Why you need a timeline on your wedding day

A photography friendly wedding timeline can be a crucial part of getting the photos you want and keeping your day on track. I know this may sound pretty standard, but I am going to tell you why I really want to be the one to suggest a timeline for you. And I’m aware this may not be the most glamorous or exciting thing to plan for your big day, but it can make or break your wedding images.

Benefits of having a great wedding day timeline

Despite what some TV show weddings would have you believe (like every wedding in Gilmore Girls or Grey’s Anatomy) most brides are typically present during the entire day. They don’t waltz in an hour before the ceremony is set to start. But like several TV shows, a wedding can feel like a big production. Here’s where your timeline comes into play. 

The benefits of a timeline are many, but the biggest bonus with having a photography-friendly timeline is that you will be getting great images from your entire day! The other benefits are reducing stress because you have a plan, we are maximizing portrait time to keep the day moving quickly, and it allows you to actually enjoy your wedding day. 

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Reducing your stress around your wedding day is one of my biggest priorities, because you should not be worried about your photographer! Having a detailed timeline let’s everyone know when they are expected, from getting ready photos to the wedding party to family formal photos – everyone knows when they are supposed to be where. 

 Why I want to be the one to give you a wedding day timeline

I love to start the day with the details, then move into bridal party getting ready photos and try to naturally progress from there. 

Ceremony time and season can have a huge impact on a timeline, and it is always important to take that into account. For example, if you’re having an outdoor fall wedding, and your ceremony is only 2 hours before sunset, you’ll probably want to do a first look or move your ceremony up an hour to allow time for photos afterwards. 

The lighting throughout the day has a huge impact on how your images turn out, and I want to make sure you get the best photos possible to remember the day. If a first look is scheduled for noon on a summer day, the lighting is going to be very harsh outside with very little shade available, which is important for getting even lighting head to toe. If we create the timeline together, we can make sure this kind of situation is avoided and keep the day going as smoothly as possible. 🙂 So, once you have your ceremony time, we can discuss if you want to do a first look (I love first looks!) and how to best structure the portrait time for your day!

Want to get in touch?

I am so excited you found me! Just so you to know your email is going to make my day, and I’ll probably do a little happy dance when it hits my inbox. I love email because it helps me keep all our important conversations in one place versus spreading the conversation out over email, text, Instagram DMs, Facebook Messenger, Snapchat, etc. You can expect to hear from me within 24 hours. You can contact me here, or just shoot me an email at kelsey@kelseyalumbaugh.com

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Originally published September 8, 2018.

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April 19, 2021

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