Your wedding day is not a photoshoot…it’s your legacy unfolding in real time. Every laugh with your best friend, every tear your dad tries to hide, the way your partner looks at you before you walk down the aisle… these moments are too precious to rush.

And yet, a thoughtfully built timeline is one of the greatest gifts you can give yourself on your wedding day. It’s what allows you to be present while ensuring your photos are artful, intentional and filled with real emotion.

Here’s how I guide my couples in building a wedding day timeline that creates space for the in-between moments to unfold naturally.

1. Start with What Matters Most

Think about the parts of your wedding day you’re most excited about. Is it a private first look in the gardens? Sunset portraits on the course of the country club? A quiet moment with your girls before the ceremony?

We’ll anchor your timeline around these moments, giving them the space they deserve so they never feel like an after thought.

2. Plan Buffer Time (Trust Me on This)

Weddings almost never run on a minute-by minute schedule (and when they do, I can promise that everyone… especially the couple, can feel the stress of it) By building in intentional buffer time between hair and makeup, getting dressed, traveling to locations and formal portraits, you’ll be able to breathe and enjoy your day without stress.

It also means that if you need an extra minute to soak in the moment of the day… you can. Often times these unscripted pauses become favorite memories and photographs.

3. Prioritize Light

As your Photographer, I’m always considering light when helping you build your timeline. If you want to avoid the harsh mid-day outdoor lighting, perhaps consider a late afternoon ceremony. If you love that golden, romantic glow for portraits, I’ll help plan a window of time during sunset to sneak away for some portraits.

Don’t worry, this doesn’t mean you’ll miss your cocktail hour or the party on the dance floor. We’ll plan intentional windows for portraits so you can spend your day with the people that matter most!

4. Allow Candid Moments

The best images often happen in the in-between… your best friend adjusting your veil, a private walk with your partner, your flower girl peeking into the mirror. These moments can’t be forced, but they can be made possible with the right timeline.

By leaving open space in your timeline and resisting the urge to overfill your day, you’ll allow the authentic, candid moments you’ll treasure forever to happen organically.

5. Trust Your Vendors

You don’t have to know how long family photos take or when the best light hits your venue. That’s what your team of Vendors are here for. When you book with me, I send a detailed wedding day planning questionnaire and work with you (and your Planner/Vendors) to build a timeline that feels like you while ensuring your photos reflect your day honestly and beautifully.

Remember This is Your Day, Your Story

At the end of the day, your wedding is not about checking off a shot list: It’s about the way it felt to be surrounded by the people you love most, beginning your marriage with intention and joy.

A thoughtfully crafted timeline allows you to step fully into your day, confident that your wedding day and the memories that come from it are being preserved with care, artistry and a deep respect for your story.

If you’re currently planning your wedding and want a Photographer who values your experience as much your images, I would love to document your day. Inquire about your date here and let the planning begin!