Sample Wedding Day Timeline | Portland, Maine Wedding Photographers

We are expert photographers. But we certainly are not experts on planning a wedding day timeline, but we thought it might be helpful to share (from a photographer’s perspective) what we've seen work out well for other brides and grooms. First, let us just say that we recommend hiring a wedding planner to help with your timeline. They are true wedding experts and they will be familiar with all of the details that make your wedding unique so they can put a timeline together that’s perfect for you. This timeline is just a general starting point to help you think through your day so we have plenty of time to capture AMAZING photos.

This timeline is assuming a sunset time of 6pm and that you and your fiance have chosen to see each other before the ceremony for a first look. If your wedding is indoors you should still be concerned with the time of sunset!  Your bridal party portraits and bride/groom portraits will be outdoors, so it’s important that we manage the lighting throughout the day to get great photos. If you don’t want to see your fiance until after the ceremony be sure to plan about 1 hour post-ceremony for portraits (which puts your ceremony about 1.5 hours prior to sunset). Cocktail hour is a great way to keep guests occupied during this time, but we LOVE doing "First Looks" because not only are they fantastic way to remember that moment of "wow", but you get to actually SAY "wow" without being in front of a priest/grandmother/neighbor/your boss. Let's face it, you'll be the most beautiful thing he's ever seen and he'll want a kiss. And a hug. And to tell you that you are stunning. It will also help to keep things moving quickly throughout the day.

2:30 – photography coverage begins (detail photos, etc)
3:00 – Bride dresses – candids of the bride getting ready
3:30 – bride & groom’s first look/portraits
4:00 – bridal party and family portraits
4:45 – portraits done – bridal party freshens up while guests arrive and I photograph ceremony details
5:00 – ceremony (perfect light for an outdoor ceremony is 1 hour before sunset)
5:30 – ceremony ends
5:30 – cocktail hour begins (enjoy cocktails with your guests or take a few more portraits – up to you!)
6:00 – all portraits complete and photograph reception details
6:30 – grand entrance/first dance
7:00 – dinner
7:45 – toasts/special dances
8:30 – cake cutting/open dancing
8:45 – bouquet/garter toss
9:00 – photography coverage ends

We recommend for this timeline having photography coverage from about 2:30 – 9:00. If you are looking to cut back, think about doing the toasts before dinner and skip coverage of the cake/bouquet/dancing. If you are planning to be traveling between locations, please add plenty of travel time in there.