Wedding Timeline help?

My photographer recommended the bride was finished with any pre ceremony photos (first look, etc) and hidden away in the venue no later than 45 minutes before ceremony start time. Just in case people show up early. First look photos can be done in about 20 minutes. If you’re considering a first look with Mom, Dad or bridesmaids, those can be done a bit quicker.


Ask your photographer and DJ/band and coordinator for suggestions on timeline. They’ve done plenty of weddings and will be able to give you great advice (and prob even share sample timelines with you).

Ask your photographer. Ours came up with an entire day of timeline for us. Also, if you have a planner or day or coordinator, they will also come up with a timeline for you. Our planner and photographer both provided timelines.

My wedding started at 4:30. Here is my timeline.


12:00pm- Photographers arrived for getting ready and detail photos 2:00pm- Hair and makeup to be totally finished// Male photographer started with groomsmen photos2:30pm- Bride dressed by 2:30/ Female photographer started bridesmaids photos immediately after3:00pm- First look with bride's dad 3:10- First look with bride and groom at a spot nearby3:10-3:40- Photos of Bride and Groom before the ceremony3:45pm- Bride is "hidden" before guests arrive4:30pm- Ceremony begins5:00pm- Ceremony ends// Cocktail hour begin5:00-6:00pm- Cocktail hour and family photos/ full wedding party photos/more photos of bride and groom if time.6:15pm - formal introductions6:20pm - first dance6:25pm - three toasts and prayer 6:30pm - salad course served6:45pm - buffet opens7:30pm - cake cutting7:40/7:45pm - trivia game (estimated to take 10-15 minutes) 8:00pm - dance floor opens9:50pm - last song10:00pm - after party

This is my rough draft timeline for our 3:00 ceremony. We aren't having a first look for the two of us, but we are doing the majority of our photos pre-ceremony, so there is a spot for that. Hope it helps!

9:00 Arrive at venue to begin setup
11:00 Brief lunch break/begin getting ready
1:15 Pre-wedding photos (bride/dad first look, bride/family, groom/family, wedding parties)
2:15 Finish photos to return to bride/groom suites
2:30 Early bird guests start to arrive
3:00 Invite time
3:10 Ceremony Begins (to accommodate late comers if necessary)
3:35 Ceremony Ends/Guests move to reception area
3:40 Cocktail Hour/Post Ceremony Photos
4:40 Introduction of Bride & Groom/First Dance
4:50 Welcome (Father of the Bride)
4:55 Prayer from Grandfather of the Groom
5:00 Dinner begins (buffet style)
5:45 Toasts
6:00 Father/Daughter & Mother/Son Dances
6:10 Dancing/Sunset Photos
7:00 Cake cutting
7:15 Bouquet/Garter Toss
7:45 Last Dance
8:00 Send Off