Our Wedding Photo + Video Timeline Tips That Will Save Your Wedding Day PART THREE

Our Wedding Photo + Video Timeline Tips That Will Save Your Wedding Day PART THREE

If you’ve ever searched “how to plan a wedding day timeline without losing your mind”—hi. You’re not alone. 👋

We’re Gabby & Tori—real-life sisters, besties, and your go-to wedding photographer and videographer team based in Springfield, IL. We’ve seen (and saved) a lot of timelines in our day, and we’re here to help you skip the chaos and head straight for the champagne clinks and slow-mo veil tosses.

Whether you're working with a planner or flying solo, this blog is packed with wedding timeline tips that will keep your day running smooth, on time, and actually enjoyable. Plus, we’ll let you in on why having a photo and video duo that already works like a well-oiled machine (hey, that’s us) can make all the difference.

 

First Things First: Why the Timeline Really Matters

Your wedding timeline isn’t just a list of when things happen—it’s the secret sauce to:

  • Having space to breathe

  • Avoiding “oh no we’re behind” stress

  • Getting allllll the photos and footage you’ve been dreaming of

  • Feeling present and peaceful

It’s not about packing in every second. It’s about protecting the magic of the moments that matter most!!

And when your photographer and videographer are on the same page? Ooh baby. You can practically feel your cortisol levels drop. 

 

Our Top Photo + Video Timeline Tips

These are the tips we give every couple we work with to help them plan the kind of day they’ll actually remember (for the right reasons).

1. Start With Your Ceremony Time and Work Backward

This is your anchor point. Everything else—getting ready, first look, bridal party portraits, family photos—gets scheduled around this.

Pro Tip: Add a 30-minute buffer between portraits and your ceremony so you’re not rushing in heels while your guests are already walking in! Go into "hiding" so no one tries to "snag a picture before the crazy starts" as you're lining up to go down the aisle.

2. Add At Least 30 Minutes More Than You Think You’ll Need to Get Ready

Hair and makeup always take longer than expected. Trust us. You do not want to be stressed because someone's hair took 10 minutes longer than planned!

➡️ Bonus: A relaxed getting-ready timeline = better energy, better photos, and more time for mimosas.

3. First Look? YES, Please.

We love a first look for so many reasons, but from a timeline perspective? Game. Changer.

  • You knock out the bulk of your portraits before the ceremony.

  • You get a private, emotional moment together (with no 150-person audience).

  • You free up your post-ceremony time to actually hang out with guests, or catch golden hour light, OR BOTH.

➡️ Not doing a first look? Totally fine! Just expect to do family + couple portraits right after the ceremony—which means your cocktail hour will run without you.

4. Family/Group Photos Always Take Longer Than You Expect (Because… Humans)

We love your people, but wrangling family members like herding cats is a whole thing. Build in 30–45 minutes for family and bridal party photos—and make a list ahead of time to keep it smooth. Chat with your photographer beforehand and get them a copy of this list so they can help you weed through the list and not miss any combinations!

➡️ Trust us: a little pre-planning here saves a lot of yelling across parking lots in full glam. 😂

5. Golden Hour = Your Secret Weapon

That dreamy, glowy, just-before-sunset light? Chef’s kiss. We always schedule time for golden hour portraits—even if it’s just 10–15 minutes! 

➡️ This is when the nerves are gone, the light is magic, and the “we’re actually married” glow is glowing.

6. Syncing Your Photo & Video Teams = Peace of Mind

Here’s the tea: when your photo and video teams don’t communicate or have different shot lists/timelines/styles? Chaos. It leads to missed moments, awkward overlap, and extra stress for you.

That’s why hiring a photo and video duo (hi again!) who already work in sync makes the timeline 10x smoother. We move as a team, plan as a team, and make sure your schedule serves both our mediums without making you feel like a Kardashian in a paparazzi swarm. (Unless that's the vibe for the day... we'll match your freak, sis).

 

Want a Sample Wedding Day Timeline?

We gotchu. Here’s a rough outline for a traditional 8-hour wedding day with a first look:

12:00 – Hair & makeup wraps / Getting ready photos begin
1:00 – First look + couple portraits
2:00 – Bridal party photos
3:30 – Bridal party "in hiding" 
4:00 – Ceremony 
4:45 – Family Photos 
5:00 – Cocktail hour / Candid guest moments
5:30 – Grand entrance + dinner
6:45 – Speeches + dances
7:15 – Golden hour portraits
7:30 – Party time! 🎉
8:00 – Sneak out for a night shot / Private last dance (optional)

 

Of course, every wedding is different—and we help each of our couples build a personalized photo and video schedule that fits their vibe, their priorities, and their venue.

 

So if you want:

  • A stress-free wedding day

  • A calm, collected vendor team who knows how to run the show without being bossy

  • The space to actually enjoy your day without feeling rushed

  • Stunning photos + video that capture every meaningful moment…

You need a solid timeline—and a team that knows how to use it.

 

 

📍 Based in Springfield, IL
🎥 Photo + Video packages available throughout Illinois and United States
📦 We help all our couples build custom wedding day timelines
💌 Want even more advice? The [Hey Sis Hotline] is always open!

Need help building your timeline or want to book your dream duo? [Let’s talk, sis!]

 

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