A Guide to Capturing Key Moments of a Wedding Day (Steal My Timeline!)
Every wedding is unique and has original moments, but most wedding days follow a similar flow. As a photographer who has been photographing weddings for almost 12 years, I have developed a few different timeline templates that include most, if not all, of the major events most people want on a wedding day. When I am consulting with a client and/or wedding planner on planning out the timeline of a wedding day, I will send my timeline template first, and then we will fill in all the times and details and adjust as needed. If you’re working with a wedding planner, they should have planning a timeline down pat. But it’s always good to communicate, communicate, communicate and make sure you are all on the same page!
My Classic package, which includes a complimentary engagement session, a bridal portrait session, and 2 photographers for 8 hours on the wedding day, is the package most of my couples book, but I have had more people add on an additional hour or two recently! 10-hour days are becoming more popular. I also have a 6-hour package for clients with smaller weddings and/or budgets and even a 4-hour microwedding package for people hosting smaller, more intimate weddings with fewer details.
Here is an example of a typical 8-hour wedding day timeline:
Clients who hire an organized wedding planner or who create an organized timeline and stick to it are my fave! Canaan had an amazing schedule posted for everyone in the wedding party so that everyone knew what was going on at all times.
Pre-Ceremony
1 pm, Photographer(s) arrive to scope out venue
1:15 pm Bridal Detail & Venue Photos, Getting Ready Photos
2:15 pm, Bride finishes getting ready and puts on dress
2:30 pm, Possible First Looks: Bride & Bridesmaids, Bride & Dad, Bridesmaids & Groomsmen, Bride & Groom
2:45 pm, Bridal Party Photos/Groom & Groomsmen Photos and/or Possible Wedding Party Photos & Family Photos (if there was a first look)
3:15 pm Bride, Groom, and Wedding Party should be hidden away 45 minutes before the ceremony begins (This will ensure that no early guests get a sneak peek! This is also a great chance for the photographer(s) to capture the ceremony space details.)
Ceremony
4 pm, Processional
4:30pm, Recessional
Post-Ceremony
4:30pm, Cocktail Hour begins
4:35 pm, Formal Family Photos (20 minutes )
4:55 pm, Whole Wedding Party Photos (20 minutes)
5:15 pm, Intimate Photo Session with Bride & Groom (15 minutes)
Reception
5:35 pm, Introductions
5:40 pm, Bride & Groom First Dance
5:45 pm, First Dance with Moms/Dads
5:50 pm, Toasts
6:00 pm, Dinner
6:35 pm, Sneak out for Sunset Photos (This is obviously dependent upon sunset timing, location, and weather.)
6:45 pm, Cake Cutting
7:00 pm, Dance
8:25 pm, Bouquet/Garter Toss
8:50, Private Last Dance/Set up for Formal Exit
8:55 pm, Formal Exit
9 pm, Photography Coverage Ends
A few things to definitely consider:
If the ceremony venue is not at the same location as the reception venue, you will need to add in travel time between the two for the guests and wedding party, and an additional few minutes for the photographer/videographer to unload and set up.
Plan in some buffer time during the getting-ready phase; hair and makeup notoriously runs over!
If you do not do a first look, plan an hour for wedding party, family, and couple’s photos after your ceremony. (For more ideas on first looks, see my blog post: The Benefits of a First Look on your Wedding Day)
Make sure you have a specific photo list, with names, and a person who knows most of the family/wedding party to call names and wrangle stragglers during the formal family and wedding party photos! This is typically the most stressful part of the day, especially if people aren’t where they are supposed to be. (For more tips on this part of the day, see my blog post: Wedding Party and Family Photos (It's a Lot Like Wrangling Cats)
If your couple does not book a package with a second shooter, you will need to add in an additional chunk of time, probably 15-20 minutes, during cocktail hour for the photographer to capture cocktail hour candids and the reception space before all the guests flood in.
The most important thing is to ensure clear communication between the bride, photographer, and planner (if there is one), and work these things out well in advance of the wedding so that you’re not scrambling!
For more wedding planning tips that will help the photography part of a wedding day run as smoothly as possible, check out some of my other blog posts:
Kimberly Cauble…
…is a teacher and wedding & portrait photographer in the Charlotte, NC area who has been photographing families, seniors, and weddings since 2012. She has photographed over 95 weddings and loves people, the art of photography, and sharing what she has learned with others!
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