How to Create Your Own Wedding Day Timeline: A Guide for Brides Without a Coordinator
Planning your wedding day timeline can feel overwhelming, especially if you don’t have a coordinator handling the details. Don’t worry, though! I’ve got you covered. Below, I’ve provided some recommendations to help you create a seamless and stress-free schedule.
If you do have a coordinator, great news—they will usually reach out to me to discuss the schedule before your wedding day to ensure everything runs smoothly. But for those of you planning on your own, these guidelines will help you build a solid timeline that covers all the important moments.
Keep in mind: These timelines assume that the ceremony and reception are at the same location, with no additional travel time needed between getting-ready spaces and the venue. If you're moving between locations, you'll want to add in extra time for transportation. I’m also assuming your ceremony will last around 20 minutes, which is typical for most weddings.
Recommended Minimum Time for Each Event:
- Details: 45–50 minutes
- Getting Ready: 1 hour (30 minutes for the bride, 30 minutes for the groom)
- First Look: 10–15 minutes
- Couple Portraits: 45 minutes
- Bridal Party Photos: 30 minutes
- Family Photos: 20 minutes
Pro tip: I always add in a 10-minute buffer to each section to allow for any unexpected changes or delays, which always happens on the wedding day!
Example Timeline
8hr package w first look
12:00 - 12:50: Detail Photos (50 mins)
- 1:00 - 2:00: Getting Ready (1 hr)
- 2:10 - 2:20: First Look (10 mins)
- 2:30 - 3:15: Couple Portraits (45 mins)
- 3:25 - 3:55: Bridal Party Photos (30 mins)
- 4:05 - 4:35: Venue Detail Photos (30 mins)
- 4:45 - 5:15: Ceremony (30 mins)
- 5:15 - 5:35: Family Photos (20 mins)
- 5:15 - 6:15: Cocktail Hour (1hr)
- 6:30 - 6:40: Entrance & First Dance (10 mins)
- 6:40 - 7:40: Dinner Service (1 hour)
- 7:15 - 7:40: Speeches & Parent Dances (25 mins)
- 7:40 - 8:00: Open Dance Floor (20 mins)
Example Timeline
8hr package w/out first look
- 2:00 - 2:45: Detail Photos (45 mins)
- 2:55 - 3:55: Getting Ready (1 hr)
- 4:05 - 4:35: Venue Detail Photos (30 mins)
- 4:45 - 5:15: Ceremony (30 mins)
- 5:15 - 5:35: Family Photos (20 mins)
- 5:30 - 7:00: Cocktail Hour (1.5 hrs)
- 5:45 - 6:15: Couple Portraits (30 mins)
- 6:20 - 6:50: Bridal Party Photos (30 mins)
- 7:00 - 7:10: Entrance & First Dance (10 mins)
- 7:10 - 8:10: Dinner Service (1 hr)
- 7:45 - 8:10: Speeches & Parent Dances (25 mins)
- 8:10 - 8:25: Night / Sunset Couple Portrait (15 mins)
- 8:25 - 9:50: Open Dance Floor (1hr + 25 mins)
- 9:50 - 10:00: Grand Exit (10 mins)
The Breakdown: Creating Your Perfect Wedding Day Timeline
1. Details: 45–50 minutes
This is when I capture all those beautiful little things you’ve put so much thought into—your invitation suite, rings, shoes, jewelry, and bridal bouquet. These detail shots not only set the tone for your gallery but are also some of the most beloved images from the day. If your flowers are arriving at a specific time or you have personal items that need photographing, consider that when planning this portion of your day.
2. Getting Ready: 1 hour (30 minutes for the bride & 30 minutes for the groom)
During this hour, I’ll be capturing candid moments of you and your bridal party getting ready. This is also when I’ll photograph you putting on your dress, the final touches of makeup, and those emotional moments with your loved ones. Meanwhile, the groom will have his own 30-minute session to document him and his groomsmen preparing for the big day. It’s essential to keep these 30-minute blocks efficient and well-organized.
3. First Look: 10–15 minutes
The first look is one of the most exciting parts of the day. Whether you want a private moment between just you and your partner, or to involve your bridal party, I suggest setting aside 10–15 minutes. This is plenty of time to capture those raw, emotional reactions before the ceremony without feeling rushed. If you’re skipping the first look, we’ll dedicate this time to additional portraits.
4. Couple Portraits: 45 minutes
After the first look (or directly after the ceremony if you're opting out of a first look), I recommend a solid 45 minutes for couple portraits. These are the images you’ll hang on your wall, so having enough time to move around, relax, and capture different angles is key. If the lighting changes, or we find a new favorite spot for photos, the extra time will come in handy!
5. Bridal Party Photos: 30 minutes
We’ll want at least 30 minutes to photograph you with your bridal party, ensuring we capture fun, candid moments as well as some more traditional posed shots. It’s a great time for everyone to loosen up, celebrate, and have a little fun before the ceremony.
6. Family Photos: 20 minutes
Family portraits are important, but they don’t have to take up too much time. With proper planning (and a detailed list of the groups you want), 20 minutes should be plenty to get all the key family shots, including combinations of both immediate families.
A Few More Tips to Keep Your Timeline on Track:
- Add Buffer Time: Don’t forget that things happen. Whether it’s a dress emergency, late hair and makeup, or extra time needed for set-up, build 10-minute buffers into your timeline. This allows the day to stay flexible without adding stress.
- Communicate Clearly: Make sure your bridal party and family know exactly where they need to be and when. Share the timeline with your vendors (especially your photographer!) ahead of time, so everyone is on the same page.
- Consider Sunset Timing: If your ceremony is later in the day, and you’re planning an outdoor wedding in San Diego, keep sunset times in mind for the best light for your couple portraits. You can ask me about the best times for photos based on your specific wedding date.
If you’re a San Diego bride or SoCal couple dreaming of a gorgeous, luxury wedding, these timeline tips will help make your day run smoothly and ensure you get all the photos you’ve been dreaming of. And, of course, if you’d like a little more guidance on your timeline or are looking for a San Diego wedding photographer who can capture every detail, I’d love to chat!
Ready to get started? Let's make sure your day is as magical as you’ve imagined.
