How To Create A Wedding Day Timeline That Actually Feels Good

If there’s one thing I know after photographing over a hundred weddings, it’s that your wedding day timeline sets the tone for everything. A thoughtful, realistic schedule is the difference between feeling rushed and frazzled vs. relaxed and present. And yes, it is possible for your wedding day to actually feel enjoyable, not just like a production.

Whether you’re doing a first look or not, working with a planner or figuring things out solo, here’s how to build a wedding day timeline that works with you, not against you.

Be Intentional About Your Morning (And Build In Wiggle Room!)

The easiest way to derail your wedding day? Underestimating how long it takes to get ready.

On paper, getting dressed seems simple. But in real life? Someone’s lost their Spanx, the sticky boobs won’t stick, a hanger breaks, you forgot to pee, and suddenly your necklace has a knot in it the size of Rhode Island. It happens every time. Add in hair, makeup, photo and video teams, and family wandering in and out of the room—it takes longer than you think.

To keep the morning running smoothly, here's what I recommend:

• Only have people around you who bring calm energy. If someone makes you feel stressed? They can wait outside.

• Be intentional. Don’t do something just for the photo or because your cousin said you have to.

• Be where your feet are. Seriously—soak in the moment and relish in the fact that this is your wedding day.

• Communicate with your hair and makeup team. Set a firm end time based on your photography timeline, not their preference.

• Fewer bridesmaids = less chaos. I said what I said.

A Photographer-Approved Wedding Day Timeline Example

I like to structure everything in half-hour chunks and work backward from the ceremony. That way, there’s built-in buffer room, so if hair and makeup runs behind, no one panics.

If you’re planning a first look, here’s a sample wedding day timeline I often recommend to my couples:

• 1:00 – I arrive for flat lays and detail shots

• 1:30 – Hair/makeup touchups, PJ candids, champagne, vibes

• 2:00 – Everyone gets dressed

• 2:30 – Bridal portraits and finishing touches

• 3:00 – First look + couple’s portraits

• 3:30 – Wedding party photos

• 4:00 – Family portraits

• 4:30 – Everyone hides before guests arrive

• 5:00 – Ceremony

  
  

If you're skipping the first look, your timeline will shift slightly—but I still aim to photograph individual wedding party and family groupings ahead of time so cocktail hour isn't 100% formal photos. I always want to prioritize your experience while getting you amazing photos, and that means allowing you to enjoy each and every part of your wedding day.

The Sneaky Timeline Killers Most Couples Miss

When a wedding day timeline falls behind, it’s almost always because of something small that snowballed. Here are a few places couples forget to build in enough time:

• Getting dressed always takes longer than expected

• Family portraits fall apart if people don’t know where to be

• Travel time needs to be doubled from what Google Maps says

• Hair and makeup teams running late can throw off the entire morning

• Overcrowded rooms add stress and chaos

And just as importantly, don't forget to build in space for the good stuff, too:

• Flat lay photos – These take 30 minutes and need dedicated time

• Sunset portraits – Quick and beautiful, usually during dinner or dancing

• Late-night flash portraits – Perfect if you want fun, edgy shots outside

  
  

(Oh, and here’s a blog post about what to include in your flat lay if you want to get fancy with it.)

Creating Your Timeline With or Without a Planner

If you’re working with a planner—amazing. If not? That’s okay too. Regardless, just make sure your photographer is looped into the timeline planning process, especially for the pre-ceremony portion of the day.

Why? Because every photographer works differently. Some might breeze through flat lays in five minutes. I like to spend a some quality time on them. Some photographers might stage all photos and not prioritize candids. I like to leave time for the real moments to unfold. Planners might build timelines that look great on paper but feel more like a production schedule than a wedding day.

My approach? Build a timeline that flows. One where the photography fits into the day, not the other way around.

How Season Impacts Your Wedding Day Timeline (Especially in New England)

This part really matters, especially if you’re getting married in New England.

• In winter, the sun sets super early. If you want natural light photos, your ceremony needs to be early—or you’ll need a first look.

• In summer, the sun can be too bright during the afternoon. That’s why I always recommend sneaking away for soft, glowy sunset portraits when the light is just right.

  
  

And if you're interested in learning more about winter wedding timelines specifically, I already wrote a whole blog post about them! You can read it here.

When Things Don’t Go Exactly as Planned (Because They Won’t, and That's Okay!)

Even with the best-laid plans, wedding timelines can still wobble. Someone forgets their shoes, a shuttle gets stuck in traffic, or the ceremony starts late because Uncle Bob wandered off. It happens.

When things don’t go according to schedule, the biggest shift isn’t always in what gets done—it’s in how the day feels. Stress builds. Moments get cut short. And couples who were so excited for their portraits or time with guests suddenly feel like they’re playing catch-up all day.

Here’s what I’ve learned helps most in those situations:

• A solid team makes all the difference. A wedding coordinator (or a super-organized friend) can jump in and help rearrange things in real-time without making it your problem.

• Build in flexible touchpoints. If sunset portraits get bumped, we can find a few quiet minutes later in the evening to sneak outside for flash photos.

• Know what matters most. When something has to give, it’s easier to adjust when you know your priorities (ex: skipping a few wedding party group shots to make it to cocktail hour).

• Your energy sets the tone. If you stay calm, everyone else usually follows. I promise—you’ll still get beautiful photos, even if things shift.

  
  

At the end of the day, your wedding isn’t about sticking to a schedule—it’s about celebrating with the people you love. The timeline is there to serve you, not the other way around.

Final Thoughts

At the end of the day, your wedding day timeline isn’t just a checklist of things to get done—it’s the framework that holds the whole experience together. A little intention goes a long way. Build in breathing room. Communicate with your vendors. Give yourself the space to be fully present.

Because the best photos? They happen when you’re in the moment, not racing to the next one.

And if you’re feeling overwhelmed trying to figure out what goes where, I’m here for you. I’ll help you craft a timeline that reflects your actual priorities, not just what a blog or spreadsheet says you should do.

Reach out here if you’re ready to build a day that flows with ease (and looks freaking amazing while doing it).

xx,

Tam