Planning your wedding day timeline can feel like a daunting task, but it’s one of the most important steps to ensuring that everything flows smoothly and that you get the photos (and memories) you’re hoping for. The key is creating a timeline that allows you to savor every moment, stay on track, and still have time to celebrate with your guests. This post will help you build a wedding timeline that works for you, your photographer, and all your vendors while leaving room for those unscripted, spontaneous moments. Don’t worry, I’ll even include a sample timeline for 8 hours and 6 hours of wedding photography coverage as a starting out point (feel free to scroll to the bottom to steal that right away)!

Starting to Plan Your Timeline: Laying Out the Important Moments

When it comes to creating your wedding day timeline, the first step is identifying the key moments that matter most to you. Start by thinking about what’s non-negotiable—those special moments you definitely want to have captured. For example, are you doing a first look? Do you want a set amount of time for bridal portraits, or will you be doing portraits with your family or bridal party? Take some time to map out what you want to remember, then work backward to ensure there’s enough time for each moment to unfold naturally.

Once you’ve outlined the moments that are the most important, it’s time to add in other necessary details: when your vendors will arrive, when guests will start to gather, and any specific time slots for other services like hair, makeup, or transportation. Being mindful of these arrival times ensures that no one feels rushed and everyone knows when to expect things to happen. Building in some “wiggle room” for the unknown like unexpected delays, traffic, or a much-needed break for you and your partner is also crucial at this stage. I usually try to add in at least 20 minutes of wiggle room prior to the ceremony! It’s as easy as budgeting an extra 5 minutes for a few different parts of the morning!

---

Finalizing Your Timeline: Communicating with Vendors

With your rough timeline in place, the next step is to reach out to all your vendors, particularly your photographer, videographer, and planner, to ensure everything aligns. Open and clear communication is key at this stage. For instance, your photographer needs to know when the ceremony starts, when family photos are planned, and when you expect to have your first dance or cake cutting. The same goes for your videography team making sure they’re in the right place at the right time is essential for capturing every key moment.

Once you’ve communicated your vision with your photo/video teams, make sure to leave space for those spontaneous moments that make your day unique. Maybe it’s a few extra minutes after the ceremony to let you both soak in the moment, or some extra time for a scenic portrait session in golden hour light. In this phase, it’s important to also confirm when breaks are needed. Long wedding days can be tiring, and making time for a short break especially for you and your partner can make a huge difference in how you feel during the day.

Your next step will be adjusting the timeline accordingly. Maybe a bit of time needs to be shifted around to ensure there’s enough room for key shots, or a vendor needs to arrive earlier or later. Flexibility is essential when finalizing a timeline, and keeping an open dialogue with all your vendors helps ensure that everything runs as smoothly as possible. Keep in mind, wedding days are crazy! I can promise you something at some point in your wedding day will be running behind (and that’s completely fine), just remember that your timeline is a guide to the day and not the end all be all.

As a wedding photographer, my goal is to ensure you feel present and relaxed while also capturing every moment you want. I always make sure to leave room for unplanned moments and suggest that we space out those posed portraits so that they don’t feel too “staged.” Your timeline should ultimately reflect your day—the joy, the laughter, and those in-between moments that make it all uniquely yours.

Creating the Perfect Timeline for You

Planning your wedding timeline may seem like a big task, but it’s one of the best ways to ensure you get the photos you want and the day you’ve always dreamed of. By starting with the important moments and then fine-tuning with your vendors, you can create a timeline that allows for flexibility, relaxation, and plenty of time with your loved ones. After all, this day is about celebrating your love, and having a timeline that works for you will help ensure it’s stress-free and filled with memories.

If you’re looking for a photographer who will help make sure your timeline flows smoothly and capture every special moment (while also joining in on the fun!), I’d love to chat. Let’s create the wedding day you’ve always dreamed of, together!

As promised, you can click right here to steal the free 8 & 6 Hour Wedding Photography Timeline!