Sample Wedding Photography Timelines
While some venues put together detailed timelines for their clients, not everyone has the same experience. If your makeup artist is asking you for your wedding timeline and you aren’t sure where to start, these sample timelines will give you an idea.
10 Hour Timeline with a First Look
Multiple locations, 5:30pm ceremony time
12:00pm photographer arrival at getting ready location
12:15pm getting ready photos: candids, details, HMU, etc
2:30pm travel to first look location
3:00pm first look + couples’ portraits
3:45pm travel to reception venue
4:00pm wedding party photos
4:30pm immediate family photos
5:00pm ceremony prep: decor, guests arriving, etc
5:30pm ceremony
6:00pm cocktail hour: candids, group photos, etc
7:00pm reception start: intros, first dance, toasts/speeches
8:00pm cake cutting + parent dances
8:15pm dancefloor opens
10:00 photographer departure
10 Hour Timeline with no First Look
Multiple locations, 3:00pm ceremony time
12:00pm photographer arrival at getting ready location
12:15pm getting ready photos: candids, details, HMU, etc
2:30pm travel to church
3:00pm ceremony
4:00pm immediate family photos at church
4:15pm travel to photo location
4:30pm wedding party photos + couples’ photos
5:30pm travel to reception venue
6:00pm cocktail hour: candids, group photos, etc
7:00pm reception start: intros, first dance, toasts/speeches
8:00pm cake cutting + parent dances
8:15pm dancefloor opens
10:00 photographer departure
8 Hour Timeline with a First Look
Everything on site, 4:30pm ceremony time
12:30pm photographer arrival
12:45pm getting ready photos: candids, details, HMU, etc
2:00pm first look
2:15pm couples’ portraits
2:45pm wedding party photos
3:15pm immediate family photos
4:15pm ceremony prep: decor, details, guests arriving, etc
4:30pm ceremony
5:00pm cocktail hour: candids, group photos, sunset portraits if applicable
6:00pm reception start: intros, first dance, toasts/speeches
7:00pm cake cutting + parent dances
7:15pm dancefloor opens
8:45pm photographer departure
8 Hour Timeline with No First Look
Multiple locations, 2:30pm ceremony time
12:30pm photographer arrival at getting ready location
12:45pm getting ready photos: candids, details, HMU, etc
1:30pm travel to church
2:00pm ceremony
3:00pm immediate family photos at church
3:15pm travel to photo location
3:30pm wedding party photos + couples’ photos
4:30pm travel to reception venue
5:00pm cocktail hour: candids, group photos, etc
6:00pm reception start: intros, first dance, toasts/speeches
7:00pm cake cutting + parent dances
7:15pm dancefloor opens
8:45pm photographer departure
6 Hour Timeline with a First Look
Everything on site, 5:00pm ceremony time
2:30pm photographer arrival
2:45pm getting ready photos: candids, details, HMU, etc
4:00pm first look + couples’ portraits
4:45pm ceremony prep: decor, guests arriving, etc
5:00pm ceremony
5:30pm cocktail hour: wedding party photos, family photos, candids
6:30pm reception start: intros, first dance
7:30pm cake cutting + parent dances
7:45pm dancefloor opens
8:45pm photographer departure
6 Hour Timeline with no First Look
Everything on site, 5:00pm ceremony time
3:30pm photographer arrival
3:45pm getting ready photos: candids, details, HMU, etc
4:45pm ceremony prep: decor, guests arriving, etc
5:00pm ceremony
5:30pm cocktail hour: wedding party photos, family photos, couples’ portraits
6:30pm reception start: intros, first dance
7:30pm cake cutting + parent dances
7:45pm dancefloor opens
9:30pm photographer departure
Want more tips? Check out our family formal cheat sheet!