Every wedding flows differently, but there are a few key moments worth locking into your schedule early. Once these are in place, the rest of the day naturally falls into place around them:

• Sunset & Golden Hour: Check what time the sun sets on your wedding day and plan to step away for 30 minutes beforehand. It’s the perfect window for romantic portraits in soft, glowing light.

• Ceremony Start Time: Everything else (prep, portraits, reception entries) usually builds around this, so lock this in first. Keep in mind what time you want guests to actually arrive.

• Guest Congratulations: I encourage giving yourselves 5 minutes after the ceremony to soak up hugs, laughter, and a few happy tears. There are some beautiful moments that happen in this time

• Family Photos: These work best when kept short and structured. I will send you a questionnaire before your day that encourages you to write a list of who and what group photos you’d like. I usually allow 10–15 minutes if you’ve pre-planned your key groupings.

• Bridal Party Photos: Plan around 30–45 minutes for relaxed portraits with your crew, ideally before guests settle fully into the evening.

• Reception Formalities: Once golden hour portraits are marked on the timeline, it’s easier to schedule things like bridal party entries, speeches, cake cutting, and your first dance without clashing with photo time. This also allows you to discuss the structure of cantapes and meals with your venue.

Your timeline doesn’t need to be rigid. It should feel relaxed and natural. Think of these moments as anchors that make sure the important memories are captured, while still leaving plenty of space to just enjoy the celebration.