A timeline guide
lets break it down
A timeline guide
lets break it down
Your timeline will be unique to you
There isn't a right or wrong way to fasten your wedding day. Below are the aspects that I see most often however other cultural, religious, familial or personal traditions aren't listed. I would love to weave those into your day together and create a timeline that begins to bring your vision to life.
"If gretchen made your timeline, its perfect."
— Lauren, coordinator & colleague since 2016
All of my timelines are built around the sunset, taking the opportunity to photograph couples in the soft evening light. Of course your event will have a different estimated sunset and will need it's own unique timeline developed. I'm more than happy to chat with you and help you create an early estimated timeline for ease of planning your photography coverage and likely, other vendors as well.
7:30 Gretchen arrives
7:45 Coffee in bed, quiet morning portraits, window light
8:30 Morning walk together before the day begins
9:00 Part ways
9:15 Breakfast with loved ones, morning swim, yoga, all sorts of options here
12:00 Hair and makeup complete
12:00 Photograph bridal parties separately (robes, cigars, bubbles, whiskey / other fun things)
12:30 Couple dresses in wedding attire
1:00 First look, private vows, gifts
1:30 Family formals
2:00 Wedding party formals
2:45 Couple & wedding party to hide away
2:45 Gretchen photographs ceremony space and guest arrival
3:00 Guest arrival
3:30 Ceremony
4:00 Cocktails, games, apps, entertainment for guests and couple
6:00 Guests invited to be seated
6:15 Grand entrance & welcome speech
6:30 Dinner served
7:00 Couple’s photos at sunset
7:45 Return for 5 toasts
8:20 First dance and parent dances
8:30 Open Dance
9:15 Late night snacks, special performance
10:45 Grand Exit
11:00 Gretchen departs
7:30 Gretchen arrives
7:45 Coffee in bed, quiet morning portraits, window light
8:30 Morning walk together before the day begins
9:00 Part ways
9:15 Breakfast with loved ones, morning swim, yoga, all sorts of options here
12:00 Hair and makeup complete
12:00 Photograph bridal parties separately (robes, cigars, bubbles, whiskey / other fun things)
12:30 Couple dresses in wedding attire
1:00 First look, private vows, gifts
1:30 Family formals
2:00 Wedding party formals
2:45 Couple & wedding party to hide away
2:45 Gretchen photographs ceremony space and guest arrival
3:00 Guest arrival
3:30 Ceremony
4:00 Cocktails, games, apps, entertainment for guests and couple
6:00 Guests invited to be seated
6:15 Grand entrance & welcome speech
6:30 Dinner served
7:00 Couple’s photos at sunset
7:45 Return for 5 toasts
8:20 First dance and parent dances
8:30 Open Dance
10:30 Gretchen & Second Shooter arrive
12:00 Hair and makeup complete
12:00 Photograph bridal parties separately (robes, cigars, bubbles, whiskey / other fun things)
12:30 Couple dresses in wedding attire
1:00 First look, private vows, gifts
1:30 Family formals
2:00 Wedding party formals
2:45 Couple & wedding party to hide away
2:45 Gretchen photographs ceremony space and guest arrival
3:00 Guest arrival
3:30 Ceremony
4:00 Cocktails for guests and couple
5:30 Guests invited to be seated
5:45 Grand entrance & welcome speech
6:00 Dinner served
6:30 Couple’s photos at sunset
7:00 Return for 5 toasts
7:45 First dance and parent dances
8:00 Open Dance
8:30 Gretchen departs
1:15 Gretchen & Second Shooter arrive
2:30 First look
2:45 Family formals
3:15 Wedding party formals
3:45 Couple & wedding party to hide away
3:45 Gretchen photographs ceremony space and guest arrival
4:00 Guest arrival
4:30 Ceremony
5:00 Cocktails for guests and couple
6:30 Guests invited to be seated
6:45 Grand entrance and welcome speech
7:00 Dinner served
7:30 Couple’s photos at sunset
8:00 Return for 4 toasts
8:30 First dance and parent dances
8:45 Open Dance
9:15 Gretchen departs
3:00 Gretchen arrives
3:10 First look
3:15 Family formals
3:45 Couple & wedding party to hide away
4:00 Ceremony
4:30 Cocktails
5:30 Invite guests to dinner
5:45 Welcome speech and dinner served
6:15 Couple’s photos at sunset
6:45 Return for 2 toasts
7:00 Gretchen departs
2:20 Gretchen arrives
2:30 First look
2:45 Wedding party formals
3:15 Family formals
3:45 Couple & wedding party to hide away
3:45 Gretchen photographs ceremony space and guest arrival
4:00 Guest arrival
4:30 Ceremony
5:00 Cocktails for guests
6:00 Guests invited to be seated
6:15 Grand entrance and welcome speech
6:30 Dinner served
7:00 Couple’s photos at sunset
7:45 Return for 4 toasts
8:15 First dance and parent dances
8:20 Open Dance / Gretchen departs
4:00 Gretchen arrives
4:15 Ceremony
4:30 Family formals
5:00 Cocktails, Toasts
5:30 Couple’s photos at sunset
6:00 Gretchen departs
6 Hours
4 hours
2 hours
8 or 10 hour coverage seems to be the most common among couples. The biggest difference happens between 6 and 8 hours. Generally cocktail hour is enjoyed with guests by the couple during an 8 hour day and they have some coverage of getting ready ceremonies and the dance party. Cocktail hour is occupied with family and wedding party formals during a 6 hour day OR 6 hour clients miss getting ready & dance party photos. This isn’t a rule but is the most common difference that I see.
Sealing the deal requires a returned Agreement and your paid 50% retainer. Until both are returned your date is considered availabile to other inquiries.
#1 stress reducer
Give yourself time to be present
I have photographed over 300 weddings and what I have learned is that everything on a wedding day takes longer than planned. It's some kind of Universe thing; watches go backward. If you plan for it though, you'll have the luxury of being present for yourselves and each other.
