How to Create the Perfect Wedding Day Timeline (With Real Examples)

Trying to build the perfect wedding day timeline? Whether you're getting married in Orange County or planning a destination wedding, timing is everything. A clear, thoughtful schedule helps everything run smoothly — from getting ready and family portraits to your grand entrance and first dance. In this guide, we’ll show you how to create a stress-free timeline with real wedding examples (with and without a first look), and tips to make the most of your day.

Why Your Wedding Timeline Matters

A thoughtful timeline helps:

Eliminate unnecessary stress and confusion
Keep vendors, family, and friends on the same page
Maximize time for portraits and moments that matter
Ensure nothing important gets missed

Let’s walk through two popular timeline structures based on a 5:00 PM ceremony time and two photographers on site.

Wedding Timeline Without a First Look

2:00 PM – Coverage begins (detail shots and getting ready)
2:45 PM – Hair and makeup completed
3:00 PM – Bride gets dressed
3:30 PM – Wedding party photos (in separate locations)
4:00 PM – Family photos (bride with her family, groom with his)
4:30 PM – Guests begin to arrive; bride hides
5:00 PM – Ceremony begins
5:30 PM – Ceremony ends / cocktail hour begins
5:40 PM – Start full family photos
6:10 PM – Family photos completed
6:15 PM – Couple’s portraits (10–15 minutes)
6:30 PM – Cocktail hour ends
6:35 PM – Guests are seated
6:40 PM – Grand entrance
6:45 PM – First dance
6:50 PM – Toasts
7:00 PM – Dinner service
7:45 PM – Speeches
8:10 PM – Parent dances
8:20 PM – Bouquet/garter toss
8:30 PM – Dance floor opens
9:00 PM – Photo and video coverage ends

Wedding Timeline With a First Look

1:00 PM – Coverage begins (detail shots and getting ready)
2:00 PM – Hair and makeup completed
2:05 PM – Bride gets dressed
2:30 PM – First look with dad and/or bridesmaids
2:45 PM – First look with groom
3:00 PM – Bride and groom portraits
3:30 PM – Wedding party photos (all together)
4:00 PM – Optional family photos
4:30 PM – Guests begin to arrive; bride hides
5:00 PM – Ceremony begins
5:30 PM – Ceremony ends / cocktail hour begins
5:40 PM – Family photos (if not completed earlier)
5:50 PM – Sunset couple’s portraits
6:30 PM – Cocktail hour ends
6:35 PM – Guests are seated
6:40 PM – Grand entrance
6:45 PM – First dance
6:50 PM – Toasts
7:00 PM – Dinner service
7:45 PM – Speeches
8:10 PM – Parent dances
8:20 PM – Bouquet/garter toss
8:30 PM – Dance floor opens
9:00 PM – Photo and video coverage ends

Should You Do a First Look?

There’s no right or wrong answer — but a first look can:

Give you more private time with your partner
Let you take most photos before the ceremony
Free up your cocktail hour for mingling
Help you feel calmer before walking down the aisle

The trade-off is that it does require an earlier start to your day and a little more coverage time. But the emotional payoff and flexibility are often well worth it.

Pro Tips for Building Your Timeline

Always build in extra time for hair, makeup, and unexpected delays
If you’re having multiple locations, account for travel time
Communicate the timeline with vendors, family, and the wedding party
Plan portraits around the best lighting (hello, golden hour!)
Let your photography/videography team help guide your schedule — we’re here to make the day smoother for you

💬 Wedding Timeline FAQ

Q: What time should hair and makeup start on a wedding day?
A: Plan to finish hair and makeup at least 60–90 minutes before you get dressed. This gives your photographer time to capture details and getting ready moments before portraits begin.

Q: How much time should we allow for family photos?
A: Typically, 20–30 minutes is enough for family formals, depending on how many groupings you want. Creating a family photo list ahead of time is a game changer.

Q: What’s the best time for couple’s portraits?
A: The best time is usually golden hour — about 30–60 minutes before sunset. If you do a first look, portraits can also be done earlier with extra time for sunset photos later.

Q: What is a “first look” and should we do one?
A: A first look is a private moment between the couple before the ceremony. It helps ease nerves, allows more time for photos, and frees up your cocktail hour.

Q: How long is a typical wedding day?
A: From prep to reception, most weddings are between 8–12 hours. Your photo/video team will typically be on-site for 6–10 hours depending on your package.

Need Help? We’ll Build It With You.

At Shoreline Weddings, we help all our couples build a timeline that’s tailored to their venue, light, and schedule. Whether you’re planning a wedding in Orange County or Central Virginia, we’ve got your back.