Top Tips for a Stress-Free Wedding Day Timeline
1. Start with your ceremony time.
Everything revolves around when your ceremony starts. Once you lock that in, you can work backward to figure out when to start getting ready, when to do photos, and how the rest of the day should flow. This gives you a solid anchor to build around.
2. Add in a few 'quiet' moments in-between.
I always suggest making space for even five minutes alone after the ceremony or during golden hour. It’s a little breather in the middle of a busy day, and the photos from those moments are usually some of the most real and meaningful.
3. Consider buffer time.
Things almost always take longer than you think. Hair and makeup, getting dressed, family photos etc etc etc, it all adds up. Giving yourself extra time between events helps you stay calm and keeps everything on track even if you’re running a few minutes behind.
4. Keep travel time in mind.
If you’re moving between locations (like getting ready at one spot, ceremony at another, then off to your reception), build in extra time for driving, parking, and gathering everyone up. Even short drives can take longer with a wedding party and family involved.
"It’s not about the perfect day. It’s about the perfect feeling."
5. Assign a few people to help you keep things running smoothly.
You don’t need to handle everything on your wedding day. Give a few trusted friends or family members specific jobs (like wrangling people for group photos or holding onto your phone and touch-up kit) so you can stay present and relaxed.
6. Get Ready near good natural light.
Natural light makes a huge difference in your getting ready photos. Choose a spot with windows, and try to keep the space tidy so we can capture those calm, happy moments without too much clutter in the background.
7. Make time for the moments that are most important to you.
Want to read private vows? Plan a few quiet minutes for just the two of you. Want golden hour photos? Block off 15–20 minutes in the evening. The timeline should reflect what matters most to you, not just the logistics.
8. Don't feel like you need to follow trends.
If something doesn’t feel like you, skip it. There’s no rule that says you have to do a first look or sunset photos or even a cake cutting. Your timeline should reflect what matters most to you both.
9. Add in time for detailed photos.
For beautiful flat lay and detail photos, gather everything in one place ahead of time. This can include items like the dress or suit, rings, stationery, shoes, jewelry, perfume, vow books, and any personal or heirloom pieces. Having these items organized and ready to go allows the photographer to start working right away and ensures nothing important is missed.
10. Let me know what really matters to you
Every couple has something that holds extra meaning on their wedding day — maybe it’s a quiet moment with a parent, an heirloom you’re wearing, or the reaction you’re hoping for during your first look. If there’s something that’s especially important to you, let me know ahead of time. I want to be sure I’m focused on what matters most to you, not just the standard list of photos. The more I understand what’s meaningful, the more intentional I can be in how I document your day.
