Timeline Tips from Someone Who’s Seen It All (Hi, That’s Me!)
After over ten years of photographing weddings full-time (yes, I’ve seen it all-from barefoot beach vows to wild dance floors), I’ve learned a thing or two about what makes a wedding day flow. And trust me- nailing the timeline makes a huge difference.
Planners are amazing (I love them!), but not every planner is a logistics wizard. I’ve seen a few well-meaning schedules completely fall apart by cocktail hour. So to save you the stress, I’ve put together all my best tips right here—and dropped a sample timeline at the bottom of this page for you to tweak and make your own.
A few planning pros I adore:
If you’re building your timeline solo (go you!), you’re in good hands here. Use these tips to guide you- and don’t forget to send me your final version once it’s feeling good.
Pro Tip: Got specific shots you’re dreaming of? (First look with Dad? Champagne pop with the crew?) Send me a shot list! If you’re working with a planner, they can help wrangle this. If not, appoint a trusted friend to be the point person so I can stay focused on capturing the magic as it unfolds.
Let’s make your day feel smooth, relaxed, and full of joy, just how it should be.
Getting Ready
Ideal Time Allotment: 1 hour
Best Timing: 2 hours before the ceremony without a First Look, or 3 hours before the ceremony with a First Look.
Perfect Location: A space with plenty of natural light, such as your home, an Airbnb, or a hotel room.
Important: Please ensure all hair and makeup for the bridal party and yourself are finished by the time we arrive. Delays in hair and makeup are the primary cause of weddings running behind schedule, leading to stress and less time for portraits.
To capture stunning photos, remember this simple formula: Clean spaces + lots of natural light = beautiful photos. Prioritize lighting and tidy environments to make the most of your gettingready shots.
Allowing at least 1 hour for details ensures we have ample time to document everything from getting ready moments to the dress, rings, shoes, bouquets, and other special details. These are some of the most emotional and fun moments of the day, so don't cut them short.
For beautiful flat lay photos of your invitations, bring them along. Ask your florist for some loose stems for styling. I have backdrops I will bring to shoot the flat lays on.
Bring a nice coat hanger (not the plastic one that comes with your dress)
Overcrowded, messy rooms can create a stressful environment before the ceremony. If your space is small, limit the number of people getting ready with you or consider getting an adjoining room or a larger Airbnb. Assign someone to help clean up before we arrive to minimize clutter in the background of your photos.
This is also an ideal time to do a first look with a parent, adding a special moment to your timeline.
If you are someone who is always late, perhaps consider adding on extra time for this portion of the day, and/or having your makeup team start earlier.
First Look Session
Ideal Time Allotment: 30 minutes
Best Timing: Morning or Early Afternoon
Perfect Location: Close by, within walking distance from where you're getting ready. We can usually scout a spot on the day.
Choosing to do a first look typically takes around 30 minutes. This time allows the couple to see each other for the first time on their wedding day, with the actual first look taking 510 minutes, and the remaining time spent on couple portraits.
Why I Recommend a First Look:
Calms Nerves: If you get nervous around crowds or being the center of attention, a first look can ease your anxiety.
Stress Relief: Many couples find their stress melts away after seeing each other, making the rest of the day a breeze.
Winter Weddings: For winter weddings, with early sunsets, a first look ensures you get those precious golden hour shots.
Efficiency: You can complete all your couple, bridal party, and family portraits before the ceremony, allowing you to enjoy your cocktail hour and mingle with guests.
Emotional Moments: Seeing each other before the ceremony doesn't diminish the emotional impact of walking down the aisle, its just an additional moment for us to capture..
Bridal Party Portraits
Ideal Time Allotment – 30 - 45 minutes
Ideal Time of the Day – Morning or Afternoon
Ideal Location -Venue Lobby, Venue, Garden, Beach, Park, Off-site Location
We'll spend 30-45 minutes capturing a variety of shots with the bridal party, starting with classic poses and expressions, then moving to fun and creative shots.
Couple’s Portrait Session
Ideal Time Allotment: 45 Minutes
Ideal Time of the Day: Late Afternoon (Sunset)
Ideal Location: Venue Garden, Beach, Hotel Lobby, Park
Start Time: Ideally, start the session 30 to 45 minutes before sunset. This period, known as the "Golden Hour," provides the most flattering and beautiful natural light for photography.
Lighting Benefits: Golden Hour: This time of day offers soft, warm light that enhances skin tones and creates a romantic ambiance. It’s also perfect for capturing vibrant skies and scenic backgrounds.
Location Specifics:
Venue Garden or Park: Utilize the natural beauty and greenery. The Golden Hour light filters through trees, creating a magical and dreamy effect.
