A Real Wedding Day Timeline That Works From A Fraser Valley Wedding Photographer
How to Decide How Many Hours of Photography/Videography Coverage You Need
A wedding day can run smooth as butter if your timeline is laid out properly. As a Fraser Vallery Wedding Photography and Videography company we have witnessed timelines that are successful and some which leave your day rushed and stressed. A well planned out timeline will create space for you to live in the moment and soak up the real moments of one of the best days of your life!
Start with the times you know for sure. The ceremony is usually the best anchor point for your timeline, and you can work both forward and backward from there.
Be sure to factor in travel time between locations. Consider high-traffic times and build in buffer periods for potential delays. Common delays include traffic, forgetting an item and needing to turn back, or someone in the group getting lost.
Connect with your vendors and ask for their timeline recommendations. Your photographer, videographer, hair and makeup team, and coordinator can all provide valuable insight based on experience.
Timeline Breakdown
Morning Coverage
It’s best to speak with your hair and makeup team to confirm when you’ll be finished. For photography, we typically recommend a minimum of 1.5 hours if you’d like morning coverage. Keep in mind, the longer your photographer is present, the more candid and creative moments can be captured.
Ceremony
Ceremony length can vary depending on whether it is religious, legal, or includes special elements. Speak with your commissioner, pastor, priest, or officiant to determine the expected duration.
Receiving Line
If you plan to have a receiving line, allow approximately 30 seconds per guest.
Family Photos
Plan for 30–45 minutes, depending on family size and the number of group combinations.
Wedding Party Photos
Allow 30–45 minutes, depending on the size of the wedding party and the variety of groupings.
Couple Portraits
We recommend 45 minutes total. This time can also be split, with part of the session taking place during golden hour (typically just after dinner, depending on the season).
Dinner
Plan for 1–1.5 hours.
Speeches
Allow approximately 5 minutes per speech.
Dances
Plan for 2-5 minutes per dance.
Cake Cutting
Allow 5–15 minutes, depending on transitions and whether you’d like time to enjoy your cake.
Open Dance Floor
If you’d like photos of your guests dancing, we recommend at least 30 minutes of coverage.
Pro tip: If you want people on the dance floor, be out there yourselves—guests almost always follow the couple.
Timeline Mock up
9:00am hair and make up begins
11:39am bride to start hair and make up
12:00pm photography and videography begins
-photographer and videographer start with details shots
12:30pm photographer and videographer getting candids of hair and make up
1:00pm final touches of bride and get dress of
1:15pm leave to ceremony 15 minute travel time
1:30pm arrive at the ceremony space, last minute moment, photographer and videographer set up for ceremony and get guests arriving.
2:00pm ceremony
2:30pm ceremony complete buffer time
2:45pm family photos on location
3:15pm Travel 15 minutes to wedding party photo location
3:30pm start wedding party photos
4:15pm couples photos
5:00pm travel to reception 20 minutes
5:30pm reception grand entrance
5:35pm welcome toast
5:40pm dinner buffet begins
6:45pm cake cutting
6:50pm speeches begin
7:20pm first dance, father daughter dance, mother son dance (or any variation of dances)
7:30 dance floor opens
8:00pm photographer/videography is complete
Need help building your wedding timeline? We help every couple with this. Inquire to learn more.
