Creating a Timeline
Wedding planning can be stressful, but I'm here for you, you got this!
I made this guide to help you nail down a timeline for your wedding day. A detailed timeline is a LIFESAVER for wedding vendors and anyone else helping out.
Make a document (or if you’re like me, grab a pen and paper) and settle in. This is something that you’ll continually update, refine and switch around as you dive into your planning.
Every wedding is different - there is no right or wrong way to do it!
Let’s get started!
Step 1: List all the "things" that will happen on your wedding day
Don't forget to include things like:
traveling from one location to another (are your ceremony and reception in the same place?)
setup and takedown of decorations and place settings
hair & makeup, family photos, first look, ceremony, cocktail hour, dinner, speeches, golden hour, cake cutting, etc.
Step 2: Put your "things" in order
Consider if you want to see each other before walking down the aisle - if not, then couples photos and family photos need to take place after the ceremony.
I recommend doing family photos when most everyone will be in the same place already. Often right before, or right after, the ceremony. Ultimately this is up to you, it's your day, you get to make it exactly how you want!
A lot of couples that want to maximize their time with wedding guests, opt to do their couple's photos before guests arrive.
Think of flow and guest experience.
How often are you asking people to move locations, how far do people need to move from one "thing" to the other? Will you provide transportation for your guests?
Take note of any down time for guests. This is often unavoidable, but also desired. Giving people time to mill around, catch up with each other and meet new people is nice, especially if there's games, snacks, beverages and/or music. These "down times" can overlap with "things" that don't involve everyone, like family photos, bridal photos, outfit changes, etc.
Step 3: Assign time estimates
How long will each "thing" take?
Be liberal. Building in a few extra minutes here and there will help keep things on schedule if something takes longer than expected.
Add time estimates to your list.
Here's how long my photos take, but feel free to give us more time!
Couples Photos
I would love to spend 45min - 1hr shooting these, even more if we're going off-location.
How much do you want to prioritize these photos? We can easily spend a quick 30 min, or an hour and a half.
Are we staying close to the venue or will we be traveling somewhere else?
Bridal Boudoir
30 min
First Look:
10 min
It's easy to link first look photos and couple's photos together.
Bridal Party Photos
*If photos are taken at the venue and don't require travel time
20 min - groomsmen
20 min - bridesmaids
+ 1 minute for each individual portrait with bride/groom
Golden Hour
10 - 30 min
Family Photos
10 min set up (to corral everyone)
1.5 min for each configuration
Build out your schedule from here, assigning times based on how long everything will take. Make sure Golden Hour photos (if you want these) don't overlap with speeches, dances, etc. so you guys don't miss anything!
Step Four: Add times
Start with 2 times:
1 - When do you want to eat?
2 - What time is Golden Hour?
Keep in mind curfews, noise restrictions, and vendor contracts.
A general rule of thumb: everything that happens after eating is flexible. Speeches, dances, cake cutting, it's not make or break if these happen exactly on time. Waaay less stressful!
Buff it out with vendor arrival times (If you hired me for 7 hours and want photos of late night dancing, make sure I'll be there for that.)
Now What?
Congratulations! You have a timeline for your wedding!
Make sure all your vendors get this. And anyone else helping out. (I recommend putting this in a Google Doc, or another shareable format.)
Add assignments, like "place settings finished," "Mom brings lunch to wedding party," or "groomsmen help string lights above dance floor."