Are you in the middle of designing your wedding day timeline template? I'm Los Angeles wedding photographer who has documented 200+ weddings and today, I'm sharing THE BEST wedding day timeline templates.

I'll include a wedding day timeline with a first look & without a first look.

Sample Timeline | With First Look | 8 Hours of Coverage

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This wedding day timeline template assumes a second photographer is booked.

A second photographer saves time since we can both photograph different portraits simultaneously. For example, my second photographer can focus on the groom with groomsmen portraits, while I document the bride with bridesmaid portraits.

If a second photographer is not secured, please add an additional 30 minutes to the getting ready portion of the day and 15 minutes total to the bridal party / immediate family portraits (combined).

1:30 PM - Photography Begins 

-I'll focus on the bride's details (dress, shoes, rings, invitations, etc.)

-Second photographer: groom's details

2:10 PM - Last minute makeup touches 

-I'll focus on candids of the bride with her bridesmaids

-Second photographer: candids with the groom and groomsmen 

2:30 PM - Bride Dresses

-Photos of bride getting ready / Portraits of her in dress with bridesmaids, loved ones, etc. 

-Second photographer: photos of the groom getting ready, candids with the groomsmen, etc. 

3:15 - First Look + a few bride and groom portraits

3:45 - Bridal party photos + immediate family portraits 

4:50 - Bride & groom get tucked away for the ceremony

-Photograph ceremony + cocktail hour details 

5:30 - Ceremony Begins

6:00 - Ceremony Ends 

6:10 - Cocktail Hour Begins / Bride & Groom Portraits 

6:50 - Couple mingles a bit with guests during cocktail hour | I go to photograph some reception detail shots

7:20 - Guests enter reception 

7:30 - Grand entrance 

7:35 - First dance

7:40 - Parent dances

7:50 - Dinner is served to guests | Vendor break (photographer(s) eat 

8:30 - Speeches 

8:50 - Cake cutting 

8:55 - Open dancing 

9:15 - Bouquet / garter toss 

9:30 - Photography concludes 

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Sample Timeline | Without First Look | 8 Hours of Coverage

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This wedding day timeline timeline also assumes a second photographer is booked.

A second photographer saves time since we can both photograph different portraits simultaneously. For example, my second photographer can focus on the groom with groomsmen portraits, while I document the bride with bridesmaid portraits.

If a second photographer is not secured, please add an additional 30 minutes to the getting ready portion of the day and 30 minutes to the bridal party / immediate family portraits. 

1:30 PM - Photography Begins 

-I'll focus on the bride's details (dress, shoes, rings, invitations, etc.)

-Second photographer: groom's details

2:10 PM - Last minute makeup touches 

-I'll focus on candids of the bride with her bridesmaids

-Second photographer: candids with the groom and groomsmen 

2:30 PM - Bride Dresses

-Photos of bride getting ready / Portraits of her in dress with bridesmaids, mom, etc. 

-Second photographer: photos of the groom getting ready, candids with the groomsmen, etc. 

3:15 - Portraits of the bride & groom separately 

3:30 - Portraits of bride with bridesmaids 

Second photographer: portraits of groom with groomsmen  

4:05 - Portraits of bride with her immediate family

Second photographer - portraits of groom with his immediate family 

4:45 - Bride & groom get tucked away for the ceremony

-Photograph ceremony + cocktail hour details 

5:30 - Ceremony Begins

6:00 - Ceremony Ends 

6:10 - Cocktail Hour Begins 

• -Portraits of the bride and groom with the ENTIRE bridal party together
• -Portraits of the bride and groom together with their immediate families

6:40 - Bride & groom couple portraits 

7:20 - Guest Enter Reception

7:30 - Grand entrance 

7:35 - First dance 

8:00 - Speeches / First course served

8:10 - Vendor break (photographer(s) eat

8:40 - Parent dances

8:55 - Cake cutting 

9:00 - Open dancing 

9:15 - Bouquet / garter toss 

9:30 - Photography concludes 

Wedding Day Timeline Template Photography Allotment

Let's begin with how long certain photos take. This will give you a clear idea of how time is often divided on a wedding day when it comes to getting ready, portraits, the ceremony, cocktail hour, etc.

Details | 25-30 Minutes

The detail shots are usually taken right before the getting ready photos. They are the very first thing I photograph. The details typically include the following: dress, shoes, rings, invitation suite, vows, jewelry, perfume, flowers, suit, etc.

TIP: Having all of the details you'd like me to photograph ready in one area prevents any stress having to locate them the day of the wedding and leaves more room for photo time. 

Keep in mind, some couples prefer a photographer style their details, whereas others prefer the details being documented with a more photojournalistic approach. This means details we'll be photographed as they are being put on, rather than styled via a flatlay. Styled details take longer for a photographer to document, whereas the photojournalistic approach takes less time. If you prefer a focus on people, rather than details, I'd suggest the a photojournalistic approach.

Getting Ready | 1 - 2 Hours

I strongly suggest allotting time for getting ready photos in your wedding day timeline template. These moments tend to be more candid with a photojournalistic quality. In my opinion, they are what really help to tell the full story of the day.

This part of the day includes moments such as a loved one securing the groom's boutonniere, the bride's mom/bridesmaids helping the bride button up her dress, the groom putting on his jacket, watch, shoes, cufflinks, etc., loved ones seeing the bride/groom in her or his dress/suit for the first time, the bride or groom reading exchanged letters, the bride toasting with her bridesmaids or groom toasting with his groomsmen, etc.

