Plan your perfect day with confidence

The ultimate, stress-proof guide to your wedding timeline.

The key to a smooth, perfectly timed wedding day? Details, details!

The more organized you, your planner, and your photographer are beforehand, the smoother your day will flow. Since it’s likely your first wedding, leaning on professionals for timeline planning is essential. When we create timelines with our couples, we consider every transition and moment to keep the day stress-free.

Today, we’re sharing two sample timelines (with and without a first look) to help you start visualizing the perfect flow for your celebration.

Sample with a First Look

“Whether you choose to have a first look or save the magic for the aisle — it’s totally up to you. Your day, your way.”

Sunset: 7:30 PM Ceremony: 5:30 PM 8-hour photography coverage package.

1:30 PM — Photo & Video coverage starts
Detail shots: dress, rings, invites, florals, and venue décor.

2:00 PM — Getting-ready moments
Candid robe photos, finishing touches, and champagne or other dynamics with your crew.

2:30 PM — Final prep
Everyone helping you get dressed should already be fully ready. Parents and wedding party in outfits; final touch-ups done.

2:45 PM — Dress & suit on
Couple gets fully dressed — with the lead photographer capturing the bride’s final moments and the second photographer covering the groom. Allow a short buffer for buttons, veils, or quick transitions between rooms.

3:15 PM — First Look
Private reveal followed by a few minutes to breathe and enjoy the moment.

3:25 PM — Couple portraits
Romantic portraits together while lighting is still soft.

4:00 PM — Wedding party portraits
Full group photos — include bridesmaids, groomsmen, and fun candid moments.

4:20 PM — Immediate family photos
Grandparents, parents, siblings, and close family groupings.

4:50 PM — Freshen up & relax
Couple takes a short break while Photo/Video team captures ceremony + reception setup.

5:30 PM — Ceremony
Plan 30 minutes for procession, vows, and recessional.

6:00 PM — Cocktail hour & “Just Married” portraits
Quick 15-minute session while guests transition to cocktail hour.

6:15 PM — Couple joins cocktail hour
Couple joins cocktail hour to enjoy time with guests and family, while the photo and video team capture candid moments and prepare for the reception.

7:00 PM — Reception begins
Grand entrance followed by the couple’s first dance, welcome speech, and dinner service.

7:15 PM — Sunset portraits (optional)
Step out briefly for golden-hour magic. Plan for a 15-minute session — one of the best moments for soft, candid, and romantic portraits.

7:30 PM — Couple’s Dinner / Photo & Video Team Break
During dinner, the couple enjoys their meal—either privately or with guests—while the photo and video team take a short break and prepare for the next round of reception events.

8:00 PM — Cake Cutting, Toasts & Special Dances
The couple cuts the cake, followed by heartfelt toasts and the special dances—beautiful moments filled with emotion and celebration.

8:20 PM — Dance Floor Opens
The celebration kicks into full swing as the dance floor opens for everyone to join in and enjoy the party.

9:30 PM — Coverage Ends / Photo & Video Wrap-Up
Perfect time to stage a sparkler exit or capture final dance-floor moments. If you’d like extra photo or video coverage, it’s completely up to you and your vendor.

Sample without a
First Look

If you prefer a more traditional approach and want to let the emotions unfold naturally at the aisle, that’s completely your choice.

In most cases, the timeline only changes slightly without a first look. To avoid a post-ceremony photo rush, we can capture each side of the wedding party and family separately before the ceremony. That way, after you say “I do,” we only need a few group shots before focusing on you two!

This sample timeline assumes we can do some portraits beforehand without spoiling the aisle moment. If not, consider moving your ceremony up by about 30 minutes—racing the sunset is never fun, especially on cloudy days.

Ceremony: 5:00 PM Sunset: 7:30 PM 8-hour photography coverage package.

2:00 PM — Photo & Video coverage starts
Detail shots: dress, rings, invites, florals, and venue décor.

2:30 PM — Robe + Getting-Ready Moments
Fun robe photos, candid prep shots, and final makeup touches. Allow a 15-minute buffer in case of delays.

2:45 PM — Parents + Wedding Party Dress Up
Everyone who’ll appear in final prep photos should be fully dressed. The photo team captures card exchanges or letter readings.

3:00 PM — Final Prep
Bride gets into her dress, groom suits up. Allow 30 minutes to stay relaxed and handle any last-minute details.

3:30 PM — Groom + Wedding Party / Immediate Family
Your partner’s turn for portraits with their group.

4:00 PM — Bride + Your Wedding Party / Immediate Family
Individual photos with your wedding party and close family while keeping you hidden from your partner.

4:30 PM — Final Touch-Ups & Setup Photos
Couple freshens up while the photo team captures untouched ceremony and reception details.

5:00 PM — Ceremony
Plan 30 minutes for processional, vows, and recessional. Adjust for receiving line if needed.

5:30 PM — Cocktail Hour & Formal Photos
Combined group portraits followed by bridal party photos. The second photographer captures guest candids during cocktail hour and documents the reception décor.

6:00 PM — “Just Married” Portraits
Quick 30-minute session while guests transition to cocktail hour — the perfect time to capture those fresh, joy-filled moments right after the ceremony.

6:30 PM — Couple joins cocktail hour
Couple joins cocktail hour to enjoy time with guests and family, while the photo and video team capture candid moments and prepare for the reception.

7:00 PM — Reception begins
Grand entrance followed by the couple’s first dance, welcome speech, and dinner service.

7:15 PM — Sunset portraits (optional)
Step out briefly for golden-hour magic. Plan for a 15-minute session — one of the best moments for soft, candid, and romantic portraits.

7:30 PM — Couple’s Dinner / Photo & Video Team Break
During dinner, the couple enjoys their meal—either privately or with guests—while the photo and video team take a short break and prepare for the next round of reception events.

8:00 PM — Cake Cutting, Toasts & Special Dances
The couple cuts the cake, followed by heartfelt toasts and the special dances—beautiful moments filled with emotion and celebration.

8:20 PM — Dance Floor Opens
The celebration kicks into full swing as the dance floor opens for everyone to join in and enjoy the party.

10:00 PM — Coverage Ends / Photo & Video Wrap-Up
Perfect time to stage a sparkler exit or capture final dance-floor moments. If you’d like extra photo or video coverage, it’s completely up to you and your vendor.