Wedding Day Timeline-Part 2 | Wedding Wednesday

A few weeks ago, I started a new series all about wedding day timelines! I started off with the basics, which season you are getting married in and what time you might want your wedding to start. Then I suggested starting your wedding timeline with your ceremony. It is much easier to plan around your ceremony, then trying to start with your hair appointment.

You have chosen the time you want your wedding to start; now you can start planning around your ceremony. Usually ceremonies are about 30-45minutes, which leads into the next part of your wedding day, family portraits. In most cases, family portraits follow the ceremony. (For helpful tips to organize and plan your family portraits, click here!). I suggest planning 30 minutes for family portraits.

A quick review, so far you have your ceremony timeframe planned: 30-45minutes and your family portraits 30 minutes.

The next part to consider is your portraits! Do you want to have a “First Look” or wait until after the ceremony for portraits? This is where the season and time of wedding are very important. If you are having a late Fall or Winter wedding, I would advise a “First Look” (though I always advise a “First Look”!) due to the earlier sunset times. It will be almost completely dark outside by the time your ceremony and family portraits are finished, leaving a limited amount of time for portraits of just the two of you.

If you choose to not have a “First Look”, I would suggest planning an hour (or more) after your family portraits for a few bridal party pictures and portraits of just the two of you!

If you choose a “First Look”, this is planned before your ceremony. I recommend planning your “First Look” at least 2 hours before your ceremony. This allows time for your “First Look” (about an hour) and bridal party pictures (about 25 minutes) and still leaves you with time to hide the bride before guests start arriving. Having a “First Look” allows you to accomplish most of your portraits and bridal party portraits before your ceremony allowing you to get to your reception sooner.

A quick review (without a “First Look):
-Ceremony- 30-45 minutes
-Family Portraits- 30minutes
-Bridal Party Portraits-10- 15 minutes
-Portraits- 1 hour (or more)

With a “First Look” (at least 2 hours before the ceremony):
-“First Look”- 1 hour
-Bridal party pictures- 25 minutes
-Ceremony-30-45 minutes
-Family Portraits-30 minutes

Stay tuned for Part 3! We will break down the amount of time needed for details and getting ready!



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