Planning your wedding day timeline, moment by moment

You cannot fabricate magical moments, but you can create the atmosphere and flow that let the magic arrive naturally. A good timeline is the biggest part of that. It’s not about squeezing in more, it’s about leaving enough space that nobody is rushing.

Here’s how I think about a wedding day, moment by moment, and what I’d plan for each. You can also click through each moment, with photos, in my wedding timeline.

Start with the shape of the day

There’s no fixed answer to how long a wedding takes. Some start at 10 and have the first dance at 8pm, others are shorter. So rather than starting with my hours, we start with your day and place the coverage where it’s needed.

Two things shape almost every timeline: when your ceremony is, and when the light is best for your couple portraits. Everything else falls into place around those two.

Here is an example:

1. Getting ready

I arrive 45 to 60 minutes before we start. That time isn’t for photos of the dress on a hanger. It’s for getting to know everyone, finding the light in the room and letting people forget there’s a camera. Being there early, and knowing I will adapt if needed, sets a different tone and relaxes everybody.

2. First look

A first look gives you a quiet moment together before the day gets busy. It’s optional, but it often takes a lot of nerves out of the ceremony, and it frees up time later for your guests.

3. Ceremony

I’ll know the order of events beforehand, where to stand and what matters to you, and then I let it happen. I can align with you, the maid of honour or the officiant if needed, to make sure everyone is happy and we can make it the most memorable moment for you, while also capturing the best images possible.

4. Reception

Congratulations, family and friends, the first drink. This is where the most unplanned moments happen, and where a relaxed timeline pays off. If you want family group photos, keep the list short and give someone who knows everyone the job of gathering people. I will entertain, joke and hopefully get everyone relaxed and into good spirits for the picture. We just don’t want someone calling for a lost family member for too long and disturbing the overall atmosphere.

5. Couple portraits

Couple portraits usually take 20 to 45 minutes per location, and we can take our time if it’s just one. I plan around natural light, so anything from sunrise to sunset and blue hour is possible. A short second session at golden hour, while your guests are busy, is often where the favourite photos of the day come from. But again, we plan this around your day and wishes.

6. Party

The first dance, the speeches, the dance floor filling up. Decide together how long you’d like me to stay into the evening.

A few things that always help

• Add buffers. Fifteen minutes between parts of the day costs nothing and saves everything when something runs late.
• Tell your team. I work closely with planners and videographers. Knowing who needs what and when makes everyone’s life easier and the day more relaxed.
• Brief me at the end. Once your plans are set, you walk me through the flow and schedule of your day, so on the day itself you don’t have to think about it.

After the day, you’ll get a sneak peek of around 20 images while you’re still remembering it, then the full gallery, built around these key moments so you can easily find the pictures you were looking forward to most.

If you’d like help planning yours, tell me about your day