Help - where do I start with creating my wedding day timeline?
Timelines make your day flow smoothly, giving your guests, staff, and vendors a general idea of when and where everything will pan out. With timelines as with weddings, there is no one-size-fits-all approach so it’s super important to make a timeline that works for you. One thing to remember is that things almost always take longer than you think they will. Allow some for some extra time in between events so you have a second to breathe and enjoy the day with your favourite human.
Try to structure your timeline so that we’re shooting the formal couple portraits at golden hour, just before the sun sets, with that beautiful afternoon glow all around you. There’s nothing like this time of day to capture the mood and magic of the moment. Planning your wedding day with this in mind is super helpful and makes your photographer's job a heckuva lot easier.
Take a read below for a general idea of how long each "event" may take on the day.
Prep: 1-2 hours each (as a rule, bridal prep will generally require more time than groom prep as there are more details to be photographed)
First look or first touch: 15 mins
Ceremony: best to check this with your celebrant as this varies between religious and non-religious ceremonies, but most non-religious ceremonies will take around 20 minutes (allow up to 30 in your timeline), and religious ceremonies 45 minutes (allow up to 60 in your timeline unless advised otherwise).
Guest congratulations: 15 mins
Family/ friend portraits: 15-30 mins (allow more time for longer lists)
Couples + bridal party portraits: 1-2 hours directly before + at sunset for the best lighting in your photographs. We can also split your portraits into 2 parts - getting your bridal party + some couples portraits straight after the ceremony, and ducking back out during your reception for the rest of your portraits at sunset.
Grand entrance, first dance, cake cutting, garter/ bouquet toss, special dances with parents: 5-10 mins each
Speeches: 5 to 10 minutes per person speaking
Sparkler exit/ fake sparkler exit: 15 minutes
Dinner + dessert: Up to 60 minutes
Night portraits: 15 to 30 mins depending on complexity
Dancefloor time: Up to 60 mins (after this you’ll find the photos start to get repetitive with the same guests up there grooving)
SAMPLE TIMELINE
The below sample timeline is based in late April. Sunset & golden hour times vary between seasons - please reach out any time and I can easily get the specific times for your wedding date. This would be based upon a 15 minute drive from each of your wedding prep locations, with your ceremony, portraits and wedding reception all taking place at the same venue.
7 hour wedding coverage
1pm: Photographers arrive at each separate wedding party prep
2.15pm: Partner 1 + 2nd photographer leave for ceremony
2.30pm: Main photographer leaves for ceremony
2.45pm: Partner 2 leaves for ceremony
3pm: Ceremony begins
3.30pm: Guest congrats & family/ friend portraits
4pm: Wedding party & couples portraits
6pm: Grand entrance + cake cutting
6.30pm: Dinner
7.30pm: Speeches + first dance
8pm: Dance floor opens
9pm: Photographers leave
Golden hour: 5.12pm to 6.00pm
Sunset: 5.45pm



















Molly & Riley's Vendors:
Venue + Catering - Gardens at Bullimah Estate Albany
MUA - Carissa Makeup Hair & Beauty
Hair - Create Hair Artistry
DJ - The Wedding DJ
Cake - Baked Albany
Dress - Sarah Louise Couture
Florals - Flowers by Birdie