✨ Create Your Perfect Wedding Photography Timeline

Planning your wedding timeline can feel overwhelming—but it doesn’t have to be. As an experienced Asheville wedding photographer, I’ve helped dozens of couples create stress-free schedules that flow naturally while leaving space for unforgettable photos. This interactive wedding timeline generator is designed to guide you through your day step by step, whether you’re planning a classic wedding, an intimate Airbnb celebration, or a mountain elopement.

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. To attend cocktail hour fully, portraits must happen before the ceremony and require a First Look.)

Basics

☀️ Sunset Ceremony 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 and ensures you don’t lose daylight for photos.
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)

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

Getting ready & details

Count each time we move between addresses or rooms (e.g., salon → hotel suite → ceremony = 2 stops). We’ll add buffer for travel/walking.
Adds a cushion each time you change locations while getting ready—covers short drives, walking, parking and unloading gear.

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.

Couples who choose a First Look often use that time to:
• Share a quiet, intimate moment away from guests.
• Read private vows or exchange small gifts.
• Take couple portraits while hair & makeup are fresh.
• Complete family or bridal party photos early, freeing up cocktail hour later.

Couple portraits

Cocktail Hour

Full family + full bridal party before the ceremony requires a First Look. Sides-only bridal party can happen pre-ceremony without a First Look.

Family / Friends Group Photos

A “grouping” = one arrangement (e.g., you with parents, you with siblings). ~2–3 min per grouping.

Bridal party photos

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

Reception

This is important for scheduling reception décor photos.
“Faux/staged exit” is common if you’re not keeping the photographer to the very end.

Generate timeline