Five Tips for a Seamless Wedding Timeline

Wedding timelines can be so stressful to plan with a bajillion things to get done all at once. Today, we will go over five tips that will help take some of that timeline stress away. Also, if you are a client of mine reading this, remember that I offer timeline planning as a free service, but it doesn’t hurt to read this to help us work together to plan the perfect timeline.

Tip #1 - Start with when your photographer says it is best for portraits.

This is generally within the first two hours after sunrise and within 2 hours before sunset. This is called “Golden Hour,” which is the best time to take pictures. Because wedding days are often jam-packed, making it a priority to get some alone time and take some pictures while you are at it is super beneficial and will reduce wedding day stress.

Tip #2 - Contact your hair and makeup artist to determine how much time they will need to do your hair and makeup.

If the same person is doing the hair and makeup for your bridesmaids, be sure to calculate how much time they will need per girl. However, I recommend that you have your girls have their makeup and hair done before they show up to your getting-ready location, as it will reduce the clutter and clean-up time in your bridal suite. As soon as they get there, they can socialize without being worried about time as it takes only a few minutes to change into their dresses.

Tip #3 - Plan for more time than you need.

Often, things can go awry, and accommodations have to be made accordingly, so instead of freaking out because you are behind schedule, you can rest assured that you budgeted for that late groomsman or that long bustle of the dress.

Tip #4 - Have a first look.

This is not a must, but it allows you to get a few pictures in of just the two of you so that you don’t have to stress so much if there isn’t a ton of time to take photos after the ceremony (although the more pictures, the better!)

Tip #5 - Take as many group photos as possible before the ceremony.

This will reduce the stress of getting all those pictures done so you can celebrate will all of your guests. 

Pictures you can take without a first look -

Just the Bride

Bride and Bridesmaids

Bride and her parents and siblings

Just the Groom

Groom and Groomsmen

Groom and his parents and siblings

Pictures you can take with a first look-

Just the Bride

Bride and Bridesmaids

Just the Groom

Groom and Groomsmen

Bride and Groom

Whole wedding party

Any and all family pictures

Bonus tip- While planning for your wedding, remember that it’s all about the two of you, so if you want to incorporate time to go horseback riding, or you know, EAT, plan for that. You don’t always have to follow tradition.

Hope all these tips help!!

<3 Annie