Timeline Builder 101:
How to Plan a Zero-Stress Day
Think of your wedding day as a puzzle. Before you place the tiny pieces (boutonniere pins, family photos, cake cutting), you need to set the big pieces:
Step 1: Pick Your “Big Rocks”
These will anchor the whole day:
- Ceremony time
- Sunset time (for dreamy golden hour photos)
- Reception start time (cocktails/dinner)
- Venue rules (access time, quiet hours, must-be-out time)
- Travel time (getting ready → ceremony → photos → reception)
Once those are locked in, everything else slides around them.
Step 2: Decide on Your Vibes
This shapes your timeline more than you’d think:
- Traditional
- No first look
- Ceremony → family photos → wedding party + couple photos → reception
- Formal speeches and dances in the evening
- Non-Traditional / Modern
- First look
- Most photos done before the ceremony
- Easy, relaxed cocktail hour
- Maybe no bouquet/garter, maybe no formal head table, maybe a food truck
- Off the Wall
- Brunch weddings, backyard pizza nights, campfire ceremonies, theme weddings, weekday elopements
- Timelines flex around the experience: brunch, games, hikes, boat rides, etc.
Step 3: Core Building Blocks
(and How Long They Actually Take)
Use these as “modules” in your timeline:
Getting Ready
- Hair & makeup for bride/bridal party: 2.5–5 hours (depending on size of party)
- Getting ready photos: 60–90 minutes
- Details (dress, shoes, rings, invites, bouquet): 20–30 min
- Candid getting ready + robe/champagne photos: 30–45 min
- Getting dressed + reveal with bridesmaids/parents: 15–30 min
First Look & Portraits
- First look: 20–30 min
- Couple portraits (just the two of you): 30–60 min
- Wedding party photos: 30–45 min
- Immediate family photos: 30–45 min
Ceremony
- Civil/short outdoor: 20–30 min
- Typical non-religious: 30 min
- Religious/church: 45–60+ min
Post-Ceremony
- Family photos (extended): 30–60 min
- Wedding party + couple portraits (if not done earlier): 60–90 min
- Travel between locations: Always add 10–15 min buffer. People mysteriously move slower in formal wear.
Reception
- Cocktail hour: 60–90 min
- Grand entrance + introductions: 10–15 min
- Speeches: 15-25 min (depending on how many people like microphones. Speeches should be kept to a 5-minute maximum.)
- Cake cutting: 5–10 min
- First dance: 2-8 min
- Parent dances: 5–15 min
- Open dancing: As long as your feet (and DJ) can handle
Step 4: Your Golden Rules for a Zero-Stress Timeline
- Add buffer. Then add more buffer.
If you think something will take 10 minutes, put 20 in your timeline. You’ll thank Past You. - Protect your photo time.
This is where all the frame-worthy magic happens. Don’t let speeches, travel, or Uncle Bob’s camera eat into it. - Front-load the formalities.
Do speeches, dances, and key moments earlier in the evening so your photographer/videographer captures them while energy is high. - Feed people on time.
Hungry guests are not cute. Late dinner = grumpy faces in photos.
Traditional Wedding Timeline Example
Scenario:
- Ceremony at 2:00 pm (church)
- Reception at 5:30 pm (hall)
- No first look
- Sunset around 9:00 pm
Morning / Getting Ready
8:00 am – Hair & Makeup Starts
- Bride + 3–4 bridesmaids
9:00–10:00 am – Detail Photos & Candid Prep
- Photographer arrives around 9:45–10:00 am for detail shots
- Dress, shoes, rings, invitations, bouquet, perfume
- Candid shots of bridesmaids getting ready, cheers with mimosas
10:00–10:30 am – Getting Dressed
- Bride gets into dress (build in time for buttons, corset, or stubborn zipper)
- Photos of mom/maid of honour helping
- Emotional moments with parents
10:30–11:00 am – Bridal Portraits & Room Shots
- Solo bride portraits
- Full group shot of bride + bridesmaids
- Quick photos with immediate family if they’re present
Groom Side
9:45–10:30 am – Groom Getting Ready Photos
- Groom finishing getting dressed
- Tying ties, pinning boutonnières
- Cheers with groomsmen
10:30–11:00 am – Groom & Groomsmen Portraits
Group shots and a few solo groom portraits
Pre-Ceremony Buffer & Travel
11:00–11:30 am – Travel to Ceremony
- Everyone heads to church/ceremony venue
- Photographer captures details of ceremony venue before guests arrive
11:30–1:30 pm – Guest Arrival & Final Touches
- You relax in a separate room
- Photographer captures décor, guests arriving, candid greetings
- Officiant checks in, final run-through of cues
Ceremony
2:00–3:00 pm – Ceremony
- Processional
- Vows, readings, ring exchange, first kiss
- Signing the register
- Recessional (walk back down the aisle as a married couple!)
