It’s wedding season! And a TON of my emails lately are helping my couples create the perfect timeline for their wedding day! So, today I thought it would be helpful to share with all our couples + soon to be AEP couples, what we feel is an ideal timeline for your wedding day. Planning the perfect timeline helps to ensure a relaxing, stress free wedding day, and of course lots of time for beautiful photos! I’m going to share with you a few different timeline options depending on if you decide to do a first look or take a more traditional approach. All in all, what is broken down below is a timeline that prioritizes what will best help you remember the most important day in your life: YOUR IMAGES.

Timeline if you decide to do a First Look: 8 hours of coverage

If you want to do a first look, photograph all the bridal party photos & family portraits early on so you can enjoy time at your cocktail hour, this is the best timeline for you!

2:00 PM: Photographers arrive

2:00-3:00: During this time we will photograph all of your details (invites, flowers, shoes, dress, etc) bride putting on dress + the groom’s finishing touches

3:00-3:45: First look + a few portraits

3:45-4:15: Bridal Party photos

4:15-4:45: Immediate family photos can be done at this time.

4:45-5:00: Hide away while guests arrive + relax! You’re about to get MARRIED!

5:00-5:30: Ceremony

5:30-6:30 : Cocktail hour // Since we got all your photos done prior to your ceremony, you get to relax and enjoy cocktail hour with your guests! During this time we will shoot canids and all the details you worked so hard on in your reception area

6:30-10:30: Reception! Party time! During this time we will steal you away for 5-10 minutes during sunset for a few beautiful photos full of golden light.

Photographers depart at 10:00 PM

Timeline if you DON’T do a First Look: 7 hours of coverage

This timeline works best when your wedding is taking place at all one location or very close by ceremony/reception spaces!

3:00 PM: Photographers Arrive

3:00-4:00: During this time we will photograph all of your details (invites, flowers, shoes, dress, etc) bride putting on dress + the groom’s finishing touches

4:00-4:45: Tyler shoots groomsmen portraits + Groom’s Portraits, Ashley shoots Bridesmaid Photos + Bridal Portraits

4:45-5:00: Hide away while guests arrive + relax! You’re about to get MARRIED!

5:00-5:30: Ceremony

5:30-6:30 Cocktail Hour. During cocktail hour, we photograph the entire bridal party (15 minutes), family portraits (15 minutes) + Bride + Groom portraits (30 minutes)

6:30-10:30: Reception! Party time! During this time we will steal you away for 5-10 minutes during sunset for a few beautiful photos full of golden light. Also, during the reception we will photograph any larger family group photos + special request photos.

Photographers depart at 10:00 PM

**Note: This timeline only works if your ceremony ends before dark so we still have light to shoot during cocktail hour.

Timeline if you Don’t do a First Look + there’s a large time gap in between ceremony + reception (Church weddings, mostly): 9 hours of coverage

Most church weddings have a 1 or 2 pm mass.

12:00 NOON: Photographers arrive

12:00-1:00: During this time we will photograph all of your details (invites, flowers, shoes, dress, etc) bride putting on dress + the groom’s finishing touches

1:00-2:00: Mass/Ceremony

2:00-2:30: Family Portraits

2:30-5:00: Bridal Party + Bride & Groom Photos

4:30-5:30 : Cocktail Hour

5:30-9:30: Reception! Party time! During this time we will steal you away for 5-10 minutes during sunset for a few beautiful photos full of golden light. Also, during the reception we will photograph any larger family group photos + special request photos.

Photographers depart at 9:00 PM