Why Your Wedding Timeline Matters More Than You Think

A few tips to help make your wedding the best day ever

Planning a wedding can feel like spinning a hundred plates at once. Most couples have never organised an event on this scale before, so it’s normal to wonder how everything is fits together.

One of the biggest misconceptions is that a wedding timeline is simply a list of times. In reality, it’s what allows your day to feel relaxed rather than rushed.

I’ve photographed weddings for over ten years. I’ve found that the happiest couples aren’t the ones whose day runs perfectly to plan, it’s the ones who have enough flexibility that the little hiccups don’t matter.

groom catching bride's veil as it tries to fly away

Why timelines matter

Ceremony time dictates almost everything else

What time you decide on for your ceremony will determine how the rest of the day will evolve. Equally, the season will play its own part. Winter days are shorter, so opting for an earlier ceremony is benefiicial in terms of maximizing the available daylight. On the flipside, a midsummer wedding gives you more flexibility for a later ceremony time.

Bride and groom just married turning to walk up with aisle

Guest numbers and venues

In the last couple of years, I’ve noticed guest numbers have reduced focusing more on family and close friends. Deciding on final numbers is not easy. The greater number of guests you have, the more the timings are affected. Likewise numbers will impact on your decision of venue and the approach they will take. Some venues give you exclusive use, others will often keep public spaces and restaurants open for other non-wedding guests. It’s worth asking before you make your decision.

Why I create a timeline for you

I don’t simply turn up with a camera on your wedding day. As soon as you book me, I’m already thinking about how the day will flow. Over the coming weeks I’ll delve into the detail. This post will outline the aspects I look at between out initial conversation and your wedding day:

Where you’re getting ready – at home, the ceremony venue, local hotel, together or separately – is an early decision based on where your ceremony is taking place. It may lead to a decision on whether you’d like (and can afford) a second photographer to capture your day
Ceremony location – church, registry office, wedding venue – a very individual choice and a big influence on how much prepartion time you need
Reception – home in a marquee, restaurant, wedding venue -you’ll know very early where you want to be, but perhaps not how much input you will be required for and what suppliers you’ll need to find
Travel – there’s quite a bit or none at all; this will depend entirely on the points above. The importance of factoring in some extra minutes here and there will be invaluable to ensuring the stress levels stay on an even keel
Sunset portraits – create beautiful images with a little off camera flash. Weather can impact this plan, as will your ceremony time and season you’re getting married in, but I’m always happy to have some fun if things align for us
Speeches – such an emotional part of your day. I recommend having all speakers in close proximity to each other so I can capture both the speaker and the reactions of those being spoken about
First dance – have some comfortable shoes at the ready and be prepared to get throughly carried away.

Build in some breathing room

Five spare minutes here and there can transform everyone’s stress levels. In spite of their best intenstions, hairdressers and MUAs can get behind. Factoring in some wriggle room will make a huge difference to the rest of the day. Occasionally things don’t got 100% according to plan and that’s perfectly normal. If your flowers arrive a little late, a button hole goes missing or your dancing shoes don’t make it to the same place as you – take a breath and smile, it’ll all come good when it matters.

The best wedding days don’t feel rushed. They feel like there’s always just enough time