Googling wedding timeline on the day while your brain buzzes with decisions about seating charts, cake flavours and photo locations? Totally normal. Planning your wedding is exciting, but when it comes to the actual day, things can feel a little fuzzy. How long does everything take? What comes first? When do you sneak off for photos? And most importantly, when do you eat cake?
As a wedding photographer, I have seen all kinds of wedding day timelines – from beautifully detailed spreadsheets to a scribbled list in the Notes app. The good news? There is no one-size-fits-all, but there are a few key tips that will help your wedding timeline on the day run smoothly, so you can relax and soak it all in.
Why a wedding day timeline so important
Even if you are planning something super relaxed, having a rough timeline for your wedding day helps everything stay on track. It keeps your vendors aligned (hi, that’s me!), reduces stress, and gives you space to actually enjoy the day. It also means you’ll have a plan for all the things you don’t want to miss – like photos at sunset, hugs from nan and that first married kiss. The trick is to build your timeline around the moments that matter most to you (especially your photos) and work backwards from there.
Start with the photos you want, then plan backwards
One of the best ways to build your wedding day timeline is to start with the photos you want. For example, if you’re dreaming of those golden, romantic sunset shots, we need to figure out what time the sun sets and plan around that. Yes, this means that you may have an earlier ceremony time than you originally planned. But, it all comes down to what is a non-negotiable for your day.
In Queensland, during summer, sunset usually happens around 6:15-6:30 pm. That means we’ll want to get you to your sunset location and start sunset photos around 6:00 pm, right before the sun dips. Once we lock that in, we can work backwards to time things like your ceremony, prep and travel.
Sample wedding day timeline template (for a 3:00 pm ceremony)
Here’s a wedding timeline on the day example to give you a feel for how everything might unfold. This is based on a Queensland summer wedding, with sunset at approximately 6:17 pm. You can shift things forward or back depending on your ceremony time, location, and the overall vibe you’re going for.
9:00 am – Hair and makeup starts
Hair and makeup usually starts mid-morning, depending on how many people are getting ready. It’s a good idea to be finished at least an hour before you need to leave for the ceremony.
Top tip: Confirm timing with your hair and makeup artists and allow some buffer, as things can often run a little over.
1:00 pm – Photographer arrives for prep photos
This is when I arrive to capture all the behind-the-scenes moments – like your dress, flowers, jewellery, candid shots of your crew getting ready, and also that glorious champagne toast. If your partner is nearby, I’ll usually split the time between both of you. Alternatively, if you’ve opted to have two photographers at your wedding, the second photographer is usually on their way to get some shots of the groom or your partner a little closer to the ceremony start time.
1:45 pm – Everyone gets dressed
Plan to be dressed earlier than you think. This will give us time for a few relaxed portraits and detail shots before heading out.
2:30 pm – Travel to the ceremony
Factor in enough time for travel, even if it’s close. Add a few extra minutes for nerves, last-minute touch-ups, and slow-moving traffic.
3:00 pm – Ceremony begins
The main event! Most ceremonies go for about 20–30 minutes, depending on your celebrant and how many personal touches you’ve included. Some religious ceremonies may run for double this time, so plan your wedding day timeline to ensure the ceremony runtime fits in seamlessly.
3:45 pm – Congrats, group hugs and family photos
After the ceremony, everyone will want a moment with you. Enjoy the hugs, take a breather, then we’ll move into formal group and family photos while everyone’s still gathered.
4:30 pm – Couple and bridal party photos
Now’s the time to wander off for your couple photos (and bridal party, if you have one). These sessions usually go for around an hour or two, and I always aim to keep it relaxed and fun. We’ll get the classic shots, some candid ones, and plenty that reflect your personalities.
6:00 pm – Sunset photos
Towards the end of your couple and bridal party photos will be time to grab some golden hour shots. With sunset around 6:17 pm, this is the magic light you won’t want to miss.
6:30 pm – Back to the reception
You’ll typically arrive just before the formal reception starts, with plenty of time to grab a drink and take it all in before making your entrance.
6:45 pm – Reception kicks off
This is when dinner is served, drinks are flowing, and speeches begin. We’ll capture all the laughs, tears, and cheers.
7:30 pm – Cake cutting and first dance
Depending on how you want your reception to run, dinner and speeches could be done alternately throughout the night. After dinner and speeches, you’ll usually cut the cake and head into your first dance. Once that’s done, the dance floor is officially open.
8:00 pm onwards – Party time
The formalities are done; now it’s time to kick off your shoes, hug your mates, and dance the night away.
Things to keep in mind
Now you know how your wedding day could unfold, here are a few extra tips to help your timeline for your wedding day run smoothly:
- Build in buffer time. Things almost always take a little longer than planned, so add wiggle room where you can.
- Talk to your vendors. Your photographer, make-up artist, hair stylist, celebrant, venue and caterer can all help you map out realistic timings.
- Check sunset time. If you want those warm, golden portraits, planning around the light makes a huge difference.
- Let someone else keep time. Give your MC or coordinator a copy of the timeline so you don’t have to think about it on the day.
Conclusion
Your day of wedding timeline does not need to be minute-by-minute, but having a rough guide will help you feel calm and in control. Most importantly, build your timeline around the moments that matter most to you, like that quiet first look, spending time with loved ones, or going for that big party vibe.
And remember: no matter how the timeline unfolds, your day will be uniquely, beautifully yours – and I will be there to capture every minute of it.
Are you planning your wedding? If you are looking for a Toowoomba photographer who will take the time to work with you on your ideal wedding day timeline, let’s chat.
