Wedding Day Timeline Advice from a Videographer Who’s Filmed 100+ Couples

After filming over 100 weddings, there’s one thing I can say with absolute confidence:
Time moves differently on a wedding day.

What feels like five minutes in your head takes fifteen in real life.
And no matter how detailed your schedule is, the best timelines aren’t the ones that are packed.
They’re the ones that leave space. For breath. For laughter. For last-minute happy tears and hugs.

Here’s what I’ve learned from being behind the camera: what actually works, what causes chaos, and what couples tell me they wish they had done differently.

1. If you’re getting professional hair & makeup, go first. Yes, you go first.

This might feel counterintuitive, but it’s one of the most overlooked timeline pitfalls:
Bridesmaids have a tendency to run late.

Not because they mean to, but because getting ready just takes time. There are questions about which hairstyle fits their face shape best. Lipstick switches. Tears that need re-dabbing. And suddenly the bride is still waiting for her turn while the sun is starting to shift and the entire schedule is teetering.

My advice: Be the first one in the chair. Then, get a touch-up before you get dressed. It keeps everything else flowing, and it protects the most important face in the room — yours.

2. Transitions will take 3x longer than you think. Plan for that.

If you think it’ll take 5 minutes to gather your things and go downstairs, plan for 15.

Weddings are full of tiny delays:

• Someone needs help with a boutonnière

• You forgot where the rings got put

• One of the elevators at your hotel is broken so everyone has to take the stairs

• You accidentally left your shoes with your partner

• Traffic lights (or tourists) slow down a photo spot

• It’s 100 degrees outside and you need to run in for an AC break

• You forgot to go pee before putting on the gown

The fix is simple: pad your timeline. Breathe room into it. Don’t make it a race. And then if there ends up being excess time, there is space for unplanned moments and connection.

3. First looks are beautiful, but just know that they take more than 3 minutes.

Even if you’re not doing photos right away, the first look itself usually takes 5–10 minutes.

Why?
Because it’s not just the reveal. It’s the setup. Getting one person into place without the other seeing them. The walk. The pause. The exhale.
And (the important part) the moment you take to really see each other.

Give yourself that moment. Don’t rush it. If anything, add 5 more minutes just to hold each other and be alone before the rest of the day begins.

4. If possible, do group photos before the ceremony.

This one changes lives.

If you're doing a first look, consider knocking out all family and wedding party portraits before the ceremony. Or at least as many as possible. That way, you can enjoy cocktail hour and the reception as guests, not as photo subjects. Even if you aren’t doing a first look, finish any photos you can with your people and leave only a handful of combined photos for after the ceremony.

You’ll thank yourself. And your guests will, too.

5. Rethink your family photo list — less is more.

Almost every couple I work with says the same thing afterward:
“I wish we hadn’t spent so much time taking family photos.”

Keep it simple.

• One group with immediate family

• One with grandparents, if applicable

• Maybe one or two with parents or siblings separately

If you have a huge extended family, ask yourself this:
Would I rather spend my wedding day organizing posed photos…
Or dancing with them, laughing over cocktails, being with them?

You’ll get photos of one or the other. And trust me: the candid moments with your people are the ones that last. They are the ones where you will look most yourself. Why? Because you will be making memories with each other rather than squinting in the sunlight at a photographer yelling say cheese.

6. Fiercely protect your time and your peace.

You are allowed to not do things.

Not into a cake cutting? Skip it.
Cringe at bouquet or garter tosses? Don’t even buy one.
Overwhelmed by a guest’s request for a selfie marathon? Hand them a glass of wine instead.

If a tradition doesn’t bring you joy, or actively stresses you out, you are not required to include it.

This day is about you and your person. Not about keeping up appearances or pleasing every relative.

7. Build in 10–15 minutes for just the two of you. No cameras. No guests.

After the ceremony, slip away into a suite, a garden, or a quiet corner.

Pop champagne. Hug in silence. Cry if you need to.

It doesn’t matter what you do, only that you’re alone. For at least a moment.
Because once the reception begins, you will be in motion. Everyone will want your attention. And it’s okay, you will want to be with them and celebrate their presence. But just for a moment let yourself just be together.

8. Portraits of the two of you: there’s no one-size-fits-all.

There is so much to say on this topic, and many photographers and videographers have their personal opinions, but here’s what I believe:
The best photos come when you actually like how you feel.

So instead of asking your photographer what everyone else does, ask yourself:

• How much time do we realistically want to spend taking portraits?

• How comfortable are we spending time in front of the camera?

• Do we want something traditional or candid? Maybe something in between?

• What is the vibe? Are we after golden light or fun or romance or nostalgia or tradition?

• Could we do a short shoot on another day, outside the wedding pressure?

There’s no wrong answer. Just choose what feels aligned, and hire a team who can honor that. Just remember this isn’t a production, it’s your wedding day.

9. Do your toasts and dances early in the reception before people get distracted.

The best time for formalities? Right after your entrance.

Before dinner is even served. Before guests are in deep conversation. Before the drinks hit.

This is when attention is highest. It ensures any events you might do like your first dance, speeches, and parent dances actually land. After that, it’s all about relaxing into the evening. (And yes — your guests can wait 15 more minutes to eat. They just spent a cocktail hour drinking and snacking. Promise.)

Just make sure if you do this that there is clear coordination with your catering team so that you don’t end up with waiters walking around or clinking silverware in all of your dance and speech video.

10. Hire a planner or at least a day-of coordinator. Seriously.

Even the most chill wedding needs someone steering the ship.

Because if you don’t have someone in charge of the timeline, the coordination, and the behind-the-scenes juggling… it might end up being you. And that’s the last thing you want.

Even a month-before or day-of planner can take the pressure off, so you can be present and enjoy the day you’ve spent months (or years) building.

Bonus Tip: Have a plan, but don’t be married to it.

Things will happen.
Someone will lose their bouquet.
Rain might fall.
A baby will cry during the vows.
Uncle Joe might refuse to take off his glasses for the family photo.
The band might have tech trouble.

It’s okay.

Because this day isn’t about the schedule. It’s about you two getting married.
And that part, the actual heart of it, doesn’t depend on anything going perfectly. All you need is a place and a person to say “I do.”

Trust your wedding team. Trust yourself.
Be there. Let the magic unfold.