The key to having your wedding day run as smoothly as possible is by planning out your wedding day timelines in advance! No two wedding day timelines look the same so I will help you build out a timeline that works best for you on your special day. There are so many different factors that go into planning your wedding day timelines.

Think: Are you getting ready at your venue or off-site? Will you be doing a first look or waiting until you walk down the aisle? Are you wanting to take photos somewhere other than the venue? Do you want me to capture getting ready photos or is it more important that I stay later during your reception? What time your ceremony starts and how long it lasts also plays a huge part in planning your wedding day timeline! Whatever is most important to YOU as a couple will be what the timeline is based around! Timelines are totally customizable and flexible, so just use these as your guide!

A Glimpse Into What Your Wedding Day Timelines Could Look Like

6 Hours of Photography Coverage With a First Look

6 Hours of Photography Coverage Without a First Look

• 2:30 pm – Photographer arrives at getting ready locations
• 2:30 pm – Detail photos (dress, bridesmaid dresses, bouquets, shoes, jewelry, ALL rings, veil, perfume, invites, tie/bowtie, watch, socks, cologne, cufflinks, boutonniere, etc.)
• 3:00 pm – The Bride puts the dress on
• 3:15 pm – Bride + wedding party photos
• 3:45 pm – Groom + wedding party photos
• 4:00 pm – Bride + Groom hidden / final touch-ups
• 4:30 pm – Ceremony Starts
• 5:00 pm – Ceremony Ends
• 5:00 pm – Family photos
• 5:30 pm – Full wedding party photos
• 5:45 pm – Bride and Groom portraits
• 6:00 pm – Grand Entrances
• 6:05 pm – First Dances
• 6:20 pm – Speeches
• 6:30 pm – Dinner
• 7:15 pm – Golden hour photos of Bride and Groom
• 7:30 pm – Cake cutting
• 8:00 pm – The dance floor opens
• 8:30 pm – Photographer leaves

8 Hours of Photography Coverage With a First Look

• 1:00 pm – Photographer arrives at getting ready location
• 1:00 pm – Detail photos (dress, bridesmaid dresses, bouquets, shoes, jewelry, ALL rings, veil, perfume, invites, tie/bowtie, watch, socks, cologne, cufflinks, boutonniere, etc.)
• 1:30 pm – Lindsay: Last-minute getting ready photos of the Bride + wedding party.
  • Second photographer: Last-minute getting ready photos of the Groom + wedding party

• 2:00 pm – The Bride puts the dress on
• 2:30 pm – Bride + Groom first look
• 2:45 pm – Full wedding party photos
• 3:00 pm – Bride individuals + wedding party photos
• 3:30 pm – Groom individuals + wedding party photos
• 4:00 pm – Bride and Groom hidden
• 4:00 pm – Ceremony and reception details
• 4:30 pm – Ceremony starts
• 5:00 pm – Ceremony ends
• 5:30 pm – Bride and Groom portraits
• 6:10 pm – Grand entrance
• 6:15 pm – Cake cutting
• 6:20 pm – First dances
• 6:30 pm – Toasts + Welcome
• 6:45 pm – Dinner
• 7:15 pm – Golden Hour photos
• 7:45 pm – The dance floor opens
• 9:00 pm – Photographer leaves

8 Hours of Photography Coverage Without a First Look

• 2:00 pm – Photographer arrives at getting ready location
• 2:00 pm – Detail photos (dress, bridesmaid dresses, bouquets, shoes, jewelry, ALL rings, veil, perfume, invites, tie/bowtie, watch, socks, cologne, cufflinks, boutonniere, etc.)
• 2:30 pm – Getting ready photos of the Bride and wedding party
• 2:45 pm – Groom and wedding party getting ready
• 3:00 pm – The Bride puts the dress on
• 3:20 pm – Bride individuals and wedding party
• 4:00 pm – Groom individuals and wedding party
• 4:30 pm – Bride and Groom hidden – Photographer takes detail shots of ceremony and reception area
• 5:00 pm – Ceremony starts
• 5:30 pm – Ceremony ends
• 5:30 pm – Family photos
• 6:00 pm – Full wedding party photos
• 6:15 pm – Bride and Groom portraits
• 6:45 pm – Grand Entrance
• 7:00 pm – Dinner starts
• 7:20 pm – Speeches during dinner
• 7:30 pm – Golden hour photos
• 8:00 pm – Cake cutting
• 8:15 pm – First dances
• 8:30 pm – The dance floor opens
• 9:30 pm – Bouquet and Garter Toss
• 10:00 pm – Photographers leave

