For couples who want to be fully present and soak in every moment without feeling rushed.

Your wedding day timeline isn’t just a schedule. It’s the blueprint of how your day will feel. 

An intentional wedding itinerary allows you to:

• Have a calm, fun, stress-free morning where you can be fully present
• Time to connect, breathe and take it all in
• Avoid unnecessary stress or feeling rushed
• Maximize your time with loved ones

That’s why I create a customized wedding photography timeline for every couple, so your day moves exactly as it’s meant to! The last thing you want is to feel rushed or overwhelmed. I work closely with you, your planner and your vendors to make sure you have time to breathe, be present and truly enjoy every moment, without sacrificing meaningful interactions.

At the bottom of this post, you’ll find a wedding day timeline template, including a wedding itinerary example for an 8-hour day with a first look. Every wedding is unique, so we’ll customize your coverage based on your venue, ceremony time, and locations.

Here’s how to plan a timeline that feels effortless, natural, and completely aligned with your vision.

1. Start with Your Ceremony Time & Work Backward

Your ceremony is the anchor of your wedding schedule, so start here. I work with my couples to consider the following when they decide on their ceremony start time.

• Time of Year & Lighting: If you’re having an outdoor ceremony, plan for it to start 30-60 minutes before sunset (if you’re doing a first look) or at least 2 hours before sunset (if skipping the first look).
• Season & Sunset Time: A winter wedding will have an earlier sunset than a summer wedding—if you want soft, golden-hour portraits, plan accordingly.
• Religious or Cultural Traditions: Some ceremonies require extra time for meaningful traditions, so build in buffer time to keep everything smooth.

 

Ideal Ceremony Start Times
• Spring/Summer Outdoor Weddings: 4:30 – 6:00 PM for dreamy golden-hour portraits
• Fall/Winter Outdoor Weddings: 3:00 – 4:30 PM to maximize daylight

Pro Tip: Ask your venue where the sun will be during your ceremony to make sure you’re standing in the best light.

2. Plan for a Slow, Relaxed Morning

How your morning unfolds sets the tone for your entire wedding day. The key? Start early, leave room for breathing, and don’t rush.

• Hair & Makeup: Tell your team to have everyone ready by the time I arrive. I always start with flat-lay details so there’s no stress if hair & makeup runs slightly behind.
• Getting Ready Photos: I typically set aside 45+ minutes for these moments. Details, getting ready, final touches, bridal portraits and time with your family & bridal party.

 

Pro Tip: Create a peaceful, uncluttered space with soft natural light. This makes all the difference in your photos.

3. First Look + Wedding Party & Family Portraits

A first look is more than just photos. It’s a chance to slow down, take in the moment and soak in the significance of your day together. If you’d rather save the reveal for the aisle, you can still create an intimate moment with a first touch, private vow exchange or personal love letters.

Ideal Portrait Timing

• First Look + Couples Portraits: 30 minutes
• Bridal Party Portraits: 25 minutes (I split up the groups with my second shooter for efficiency)
• Immediate Family Portraits: 25 minutes (parents, grandparents, and siblings)
• Extended Family Portraits: Saved for post-ceremony

 

Pro Tip: If skipping a first look, we’ll still take as many portraits as possible before the ceremony to keep everything stress-free later.

4. Build in Extra Time for Transitions

Your wedding itinerary should account for travel between locations, unexpected delays and moments to simply pause and take it all in.

• Pre-Ceremony Break: 30 minutes (relax, refresh, breathe)
• Load-In/Load-Out at Venues: minimum 5 minutes for each
• Travel Time Between Locations: Varies, but always plan for unexpected delays

 

Pro Tip: If moving between locations, add in extra time so nothing feels rushed.

5. Cocktail hour Coverage: Capturing the Moments and Guests

If you’re doing a first look, your cocktail hour will be filled with candids, guest interactions and reception details. If you’re not doing a first look, we’ll use this time for family portraits, wedding party and couples photos. I’ll try to send my second photographer in for the other stuff!

How This Time Is Used

• Cocktail Hour & Reception Detail Photos: 20 minutes
• Grip & Grin Guest Photos: 20 minutes
• Extended Family & Group Portraits: 20 minutes

 

Pro Tip: If family & wedding party portraits are done pre-ceremony, you’ll actually get to enjoy cocktail hour with your guests.

6. A Reception That Flows Effortlessly

Your wedding schedule should allow your reception to feel natural and fun, without keeping guests waiting. Keep the energy high by rolling right into dances & toasts as guests settle in for dinner.

Recommended Reception Flow

• Entrances & First Dance: Right after grand entrance while energy is high
• Toasts & Speeches: During the first course (so guests aren’t waiting too long)
• Dinner: You eat first, then, as guests are eating you enjoy this time & sneak away for sunset portraits or your wedding dress change for reception
• Cake Cutting: Just before the dance floor opens in your reception outfit
• Dance Floor Opens: After your iconic second entrance/ cake cutting

 

Pro Tip: Plan a private last dance while guests prep for your send-off.  It’s a beautiful way to soak in the final moments.

Example 8-hour Wedding Day Timeline with First Look:

Photographer 1: start at venue – 12:30 pm

• 12:30-1- flat-lay details
• 1-1:30- bridesmaids getting ready photos
• 1:30-2:00- Bride gets dressed
• 2-2:10- bridal portraits
• 2:10- first look with dad
• 2:15- first look with bridesmaids
• 2:20- head out to first look

Photographer 2:

• 12:30-1- detail photos
• 1-2- documentary getting ready photos
• 2:15- Groom heads out to first look

 

• 2:20-2:50- first look + couples portraits
• 2:45- family and bridal party should come outside
• 2:50-3:15-bridal party portraits
• 3:15-3:35- immediate family portraits
• 3:35-3:50- heirloom, generational photos with mom, aunts and cousin grandmom by dress table (this is an example of an heirloom moment that you can add into your timeline)
• 3:50-4:15-  burbon bike photos (another custom moment)
• 4-4:30- ceremony details while couple rests/ takes break
• 4:30-4:50- ceremony
• 4:50-5:10- extended family photos
• 5:10- couple heads to cocktail hour
• 5:15-5:30- reception detail photos
• 5:30-6- Guest Grip and Grins (note, this couple had a 1.5 hour cocktail hour) 
• 6:15- line up
• 6:30 – reception + events
• 6:35- first dances
• 6:50- table photos – bride and groom will go to each table
• 7–salad and speeches
• 7:30- bride and groom change into reception outfits
• 8- grand entrance in reception outfit, straight  into cake cutting
• 8:10- dance floor opens
• 8:50- reception portraits (market lights)
• 9- photographers end

This is an example of a custom 8-hour wedding day with two photographers, tailored to fit exactly what my clients wanted. Every couple’s day is unique, which is why all KAP clients receive personalized coverage designed around their priorities. Let’s chat about what matters most to you and build a package that fits your vision perfectly!

Your wedding day should feel intentional, seamless, and completely yours, not a packed schedule that has you running from one moment to the next. Let’s design a day that flows effortlessly, keeps you present, and feels exactly like you. Contact me!