June 27, 2024
After shooting weddings for 5 years, I have seen the best wedding day timelines, and the not so great timelines. I’m here to share all my secrets with you, and give you a free sample wedding timeline to ensure you receive all the photos you want for your big day.
This timeline is based on an average wedding day, with a first look. You can take these concepts and tweak it to fit your ceremony time and the sunset time.
12:00 – Photographers arrive
Detail photos – dress, rings, flatlay
1:00 – Bride & bridesmaids getting ready photos
1:30 – Bridal portraits and bridesmaid photos
2:00 – Groom and groomsmen photos
2:30 – Bride & Groom first look
Bride & groom portraits
3:00 – Full wedding party photos
3:30 – Rest, eat a snack, touch up makeup before ceremony
Photographers take photos of set up ceremony & reception space, people arriving
4:00 – Ceremony
4:30 – Family portraits
5:00 – Reception introductions
First dance
5:30 – Eat
6:00 – Father/daughter dance
Mother/son dance
Cake cutting
Bouquet and garter toss
Group dancing
7:00 – Sunset portraits with bride and groom
More dancing!
8:00 – Sparkler exit
I hope you’ve enjoyed this free sample wedding timeline! Feel free to copy + paste it into a word doc and customize it with your own wedding day details. If you are looking for a wedding photographer, I build a custom timeline for each bride & groom that books me for their wedding day. After filling out a detailed questionnaire, we do about an hour long video call discussing the details of their day so that we can ensure they get every shot they desire.
If you are a photographer, a wedding vendor, or a couple getting married soon and have questions about this post please feel free to DM me on Instagram, I’d love to help!! I hope you enjoyed this free resource for your wedding planning!
– Elsa
Elsa Judkins Photography is based in Winston-Salem but also serves Greensboro, NC and Roanoke, VA areas. She specializes in wedding photography for couples who are seeking a romantic and elegant wedding day. Elsa preserves those intimate and candid moments on one of the biggest days of your life so you can relive your day through timeless images. Please reach out HERE if you’d like to learn more about my wedding photography in Winston Salem, North Carolina and surrounding areas. I offer wedding day coverage, engagement sessions, albums, and more! Inquire to receive a custom quote for your wedding.
the free guide
A lot of moving pieces go into planning a wedding day timeline and we know it's easy to feel like a hot mess. Access this guide on the blog & plan the perfect timeline for your day.