I don’t mean to sound like a broken record, but YOU’RE ENGAGED! Heck yes! Before we get down to the nitty gritty, I just want to encourage you to really soak in this chapter of your life with your fiancé. Remember that what matters the most is that at the end of the craziness of planning, you get to marry your person. One of the biggest stressors of brides who are nearing the end of their wedding planning journey is nailing down how exactly the day is going to go. As a full-time wedding photographer (and past bride), I want to let you in on all the details you need to know for how to create your wedding day timeline. Let’s get into it!

As your big day starts to approach, the overwhelm of planning all the last minute details can start to get to you. And trust me, I get it; you feel like all the pressure is on you to tell every single person when and where to be. But please know that if you’re in the midst of hashing out the details of you wedding day timeline, you don’t need to do it alone. The fist thing I want you to know is your wedding photographer, wedding planner, or even your day-of-wedding coordinator are there to assist you.

Before you start to put your pen to paper, there are 3 questions to ask that help greatly when beginning to layout your wedding day.

Creating your timeline

1. Are you having a first look?
2. What time is your ceremony?
3. What time is the sun setting?

If you are doing a first look, most of the photos can be taken before the ceremony. Once you’ve had your first look with your fiancé, you’ll be able to knock out bridal party photos, individual photos with your wedding party, some romantics with your honey, and even a few family formals! Depending on what time the ceremony is (and what time the sun sets), you and your SPOUSE can take more romantics together afterwards. I highly encourage every couple to spend some time together after the ceremony to just relax a bit and take in the day.

*If you’re not sure where you stand on having a first look, check out the Pros and Cons of a First Look here.

Once you nail down the questions above, laying out the rest of your day will be a breeze. And can I let you in on a pro tip? Consult with your wedding vendors to find out how much time things usually take. For example, enlist the knowledge of your wedding photographer when slotting how much time family photos take. Consult with your hair and makeup artists to see roughly how much time you should allow for them. Your wedding vendors are such great resources for you during the planning phase.

There we have it, friends! My top 3 tips (with a couple bonuses) of how to create your wedding day timeline. If you’re on the hunt for some more Wedding Tips, click here for the latest! As always, be sure to follow me over on Instagram (@sarahyatesphoto) for some behind-the-scenes of wedding days and more tips for planning your big day. Happy wedding planning 🙂