How to Build the Perfect Wedding Day Timeline (With Sample Timeline Included!)
Planning your wedding day timeline is one of the most important steps toward creating a smooth, stress-free celebration. A well-designed timeline ensures your vendors know where to be, your wedding party stays organized, and you actually get to relax and enjoy the day you’ve worked so hard to plan.
As wedding photographers and videographers, we’ve helped hundreds of couples create timelines that maximize gorgeous photos, meaningful moments, and an effortless flow from one part of the day to the next.
Below, we’ll walk you through exactly how to build your wedding timeline—plus give you a sample timeline you can use as a starting point.
Why a Wedding Day Timeline Matters
A strong timeline is more than a schedule—it’s the backbone of your entire wedding day. It ensures:
You have enough time for hair & makeup
Vendors can coordinate seamlessly
You don’t feel rushed (hello, calm bride glow ✨)
You get dreamy portraits in the best light
Guests experience a smooth, enjoyable event
You avoid unnecessary stress or delays
Your timeline should be built around photography, because photos and video are often the most time-sensitive part of the day—especially if you want those golden hour portraits.
Step-by-Step: How to Create a Wedding Timeline
1. Start With Your Ceremony Time
Everything works backward (and forward!) from your ceremony time. Once you know that, you can place:
Getting ready
First look
Portraits
Reception transitions
Sunset photos
2. Decide: First Look or No First Look
This will drastically change your timeline.
If you do a first look:
You can complete most portraits before the ceremony—bridal party, couple’s portraits, even some family photos.
If you skip the first look:
You’ll need more time after the ceremony for portraits, and you may miss some cocktail hour.
3. Ask Your Hair & Makeup Team for Time Estimates
A good rule of thumb:
Bride’s hair + makeup: 90–120 minutes
Bridesmaids: 30–45 minutes each
Always pad an extra 30 minutes for peace of mind.
4. Build in Buffer Time
Something always takes longer than expected—steam a dress, pin a boutonniere, fix a flyaway, or wait for Uncle Bob.
Add:
+15 minutes to getting ready
+10 minutes to transition times
+10 minutes for family portraits
5. Check the Sunset Time
If you want golden hour photos (YES!), your photographer will help plan around this.
6. Share Your Timeline With Everyone
Vendors, DJ, coordinator, officiant, bridal party…
A timeline is only effective if everyone sees it!
Sample Wedding Day Timeline (With First Look)
Ceremony at 4:30 PM | Sunset at 6:15 PM
9:30 AM — Hair & Makeup Begins
Bridesmaids rotate through styling.
11:30 AM — Photographer Arrives
Detail photos: dress, rings, invitation suite, florals, shoes, perfume, vows, etc.
12:00 PM — Bride Finishing Touches
Final touches for hair & makeup.
12:30 PM — Bride Gets Dressed
Mom and/or bridesmaids help with gown, jewelry, shoes.
1:00 PM — First Look
Private moment between bride and groom.
1:20 PM — Couple’s Portraits
Romantic portraits with time to breathe and enjoy the moment.
2:00 PM — Bridal Party Photos
Fun, elegant, and posed shots with bridesmaids + groomsmen.
2:45 PM — Family Photos (Optional Pre-Ceremony)
Immediate family only, if desired.
3:15 PM — Hide the Couple / Guests Arrive
Freshen up, hydrate, touch up makeup.
4:30 PM — Ceremony Begins
5:00 PM — Ceremony Ends
Couple walks down the aisle → family hugs → ceremony exit.
5:10 PM — Remaining Family Photos
Any extended family not photographed earlier.
5:30 PM — Wedding Party + Golden Hour Portraits
6:00 PM — Reception Grand Entrance
6:15 PM — Dinner Served
7:00 PM — Toasts
7:30 PM — First Dances
8:00 PM — Open Dancing
8:45 PM — Cake Cutting
9:00 PM — Sunset Exit / Nighttime Photos (Optional)
10:00 PM — Photographer Departs (8-Hour Coverage)
Sample Timeline Without a First Look
Ceremony at 4:30 PM | Sunset at 6:15 PM
9:30 AM — Hair & Makeup Begins
11:30 AM — Photographer Arrives
12:00 PM — Bride Gets Dressed
1:00 PM — Bridesmaid & Detail Photos
3:30 PM — Groom + Groomsmen Photos
4:30 PM — Ceremony
5:00 PM — Ceremony Ends
5:10 PM — Family Photos
5:40 PM — Bridal Party Photos
6:00 PM — Couple’s Portraits (Golden Hour!)
6:30 PM — Enter Reception
7:00 PM — Dinner
7:30 PM — Toasts
8:00 PM — First Dances
8:30 PM — Open Dancing
10:00 PM — Photographer Departs
Final Tips for Creating Your Wedding Timeline
Start early—6–9 months out is ideal.
Ask your photographer for help! We create timelines constantly and know how long each part takes.
Add buffer time everywhere. You’ll never regret being ahead of schedule.
Consider lighting. The sun is one of the largest timeline factors.
Keep the timeline simple and share it widely.
A well-constructed timeline allows you to feel calm, confident, and fully present throughout your wedding day—and that’s exactly what you deserve.
If you’d like help creating a custom timeline for your wedding day, we’re always here to walk you through it.
