Timeline dilemma - how do we fit all the things we need to do in 3ish hours?!

I dont think you should worry too much.
How long is your ceremony and how many guests?
It could be as simple as
3-330 ceremony
330-345 recieving line
345-430 family photos
Then wedding party photos.
Typically your cocktail hour is for guests while the wedding party finishes photos.

View Quoted Comment

Ceremony is an hour! Want to say maybe 50-75 people will be there.

so it could be 4-4:15 receiving line and then family photos and wedding party photos after.

I just don't want any one to feel like they're missing anything and i of course want to get beautiful pictures (and my money's worth) lol

thnx

How many hours do you get your photographer for? I would do wedding party pictures beforehand. You with your bridesmaids and your fiancé with his groomsmen, and then after you can just do one big group shot and family pictures and couple shots. Also keep family portraits to just immediate family. It shouldn’t take longer than an hour for pictures.

If your cocktail hour starts at 6pm, what are you guests doing after the receiving line and before the cocktail hour? Cocktail hour was created for guests to have something to do while bridal party is taking pictures.

Kelly also has a great point in that you can get some pics before the ceremony like you with your girls, mom, etc. and the groom with his, so you have a few less pictures for after the ceremony.

View Quoted Comment

We get our photographer 2 hours before the ceremony, so that will be the time he does the photos with bridesmaids and myself and groomsmen with my FH. So that part is covered! That makes sense, yes. I'll consider that for the timeline for sure!

View Quoted Comment

Guests will go home and change, or they will go to the venue for a hospitality period after. We live in NY and in our community (italian american) it's very common for guests to come to church in casual wear (unless in the party or immediate family) and then go home and get ready for the wedding. Im not worried about that, but moreso worried about all of us getting where we need to be on time and getting quality pictures not only with families but the two of us. I do agree with Kelly, we can do all those shots with the bridal party before and do a couple after quickly!

You should have plenty of time for the pictures. Most photographers, based on what I've seen in these forums estimate needing an hour and a half for pictures. If you need more time, you can always miss some of your cocktail hour.

View Quoted Comment

I hope so! I appreciate that. Thank you!