CAPTD

Wedding Day Timeline Template

Set the ceremony time, change how long each moment takes, and the whole day moves around it — getting ready counts back, the reception counts forward. Add, remove and reorder moments, then download a PDF for the couple and the suppliers. Saved in this browser.

The day

  1. 11:50– 12:20

    min
  2. 12:20– 13:20

    min
  3. 13:20– 13:40

    min
  4. 13:40– 14:00

    min
  5. 14:00– 14:30

    min
  6. 14:30– 14:50

    min
  7. 14:50– 15:20

    min
  8. 15:20– 15:50

    min
  9. 15:50– 16:50

    min
  10. 16:50– 17:05

    min
  11. 17:05– 18:35

    min
  12. 18:35– 19:05

    min
  13. 19:05– 19:15

    min
  14. 19:15– 19:30

    min
  15. 19:30– 19:40

    min
  16. 19:40– 21:40

    min

The pinned moment () stays at its time; everything else moves. The starting order and lengths are CAPTD's suggestions — change them to fit the day.

Download

Your timeline is saved in this browser only. The PDF is made on this page; nothing is sent to CAPTD.

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How to use this

What it does

Lays out a wedding day from a running order and a length for each moment, around one pinned time — usually the ceremony. Moments before it count back from it, moments after count forward, so the schedule always fits around the part that can't move.

What you'll need

  • The ceremony time (or whichever moment is fixed)
  • How long each part of the day takes

Steps

  1. Set the ceremony start time.
  2. Change lengths, add and remove moments, reorder them; pin a different moment if another is fixed.
  3. Download the PDF or copy it for the couple, the planner and the venue.

Reading the result

Each row shows when a moment starts and ends. If getting ready starts too early, shorten something before the ceremony; if the evening runs late, trim something after it.

Tips

  • Build in 10–15 minutes of slack before the ceremony — something always runs over.
  • Put couple portraits near sunset if you can; check the time with the sunrise and sunset calculator.
  • Share the PDF with the planner and venue so everyone works from the same times.

Learn more

What is a wedding day timeline?

A wedding timeline is the schedule of the day, from getting ready to the last dance, with a time for each part. Photographers use it to know where to be and when, and to plan the light for portraits.

Working back from a fixed ceremony time is the simplest way to build one: the ceremony rarely moves, everything else bends around it.

Why photographers make one

Most missed shots come from a squeezed timeline — family photos rushed, portraits in harsh light, the first dance while you're eating. A shared plan protects the photos and the couple's day.

Common mistakes

  • No travel time. getting from the venue to the portrait spot takes longer than it looks.
  • Ten minutes for family photos. big families need 20–30.
  • Ignoring sunset. golden-hour portraits need the time booked in.

FAQ

How long should family photos take?
It depends on the list. As a starting point this template allows 30 minutes — about one group a minute and a half, with gathering time.
Can I change the times later?
Yes — your timeline is saved in this browser, so you can come back and adjust it before the day.
Are the lengths rules?
No, they're CAPTD's suggested starting point. Every wedding is different; change them freely.