Trying to plan the timeline for your wedding day can be an overwhelming task. How much time do I need for formal photos? What about my big extended family? What time should my ceremony be at? Should I do a first look?

The amount of time needed for specific events and photos can easily be under-estimated and lead to possible stress the day of. The time of day these photos should be taken can also weigh heavily on the time of year and sunset time.

*For the best & clearest timeline set up, make sure to check in with your photographer and/or wedding coordinator PRIOR to setting your ceremony start time. They do this EVERY weekend, as well as in different circumstances & locations. Their advice and guidance will guarantee the best timeline for the vision you have for your wedding AND photos.

I pride myself in not only ENJOYING the creation of wedding timelines, but also helping set realistic expectations for my clients with the amount of photography coverage they have, their venue location and the amount of time needed for the photos they desire.

Here are key tips & rules of thumb to help construct a basic timeline for your special day:

On average, bride & groom photos take 30-60 minutes
On average, bridal party photos (bridesmaids & groomsmen) take 20-60 minutes (the size of the bridal party varies the time needed, as well as if you’re doing a first look or not)
On average, family photos take 30-60 minutes
On average, ceremonies are anywhere from 20-60 minutes, depending on special traditions, readings, etc.
Look at SUNSET time prior to setting your ceremony start time.
Decide whether or not you want to do a first look.

Now, with the time needed for formal photos considered, deciding whether you WILL or WILL NOT do a first look will drastically affect what time your ceremony will need to start IF you want all of your formal photos to be taken in natural daylight (what all of the formal photos I take look like) and NOT with a flash after the sun has set.

Here are 2 sample timelines based on 5 key factors:

sunset time
ceremony time
venue location (next to the beach, behind a mountain, etc)
first look
whether bridal party & family photos are before or after the ceremony end time

What you will want to do PRIOR to setting your ceremony start time is to look up the sunset time for your wedding venue location on the day of your wedding, then build your timeline around time based on the time needed for specific photos and events.

SPRING WEDDING TIMELINE (March-June)

-Sunset Time: 7:00/7:30pm

SUMMER WEDDING TIMELINE (June-September)

-Sunset Time: 7:30/8:00pm

FALL WEDDING TIMELINE (September- November)

- Sunset Time: 4:30/6:30pm

WINTER WEDDING TIMELINE (December- March)

-Sunset Time: 5:00/5:30pm

I hope this helps you to plan your perfect wedding day timeline based on exactly how you envisioned your wedding day and photos! If you’re unsure about the time needed for specific photos or your ceremony, make sure to reach out to your photographer and wedding coordinator before you make any final decisions.

Alexandra + Rene

Private Estate | North Tustin, CA

How To Build The Perfect Wedding Day Timeline

Alexandria + Erick

Wedgewood Aliso Viejo, CA