How to plan my wedding day timeline? How long should I plan for getting ready? Should I take formal portraits before or after the wedding ceremony? What time should I tell the wedding party to arrive? These are all good questions to think about for your wedding day.  A wedding day timeline will really help make your wedding day run as smooth as possible.  

To start your wedding day timeline begin by working backwards. Start with your ceremony time.  When planning backwards, always consider all the little stuff that takes time, like travel, loading your car, time to eat, breaks, etc. This should give you for some slack time.  The last thing you will want is to be rushing around on your wedding day.  This may cause you to feel stressed.

The Wedding Day Timeline/Schedule

Creating a timeline/schedule is extremely helpful. This should consist of all the tasks that need to be done and the time schedule. This will not only help you but your vendors too.  The schedule should be very detailed and here is an example Wedding Day Timeline.

Wedding Day Hair and Makeup Planning

Always consider your hair and makeup will always take longer than you except.  You may want to consider doing a dry run with your stylist.  Consider scheduling your hair appointment approximately seven (7) hours before your ceremony if you will have formal posed portraits beforehand and four (4) hours before your ceremony if you are having your formals afterwards.

Planning for Wedding Photography

First you will need to decide if you want to see each other before or after the ceremony.  Not seeing each other before the ceremony is a long standing tradition.  This one decision will determine how your entire wedding day will flow.  If you do not want to see each other before the ceremony make sure to allow enough time after the ceremony for your formal portraits (at least 1 1/2 hours).  The more time you give the more time you can be creative with your wedding photographs producing higher quality images.

Benefits of Formal Portraits Before the Ceremony

There are many advantages to seeing each other before the wedding.  Your hair and makeup is fresh and the groom and groomsmen are not already eager to get out of their tuxes.  Best yet, your family and wedding party are not distracted to rush to the reception.

If you do decide to take the pre-ceremony formal portraits, it is recommended that you set aside 15 minutes of private time designated for just the two of you. This is a great time for the”First Look” photographs where we capture the images of you first seeing each other.  This is also a great time for you to express your feelings towards each other, give gifts or just relax and calm your nerves.  When a bride and groom choose to wait until the ceremony to see each other for the first time, they typically do not have time alone until their wedding day has ended.

It’s important that you and your groom discuss your options and make a plan that works best for you as a couple. Most of all, enjoy the day; it is one of the most special days in your lives.