Want to know what a typical wedding day timeline looks like? Our team has created a rundown on how to plan your wedding day from a New Jersey wedding photographer’s point of view. This way, you won’t feel overwhelmed and will be part of every moment.

A wedding day timeline isn’t just a schedule—it’s your blueprint for enjoying the chaos. Skip the Pinterest-perfect fantasies. We’re talking real life: spilled champagne, impromptu dance-offs, and that one cousin who photobombs the cake cutting.

For ease, we’ll work with a 6:00 PM start time for the reception. If yours starts earlier, adjust everything by an hour. No need for travel time? Adjust that too.

Wedding Day Timeline With a First Look

12:00 PM – Photographer Arrives for Getting Ready Photos
12:45 PM – Everyone Dressed for Pre-Ceremony Photos
2:45 PM – Leave For First Look
— 15 Minutes Travel Time —
3:00 PM – Bride & Groom First Look + Bride & Groom Portraits
Read more about why engagement sessions are a great way to get comfortable in front of the camera.
4:00 PM – Wedding Party Photos
Check out a recent wedding at Old York Cellar Winery for more ideas on wedding party photos.
5:00 PM – Family Photos (Typically at the Venue)
5:30 PM – Ceremony
6:00 PM – Cocktail Hour
7:00 PM – Reception
7:15 PM – Reception Introductions / First Dance / Parent Dances / Toasts / First Course
8:15 PM – Dance Set Photos
Get a glimpse of a recent Jersey City wedding to see how the reception unfolds.
8:45 PM – Dinner
9:30 PM – More Dancing
10:00 PM – Cake Cutting / Bouquet + Garter / Viennese Hour / Nighttime Portrait of Bride & Groom
Want to see a nighttime portrait in action? Check out this beautiful shot from a wedding at the Grain House.
11:00 PM – Reception Ends

Wedding Day Timeline Without a First Look

12:00 PM – Photographer arrives for getting ready photos
12:45 PM – Everyone dressed for pre-ceremony photos
2:45 PM – Leave for First Look
— 15-minute travel time —
3:00 PM – Bride & groom first look + couple portraits
Read more about how engagement sessions help you get comfortable in front of the camera.
4:00 PM – Wedding party photos
Check out a recent wedding at Old York Cellar Winery for wedding party photo ideas.
5:00 PM – Family photos (typically at the venue)
5:30 PM – Ceremony
6:00 PM – Cocktail hour
7:00 PM – Reception
7:15 PM – Reception introductions / first dance / parent dances / toasts / first course
8:15 PM – Dance set photos
Check out a recent Jersey City wedding to see how the reception unfolds.
8:45 PM – Dinner
9:30 PM – More dancing
10:00 PM – Cake cutting / bouquet + garter / Viennese hour / nighttime portraits
Want to see a nighttime portrait in action? Check out this beautiful shot from a wedding at the Grain House.
11:00 PM – Reception ends

Final Note:

Your wedding day timeline isn’t a prison sentence. Assign a “schedule sheriff” (read: your Type-A cousin) to wrangle stragglers. Then? Relax. I’ll handle the rest. Book your photographer early to ensure you get the best possible shots on your big day.