A GUIDE TO DESIGNING YOUR WEDDING TIMELINE FROM NIKAYLA & CO.
More often than not, my couples are designing a wedding timeline for the very first time, and it can seem like an unending list of daunting to-dos. There are a lot of unknowns:
How do you get what you ultimately desire? What are the best practices for the timeline of the day? How do you get the most out of your photography investment? What are common mistakes to avoid? There is so much to consider, and I want to guide you through those things – especially the timeline process.
Overall, the most impactful decisions have to do with the flow of the day. I have seen poorly planned timelines create stressful wedding days, and I have seen strategic timelines save wedding days when emergencies arise. If you want to focus your energy on really being intentional about one main thing in your planning process, direct that intention towards the timeline for the greatest impact! Let’s get started.
- MAKE A TIMELINE FOR YOUR SEASON OF ENGAGEMENT
As soon as you can, find a wedding planning timeline. Many options exist and can be easily customized to fit you two, such as if you have a shorter engagement. Just search Google or Pinterest for an alternative (I just googled and found this one). Refer to this timeline often & stick to it whenever possible!
2. PRIORITIZE THE BIG MOMENTS OF YOUR DAY
Building a timeline based on the non-negotiable moments of your day is a must. If your ceremony is at 2, why would you be taking family photos at 1:30 in the church? That just simply won’t work. I always recommend to hideaway 45-60 minutes before your ceremony to ensure guests won’t see you and that you have time to be with your specially chosen people.
Here is a look at example timelines I share with my couples to have a base. I find that once people see this they are instantly relieved because they can match and flex their wedding days to timelines I have shot before. It also gives me a little cred, by showing everyone how comfortable I am with timeline planning. Over the past 13+ years I’ve worked with hundreds of couples and I’m very confident we can design a timeline together that will help your day flow beautifully.
3. DECIDING IF YOU WANT A FIRST LOOK
The decision to do a first look or not comes pretty easily to each couple most of the time. Usually, couples tend to know if they want a first look or not before they chat with me about it, but if you have questions or are deciding because you want the best photos of the moment you see each other, just know that whatever you choose will remain forever in your gallery.
More often than not, if this choice isn’t an easy one, it has to do with timing. You want all of the family photos done before the mass, but you don’t want to see each other. Or you want to see each other, but don’t have time after you’re makeup is done but before the ceremony. Unfortunately there are some spaces in the timeline where you will have to compromise. But don’t worry, I am here to help you decide what is best for both of you!
If either of you is shy, a one-on-one first look might be for you. If you want more time to feel the reaction of seeing each other and verbalize your feelings, share gifts, or share secret vows, this intimate way of doing the first look is totally worth considering.
But, I have to tell you, some of my favorite ideas stem from people wanting to do a first “something” that isn’t a first look. First prayers, letter readings from each other, first touches, and more. Every part of your day is customizable, including the first look… or lack thereof. No matter what you decide to do or when you do it, this is your day, and you can make it work.
4. GETTING READY PHOTOS AND FLATLAY DETAILS
Deciding if you want getting ready photos can be hard. Are they really necessary? Are they worth the investment? Is this a time of the day I could just use my iPhone camera? Long story short, they are not necessary. But in my completely biased opinion: if the rest of your day is captured beautifully, why would you want to skimp out on this? The moments with just you and your bridesmaids or just you and your groomsmen? And they could be captured in as little as 30 minutes!
A few things to consider when you’re time planning this portion of the day: Do you want to share a “first look” with your bridesmaids? If so they’d better dress first. How about your dad, siblings, or any other person who plays a huge role in your life? Are there certain women who will help you into your gown?
A few other things to consider: put your dress on first, then shoes, then jewelry and veil. All these final steps can be sentimental and sweet, so allow plenty of time for them to happen (especially if you have buttons)! Speaking of the special dress, try to make a note to bring a wooden or specialized hanger along for picture sake.
As for the flatlay, you can learn a little more about that on a blog here. But, the details you have curated for your wedding are so important. I almost always photograph the details and getting ready photos in 60-90 minutes.
5. ORGANIZING FAMILY FORMALS & BRIDAL PARTY
Family formals can be a part of the day that isn’t the easiest to organize but has slowly become a piece of the day that I cherish. As much as it can be crazy to find every niece and nephew, these photos will be the ones that every member of your families will be posting, printing, and loving. Normally, our first interaction with much of your family is at this time, so we love to have a game plan for this part of the day! The timeframe I recommend for family photos depends on the amount of family you have, but generally can be accomplished in 20-40 minutes. Here is a sample family formal list to help you get an idea of what shots you need.
- B&G with Bride’s Immediate Family
- (Parents, Siblings, Grandparents, Nieces, Nephews)
- B&G with Bride’s Grandparents
- B&G with Bride’s Parents
- B&G with Bride’s Siblings
- Bride with her Parents
- Bride with Mom, Bride with Dad
- B&G with both sets of Parents
- B&G with Groom’s Immediate Family
- (Parents, Siblings, Grandparents, Nieces, Nephews) B&G with Groom’s Grandparents
- B&G with Groom’s Parents
- B&G with Groom’s Siblings
- Groom with his Parents
- Groom with Mom, Groom with Dad
Bridal party photos are often much simpler, because there are fewer people. I always recommend one big group photo in the church, one of all the bridesmaids and bride, and one of all the groomsmen and groom. Anything else is extra and fun, but if you have a party bus or time after your family photos before your cocktail hour/reception that is a great time to get in those fun bridal party portraits!
5. YOUR RECEPTION
Much like the ceremony, you have the freedom to make your reception your own. It’s your party; it should be exactly how you want it to be, and aside from your own outfits, this might just be the most customizable part of your day, both visually and in the order of events throughout the night. If your cocktail hour is at 5, your dinner at 6, and your speeches at 7, there is so much more room for customization before a dance starts! Here is a list of some key events that happen often at receptions:
- Welcome by Father of the Bride
- Blessing, speeches, toasts
- Stations for gifts, photos, & decor
- Bouquet and Garter Toss
- Large group portraits with friends
- Champagne tower
- The exit of the Bride and Groom
- Bridal Party Introductions
- First Dance
- Daddy-Daughter Dance
- Mother-Son Dance
- Anniversary Dance
- Traditional Dances
- Cake Cutting
GUEST CONSIDERATION: Take your guests into consideration when planning your timeline. For example, if you have a lot of elderly guests that will not be staying until the very end, make sure you schedule the cake-cutting at a relatively early time so that they can be a part of it. Grandmas love seeing this sweet tradition!
RECEPTION COVERAGE: If you haven’t purchased enough coverage time for your photography to last until the exit, that’s ok! We have several options, like having a controlled exit. I recommend planning your timeline so that you can have around one hour of dancing photographed if you’d like to have photos of that part of your day. One hour of dancing will be enough time to really capture the joy of your reception and get all the fun without too much of the disheveled chaos.
I know that may seem like a lot of information, but it is all here simply to aid you. I recommend using those timeline examples included above as a baseline and forming the day around them as you’d like.
HAPPY WEDDING PLANNING!
Photographer: Nikayla & Co.
Pinterest: Nikayla & Co.
