timeline

The best bet is to start from the end and work your way backwards. Decide what time you want the reception to end and go from there. We knew we wanted to end fairly early because many of our guests have a long drive home, so we decided 10 was fair. We're having a 4 hour reception, so that means our reception needs to begin at 6. That puts cocktail hour at 5-6 and ceremony 4:30-5. I want to have time to collect myself and do touch ups before the ceremony, so we're planning for pre-ceremony photos to be finished by 4. If we need to do an hour of photos, photos need to then begin at 3. That means I need to be in my dress and ready around 2:30...so on and so forth.

It is easier to start at the end (what time do you have your venue until?) and work your way backwards. Your photographer should be able to help you with a timeline and planning how long each "group of pictures" will take you. Is your ceremony and reception at the same venue or separate? I was asking because if it is at the same place I HIGHLY recommend doing a first look to save from being rushed for pictures after the ceremony. We had an hour between our ceremony and reception (at the same venue) for just family pictures (we did a first look) and we STILL got rushed. Here is the amount of time my photographer suggested we have:

detail photos: 30 minutes

getting in dress & bridal portraits: 45 minutes

first look/couples pictures: 45 minutes

bridal party photos: 45 minutes

family pictures: 1 hour

If you don't do a first look. I would still try to do your bridesmaid only and groomsman only pictures before the wedding that way you can cut that time down after the ceremony of your combined bridal party pics. Still, 1 hour (cocktail hour) is not enough time for couples pictures, bridal party pictures and family pictures. Your guests will expect you to be at the reception when cocktail hour ends and the reception begins.

Is there only 1 person doing hair and makeup? We had 7 girls total including myself and hair and makeup took 4 1/2 hours for all of us. (2 hairstylists, 1 makeup artist)

Welcome to the WeddingWire community, Kathryn!

I would agree with the PPs and advise the best way to go about building this day of timeline is starting at the end, or with any concrete times, and working your way backwards!

Here are two WeddingWire articles and two previous community discussions I hope you will find helpful in building this timeline -

9 Wedding Day Timeline Rules Every Couple Should Follow - includes sample timeline!

The Ultimate Wedding Photography Timeline

Timeline

Timeline