Design Your Destination Wedding Day Timeline with Photo & Video in Mind

Elopement + Destination Wedding Resources

Design Your Destination Wedding Day Timeline with Photo & Video in Mind

Effortlessly plan out your destination wedding day timeline. Design your destination wedding day timeline with photo & video in mind. Whether you are having a wedding in the states, or you’re having a wedding elsewhere, the timeline remains the same if you are having a mostly traditional wedding day with a ceremony and reception.

You’re engaged and you’re wondering what your wedding day is going to look like in regard to the timeline. Don’t worry, we know just what you need. To effortlessly plan out your wedding day timeline, it takes a little bit of work, but work that will pay off on wedding day.

Are you looking for a destination wedding or elopement photographer? Reach out to me!

It never fails: after being in this industry for over a decade, wedding day timelines roll off my tongue as if it’s the easiest question I’ve ever answered in my life yet every client I create a timeline for is overjoyed with the fact that I just wrote out their entire day in a matter of five minutes. It’s the little things and today, I’m going to share with you the wedding day timeline secrets you’re all wondering. Stay with me, as I’m going to share with you a few different scenarios for the day of timeline and even if you have chosen to do a first look or not, I would still give it a read to make sure your day plays out the way you want to. Typically, your timelines are based a lot upon your photo + film needs throughout the day. Of course, if your ceremony begins at a different time, you can adjust as needed. If you have specific needs outside of the given example timelines, don’t hesitate to contact us so that we can help serve you.

Design Your Destination Wedding Day Timeline with Photo & Video in Mind.

These timeline scenarios have been created by a professional wedding photographer and wedding videographer in order to effortlessly plan out your wedding day timeline. These timelines do not take the place of any wedding planner or day-of coordinator. If you are looking for a wedding planner, feel free to use this list:

Engaged With Nora
Magnolia Blush
Em&Me Events Co
Heart to Home
Oak & Honey Events
Ash & Oak Planning

Wedding Day Timeline – Mostly Traditional

This timeline would be used if you have hired both a photographer and a filmmaker on your wedding day, from both myself as a photographer and a wedding videographer. Note that this timeline works without a filmmaker too but please make sure to allow time for both creatives to tell your story. A timeline like this would be a best if you are having your ceremony and reception in the same place; a place like The Beach House in Anna Maria Island, Florida.

1:00 Filmmaker Arrives, Begins Setup
1:30 Photographer Arrives – Begins Detail Shots
(bring invitation and place all special items in a box and have both dress and florals ready)
2:00 Bride + Bridesmaids Get Ready
2:20 Groom + Groomsmen Get Ready/Toast
2:35 Groom – Letter Reading
(bridesmaids should be dressed before bride is dressed)
3:00 Bride – Letter Reading
3:10 Bride in Gown
3:30 Pre-Ceremony Photos Conclude
(if the bride would like a first look with dad, this is when she would schedule that)
4:00 Ceremony Music Begins/Guests Arrive
4:30 Ceremony Begins
5:00 Ceremony Ends, Family Formals Begins
5:15 Wedding Party Portraits
5:30 Wedding Couple Portraits
6:00 Reception Introductions
6:20 Dinner is Served
(at this point, the DJ will take the lead and reception special events are scheduled loosely)
7:15 Cake Cutting
7:25 First Dance, followed by other special dances
7:40 Toasts
8:00 Bouquet Toss, Garter Throw (optional)
8:20 Optional Sparkler Photo Opp
(because some of the guests will leave before wedding couple, placing the sparkler photo opportunity at dark will allow the majority to take part in this celebration)
8:20 Party Time – Photographer/Filmmaker leave after special events and some dancing

Pro Tip: Allow 5-10 private minutes for sunset photos during your reception for your and your partner. This time of day offers you fantastic lighting outside and taking a few minutes away from your guests after they are fed is no big deal. The timing of this depends on the time of sunset on your wedding day, but this idea will help you effortlessly plan out your wedding day timeline.

Wedding Day Timeline – With First Look

This timeline would be used if you have hired both a photographer without a first look and a filmmaker on your wedding day, from both myself as a photographer and a wedding videographer. Note that this timeline works without a filmmaker too but please make sure to allow time for both creatives to tell your story. 

12:00 Photographer Arrives – Begins Detail Shots
(bring invitation and place all special items in a box and have both dress and florals ready)
12:30 Bride + Bridesmaids Get Ready
1:00 Groom + Groomsmen Get Ready/Toast
1:15 Groom – Letter Reading
(bridesmaids should be dressed before bride is dressed)
1:40 Bride – Letter Reading
2:00 Bride into Gown
2:30 First Look
2:40 Wedding Couple Portraits
3:10 Wedding Party Portraits
3:30 Pre-ceremony Photos Conclude
(if the bride would like a first look with dad, this is when she would schedule that)
4:00 Ceremony Music Begins/Guests Arrive
4:30 Ceremony Begins
5:00 Ceremony Ends, Family Formals Begins
5:15 Reception Introductions, Couple Joins Cocktail Hour
(couple has the choice to either join cocktail hour and visit with guests before dinner but can also choose to begin dinner after reception introductions)
6:15 Dinner is Served
(at this point, the DJ will take the lead and reception special events are scheduled loosely)
7:15 Cake Cutting
7:25 First Dance, followed by other special dances
7:40 Toasts
8:00 Bouquet Toss, Garter Throw (optional)
8:20 Optional Sparkler Photo Opp
(because some of the guests will leave before wedding couple, placing the sparkler photo opportunity at dark will allow the majority to take part in this celebration)
8:20 Party Time – Photographer/Filmmaker leave after special events and some dancing

Timeline Pro Tips:

  1. If you can coordinate with your hair and makeup team to finish about 30-60 minutes after the photographer and filmmaker show up, you’ll be set for the pre-ceremony festivities. If you need help with coordinating this, just let us know!
  2. Allow 5-10 minutes for sunset photos during your reception. This time of day offers you fantastic lighting outside and taking a few minutes away from your guests after they are fed is no big deal. The timing of this depends on the time of sunset on your wedding day.
  3. Every wedding day is different and although these are pretty standard timelines, you are allowed to make changes, be different. Additionally, it’s okay if it doesn’t go exactly as planned. Professionals are there to handle difficult situations and go with the flow of the day. After all, we just want to serve you and serve you well.
  4. Make sure you allot time for interviews when choosing film for your wedding day. We want you to relax and allow yourself to be vulnerable. It’s a big day, we get it, and we want you to be able to enjoy it.

Thanks for reading- I’ll be back soon with more fun resources for your destination wedding day <3

Ashley Stein: Elopement + Destination Wedding Photographer

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ENNEAGRAM 2, PROTAGONIST AT HEART, beach lover. AND I CAN EAT AN ENTIRE DONATOS PIZZA IN ONE SITTING.

Hi, I'm Ashley.
Your Guide + Photog for Life.

I'm a passionate mama, wife and friend who has learned the value of time through my journey as an entrepreneur. Like I value my time, I value the time of others too and it's my passion to help you through your journey efficiently and gracefully so that no time is wasted doing things that don't matter.

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