Timeline Building Hot Tips from my Wedding Guide

Timeline Building Hot Tips

Start HERE!

• Work backwards (for getting ready + photos) and forwards (for reception) from your ceremony start.

• Ceremony time is your anchor; everything else builds around it.

• Time of day can make an impact on lighting, ambiance, guest experience, and how rushed you feel - for example August is not always ideal for an outdoor 2pm ceremony in Nova Scotia (hot, humid, bright overhead sun)

• Start these discussions early with your photographer - they really can help you get organized and offer suggestions based on your vision! 

• Remember - your experience is the most important thing - it's your wedding day not a day long photo shoot - prioritize time for you to enjoy moments. Your photographer can be a fly on the wall and get candids of these special moments and they're often the most cherished.

• Add 15–20 minutes buffer to the ceremony timing for late arrivals or small delays.

• Outdoor ceremonies: If you have a certain vision for your photos - consider lighting when possible (e.g., 2–3 hours before sunset for soft, flattering light). When in doubt, you can always discuss with your photographer to bring your vision to life - before you send invites if you need clarification just reach out

Getting Ready

• Plan a 1 hour buffer for getting ready — delays are common.

• Plan 30 minutes just to get in your dress - this includes time for photos, and also special moments to take it all in.

• If you have a large number of individuals who need hair and makeup (more than 6 - you may need more than one hair/make-up artist or getting ready could start at 4AM.. Discuss early with your beauty team!

• Photographers arrive in time for final touches, details, and candid moments - they don’t need to be there when the getting ready starts 

• Have details ready: ie: outfits, rings, invitations, shoes, florals etc, ready to be photographed when the photographer arrives if that’s on your must have list

• Designate someone to tidy up your getting ready space before your photographer arrives - otherwise the mess will be in all the photos and it may result in additional editing charges if you request for it to be removed in post processing - it's more work then you think.

• Send your Dad, Groom, Groomsmen a video in advance and ask them to practice tying their ties if they have never tied a tie before! 

Portraits

• Make a family photo list in advance (send at least two weeks before the wedding when you can!) - don't forget their names - the more information your photographer has the better - be specific - we want to know your Nan's name so we can do our job well! I always request this in a word document/google document as I create an editable shot list to make sure I've checked everything off that's needed - assign a helper for the day of to round people up, this is a great role for a bridesmaid and/or groomsman.

• Build in 15 min of buffer time — wrangling large groups always takes longer than expected.

• If photos are a big priority, schedule longer portrait windows so you don’t feel rushed.

• If photos are less of a priority, keep it streamlined and focus on enjoying your guests, candids of couples wit their guests are better then any posed photos

• No matter which route you choose, plan for 10–15 minutes during golden hour (around sunset) for just the two of you. These are often the most romantic, relaxed photos of the day.

Cocktail Hour / Reception

• If you didn’t do a first look, you’ll likely need the full hour for portraits. This is individualized and highly dependent on what your vision for you day is (and how many formal photos you plan to have done)

• If you did a first look, you can use cocktail hour time to enjoy cocktails and mingle with guests! This produces some beautiful candid moments.

• Rough reception structure that can be adapted: Grand entrance → dinner service → speeches → cake cutting → first dances → open dance floor.

• Having an MC to keep things flowing is very helpful for guests, they also can help keep time on speeches etc. 

• Plan speeches during dinner service to keep guests engaged, speeches don't have to wait until after dinner - just give speakers a heads up on the timing in advance

• Give speakers a time limit when asking them to speak - 2-3 minutes is often the sweet spot for your guests attention!

• Sunset photos: schedule a 15-30 min golden hour break with your photographer - discuss this early with them as each location may have different ideal times due to the direction the sun sets!