Your Wedding Day Timeline
By Kelly Tawse, a candid wedding photographer in Weymouth, Dorset and across Somerset, Devon, Hampshire and Wiltshire with a fair few weddings under her belt.
Here are Kellys top tips for your wedding time line.
Plan and preparation lead to perfect partying
You’ve spent AGES planning your wedding, the dress, the flowers, the little details that make it yours. But when the big day arrives, there’s one factor that often gets overlooked…time. This year I have noticed couples struggle with this even more so, so hear me out; I want to help you! Why? Do you know what, this isn’t primarily about the photos, crazy right? Having a frantic, packed out time line is likely to make you feel stressed on your day, and like your jumping from one thing to the next instead of doing the most important thing…. enjoying yourself. This, in turn will impact the photos, so I want to help you feel super chill and you can create some wonderful memories.
Why timings matter
Rushed schedules often mean couples feel overwhelmed, overstimulated and stressed. Time lines that are jam packed often mean you miss out on mingling with guests and those fab candid moments with family and friends. I, or any other good photographer will capture your day however it happens, but your photos are your memories. Once the day has passed, they’re what remain. So creating calm spaces for you to connect, have fun and really absorb the day is key! I mean you did plan to have fun right?
Recently couples have either packed so much into their day they are running around that they don’t have time to stop or they haven’t taken into consideration how long things ACTUALLY take that they have missed out on the first dance, cake cutting and even just socialising properly.
How long things really take
This is where couples are often surprised. A few quick examples from my experience.
- Group photos: Each group setup takes approx 3–5 minutes and that’s if nobody has wandered off to the bar. Keep it simple. Ten group shots max, five is even better. I promise you, you will get bored! 10 groups = 30-50 minutes of standing in one spot!! These are not photos you are going to hang on your wall.
- Couple portraits: I recommend around 30 minutes, especially if moving between locations. We do not take photos for the full 30 minutes, and this also gives a bit of buffer time! Use this time to take a breathe, reconnect as a couple, reflect on the day and enable me (or your photographer) to capture something timeless yet authentic .
- Speeches & food: Speeches almost always overrun (parents love a story or two). Wedding breakfasts usually take around 2.5 hours, especially if guests are moving through buffets. Building in buffer time allows for all of this.
The truth? Timelines that run back-to-back rarely hold. Little delays creep in… caterers taking longer, guests needing a break, or everyone simply wanting to chat. Planning extra time means your day still feels relaxed, not rushed
Example Timeline for a Relaxed Wedding
Here’s an example wedding day schedule to show how timings can work in real life:
- 7:00 – Makeup begins
- 10:00 – Photographer arrives
- 12:00 – Glad rags on!
- 13:00 – Guests & Groom arrival
- 13:30 – Ceremony starts
- 14:00 – Confetti, mingling, canapés and drinks
- 14:45 – Group photos
- 15:30 – Couple portraits
- 16:30 – Guests seated for wedding breakfast & speeches
- 17:00 – Food served
- 19:00 – Party starts
- 19:30 – Cake cutting & first dance
- 20:30/21:00 – Evening buffet or snacks (optional if a full three-course meal is served)
Bear in mind travelling to venues need to be incorporated into your timings. I like to arrive at the ceremony venue around the same time as guests to grab those candid photos. It is also a great opportunity to grab some shots of the wedding party nervously waiting the grand arrival.
How to plan ahead
A calm timeline is possible with a little preparation:
- Get your dress on – this takes longer than you think; get it on an hour before you are due to leave, especially if you want to capture photos of the first look with bridesmaids/parents.
- Keep group photos to a shortlist – ideally 5, no more than 10.
- Role of Photographer Assistant – give a bossy/confident friend the job to round up the guests. it speeds up the process.
- Encourage shorter speeches (10 minutes each is perfect).
- Hire an MC to coordinate and herd guests kindly but firmly.
- Build in buffer times – 10–15 minutes between each key part of the day.
- Add downtime for guests – garden games, a photo booth, audio guest book, or a sweet cart keep energy flowing without a strict timetable.
Final thought
At the end of the day, it is your wedding day! So do what you feel is best for you. I (or a good photographer) will follow your lead on the day, remain your cheerleader and capture all the incredible moments along the way!