If a second photographer is secured, 1 hour is usually perfect since one photographer can focus on the bride, while the other captures the groom. If there is no second photographer 2 hours is ideal.

First Look | 10 Minutes

The first look is when the bride and groom opt to see one another BEFORE the ceremony. This lends to some emotion fueled images!

 This is typically a very intimate moment with just the bride and groom, photographer, and videographer (if applicable).

*The benefit of the first look is that many of the photos can be taken prior to the ceremony, such as the bridal party portraits where the bridesmaids and groomsmen are all together, bride and groom portraits, family portraits, etc. This means that the timeline won't feel as rushed since you won't have to take all of these photos after the ceremony and will be able to enjoy some of your cocktail hour. Also, if you are having a later ceremony, having a first look will guarantee your portraits are shot during daylight. 

OPTION: Some couples opt out of the bride and groom first look, but decide to do a first look with their parents, such as a bride and dad first look and/or groom and mom first look. 

See examples of both a bride/groom first look & bride/father first look below! 

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Father Daughter First Look | Wedding Day Timeline Template

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Couple Portraits | 45 Minutes - 60 Minutes

Couple portraits can be taken a few different ways. The times they are taken really varies on the time of year one is getting married, which will affect the time the sun goes down. During summer months, the sun sets very late (around 7:30 pm), whereas Fall weddings can have the sun setting as early as 4:30 pm.

If one is having a first look, we can take 30 minutes of couple portraits right after the first look. Then, after the ceremony, we can take another 30 minutes of couple portraits during the "golden hour," which is the BEST time to take photos.

This is the hour right before the sun goes down and it lends to the prettiest, most magical light. At the very least, I always recommend allotting a minimum of 45 minutes for couple portraits in your wedding day timeline template.  

Wedding Party Portraits | 30 - 40 Minutes

It usually takes 10 minutes for bride with bridesmaids photos, 10 minutes for groom with groomsmen photos, and 10 minutes for photos with the entire bridal party together.

If there is a second photographer, her and I divide and conquer with these portraits. She will capture the groom with groomsmen portraits, WHILE I capture the bride with bridesmaids portraits. I would then capture the entire bridal party together.

This saves time and would take around 30 minutes. However, if there is no second photographer, I will be the one to capture everything. This usually takes around 40 minutes.

Family Formals | 25 - 40 Minutes | Wedding Day Timeline Template

The time spent here really depends on how large your family is. Family formals typically include photos of the bride and groom with their immediate family members.

To have more time for your couple's session, I suggest limiting the groups as much as possible to ten or less. Please keep in mind that each group takes me about 2 minutes to photograph. With this in mind, I'd be quite judicious in allocating group photos, as the list can easily max out the amount of time allotted towards family photos.

Extended family variation photos will bump into valuable sunset light for your B+G photos. We can do individual extended family photos during the reception as I will be following you throughout the entire evening.

Ceremony Details | 25 Minutes | Wedding Day Timeline Template

Prior to the actual ceremony, I like to ensure I have a minimum of 25 minutes to be in the ceremony area. Make sure to include this time within your wedding day timeline template. I use this time to set up my equipment in preparation of the ceremony, photograph candids of people, and document any ceremony details. If the cocktail hour section is ready at this time, I also document cocktail hour details then. 

Post Ceremony Photos During Cocktail Hour | 35 - 90 Minutes

If you've done a first look, this probably means we've already photographed family portraits, bridal party portraits, and some couple portraits PRIOR to the ceremony. In this scenario, we can use 35 - 45 minutes to photograph more couple portraits during this time, since it will most likely be during the golden hour, which has the best light. 

If there is no first look, this means we have to use this time to capture EVERYTHING - family portraits, bridal party portraits, and couple portraits. I'd recommend at least 90 minutes for this. 

TIP: If you aren't having a first look, I still recommend allotting some time for photography before the ceremony so that we can photograph everything we can that doesn't involve the bride and groom seeing eachother.

For example, we can photograph the bride with the bridesmaids, the groom with the groomsmen, and family portraits that include the bride with her family, and the groom with his family.

We just have to make sure everyone knows where everyone is at all times, so that the bride and groom don't run into one another.

This is one of the many situations in which a wedding planner or day of coordinator really comes in handy to help ensure everything runs smoothly.

his means that after the ceremony, we'd focus on couple portraits, family portraits with BOTH the bride and groom together along with their immediate families, and photos of the entire bridal party together. I'd allot about 75 minutes for this scenario. 

Cocktail Hour + Reception Details | 40 Minutes

If there isn't a first look, I usually don't document any of the cocktail hour as I spend that time capturing all of the portraits.

 However, if there is a first look, I'll usually have about 10 minutes during the cocktail hour to document candids, people mingling, etc. This is if the couple doesn't want to use the entire cocktail hour towards bride and groom portraits, which some prefer to do! It's really all up to you! 

As far as reception details, I always recommend witholding any guests from entering the reception room until I am able to document all of the reception details - table settings, florals, centerpieces, cake, sweetheart table, etc.

Often times, the couple wants a photo of themselves in the reception room alone. That is always an option! Reception details take about 30 minutes of photography time. 

Reception | 1 - 4 Hours | Wedding Day Timeline Template

I typically photograph around 2 - 3 hours of reception time. Most couples like to schedule any traditions (first dance, parent dances, speeches, bouquet toss, garter toss, cake cutting) during the first hour and a half of the reception to guaranteee I capture these. 

Make sure to include all formalities/traditions in your wedding day timeline template, includes grand entrance, first dance, speeches, parent dances, cake cutting, etc.

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