10 Hours of Photography Coverage With a First Look

• 11:30 am – Photographer arrives at getting ready location
• 11:30 am – Detail photos (dress, bridesmaid dresses, bouquets, shoes, jewelry, ALL rings, veil, perfume, invites, tie/bowtie, watch, socks, cologne, cufflinks, boutonniere, etc.)
• 12:00 pm – Getting ready photos of bride and wedding party
• 1:00 pm – Groom and wedding party getting ready
• 1:30 pm – The Bride puts the dress on
• 1:45 pm – Bride and wedding party first look
• 2:00 pm – Bride first look with Father
• 2:15 pm – Bride individuals and wedding party
• 2:45 pm – Groom individuals and wedding party
• 3:15 pm – Ceremony and Reception detail photos
• 3:30 pm – Bride and Groom first look
• 3:45 pm – Full wedding party photos
• 4:00 pm – Bride and Groom hidden
• 4:30 pm – Ceremony starts
• 5:00 pm – Ceremony ends
• 5:00 pm – Family photos
• 5:30 pm – Bride and Groom portraits
• 6:00 pm – Grand Entrance
• 6:10 pm – Toasts
• 6:30 pm – Prayer
• 6:30 pm – Dinner Starts
• 7:30 pm – First dance, Mother + Groom and Father + Bride
• 7:45 pm – Cake cutting
• 8:00 pm – Golden hour photos
• 8:15 pm – Dane floor opens
• 9:20 pm – Faux send-off
• 9:30 pm – Photographers leave

10 Hours of Photography Coverage Without a First Look

• 11:30 am – Photographer arrives at getting ready location
• 11:30 am – Detail photos (dress, bridesmaid dresses, bouquets, shoes, jewelry, ALL rings, veil, perfume, invites, tie/bowtie, watch, socks, cologne, cufflinks, boutonniere, etc.)
• 12:00 pm – Getting ready photos of the Bride and wedding party
• 1:00 pm – Groom and wedding party getting ready
• 1:30 pm – The Bride puts the dress on
• 1:45 pm – Bride and wedding party first look
• 2:00 pm – Bride first look with Father
• 2:15 pm – Bride individuals and wedding party
• 2:45 pm – Groom individuals and wedding party
• 3:15 pm – Ceremony and reception detail photos
• 3:30 pm – Bride and Groom first touch and Letter/Vow reading
• 4:00 pm – Ceremony starts
• 4:30 pm – Ceremony ends
• 4:30 pm – Family photos
• 5:00 pm – Full wedding party photos
• 5:15 pm – Bride and Groom portraits
• 5:45 pm – Grand Entrance
• 5:50 pm – Toasts
• 6:00 pm – Prayer
• 6:05 pm – Dinner starts
• 7:00 pm – First Dance, Mother + Groom and Father + Bride
• 7:30 pm – The dance floor opens
• 8:00 pm – Golden hour photos
• 9:20 pm – Faux send-off
• 9:30 pm – Photographers leave

Looking for more inspiration on what your wedding day timelines could look like?

Check out my blog for more inspiration and ideas! If you need more help and ideas and you are ready to have me be your Michigan wedding or elopement photographer then count me in, and fill out my contact form so we can start planning your perfect day!

Vendors

Venue: Revival Wedding Barn

Photographer: Lindsay Elaine Photography

Planning + Coordination: White Dahlia Events

Rentals: White Dahlia Rentals

Florals: Sycamore Floral Co.

Hair and Makeup: Allee Do My Makeup