Wedding Day Timeline Templates

Sample timelines for different wedding styles. Customize based on your clients' needs, venue, and Hawaii sunset times.

Hawaii Sunset Note: Hawaii sunset varies from approximately 5:50 PM (winter) to 7:15 PM (summer). Plan golden hour portraits 1 hour before sunset. Check exact times at timeanddate.com ↗

First Look Timeline (8 Hours)

Full Day with First Look - 5:00 PM Ceremony

Recommended for couples who want relaxed portraits before the ceremony and minimal stress on the timeline.

GETTING READY

12:00 PM

Photographer arrives - Bride getting ready

Detail shots: dress, shoes, jewelry, invitation, flowers

12:00 PM

Second shooter arrives - Groom getting ready

Detail shots: suit, watch, cufflinks, boutonniere

12:30 PM

Candid getting ready coverage

Hair & makeup finishing, bride in robe, groom with groomsmen

1:15 PM

Bride puts on dress

Mother/bridesmaids helping with buttons, reveal moment

1:30 PM

Bride portraits complete

Solo portraits of bride in dress

FIRST LOOK & PORTRAITS

2:00 PM

First Look

Private moment between couple, captured from distance initially

2:15 PM

Couple portraits - Session 1

Relaxed portraits while light is soft

2:45 PM

Wedding party arrives for photos

3:00 PM

Wedding party photos

Bridesmaids, groomsmen, full party combinations

3:30 PM

Family formals

Immediate family combinations per shot list

4:00 PM

Buffer time / Travel to ceremony

Touch-ups, relax, transport

CEREMONY

4:30 PM

Guests arrive, ceremony details

Venue shots, guest arrivals, ceremony setup

5:00 PM

Ceremony begins

Processional, vows, ring exchange, first kiss, recessional

5:30 PM

Ceremony ends

Receiving line or couple exit shots

COCKTAIL HOUR & GOLDEN HOUR

5:45 PM

Cocktail hour begins

Guest candids, venue details, food/drinks

6:00 PM

Golden hour couple portraits - Session 2

Best light of the day! Sunset portraits

6:30 PM

Couple returns for reception entrance

RECEPTION

6:45 PM

Grand entrance

7:00 PM

First dance

7:10 PM

Welcome & blessing, dinner begins

7:30 PM

Toasts & speeches

8:00 PM

Parent dances

8:15 PM

Cake cutting

8:30 PM

Open dancing

Dance floor coverage, candids

8:00 PM

Photography coverage ends

(Or grand exit if scheduled)

Traditional Timeline (8 Hours)

No First Look - 4:00 PM Ceremony

For couples who want to save the reveal for the ceremony aisle.

GETTING READY

11:00 AM

Photographer arrives - Both locations

Start with bride or alternate between locations

11:00 AM

Detail shots at bride's location

Dress, shoes, jewelry, invitation, bouquet

11:30 AM

Candid getting ready - Bride

Hair, makeup, bridesmaids

12:00 PM

Groom getting ready coverage

Second shooter or main photographer travels

12:30 PM

Groom + Groomsmen portraits

1:00 PM

Bride puts on dress

1:15 PM

Bride solo portraits + Bridesmaids portraits

PRE-CEREMONY

2:00 PM

Bride's family formals

Without groom present

2:30 PM

Groom's family formals

Without bride present

3:00 PM

Travel to ceremony venue

3:30 PM

Ceremony venue details, guest arrivals

CEREMONY

4:00 PM

Ceremony begins

4:30 PM

Ceremony ends

PORTRAITS (Compressed)

4:35 PM

Combined family formals

Both families together, extended family

5:00 PM

Wedding party photos

5:20 PM

Couple portraits

Limited time - prioritize best locations

COCKTAIL HOUR & RECEPTION

5:45 PM

Cocktail hour (couple arrives late)

6:00 PM

Sunset portraits (steal away during cocktails)

6:30 PM

Reception begins - Grand entrance

6:45 PM

First dance, toasts, dinner

7:30 PM

Parent dances, cake cutting

8:00 PM

Open dancing

7:00 PM

Coverage ends

Hawaii Elopement Timeline (4 Hours)

Intimate Beach Elopement - Sunset Ceremony

Compact timeline for intimate elopements on Hawaii beaches.

PREPARATION & PORTRAITS

4:00 PM

Photographer arrives at hotel/Airbnb

Couple should be dressed and ready

4:00 PM

Detail shots

Rings, flowers, dress details, invitation

4:20 PM

Individual portraits (optional)

4:30 PM

Travel to beach location

Account for parking and walking to spot

BEACH PORTRAITS & CEREMONY

5:00 PM

Arrive at beach, scout exact spot

5:15 PM

Pre-ceremony couple portraits

Beach walking, exploring, candid moments

5:45 PM

Officiant arrives, ceremony setup

6:00 PM

Ceremony

Vows, ring exchange, first kiss (15-20 min)

GOLDEN HOUR

6:20 PM

Post-ceremony portraits

Just married! Celebrate!

6:45 PM

Sunset portraits

Golden hour magic - silhouettes, backlit shots

7:15 PM

Blue hour shots (optional)

If light permits

8:00 PM

Coverage ends

Hawaii Timeline Tips

Account for Traffic: Honolulu rush hour (7-9 AM, 3-6 PM) can add significant travel time
Beach Permit Times: Wiki permits are 2 hours max - plan accordingly
Heat Management: Schedule outdoor portraits for late afternoon to avoid harsh midday sun
Wind: Trade winds are constant - plan veil/hair accordingly
Rain Plan: Brief showers are common - have backup covered locations identified
Sunset Window: Golden hour is 1 hour before sunset; best light is 20-30 minutes before
Build in Buffer: Hawaii runs on "island time" - add 15-30 min buffers