Wedding Day Timeline

Below you'll find what a standard timeline looks like with a first look option. It is simply a sample and over our decades worth of experience have found that something similar to this timeline works best & is the most efficient for our couples to both prioritize time with family, intentional with guests all while still maximizing time for photography which is usually one of our couples biggest wedding day investments.

If you decide to skip a first look then simply bump everything up 15 min. If this timeline works for you, please notate that on your form, if you have revisions to this timeline copy and paste and add your new timeline to the form. If you've hired a planner & they are still working on finalizing the timeline, please refrain from submitting this form until you are able to add it here. The timeline sample below uses 15 minute increments so that all parties (both couple, photo/film team and vendors) are aware of where we need to be at that exact time!

2:00 lead photographer arrives and photographs prep + detail (please have a well-lit, tidy room with all blinds open to ensure that we have all the natural light we can get (this is the most softest and flattering light for this portion of the day). If you'd like your details photographed before they are worn, have everything laid out that you'd like included in your gallery -- this often includes but is not limited to dress, shoes, jewelry, rings, bouquet, stationery, any heirloom pieces, etc. Feel free to bring an extra invitation suite if you'd like that included in your gallery as well)

3:00 wedding party attendants get dressed // final touches on any hair and makeup

3:15 wedding party prep + portraits (2nd photographer arrives)

3:30 spouse puts on attire // spouse individual portraits (time permitting) spouse with Mother of Spouse/Father of Spouse/wedding party portraits if applicable

4:00 first look, couple & wedding party photos

4:30 ceremony + reception site/details are photographed (please notify planner or your personal day of contact to prevent guests from altering ceremony + reception site until ALL details are photographed unaltered or untouched)

5:00 ceremony

5:30 cocktail hour/traditional family portraits (please be sure all immediate family members you'd like photographed are present at this time)

6:30 finish up any wedding party photos 

7:00 couple portraits at dusk (adjust for season, earlier in the fall/winter, later in the spring summer) just the couple for these pretty please

7:30 reception announcement/dinner/toasts throughout courses - (should meals be provided, please notify caterer/venue/planner that photographers are to be served with the wedding party/family to ensure that no major reception events are missed. 2nd photographer departure after dinner)

8:00 dinner concludes/parent dances (if applicable)

8:15 first dance (first dance after parent dances if possible, this sequence always works best for coverage)

8:30 cake cutting (if applicable)

8:45 garter/bout toss (if applicable) and/or open dancing coverage (we usually need no more than 30-45 minutes is needed of open dance coverage)

9:30 Lead photographer departure