When I sit down for an inquiry call I can almost guarantee one question will be: “Will you help us create a wedding photo timeline?”. The answer? YES! So, here are some of me wedding photo timeline tips!

While planners make a timeline to make your day run smoothly, photographers create a timeline based on even more factors. And before you ask: I ALWAYS communicate with plannersto make sure our timelines match up and work together. Your vendors should be working together to make your day perfection.

So, because this was a common question, I figured I would try to give some tips and advice for any future couple to look over!

Why a Wedding Photo Timeline is Essential

Your wedding is an important day. The last thing I want to do is miss a single moment. While unplanned things can happen on a wedding day, I like to be as prepared as possible. Creating a photo timeline gives me as much information as possible about your day. That way I can be ready for every planned second and not miss a thing.

Another reason for a photo timeline? To make sure YOU don’t feel rushed and can stay present in the moment! From one moment to the next I will know exactly what needs to happen and be photographed. The best part? With all of that information, you will be asked zero questions day of!

Factors to Consider

Typically, you will have much of the big parts of your day planned out by your venue and planner. Where the photographer comes in is building the timeline around those bigger parts. The smaller parts, the moments you don’t realize need to be scheduled come down to the photographer.

For example: first look or no first look? Some couples come to me with a decision already made on that topic. Some need some guidance. I will ALWAYS work with whatever choice you make and never push or sway you in either direction. However, the decision of whether or not you do a first look does play into your wedding photo timeline. If you were to do a first look we could complete so many more photos before your ceremony. Then leaving only a handful for after. Therefore you would be able to attend almost all of your cocktail hour. If you chose to not do a first look, we would have to spend more time during cocktail hour getting photos. That decision dictates when I would start my coverage time for your day.

Another thing to consider: golden hour! Sometimes golden hour takes place right as reception is starting or when the DJ is recommending you start toasts or dancing. Communicating with me and your DJ that you wish to do sunset or golden hour photos gives us the ability to build that into your timeline so we know when to pull you and in turn make sure you are back in time for the rest of your reception events.

Sample Wedding Photo Timelines

My average couple books 8 hours of coverage. Below are two timelines that give you an example of an 8 hour day with a first look and without a first look. These timelines do not include any travel time!

Wedding Photo Timeline Tips

So, for me to create a stress-free timeline there are a few things I would need from you. First, communication! Tell me everything you plan to do or have set up for the day of. Any moment you know you intend to have planned, tell me. Even if it feels silly or small, I want to know! In fact, well before your date I send you a questionnaire that gives you a place to lay out every piece of information you have to help me craft the best timeline for your day. If you want your planner to also see and help you fill out the questionnaire, I can add them to your client portal so they can view and help you complete the form!

The next thing I recommend is padding your schedule. If our coverage time allows for it and all the times you have from your venue and planners give us the room, I try my best to add pad time to a majority of the timeline. This makes it so you don’t feel rushed, the photo timeline even typically runs ahead of schedule because of this!

My biggest tip: keep family and wedding party in the loop. On the day of, I or your planner will be reminding people when to be dressed by or when to be certain places, but that job is much easier when everyone is already in the know. When you give me your family portrait list, I tell you to tell everyone on that list exactly where to be and when for family photos. This keeps us from losing people to cocktail hour or people from being late.

Pro Family Photo Tip:

If your family photos are taking place immediately after the ceremony have your officiant remind all family members who were asked to stay for family photos to remain in their seats. Once the rest of your guests have moved to cocktail hour you two will come back to the ceremony space for family formals. If we are doing family portraits in another location have the officiant indicate where they will be taking place.

Last but Not Least

At the end of the day, the biggest thing to remember is tell your vendors everything you plan to do. Especially your photographer. I do not want to miss a single moment, so I would rather have more information then I need than not enough.

Your day should be stress-free. That’s the real key to timeless, heartfelt images.

Want to learn more about my photography services? You can find more information here!