3:00–3:15 pm – Receiving Line / Hug Tunnel (Optional)
- Guests congratulate you
- If you skip a formal receiving line, do a quick aisle exit and duck away for photos
Family & Group Photos
3:15–4:00 pm – Family Photos at Ceremony Location
- Start with large groups (everyone), then pare down:
- Couple with all immediate family
- Couple + each side’s parents
- Couple + grandparents
- Siblings
- The photographer works from a pre-made family photo list to keep things moving
Wedding Party & Couple Photos
4:00–5:00 pm – Bridal Party & Couple Portraits (Offsite or Nearby)
- Fun bridal party photos (walking, laughing, “magazine cover” shots)
- Focused time for couple portraits
- Aim to finish at least 20–30 minutes before reception entrance
5:00–5:15 pm – Travel to Reception / Quick Freshen Up
Reception
5:30–5:45 pm – Guests Seated / Couple Freshens Up
- You touch up hair/makeup and breathe for a minute
5:45 pm – Grand Entrance & Welcome
- MC introduces bridal party and couple
- Couple may go straight into first dance or wait until after dinner
6:00–7:15 pm – Dinner
- Photographer captures candids, décor, details
7:15–7:45 pm – Speeches
- Often: parents → maid of honour → best man → the couple
- Toasts & laughter
7:45–8:00 pm – Cake Cutting
- Short, sweet, and very photographable
8:00–8:15 pm – First Dance & Parent Dances
- First dance
- Father–daughter / mother–son dances
8:15–8:45 pm – Open Dancing Starts
8:30–8:45 pm – Sneak Out for Sunset Photos (If Light Allows)
- 15–20 min outside for dreamy golden photos
Non-Traditional / Modern Timeline Example
Scenario:
- Outdoor ceremony at 4:30 pm
- First look (all portraits before ceremony)
- Cocktail-style reception at same venue
- Sunset around 9:30 pm
Morning / Getting Ready
10:00 am – Hair & Makeup Starts
- More relaxed morning, maybe brunch with your wedding party
11:00 am – Photographer Arrives
- Detail photos, candids, venue shots
11:00–12:00 pm – Details & Getting Ready
- As above: dress, rings, invites, etc.
12:00–12:30 pm – Getting Dressed
12:30–1:00 pm – First Look Setup & Travel (if separate location)
First Look & Pre-Ceremony Portraits
1:00–1:30 pm – First Look
- Private moment together
- Time to cry, laugh, spin around and say, “OK we’re really doing this.”
1:30–2:15 pm – Couple Portraits
- Romantic photos without time pressure
- You’re fresh, makeup is perfect, and no one’s waiting on you
2:15–3:00 pm – Bridal Party Photos
- Group photos, fun poses, creative shots
3:00–3:30 pm – Immediate Family Photos
- Parents, siblings, grandparents
3:30–4:00 pm – Break / Hide Before Guests Arrive
- Snacks, water, bathroom break
- Photographer grabs ceremony detail shots and guests arriving
Ceremony & Cocktail Hour
4:30–5:00 pm – Ceremony
- Short & sweet outdoor ceremony
5:00–5:10 pm – Confetti / Petal Toss Exit
5:10–6:30 pm – Cocktail Hour
- You join cocktail hour because guess what? Your photos are already done.
- Candid photos of you mingling with guests, enjoying apps, drinks, lawn games
(Maybe a few quick group shots with friends that weren’t in family photos.)
