Wedding Photography Timeline Builder

Answer a few questions. I’ll recommend a photography start time, advise on First Look, and draft a timeline.
(If you skip a First Look, full family + full bridal party portraits are typically during cocktail hour. If you want to attend cocktail hour fully, portraits must happen before the ceremony and usually require a First Look.)

Basics

Ceremony start time

Ceremony length

Coverage length (hours)

Optional: Sunset time look it up

☀️ Sunset Tip
Since your ceremony is close to sunset, plan to take portraits before the ceremony while the light is soft and natural. A First Look can make this possible.

Optional: Photographer start time (if you already know)

If set, the schedule will build from this start. We’ll flag if this starts too late to cover your chosen pre-ceremony items.

Top Priorities (pick up to 3)

Priority 1

Priority 2

Priority 3

These help place your 4–12 hour coverage window around what matters most.

Getting ready & details

Details / flat-lays

Bride getting ready

“Final touches” includes lip touch-ups, perfume, staged dress zip-up/buttoning, mirror moments, and a few quick portraits.

Groom getting ready

Are bride & groom getting ready in the same place?

If different locations, the builder will add a buffer to move between sides.

Buffer between bride & groom locations (if different)

Father–daughter first look?

Bridesmaids reveal?

Private vows / first touch (no peeking)?

Other relatives first looks

Number of getting-ready stops before the ceremony

Count each time we move between addresses or rooms (e.g., salon → hotel suite → ceremony = 2 stops). We’ll add buffer for travel/walking.

Per-change travel buffer

Adds a cushion each time you change locations while getting ready.

First Look

Will you do a First Look?

What’s a First Look?
A First Look is a private moment before the ceremony when you and your partner see each other for the first time.

It often helps you:
• Take couple portraits while hair & makeup are fresh.
• Complete family or bridal party photos early.
• Enjoy cocktail hour without rushing.

Couple portraits

Portrait duration

If you want to attend cocktail hour fully, non-sunset portraits are scheduled before the ceremony (usually requires a First Look).

Golden hour

Cocktail Hour

During cocktail hour…

Family / Friends Group Photos

A “grouping” = one photo combination. Average pacing: ~2–3 min per grouping.

Group size

When to take these photos

Bridal party photos

Wedding party size

Individual photos?

Separate bridesmaids & groomsmen group photos before the ceremony?

Full combined bridal party before the ceremony requires a First Look. Sides-only pre-ceremony does not. We’ll auto-add a 10 min buffer between sides.

Travel between locations

Ceremony → Reception Travel Time

Are ceremony and reception at different locations?

One-way travel time (minutes)

Traffic risk level

Reception site earliest access / room ready (optional)

We’ll auto-add 10–15 minutes for loading/unloading. If traffic is Medium/High, we’ll add extra safety time.

Reception

Grand entrance?

First dance?

Parent dances?

Cake cutting?

Is cocktail hour inside the reception space?

If cocktail hour is inside the reception, décor photos must happen before guests enter (or it gets cluttered).

# of speeches / toasts

Dinner guest count

Optional: Grand entrance time

Optional: Dinner start time

Blessing before dinner?

Exit preference

Optional: Planned exit time (used only if “Real exit”)

Generate timeline

Tip: change one option, then click Update to refresh your timeline.