Beach: The sunset over the ocean offers unparalleled views and reflections on the water. It’s essential to plan your session around this time to make the most of the location.
Hotel Lobby: For an indoor setting, ensure the lobby has large windows to capture the natural light filtering in. Even though it’s indoors, the timing can still enhance the photos.
Downtown Areas with Tall Buildings: While the Golden Hour is beneficial, it’s less critical in urban settings due to shadows cast by buildings. However, it still provides a softer light that can help reduce harsh contrasts.
Special Considerations:
Spectacular Views: If your venue boasts incredible views, like an ocean panorama or vineyard vistas, it’s crucial to adhere to this timing. The natural light will highlight these features and enhance your photos.
Indoor Venues: If your venue is predominantly indoors, focus on areas with ample natural light during the Golden Hour. Large windows and skylights can help bring the outdoor light inside.
While the Golden Hour is ideal, weather conditions and unexpected delays might require slight adjustments.
Immediate Family Photos
Ideal Time Allotment – 20-30 minutes
Ideal Time of the Day – Morning or Afternoon
Ideal Location -Venue Lobby, Venue Garden, Beach, Park, Off-site Location
Immediate Family Photos should take another 30 minutes depending on your family size.
Plan on 3 minutes per group on average. For example, if you have 10 groups, schedule in a 30 minute time slot. We all know how much weddings mean to the immediate family, and we want to make sure we’re capturing enough pictures with them.
Have a relative or close family friend with a loud voice coordinate the groups from a shot list.
Ceremony Details
Ideal Time Allotment – 20 minutes
Ideal Location – Ceremony Site
Ideal Time of the Day – Morning or Afternoon
Please allow 20 minutes for us to take pictures of the ceremony site, completely set up with no guests or vendors in the area.
Before you have the guests seated, it’s important that we are there to capture the complete set up of your ceremony site so we can capture the scene at its best.
Reception Details
Ideal Time Allotment – 20 minutes
Ideal Time of the Day –During Cocktail Hour
Ideal Location – Reception Site
Please allow 20 minutes for us to take pictures of the reception room, completely set up with no guests or vendors in the area.
Similar to the ceremony details, this is the only opportunity we have to capture the beauty of the reception room prior to guest arrival.
Couple’s Nighttime Portrait Session
Ideal Time Allotment – 10 minutes
Ideal Time of the Day – 15 -20mins Before Photographer Leaves
Ideal Location – Reception Site
Please allow 10 minutes for us towards the end of the night before we leave to take some nighttime portraits of you before we leave. These are my favorite portraits of the day and often involve flash and/or color lights. Sometimes our couples have an outfit change and we highly recommend doing this before we leave so we can capture this during the nighttime session.
*Special note - Add this to your timeline!!! Make sure you let your DJ/Band know you’ll be stepping out around this time so they don’t play any of your favorite songs during this time.
Drone Footage
Ideal Time Allotment – 45 minutes
Ideal Time of the Day – Before Getting Ready or Sunset Portraits
Ideal Location – Venue Location
If you would like to add drone footage onto your package you need to factor an additional 45 mins in your timeline.
TIMELINE TO CUSTOMIZE AND SEND BACK
Regardless of if you have a planner or not we need your timeline sent to us in the below format. Please do not send us a timeline in EXCEL or Sheets. This is a simple and concise way with only the information we need.
2PM GETTING READY
(Please insert Address here)
Toward The Moon Arrives (Please assure your hair & makeup team has finished)
Invitations + detail flat lat photos.
Lots of candid fun shots, drinks, food etx
Group bridal party photos in robes etc
Wedding Couple get dressed
Individual Portraits
3PM FIRST LOOK
(Please insert Address here)
Bridal portraits solo followed by group shots
4.30pm Family photos
5:00pm Entire wedding party hide to prep for ceremony
Towards The Moon document guests arriving and prepare for ceremony
5:30pm CEREMONY
(Please insert Address here)
6:00pm COCKTAIL HOUR
(Please insert Address here)
Extended family photos straight after ceremony
Towards The Moon documents reception styling during cocktail hour
Portrait of Wedding Couple in reception space before everyone enters?
7:00pm RECEPTION
(Please insert Address here)
Guests are invited into reception space
First Dance
Hora
Tarantella
Guests seated for salad
7:30/7:45pm
Salad course
Toasts during Salad course
Parent dances
Dance set to follow
8:45pm Dinner service
Dance Set to follow
9:30pm Cake cutting (private, unannounced, with Towards The Moon)
10pm Towards The Moon coverage concludes.
Once you have finalized your timeline please send us a copy so we're completely prepared for your big day! I hope this was helpful :)