How to Timeline (without losing your mind).
LET’S BE REAL
Wedding timelines can feel like a beast. Pinterest makes them look effortless, but in reality? You’re juggling makeup times, missing suits, and waiting for Aunt Karen to wander into the family photo. It’s a lot.
So here’s the deal—everything I’m about to share is just a guide. Take it with a grain of salt, and remember it also depends on how many hours you’ve booked me for. Think of this as a starting point, not a strict rulebook. We’ll tweak it to suit your day, your vibe, and your package.
START WITH A DRAFT
I always sketch out a rough timeline with my couples early on. Nothing locked in, just something to get the wheels turning.
Things people often forget:
Getting dressed (always takes longer than you think).
Travel to the ceremony (traffic, roadworks, vintage cars being dramatic).
Hugs & congrats after the ceremony (the best part, don’t rush it).
Family photos (shortlist = sanity saver).
Buffer time so you’re not sprinting into the reception.
The easiest way? Work backwards from your ceremony time and sunset. Everything else slots into place.
SAMPLE TIMELINE
1.00pm – PARTNER 1 PREP
2.00pm – PARTNER 2 PREP
3.00pm – ADAM LEAVES PREP FOR CEREMONY
3.30pm – CEREMONY
4.00pm – POST CEREMONY
4.30pm – COCKTAIL HOUR
5.00pm – LOCATION PHOTOS
6.00pm – RECEPTION BEGINS
6.30 -9pm – DINNER & FORMALITIES
Summer weddings, we sneak out for 10-15mins at sunset so we get the very best light of the day. Put this in your schedule so that there are no speeches planned at that time.
9pm – COVERAGE FINISHES
GIVE YOURSELF EXTRA TIME
Here’s the secret: stuff will run late. Hair and makeup, a stuck zipper, missing flowers—it happens. If you build in buffer time, you won’t feel stressed when something runs over.
My favourite place to pad the timeline is right after the ceremony. That extra 30–45 minutes gives you space for hugs, family photos, and a breather without disrupting the rest of the schedule. Another good place to find time is before reception. Always plan to be back to reception early (10-15 minutes) to give yourself a minute to chill and take in what you have just done.
SOME BASICS
THE CEREMONY (Approx. 30 mins)
Most run about half an hour, but your celebrant will know best.
POST-CEREMONY HUGS (5–10 mins)
These are the real, unposed, emotional moments. Let them happen.
FAMILY PHOTOS (Max. 30 mins)
Shortlist your must-haves and appoint a “people wrangler” (someone who knows everyone and can hunt down Uncle Steve).
WHAT TIME SHOULD I ARRIVE
Depending on what package you choose, you will have different options. Ask yourself, what is your priority on the day? Do you want to capture the morning preparation, the evening celebrations or split the time evenly? What parts are most important to you, and work my timeframe around that.
GETTING READY
(Approx. 1 hr for bridesmaids, 45 mins for groomsmen)
Prep is one of my favourite parts—it’s where the nerves and excitement kick in.
Ask hair & makeup to finish an hour before you actually need to leave.
Aim to be fully dressed 30 minutes before departure = time for portraits & champagne.
Gather details (rings, flowers, jewellery, invites, etc.) in one spot for me—it saves heaps of time.
If we’ve got extra minutes, we can even tick off some family photos here.
TRAVEL TIME
Always allow more than you think. Roadworks, vintage cars, surprise detours—it’s a thing. Better early than stressed. A good rule of thumb is 20 minutes extra for every hour of travel time.
WEDDING PARTY PHOTOS (1 hr)
This is where the fun begins. I usually do:
30 mins with the whole crew, then i’ll send off your wedding party to party while I keep just you two for another 30 mins of candid, cinematic portraits.
I like to wrap things up 10–15 mins before the reception so you can touch up, breathe, and take it all in.
THE RECEPTION
This is party time! The venue usually runs the show here, but a few tips:
Split speeches around meals to keep energy high.
Think about lighting for speeches, cake cutting, and first dances (especially outdoors).
I may steal you for 5 mins of night shots—stars, sparklers, neon signs… always worth it.
PS: chat directly with your venue about food service and formalities—they know their flow better than I do.
SUNSET PHOTOS (10–15 mins)
Golden hour = magic. A quick sneak away for dreamy portraits and a quiet moment together. This can be affected by the weather and time of year.
FINAL THOUGHT
Your wedding day shouldn’t feel like a military operation. A thoughtful timeline = less stress, more fun, and way more time to soak it all in.
And if it still feels overwhelming? Don’t stress. Let’s grab a coffee, chat through your day, and I’ll help you build a timeline that makes sense (and keeps you sane).
BONUS FOR A UNIQUE TIMELINE:
First Look:
Perfect if you’re nervous about the aisle moment. It’s a private chance to see each other, calm the nerves, and get some beautiful, emotional photos before the ceremony.
Pre-ceremony Portraits:
Get the portraits done earlier, so after the “I do’s”, you can spend more time celebrating with your guests instead of ducking off for photos.
TLDR (to long, didn’t read):
Getting ready photos — 1 to 1.5 hours (less for the boys). If you have a larger bridal party, be sure to allocate more time for this step. It's good to have the hair and make-up mostly finished by the time I arrive. Be sure to gather all the details you would like photographed in one location to save time running around.
Travelling to the ceremony. This step will depend on where you’re getting ready and how far it is from the venue. If you plan to get ready at your ceremony location, this time block won’t be necessary. However, if you’re travelling to the ceremony, be sure to allow ample time for any potential traffic delays.
Ceremony — 30 minutes to 1 hour. The ceremony is another time block that varies depending on the couple. Non-religious ceremonies can take just 20 minutes, while religious ceremonies often go for more than an hour.
Hugs and kisses - Allow 10 mins for this immediately after the ceremony.
Family portraits- Depending on the size of your LIST, this should take no more than 30 mins to complete straight after the ceremony.
Location Photos- 30 mins for the wedding party, then they can go off to the reception and another 30 mins for the couple on their own. This can, of course, be customised for your own wants. If you want to proitise time with your guets at cocktale hour or you dont have a wedding party etc.
Wedding party and family speeches — 30 minutes. In between serving the entrée and main course, allocate about half an hour for speeches. Traditionally, speeches are given by the maid of honour, best man, and parents of the couple, so we’d suggest asking each person to keep their toast relatively short — around five minutes each.
First dance/ parents dance — 10 minutes. Once the main course is cleared, head to the dancefloor for your first dance, which will open up the dancefloor and really get the party started! We suggest serving dessert in between the first dance bracket and parent dances if you’re doing them.
Reception exit — 20 minutes. As the celebrations wind down and the reception ends, cue your wedding exit song and head outside for your grand departure. Ask your MC or coordinator to gather your guests outside the venue for an unforgettable farewell to end your wedding day on a high note. Some of our favourite wedding exit photos feature sparklers, confetti, and even fireworks. ✨
Here’s a TikTok I love that explains “timelineing” well: watch here.
Give me a call if you need more help!
Ell x