How to Create a Wedding Timeline That Flows Smoothly (With Sample Timelines)

Creating your wedding timeline might feel overwhelming, but it doesn’t have to be. A well-planned schedule helps your day feel relaxed and stress-free—and ensures you get beautiful photos in the best light. Whether you're working with a planner or figuring it out on your own, here’s how to create a wedding timeline that actually works.

Start With the Sunset Time

One of the most important things to check early in the planning process is the sunset time on your wedding day. It might seem like a small detail, but it actually affects the timing of almost everything—your ceremony, photos, dinner, and how the rest of the day flows.

If you’re having an outdoor ceremony or want to take advantage of natural light, knowing when the sun sets helps you plan backwards. For example, if sunset is at 7:30 PM and you're not doing a first look, you'll want to make sure your ceremony happens early enough to leave time for family photos, wedding party photos, and couple portraits before the light fades.

Even if you're doing a first look and getting most portraits done earlier in the day, sunset still matters—you might want to sneak away for a few minutes during golden hour (the last hour of daylight) for some soft, romantic portraits. And if your reception is outside or in a tent with natural light, sunset will also affect when it starts to get dark and whether you’ll need additional lighting.

Bottom line: once you know your sunset time, you can use it to map out the rest of your day—especially when it comes to your ceremony start time and your photography timeline.

First Look or No First Look: How It Affects Your Ceremony Time

One of the biggest timeline decisions you'll make is whether to do a first look—seeing each other before the ceremony. This choice has a big impact on how your day flows and when your ceremony should start.

• If you’re doing a first look: You can take most of your portraits (couple, wedding party, family) before the ceremony. That means your ceremony can happen closer to sunset—about 1.5 to 2 hours before—and you'll likely get to enjoy all of cocktail hour.

• If you're skipping the first look: All portraits will happen after the ceremony. To make sure there's enough natural light, plan to start the ceremony 2.5 to 3 hours before sunset.

There’s no right or wrong decision—just make sure your timeline supports your choice, especially if you want golden hour photos.

How Much Time Do You Actually Need?

Here’s a general guide for planning each part of the day:

• Getting ready (final touches + details) – 60–90 mins

• First look – 15 mins

• Couple portraits – 30 mins

• Wedding party photos – 30 mins

• Family photos – 30 mins

• Ceremony – 20–30 mins

• Golden hour/sunset portraits – 10-15 mins

Add Buffer Time

Wedding days rarely run exactly on schedule—and that’s okay, I'm always happy to go with the flow! For your own peace of mind, build in 10–15 minute buffers throughout the day to allow for late arrivals, touch-ups, or spontaneous moments. It helps keep things calm and flexible.

Sample Wedding Timelines

Let’s say sunset is at 7:30 PM. Here are two sample timelines—one with a first look, and one without—to help you visualize your day.

Wedding Timeline With a First Look

• 1:00 PM – Photographer arrives, captures details & getting ready

• 2:30 PM – First look

• 2:45 PM – Couple portraits

• 3:15 PM – Wedding party photos

• 3:45 PM – Family photos

• 4:15 PM – Touch-ups / relax

• 5:00 PM – Ceremony

• 5:30 PM – Cocktail hour (you get to enjoy it!)

• 6:30 PM – Reception begins / dinner served

• 7:15 PM – Sunset portraits (optional)

• 7:30 PM – Toasts & first dances

• 8:00 PM – Dance floor opens!

Wedding Timeline Without a First Look

• 2:00 PM – Photographer arrives, captures details & getting ready

• 3:15 PM – Get dressed, final touches

• 4:00 PM – Wedding party portraits (full party after ceremony)

• 4:30 PM – Ceremony

• 5:00 PM – Family photos

• 5:30 PM – Full wedding party photos

• 6:00 PM – Couple portraits

• 6:45 PM – Couple joins cocktail hour or goes straight into reception

• 7:00 PM – Reception begins / dinner served

• 7:15 PM – Sunset portraits (optional)

• 7:30 PM – Toasts & first dances

• 8:00 PM – Dance floor opens!

A well-planned timeline does more than keep things organized—it gives you the space to be present, soak in every part of the day, and enjoy the moments that matter most. Whether you're dreaming of golden hour portraits, a relaxed dinner with your people, or a dance party that goes all night, a little thoughtful planning can help it all unfold naturally.

That said, your wedding day doesn’t have to follow anyone else’s rules. These tips are just a starting point—not a checklist. Your timeline should reflect you—your personality, your priorities, and what feels good. I’m here to help you create a flow that feels true to you, whatever that may look like!

Ready to get started? I'm here to help!