For Couples: Wedding Timeline with a First Look
This is a sample wedding photography timeline with a first look, and it’s FREE. I made this for you so you can easily copy and paste it to a Word or Google document and make changes. This basic timeline follows a traditional wedding day without added religious formalities (for example, a ketubah signing).
About the wedding photographer
I am Miranda Suess, a New York and New Jersey wedding photographer. Thank you for stopping by! You’re on your way to be an organized bride!
After many wedding days being a photographer, I experienced different timelines. I learned what makes a day flow efficiently and stress-free so that couples feel unrushed, and I can produce the quality and creative portraits they expect. Timelines can only be stress-free if the couple, vendors, and wedding party/families can clearly communicate and agree on logistics. It’s important to note that every wedding is unique. There are so many factors involved in planning a wedding day timeline. But allow me to break down the best wedding photography timeline for me and my couples.
What is a first look wedding timeline?
The first look on the wedding day is an intimate and private moment between the couple, typically photographed, and happens before the ceremony and soon after they get dressed. A wedding timeline with a planned first look will allow the couple to enjoy their festivities with their favorite people.
How to use this wedding timeline:
First, start in the middle of the sheet, at the ceremony start time and work backward to fill in the time slots recommended by Suess Moments wedding photography.
How to plan for travel between locations on a wedding day:
10 min to pack/load + commute time + 10 min traffic buffer = travel time
- Example: Your travel time total is 40 min if the commute is 20 min
Important Notice
Wedding days are not one size fits all, nor will your timeline be.
With so many elements to consider, like how many guests you’re having, the size of your wedding party, the moments you want to capture, travel time between venues, traditions, sunset timing, and family groupings, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed. That’s why it’s a smart idea to hire a day-of coordinator or planner (check out my favorites). They can take care of all the little details, like managing the timeline, answering guest questions, escorting guests, offering design services, and acting as a link between vendors. This way, you and your loved ones can relax and enjoy the day without worrying about a thing.
The Wedding Timeline with First Look
Copy and paste the below to a Word or Google document to begin editing. Remember to start at the ceremony time.
TIME | FLORIST DROP OFF
- Bouquets & lose flowers in bridal suite/boutonniere with the groomsmen
45MIN | DETAIL PHOTOS
- A flatlay of invitation suites, design details, shoes, jewelry, something borrowed, blue, old & new
TIME | GLAM ENDS
- Allow a 30-minute buffer for delays/touch-ups
90MIN | BRIDE PREP W/ MAIN PHOTOGRAPHER
- A customized experience includes moments feeling glamorous in fresh hair and makeup, opening gift(s) from her fiance, with her bridal party before putting on the dress, and after, getting on the dress and accessories, private time with her mother figure and father figure.
60MIN| BRIDE’S FIANCE (example: groom) PREP W/ 2ND PHOTOGRAPHER
- A customized experience for the groom to open gift(s) from the bride, and get ready with his best man, father figure, and mother figure. The groomsmen can join in for a photo op putting on boutinierres, toasting drinks, and opening gift(s) from the groom.
10MIN | BUFFER, NO PHOTOS
- Prep for first look/couples portraits
45MIN | FIRST LOOK & COUPLES PORTRAITS
30MIN | WEDDING PARTY PHOTOS
30MIN | FAMILY VIP PHOTOS
- Max 15 groups with the couple
- I do not recommend taking these during cocktail hour, as getting guests to focus can be stressful when they want to mingle, drink, use the restroom, and eat.
30MIN | PREP TIME, NO PHOTOS
- This is an excellent time to hire a glam team to do touch-ups on the bride or rehearse for the ceremony.
TIME | CEREMONY
- If the invite time is earlier, then everything may need to be moved up an extra 30 min so early-bird guests don’t see you and the photography team can capture the design before guests enter the space.
60MIN | COCKTAIL HOUR LOCATION/ROOM
- The photographer team takes a 10-minute break at cocktail hour
- Reception decor photos
- About 15 minutes before the reception room is open; the couple is invited for a private reception room reveal and a chance for another photo opportunity.
- If a 2nd photographer is hired, then that photographer will be able to spend about 20 minutes at cocktail hour taking photos.
180-240MIN | RECEPTION LOCATION/ROOM
- Photographers typically work at a reception for 3 hours to cover introductions, first dances, speeches, cake cut, dinner, magical nighttime shots, and a little drunk dancing.
PM | SUNSET
- Weather and time permitting: Golden hour photos are planned 20-30 minutes before sunset.
Photography hours:
- Add the total minutes above (minus groom prep) and divide it by 60
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