Reception Flow (Cocktail-Style)
6:30 pm – Casual Grand Entrance
- No formal line-up, just an announcement as you enter
- Could go straight into a quick thank-you speech
6:45–7:30 pm – Food Stations / Grazing Tables
- Guests eat as they like
- No long dinner lines of “Table 7, your turn”
7:30–8:00 pm – Speeches (Grouped)
- Short, punchy speeches while everyone has food and drinks
- Keep this under 30 minutes so the vibe stays upbeat
8:00–8:10 pm – Cake Cutting / Dessert Announcement
8:15–8:30 pm – First Dance & Parent Dances
8:30–9:00 pm – Open Dancing / Party Starts
9:00–9:20 pm – Sunset Photos
- Slip away for 15–20 minutes
- This is usually when you get those “OMG, that’s going on the wall” photos
Wildly Original Timeline #1
The Brunch Wedding
Scenario:
- Brunch buffet, coffee bar, and mimosas
- Ceremony at 10:30 am
- Reception ends mid-afternoon
Early Morning
6:30 am – Hair & Makeup Starts (yes, really)
7:30 am – Photographer Arrives
7:30–8:15 am – Detail & Getting Ready Photos
- Dress, shoes, rings, coffee mugs instead of champagne flutes
8:15–8:45 am – Getting Dressed
8:45–9:15 am – First Look (Optional)
- Sweet, quiet morning moment
9:15–9:45 am – Couple Portraits
9:45–10:15 am – Family Photos (Immediate Only)
Ceremony & Brunch
10:30–11:00 am – Ceremony
- Bright morning light, fresh faces
11:00–11:10 am – Confetti / Bubbles Exit
11:10–11:30 am – Quick Group Photo & Congrats
- Big group shot with all guests
11:30 am–1:00 pm – Brunch Reception
- Pancake/waffle bar, bacon, omelettes, fruit
- Coffee bar + mimosas
- Background music or live acoustic
12:15–12:45 pm – Speeches & Toasts
- Coffee mugs raised instead of champagne
12:45–1:00 pm – Cake Cutting (or Donut Tower Destruction)
Dancing (or Games) & Exit
1:00–2:00 pm – Light Dancing or Lawn Games
- Short dance party or chill games: cornhole, giant Jenga
1:30–1:45 pm – “Mock” Exit
- Sparklers, ribbon wands, bubbles, or flower petals
2:00 pm – Official End of Event
- You still have the whole evening to yourselves. Date night, anyone?
Wildly Original Timeline #2
Campfire & Stars Micro-Wedding
Scenario:
- Small group (20–40 guests)
- Forest or lakeside setting
- Sunset ceremony, campfire reception
- Super relaxed, very “Pinterest cottagecore”
Afternoon
2:00 pm – Hair & Makeup / Getting Ready at Cabin
3:00 pm – Photographer Arrives
3:00–3:45 pm – Detail & Getting Ready Photos
- Boots, blankets, flannel shirts, rings, and s’mores kits
3:45–4:15 pm – First Look in the Trees
4:15–5:00 pm – Couple & Bridal Party Photos
- Explore the trees, dock, fields
5:00–5:30 pm – Family Photos
5:30–6:00 pm – Guests Arrive at Ceremony Spot
Hot chocolate or mulled cider station
Sunset Ceremony & Campfire
6:00–6:30 pm – Ceremony
- Short vows
- Maybe everyone stands in a semi-circle
6:30–6:45 pm – Group Photo & Hugs
6:45–7:30 pm – Golden Hour Photos
- Wander around with your photographer while guests head to campfire reception
Cozy Reception
7:30–8:30 pm – Casual Dinner
- Food trucks, BBQ, or a buffet
- Guests eat seated at picnic tables or Adirondack chairs
8:30–9:00 pm – Toasts Around the Fire
- Guests share stories, short speeches
- A little roasting of the couple is encouraged
9:00–9:15 pm – First Dance Under the Stars
- String lights, lanterns, or just the fire
9:15–10:00 pm – S’mores, Stargazing, Acoustic Guitar
How to Customize These Timelines for Your Day
Here’s how to tweak any of these examples without losing your mind:
- Start with your ceremony time and sunset.
Build everything backwards and forwards from those. - Choose your style:
- Like order & tradition? Lean into the traditional timeline.
- Want to mingle at cocktail hour and reduce stress? Use the non-traditional / first look timeline.
- Want something unique that feels like you? Use the wildly original timelines as a skeleton.
- Plug in your building blocks:
- Getting ready: 3–5 hours before first look or ceremony
- Photos: 1.5–3 hours total (family + wedding party + couple)
- Cocktail hour: 1–1.5 hours
- Reception: 4–6 hours
- Be realistic about humans.
People misplace shoes, someone needs to steam a dress, a groomsman will absolutely forget his boutonnière. Buffers = sanity. - Share the timeline with your team.
- Photographer/videographer
- Planner / day-of coordinator
- MC and DJ
- Key family members
Everyone should be on the same page (literally, in the same Google Doc).
