Hey engaged couples! Are you ready to make some unforgettable memories on your wedding day? Well, a wedding photography timeline is like the icing on the cake to make sure that everything flows smoothly and every precious moment is captured. As a photographer, I work closely with couples to whip up a customized timeline that caters to their needs and requests. To give you a glimpse of how the day could look, I’ve prepared two wedding timeline samples – one with a first look and one without. Trust me, it’s gonna be a day so awesome that you’ll want to relive it over and over again. A solid timeline helps make that a reality!

Timeline With a First Look

A first look is when the couple see each other before the wedding ceremony. This is usually done in a private setting, away from family and friends, and allows for some intimate photos of the couple. Here’s a wedding timeline sample for a wedding day with a first look:

2:00pm- Photographer arrives
2:30pm- Wedding party get dressed
2:45pm- Bride/Groom gets dressed
3:10pm- First look + couples photos
3:40pm- Bridal party photos
4:10pm- Immediate family photos
5:00pm- Ceremony
5:30- Cocktail hour begins
5:40pm- Extended family photos
5:55pm- Sunset photos (optional, and depending on time of year)
6:30pm- Grand entrance
7:00pm- Dinner
8:00pm- Parent dances
8:10pm- Open dancing
10:00pm- Photographer leaves

Timeline Without a First Look

If you choose not to do a first look, the timeline will be slightly different. Here’s a wedding timeline sample for a wedding day photography schedule without a first look:

2:00pm- Photographer arrives
3:30pm- Wedding party get dressed
3:45pm- Bride/Groom gets dressed
4:30pm- Ceremony
5:00pm- Cocktail hour begins
5:10pm- Family photos
5:30pm- Bridal party photos
5:45pm- Couples photos
6:30pm- Grand entrance
7:00pm- Dinner
8:00pm- Parent dances
8:10pm- Open dancing
10:00pm- Photographer leaves

In general, it’s important to leave plenty of buffer time between each activity to allow for unexpected delays or issues. A good wedding day photography schedule is flexible and can be adjusted on the fly to ensure that all the important moments are captured. By working closely with the couple and being prepared for anything, a skilled photographer can create a beautiful visual story of a couple’s wedding day that they will treasure for a lifetime.

More Helpful Blog Posts:

5 Reasons to Book an Engagement Session
Wedding Ceremony Tips