One of my most common questions I get is about how to plan a successful timeline on your wedding day. It’s hard to know how much time you’ll need for first looks or bridal party portraits, it’s probably your first time doing this thing!

When starting to plan your wedding day, I would first recognize that most vendors commonly offer 8 hour packages as their base pricing, so if you’re wanting to work around that, have your timeline cover roughly 8 hours.

Start by planning your ceremony, typically after you know how long your ceremony will take, everything falls into place around that. Timing for your ceremony depends on how long your officiant is speaking for, if you’re writing your own vows, etc…

Jumping back to the beginning of the day, if you’ve hired HMUA’s, you should ask them about how long it will take to do your hair and make up. Plus, if you’ve hired your HMUA for your bridesmaids/family as well, this will take a few extra hours. Help plan with them how many hours it will take to completely finish. Most brides are usually getting their make up done 5-7 hours before the ceremony starts depending on how many people there are and if you are traveling or not. Photo/videos teams typically arrive half way through the bride getting her make up done. I suggest the bride getting her hair and makeup done last.

While the bride is getting her makeup done, photo/video teams will typically get the shots they need of that, and then move onto the details of the venue, dresses, rings, etc…

If you’re doing a first look, 2-3 hours before the ceremony is a good time frame to do the first look, this is super helpful for timelines. After the first look, typically you’ll move into all family portraits, couples portraits, and bridal party portraits and get those out of the way so you don’t have to be stollen from your guests later. If you are NOT doing a first look, get into your dress 1-1.5 hours before the ceremony so you have time to travel or get all the detail shots needed.

The bride and bridesmaids should be hidden at least 30 minutes before the ceremony starts. Ceremonies are typically 15-60 minutes long. If you did not do a first look, all photos will typically happen right after the ceremony ends, as well as signing your documents. Plan for this taking at least an hour.

Typically, after all portraits are done, the grand entrance will take place and then dinner. I LOVE when speeches happen during dinner, speeches should be about 30 minutes into dinner once everyone is served. Vendor meals should be served before guest meals so we’re ready to go when speeches happen. After speeches, you do cake cutting, first dances, and then the floor opens up. The night ends for all vendors once the exit is happening! Happily ever after!

Traditional Timelines –

first look –

2 PM – photographer arrives

final getting ready photos of hair + makeup, detail shots, getting into dress

3 PM – bride + groom first look individual portraits

3:30-4:30 PM – bridal party portraits

4:45 PM – family portraits

5 PM – get some space

5:30 PM – ceremony

6 PM – reception

6:30 PM – dinner + toasts

8 PM – cake + dances

8:30 PM – sunset photos (depending on season)

10 PM – sparkler exit and photographer leaves

no first look –

2 PM – photographer arrives
final getting ready photos of hair + makeup, detail shots, getting into dress
3 PM – bride portraits + bridesmaids
3:30 PM – bride with family
4 PM – grooms portraits + groomsmen
4:30 PM – groom + family
5:30 PM – ceremony
6 PM – reception/family photos
6:30 PM – dinner + toasts
8 PM – cake + dances
8:30 PM – sunset photos (depending on season)
10 PM – sparkler exit and photographer leaves