I can not stress enough that every wedding is unique and it should reflect your personality’s and your family traditions. I am not a cheerleader for a first look; I am a traditionalist. I love that classic chic-flick moment when the groom lights up as he sees the bride walking down the aisle for the first time. My heart skips a beat just thinking about it. However, there are plenty of advantages to a having a first look lighting and photography wise so would never discourage a first look if it fits your personalities.
Assuming you are not doing a first look a good rule of thumb is to plan the ceremony two hours before sunset. That way you have plenty of time for family portraits and couples portraits following the ceremony. Your guest will get to enjoy the sunset during cocktail hour and just as the sun sets you will be starting your reception. When the lighting gets low guest will hit the dance floor!!
Here is a sample wedding day timeline for a TRADITIONAL May wedding with a 7:30 sunset.
2:30 Photographer arrives
3:30 Hair and makeup are complete bride steps into her wedding dress
4:00 Bride, bridesmaids, and brides family take portraits outdoors
4:00 The groom, groomsmen, and grooms family meet the second photographer at the ceremony site for portraits
4:45 The bride is tucked away in the church and groomsmen start escorting the guest to their seats
5:30 Ceremony begins
6:00 Ceremony ends
6:15 Family portraits begin
6:30 Cocktail hour begins
6:30 Couples portraits begin
7:00 The family and the couple join cocktail hour
7:30 SUNSET
7:30 The reception begins with a first dance
8:00 Dinner is served
9:00 Toast, cake cutting, father daughter and mother son dances
11:30 Exit
Here is a sample wedding day timeline for a May wedding with a FIRST LOOK and a 7:30 sunset.
2:00 Photographer arrives
3:00 Hair and makeup are complete bride steps into her wedding dress
3:30 First Look with Bride and Groom
3:45 Bridal party portraits / Bride and groom portraits
4:15 Family Photos
4:45 The bride is tucked away in the church and groomsmen start escorting the guest to their seats
5:30 Ceremony begins
6:00 Ceremony ends
6:30 Cocktail hour begins
7:15 Couples portraits at sunset
7:30 SUNSET
7:30 The reception begins with a first dance
8:00 Dinner is served
9:00 Toast, cake cutting, father daughter and mother son dances
11:30 Exit
