So you’re making plans to get married, congratulations! Your big day should be as splendid and charming as you dreamed it to be. Starting early with your plans will give you a huge advantage to making it happen. Whether you are planning an elopement or a big ceremony and reception, a key element to making your day hassle-free is to make a timeline. As a documentary-style photographer, I focus on capturing raw, real moments. The best way to ensure that happens is if you’re not worried about when things should happen!
The Importance of Having a Detailed Timeline
A wedding timeline is a lineup of events that will happen on your day and the time they will happen. It also enables clear communication about your event happenings. Guests will need direction for what's next, and you want them to enjoy their time. In my experience, utilizing well-intended help from friends and family to organize your day often causes more problems. The last thing you want is to constantly wonder what will happen when on your big day and be rushed getting ready. Having a timeline takes the pressure off of you and your partner so you can feel every moment of the day unfold, making for some beautiful, timeless photographs! This is where I can help if a Day Of Coordinator is not in your wedding budget! I LOVE helping my brides put together a timeline for their special day that works for their creative vision. I work with my clients directly to create a timeline once the ceremony and reception times are decided! If you are thinking about hiring a Wedding Planner or Day of Coordinator I can personally promise that they are worth their weight in gold! A Piece of Harmony Events is absolutely incredible and will single handedly take so much of the uncertain and “what if’s” off of your plate. Giving you the stress free wedding that you have dreamt of!
Some of the When’s to Consider
Weddings often require many parties to collaborate. Knowing when your vendors will arrive makes all the difference and is also necessary when planning with them.
The ceremony is your main gig, and perhaps the most important factor to plan around. As a photographer, I highly recommend checking the sunset time on your wedding date and planning around that time for some “golden hour” portraits.
If you’re serving food, your catering vendor will need to know when to arrive and when food needs to be served. You definitely don’t want your guests waiting around for some grub and even worse, for it to be cold!
The reception is the life of the event. Letting your DJ know when things should happen will also allow them to make announcements and how to move things along.
Below you can see a sample timeline of how time at your wedding might be spent.
Wedding Planner Approved
1:00pm - Photography coverage begins
1:00pm - Detail Items begin
1:30pm - Groom getting ready portraits
1:30pm - Bride’s hair and makeup complete
2:00pm - Bride into dress + bridal portraits
2:45pm - Couples ‘first look’ & portraits
3:45pm - Wedding party photographs
4:30pm - Family photographs
5:00pm - Family photographs finished, couple tucked away before guest arrival
5:30pm - Ceremony Begins
5:45pm - First Kiss
5:50pm - Ceremony concludes, guests make way to cocktail hour
6:00pm - Cocktail hour
7:00pm - Reception begins
8:00pm - Sunset time - (pull away couple for sunset photos)
8:30pm - First dance, followed by parent dances
9:00pm - Bride & Groom Flash Portraits
9:30pm - ‘Faux’ grand exit
10:00pm - Photography coverage ends
11:00pm - Reception finishes
These are a few things to consider about your wedding and making a timeline. I hope I have helped you better understand why it’s important!
XO,
Hannah Smith
