wedding timeline examples

TIMELINE EXAMPLES

Here are a few sample timelines from weddings we've captured before. Feel free to adjust however fits your day best! 

4 HOUR TIMELINE

4:20 PM Photographer arrives
4:30 PM Getting Ready Shots with Mom
4:50 PM Places for Ceremony
5:00 PM Ceremony Starts
5:15 PM Ceremony Ends
5:20 Family Photos
​5:45 Couples Photos
6:15 PM Sit for dinner
7:00 PM Toasts and Dinner
8:00 PM Procession to Barn 
8:05 PM First Dances
​8:20 PM Photographer leaves

6 HOUR TIMELINE

2:00 PM Photographer arrives
2:10 PM Bride Getting Ready Shots + Detail Shots (dress, invitations etc.)
2:40 PM Groom Getting Ready Shots 
3:00 PM First Look
3:15 PM Couples Photos
3:45 PM Family Photos
4:15 PM Places for Ceremony
4:30 PM Ceremony Starts
5:00 PM Ceremony Ends
5:15 Cocktail Hour
6:00 PM Dinner
6:30 PM Toasts
7:05 PM First Dances
​7:30 PM Dancing!
8:00 PM Photographer leaves

8 HOUR TIMELINE

2:00 PM Photographer arrives
2:10 PM Getting Ready photos
2:30 PM Bridal + Groom Portraits
3:00 PM First Look + Private Vows
3:30 PM Couple's Photos
4:00 PM Family Photos
4:30 PM Wedding Party Photos
5:00 PM Guests Arrive
5:30 PM Ceremony Begins
6:00 PM Ceremony Ends/Bar Opens/Cocktail Hour Begins/Booth bus Opens
7:00 PM Seat guests for dinner
7:10 PM Formal Introduction of brides + bridal party
7:15 PM Father Welcome Toast
7:20 PM Buffet Open
8:00 PM Toasts
8:30 PM Cake Cutting at table 
8:45 PM Formal Dances
9:00 PM Private Champagne Tower Poured 
9:30 Photos at vintage car
9:55 PM Bar Closes/Last Dance.
10:00 PM Photographer leaves

10 HOUR TIMELINE

12:00 PM Photographer arrives
12:10 PM Getting Ready photos
12:25 PM Set up groom for first look
12:30 PM First look with groom (letter exchange)
12:50 PM First look with dad + groomsmen
1:00 PM Individual portraits
1:25 PM Wedding party photos (together)
1:45 PM Bride + each person
2:05 PM Groom + each person
2:25 PM Family photos (finished 45 mins before ceremony | 50 minutes for photos)
3:15 PM Bride hides + everyone can freshen up
3:20 PM Capture ceremony details + any of cocktail hour that’s set up
4:00 PM Ceremony
4:30 PM Ceremony end 
4:31 PM Cocktail hour begins
4:40 PM Any remaining family photos/wedding party
5:00 PM Golden hour photos
5:30 PM Guests make their way in for dinner
6:00 PM Grand entrance (with everyone)
6:05 PM First dance
6:10  PM Dinner begins
6:40 PM Toasts (6 in total, 3-4 minutes each | 30 minutes)
7:10 PM Father + daughter dance
7:15 PM Mother + son dance
7:20 PM Open Dancing
7:50 PM Cake cutting
8:00 PM Bouquet toss
8:10 PM Back to dancing!
9:15 PM Prep for exit
9:30 PM Fun exit photos!
10:00 ​PM Photographer leaves

FAMILY PHOTO TEMPLATE

(Bride's)(Partner 1's) Side:
Couple with parents, siblings, and grandparents
Couple with parents and siblings
Couple with parents
With mom
With dad

Combined:
Couple with both immediate families
Couple with both sets of parents

(Groom's)(Partner 2's) Side:
Couple with parents, siblings, and grandparents
Couple with parents and siblings
Couple with parents
With mom
With dad