For Your Wedding Planning: 8-Hour Wedding Timeline Example

Finally back with the ‘8-hour Wedding Timeline Example’!

For those of you who are new here, hi, my name is Amy. I am a Seattle-based wedding photographer, and I am hoping to keep writing blog posts that are helpful for your wedding planning. It will mostly be related to wedding photography, but sometimes, it might totally be unrelated to photography. What about an interview with a wedding planner in Seattle? What about the wedding flower trend in 2022? I have so many ideas!!

2022 wedding vendors are getting booked so quickly, and it’s so crazy how many couples who have waited so long to get married throughout the pandemic are now getting all ready to celebrate with the people they love! That said, I just want to let you know that I like to chat about what matters the most to you to capture on your wedding day and plan a rough timeline of the day during the client meeting. When the client meeting is over, I like to take my time right away or that night to make a list of important things that were mentioned and make a rough timeline. And of course, I drop this list in your email inbox hoping this will lessen your burden of wedding planning.

After you are booked, during your wedding planning stage, I will keep in touch with you to finalize the details of the timeline. On the wedding day, that timeline will be on my phone lock screen, so I will make sure I don’t miss anything on your special day! So, should we jump right in and see an example timeline we can create together?

Oh, 4-hour and 6-hour wedding timeline example is also posted if you want to read them. =)

Your 8 Hour Wedding Timeline Example

 1:30 PM – I’ll show up nice and early wherever you are and spend some time getting to know you and your loved ones before the big day begins.

2 PM – Our session begins! I’ll arrive at the location where you’re getting ready and doing your hair and make-up. This is where I will take detailed shots of your wedding gown hanging beautifully from a window and can get flat-lay shots of personal touches important to you. I’ll also be snapping away as you and your loved ones get ready so that I can capture the beautiful moments in the lead up to the ceremony, before photographing the moment you change into your wedding gown. I will then capture the gift exchange moment. This could be the time you read a letter from your spouse-to-be or open a heartfelt gift, whatever it is this often evokes a beautiful emotional response that is so special to time-capsule in photos!

2:45 PM – Bride and Bridesmaid Portraits! 

3:10 PM – I will arrive where the Bridegroom is getting ready. This is where I will take detailed shots of his suit and accessories as well as capturing all the exciting moments as he gets ready for the ceremony. I will then shoot his gift exchange moment. I love seeing the emotion and love in a groom’s eyes as he reads a letter or opens a gift from his bride. 

3:40 PM – Bridegroom and Groomsmen Portrait! 

4 PM – The First Look! The Bridegroom and I will be waiting (excitedly) at the perfect outdoor location – I’ll be ready to capture all the excitement and emotion in his face as he sees you for the first time. 

4:45 PM – Ceremony Begins! 

5:15 PM – The wedding couple walk (or dance!) back down the aisle together as newlyweds and the celebrations begin! (This is a great time to capture a quick celebration kiss at the end of the aisle)! 

5:30 PM – Time to grab your closest family and friends so that we can get photos with all the people that made your ceremony and celebration so wonderful and full! Try to make a list of all of the family members and friends you’d like to get photos within this time and share it with me before the wedding. That way I can make sure we don’t miss anyone important to you.

6:15 PM – I will take some more detailed shots of the reception area for you to look back on before the guests flood in!

6:30 PM –  Guests are invited into the reception area! 

7 PM –  Ready to sneak out and get some gorgeous sunset Bride & Groom Portrait? This is a great time for the newlyweds to take a deep breath, relax, and just focus on each other.

7:45 PM –  Enjoy your well-earned dinner!

8:15 PM –  It’s time to cut the cake and toss the bouquet! Don’t worry. If a food fight (or bouquet fight) ensues, I’ll be there to capture all the action shots! I’ll also capture all the special moments as your family members, and friends toast to the happy couple! 

9:00 PM – The newly-married couple make their grand entrance for their first dance! I will also snap all the explosive moves as your wedding guests burn up the dance floor!

10:00 PM – Coverage ends! I’ll congratulate the happy couple, and head home to work on your sneak peeks as you enjoy the rest of your night (or relax)!

Is this timeline something you want to re-create for your own special day? I’m here to do it together with you! So if you are ready to chat more, CONTACT ME so I can better serve you!