Wedding Day Timeline Tips: Sample Timelines

Sample Wedding Day Timelines: Tips from a Destination & Tulsa Wedding Photographer

Planning your wedding day timeline may feel overwhelming, but the more thorough you are beforehand, the more you can go on autopilot and truly stay present on your big day!

As a destination and OKC wedding photographer, I’ve created sample timelines below to help you visualize the flow of a wedding day from a photography perspective. These are flexible guides — we’ll customize them based on your unique needs and wishes, and review your timeline together weeks before your wedding to make sure everything flows smoothly.

Sample Wedding Timeline – 10 Hours of Photography Coverage

12:00 PM – Madelyn arrives: capturing details, venue shots, getting ready photos for both partners and family helping set up.
1:45 PM – Partner 1 getting dressed + solo portraits
2:00 PM – Partner 2 getting dressed + solo portraits
2:30 PM – First look & couple portraits
3:00 PM – Wedding party photos
3:30 PM – Couple hidden away for private moments
4:00–4:45 PM – Ceremony
4:45 PM – Family portraits (I’ll organize this efficiently!)
5:15 PM – Sign marriage certificate
5:30 PM – Announced into reception / dinner served
6:15 PM – Speeches
6:30 PM – Cake cutting
7:00 PM – First dances
7:30 PM – Sunset couple portraits
7:50 PM – Open dance floor
9:45 PM – Line up for grand exit
10:00 PM – Madelyn leaves / Party continues!

Sample Wedding Timeline – 8 Hours of Photography Coverage

1:00 PM – Madelyn arrives: details & getting ready photos
1:30 PM – Partner 1 getting dressed
1:45 PM – Partner 2 getting dressed
2:00 PM – First look
2:30 PM – Bridal party photos
3:00 PM – Family photos
3:30 PM – Couple hidden away for private moments
4:00 PM – Ceremony
4:30 PM – Sign marriage certificate + a few couple photos
5:30 PM – Announced into reception / dinner served
6:30 PM – Cake cutting
6:40 PM – Speeches
7:00 PM – First dances
7:15 PM – Open dance floor
7:30 PM – Sneak away for 15 min of sunset portraits
8:00 PM – Dance party continues
8:45 PM – Grand exit or staged exit
9:00 PM – Madelyn leaves / Party keeps going!

Quick Tips for a Smooth Timeline

Hair & Makeup

Coordinate with your artists, but typically a bride’s hair and makeup take about 2 hours total. Make sure you build in extra time for touch-ups!

First Look

I love first looks for multiple reasons! If you choose not to do one, you can simply shift this photography time after the ceremony. Plan about 1.5 hours for bridal party & couple photos, and 30 minutes for family formals.

Speeches

Speeches are beautiful, sentimental moments — but make sure your speakers know their time limit. 15 minutes is plenty; nobody wants a 20-minute ramble about college memories!

Your Day is All About YOU

This timeline is just a guide — prioritize what matters most to you and your fiancé. Want 10 quiet minutes alone? Take them! The goal is to capture memories while enjoying every second of your wedding day.

Why Having a Photography-Focused Timeline Matters

Ensures all important moments are captured
Reduces stress by keeping things organized and predictable
Gives you more time to relax and enjoy your day
Allows your photographer to maximize light and location opportunities, like golden hour portraits

Want a stress-free wedding day? Learn how to create a seamless schedule with sample timelines, photography tips, and expert advice to enjoy every moment of your celebration. View the full blog post here!

Pro Tip: Even with a detailed timeline, leave a little buffer time for travel and unexpected moments. Weddings rarely run perfectly on schedule, and having a little flexibility keeps your day calm and stress-free.