aware of the little day of things they’re missing. All the more reason to hire well-versed wedding professionals. We’re here to help!
I’ve put together this list for you of everything you need to know about the day-of details. This will help you start visualizing the flow of your day and where to make time for those photos you may not even know you want! But before we jump in, here are a few big picture things to get your gears turning:
First - this timeline is specific to your photography. So your hair + makeup will most likely start earlier in the morning, and your reception will most likely jam on well after the photographers leave.
Second - the devil’s in the details. I always give myself at LEAST an hour right in the beginning of the day just to style your wedding shoes, hang your dress in a doorway, get a few close ups of your rings, things like that…
Third - don’t forget about dear ole Mom + Dad! I call this part of the timeline the “Mother’s Day/Father’s Day” photos. Make time for a photo of just you and your Mom, and just you and your Dad. Something you could post for her on Mother’s Day… get it? I like to do this right after we get dressed before the storm hits!
Forth - this is indeed the timeline structure we use with our Light Garden couples. I’ve put in pretend times for this blog though, just to give you an idea.
Fifth - second photographers are LIFE! I’ll begin my day with the girls, while our second photographer documents the story of the boys before we all meet up for either the first look or the ceremony.
Last - There are two ways this timeline can flow. The first is for earlier ceremonies and/or couples that wish to wait and see each other at the ceremony. The second is for couples who wish to do a first look. Both options are perfectly viable, so if you’re not sure your preference let us know we can certainly help you decide. If you already know you’d like to do a first look… please skip down to the second timeline below!
xo Madison
NO FIRST LOOK
MADISON (LEAD PHOTOGRAPHER)
11:00am | Bride Prep
Bride’s accessories - rings, invites, shoes, dress, jewelry, bouquet
Hair + make-up, gift from groom, girls in robes
12:00pm | Put on dress
Mom helping with dress + jewelry, Dad first look, bridesmaids first look
12:30 | Bride’s Parents Photos
B + Mom
B + Dad
B + Parents
B + Parents + Siblings
1:00 | Bridesmaids Photos
Bride - hair accessories, jewelry on bride, bouquet in hands
B + Bridesmaids
(SECOND PHOTOGRAPHER)
12:00 | Groom Prep
Groom’s accessories - boutonnieres, shoes, tie, cuff links, socks, watch
Gift from bride
12:30 | Put on suit
Dad helping w. suit, Mom pinning boutonniere
1:00 | Groom’s Parents Photos
G + Mom
G + Dad
G + Parents
G + Parents + Siblings
1:30 | Groomsmen Photos
Groom - watch, cuff links, boutonniere on lapel
G + Groomsmen
(BOTH PHOTOGRAPHERS)
2:00 | Ceremony
Ceremony Details - environment, signage, floral decor, alter, programs, unity items,
Grooms reaction, parents faces, exit, marriage license
3:00 | Family Photos
B/G + Officiate
B/G + Both Parents
B/G + Both Parents + Both Siblings
B/G + Both Siblings
Bride’s Family
B/G + Grandparents
B/G + Grandparents + Parents + Siblings
B/G + Parents
B/G + Parents + Siblings
B/G + Siblings
Groom Family:
B/G + Grandparents
B/G + Grandparents + Parents + Siblings
B/G + Parents
B/G + Parents + Siblings
B/G + Siblings
Bridal Party
4:00 | Bridal Party Photos
B + Bridesmaids
B + Each Maid
G + Groomsmen
G + Each Man
Bridal Party
B + G
6:00 | Reception
Reception Details - environment, signage, guestbook, escort cards, tablescapes, centerpiece, place setting, favors, sweetheart/head table, B + G namecards, chair decor, cake, cake topper, dessert bar, cocktails, food, band
5:00 | Cocktail hour
6:00 | Grand entrance, cake, speeches
6:30 | Dinner
7:30 | First dance, parent dances
8:00 | Party vibes!
9:00 | End of Photo Time
FIRST LOOK
MADISON (LEAD PHOTOGRAPHER)
12:00pm | Bride Prep
Bride’s accessories - rings, invites, shoes, dress, jewelry, bouquet,
Hair + make-up, gift from groom, girls in robes
1:00pm | Put on dress
Mom helping with dress + jewelry, Dad first look, bridesmaids first look
(SECOND PHOTOGRAPHER)
1:00 | Groom Prep
Groom’s accessories - BOUTONNIERES, shoes, tie, cuff links, socks, watch
Gift from bride
1:30 | Put on suit
Dad helping w. suit, Mom pinning boutonniere
(BOTH PHOTOGRAPHERS)
2:00 | First Look
2:30 | Parents Photos
B + Mom
B + Dad
B + Parents
B + Parents + Siblings
G + Mom
G + Dad
G + Parents
G + Parents + Siblings
3:00 | Bridal Party Photos
Bride - hair accessories, jewelry on bride, bouquet in hands
B + Bridesmaids
B + Each Maid
Groom - watch, cuff links, boutonniere on lapel
G + Groomsmen
G + Each Man
Bridal Party
B + G
4:00 | Ceremony
Ceremony Details - environment, signage, floral decor, alter, programs, unity items,
Grooms reaction, parents faces, exit, marriage license
5:00 | Family Photos
B/G + Officiate
B/G + Both Parents
B/G + Both Parents + Both Siblings
B/G + Both Siblings
Bride’s Family
B/G + Grandparents
B/G + Grandparents + Parents + Siblings
B/G + Parents
B/G + Parents + Siblings
B/G + Siblings
Groom Family:
B/G + Grandparents
B/G + Grandparents + Parents + Siblings
B/G + Parents
B/G + Parents + Siblings
B/G + Siblings
Bridal Party
B/G
5:45 | Bridal Party Photos
Bridal Party
B + G
6:00 | Reception
Reception Details - environment, signage, guestbook, escort cards, tablescapes, centerpiece, place setting, favors, sweetheart/head table, B + G namecards, chair decor, cake, cake topper, dessert bar, cocktails, food, band
5:00 | Cocktail hour
6:00 | Grand entrance, cake, speeches
6:30 | Dinner
7:30 | First dance, parent dances
8:00 | Party vibes!
9:00 | End of Photo Time
