To help you create a perfect wedding timeline for your special day

Finding yourself pulling hair trying to organise a timeline schedule for your wedding day? Couldn’t determine what’s the best timing to get golden hour portraits? Feeling stressed already just by thinking of putting all these together? Self-doubting yourself “what if the timeline doesn’t work out?!” Don’t worry, we all have been there.(well, at least I have, read the story at the end) As a wedding photography based in Sydney, this is where I step in to help you!

Why timeline is so important for your wedding day?

A timeline for your wedding , it’s not only helpful for anyone (especial vendors) involved to be one the same page and make sure everything is running smoothly. It also avoids the unnecessary dramas and stress, plus saving your time and sanity. It also help photographers and videographers to be ready at where they should be to do their magic. (even if you are having an elopement, it will still be very helpful to have one.)

In my experience, there are times that I have to be the “planner” on the day to make sure we got enough time to move to next part of the schedule. (and get the shots, of course.)

How to create the best wedding day timeline for your wedding?

First of all, try to be realistic. On your wedding day, the worst is feel rushed like trying to completing tasks, and forgot to be able to enjoy the process and soak up every moment of the day. Make sure you leave enough time to each specific section – you don’t want to feel rushed in completing any step. It’s much better to have a little bit of extra time for a breather.

Next, check the sunset time on your wedding day and working backwards. Because we all want to have that dreamy glow and luminous tones in our wedding portraits. The main reason why we invest in professional photographers is WE WANT BEAUTIFUL PHOTOS OF US, simple. So golden hour is about an hour before sunset depends on where you are having your wedding. In Australia, sunset in average happens between 5-8pm, make sure there’s at least an hour portrait time before sunset, and keep your speeches away from that time to get those money shots.

And let’s not forget the commute, especially during the weekend. I understand sometimes there are just so many iconic spots or lookouts for wedding portraits, but we don’t want to keep the guests waiting unless the reception starts late.

Plus, here are some things to consider:

1. Do you want to do a first Look? It’s a great way or alternative portrait time with your future half or family members.
2. 2. The distance between bride and groom getting ready locations. Might need to set ceremony for later.
3. Does venue have flexibility in ceremony/reception start time? i.e: Church ceremony usually runs earlier.
4. Cultural traditions.

Now, here are my 4 example Sydney wedding timelines based on different sunset time to save your headaches. I hope you find this post helpful, and maybe you would like to checkout my wedding guide. It’s FREE for you to download. If there’s anything that you wish me to cover, please leave a comment below or send me email! I am more than happy to help!

Spring Wedding Day Timeline Example

September-October-November | sunset: 6:45pm-7:30pm

10:00am Makeup and hair

11:30am Get dressed 

1pm Lunch or bites

2:30pm Leave for ceremony

3pm Ceremony begins

3:45 Confetti exit and family Photos begins

4:15pm Couple & bridal party photos 

5:30pm Cocktail hour

6:00pm Guest seated

5:50pm Bridal Party Entrance and welcome speech

6:30pm Dinner Begins 

8pm Cake Cutting

8:30pm First Dance and dance

9:45pm Sparkler exit

Summer Wedding Day Timeline Example

December- January- February | sunset: 7:30pm-8:00pm

10:30am Makeup and hair

12pm Lunch or bites

2:30pm Get dressed 

3pm Leave for ceremony

3:30pm Ceremony begins

4pm Petal exit and family/group Photos begins

4:30pm Couple & bridal party photos 

5:30pm Cocktail hour for guest

6:00pm Guest seated

6:15pm Bridal Party Entrance and welcome speech

6:30pm Dinner and speech

7:30 Sunset photos

8pm Cake Cutting

8:30pm First Dance, Father & daughter dance

10:30pm Exit

Autumn Wedding Day Timeline Example

March- April- May | sunset: 4:50pm-5:40pm

9am Makeup and hair

12pm Lunch or bites

12:30pm Get dressed 

1:30pm Leave for ceremony

2:15pm Ceremony begins

3pm Couple exit and family/group Photos begins

3:30pm Couple & bridal party photos 

5:30pm Cocktail hour for guest

6:00pm Guest seated

6:30pm Bridal Party Entrance and welcome speech

7pm Speech

7:45pm Cake Cutting and serve dessert

8pm Bouquet/garter tossing

8:15pm First Dance, Father & daughter dance

10:30pm Exit

Winter Wedding Day Timeline Example

June- July- August

sunset: 4:50pm-5:20pm

9am Makeup and hair

12:30pm Lunch or bites

12:45pm Get dressed 

1:30pm Leave for ceremony

2:00pm Ceremony begins

2:30pm Couple exit and family/group Photos begins

3:00pm Couple & bridal party photos 

5pm Cocktail hour for guest

5:30pm Guest seated

5:45pm Bridal Party Entrance and welcome speech

6pm Dinner

7pm Speech

7:30pm Cake Cutting and serve dessert

8:15pm First Dance, Father & daughter dance

9:45 Guests lineup for couple’s exit

p.s: I did mention that I was a victim that didn’t have a timeline. Well, not till the venue sent me the schedule. I was basically planning most of weddings on my own as my family and bridesmaids were all from overseas. I thought our wedding was pretty chilled and relaxed, and venue already took care of most so I didn’t need one. Gosh, I was so melt down when I arrived before the groom and hiding outside of the venue(without the shoes) just in case someone saw me. It’s been fun joking about this over the dinner tables from time to time but you know you don’t want to be me;-)

Want me to help you out with your wedding day timeline? Drop me a message and I am happy to help!

p.s: How gorgeous is the rosebud confetti in the top photo which I loved it so much and possibly share so many times! Hahah! You can get it here from everlandconfetti.