Timeline Guide

So you've locked in your dream team of suppliers it's time to start planning the best day ever with your timeline.


The flow of your day depends on your timeline from choosing the ceremony start time to capturing those beautiful golden hour bridal portraits.

Read my guide below to creating the perfect timeline from start to finish.

Work backwards from sunset.


One of the best peices of advice i can give you is working backwards from sunset. This means researching what time sunset is during the month you've chosen and working back to allow time for bridal portraits, family photos and the ceremony.


Working back also allows you to allocate the appropriate time for the most important images of the day - the bridal portraits. You want this to start an hour before sunset which is also known as golden hour.


I recommend avoiding midday or early afternoon ceremonies, if possible, especially during summer, as the lighting can be quite harsh and also cause squinting in your images.

Consider your hair and makeup times.


Plan for your hair and makeup to finish around 1 hour before you head off to the ceremony, this allows me to arrive just as you're finishing up and to start on those getting ready details with hair and makeup complete.

Allocate time for group photos.


The time we need for group photos is normally determined by the number of guest but I do recommend only having around 10 different combinations so you aren't spending all afternoon getting family photos.

Have your MC help by reading out the combinations and marking off each group to make things run smoothly.


I also suggest leaving some time to greet guests after your ceremony to give kisses and hugs so allow about 15mins for this.


Stay close by for bridal portraits.


It's time to head off for the most important images of the day. Choose a location not too far away from the reception to take advantage of our time. I recommend allocating at least 1 hour for these and if you plan on travelling in between locations or have a large bridal party add on 30 mins to 1 hour to cover you.



Reception details.


When it comes to your wedding reception, your venue or caterer will be the best people to discuss your timing for food and speeches.

Having me there to capture all the details of reception is important so to maximise the most out of this I would suggest having a mock cake cutting at the start of the night and kicking off your reception with the first dance, this way all the formalities are out of the way and you can both enjoy yourselves.

Keeping in mind everything mentioned above an example timeline would be...


  • 12.30pm-1pm Photographer arrives at Groom suite (mock getting ready photos)
  • 1pm-1.30pm Travel to Bride
  • 1.30pm Photographer arrives at Bridal suite
  • 2pm Groom leaves for the Ceremony to arrive 2.30pm
  • 2.30pm Bride leaves for the Ceremony to arrive 3pm
  • 3-3.30pm Ceremony (typical ceremony lasts 30mins)
  • 3.30pm - 3.45pm Greet and Mingle with guests
  • 3.45pm-4.15pm Group Photos
  • 4.15pm-4.30pm Travel to location for bridal portraits (leave extra if possible)
  • 4.30pm-5pm Bridal portraits
  • 5pm-5.30pm Couple portraits
  • 5.30pm-5.45pm Return to venue
  • 5.45pm-6pm Organise entry song with Dj/MC and have a little time together before walking in
  • 6pm Reception Entrance
  • 6pm-6.15pm Settle in
  • 6.15pm -6.20pm Mock cake cut
  • 6.20-6.30pm First Dance

Tips To Help Your Day Run Smoothly

01. GETTING READY


The start of your day is the most important.

Here are some tips I have for making your day run smooth from the beginning.

  • Order food breakfast and lunch (you need to eat before the big day)
  • Make sure you know exactly when your makeup and hair start's/finishes.
  • Get a shoebox and place all your accessories inside it ready for me to arrive and start photographing.

02. CEREMONY


Head out to the location you have in mind at the exact time you plan to get married.

This will help choose a specific area for your alter and to make sure you aren't in the full sun to prevent squinting in your photos.


I know you've probably heard ceremonies normally start around 2/3pm but keep in mind sunset. Work back from the sunset for that month to work out your start time.


Organise your special vehicle for your arrival at the ceremony.

03. GROUP PHOTOS


Plan your group photos to be close by to the ceremony location this saves losing anyone in the change of locations. Keep in mind the sun, check where it is and make sure it wont be in your guest's eyes during the photos.

Have a list of group shots and stick to it, use your MC to call names and mark them off as we go. This will guarantee you get all those important photos.

04. BRIDAL PORTRAITS


These are pretty straight forward, just make sure you have chosen a loation to take your bridal party, bring a bottle of champayne or an esky or drinks to help with the nerves.

I'll play some music and we will just have fun!


Have a Pinterest board with pose ideas? Don't forget to share it with me.

05. RECEPTION


This begins with your grand entrance, followed by first dance, cake cut, toasts/speeches and dinner.


If you have booked me for the 6 hour package I always suggest doing a mock cake cut and adding your first dance/father daughter dance right after your entrance to make sure we have covered the important parts of your reception.


Fun little things you can do at your reception.

  • Have a fun entrance with each of your couples.
  • Plan some party games
  • Hire a photobooth
  • Lawn games
  • Plan for the kids (gift coloring in packs or play dough, bubbles etc.)
  • Plan a sparkler send off
  • Add personalised touhes to your decor (neon sign, wooden sign with your new last name just things you can keep forever)
  • Have an instant camera for your guest book, it's great to look back and see your guests as you read their notes.


06. OTHER OPTIONS IF TIME PERMITS


This is a list of options to include in your day.


  • First look with fiancé, some people like to have a private meeting before they meet at the ceremony, this allows those emotions to show freely and gets some of the nerves out of the way.
  • First look with father of the bride.
  • First look with the mother of the groom.
  • Have extra time after bridal portraits? Plan a difference location just for the two of you to have your intimate portraits.