As a wedding photographer, wedding timeline questions are some of the most frequently asked questions. It’s true, as a bride, you want your wedding day to be a stress free celebration… And timeline planning is an important part of making that happen!

Today’s blog post is dedicated to the three things to add to your wedding timeline. These three things might be something you haven’t thought of before, and I hope this post is helpful to you as you plan your dream wedding day!

1) Add Buffer Time

One of my greatest pieces of advice that I share with my couples when it comes to planning their wedding timeline is this… Add buffer time throughout the entire timeline! It’s best to add some buffer time or wiggle room to the getting ready portion of your day, the pre-ceremony portraits, post-ceremony portraits, and reception events. It’s always a joy when wedding days are running on-schedule, but small things can shift the timeline a bit throughout the day. That’s why I always recommend adding buffer time to your wedding timeline!

2) Rain Backup Plan

Trust me, I wholeheartedly hope that your wedding day brings a beautiful forecast. But sadly, that’s not always the case on wedding days. As a wedding photographer, I recommend having a rain backup plan in place for your wedding day. Make this plan in advance so that you’re prepared for whatever weather scenario happens on your wedding day. I recommend having a rain backup plan for your ceremony and reception (if taking place outdoors) and your photo locations. This plan should be included on your timeline and your vendors should be aware of this backup plan. 

I know it’s not fun to think about less than desirable weather on your wedding day. If one thing is for sure, it’s this – I promise that thinking through these details and making a backup plan ahead of time will save you so much stress and worry on your wedding day!

3) Hard Stop Before Ceremony

And last but not least, I recommend planning for a hard stop before your wedding ceremony. You’re probably wondering what exactly that means, and I’m happy to share!

I recommend that you have a hard stop for photos, decorating, being out and about, etc. of at least 30-45 minutes before your ceremony begins. The last thing you want to be doing is taking photos out in the open as your guests are arriving or feeling like you went from taking photos to walking down the aisle. It’s my priority as your wedding photographer to plan for time on the timeline where you can rest, breathe, and relax before the ceremony. This time is also great to use the restroom, have a glass of water, freshen up your makeup, or even put your veil in. These quiet moments will be so cherished on your wedding day!

As a wedding photographer that has photographed over 200 wedding days, it’s a joy to share honest advice with you here on the blog. I hope this blog post dedicated to three things to add to your wedding timeline is helpful as you plan your wedding day. Thanks for being here!

With Love, Ashley

Ashley Susan Photography is a wedding & portrait photographer serving 30A, Chicago & worldwide. Get in touch about your upcoming wedding day here & follow along on social for what’s happening behind the scenes!

Chicago Wedding Photographer | Wedding Timeline Planning | Chicago Wedding Advice | 30A Destination & Wedding Photographer