5 Must Haves For Your Wedding Or Elopement Timeline
Venue: Elope 253 in downtown Tacoma
Creating a wedding/elopement timeline doesn’t need to be stressful, and it can be as detailed or simple as you like! (I looooove a detailed one personally. Having all vital phone numbers and details in one place? So easy to navigate and communicate to make sure we get to each of your priorities.)
Timelines are not only so helpful to keep everyone on the same page the day of, but they’re a key step to mentally walking through the day early in your planning. This is how to make sure you have enough time for each thing that’s important to you. It’s an opportunity to get feedback on your plans from your vendors and think through whether you have enough buffer for things like travel or if there might be “pain points” where you could feel rushed or have to skip plans.
If you’re working with me, don’t stress about creating one from scratch. I’m a chronic over-planner and uh… probably enjoy creating these more than I should. I’ll send you a first draft(s) with suggestions after our initial consultation and hearing your priorities. You’ll have some time to talk and think through your options; then we’ll work together during follow up calls to problem solve if needed and make sure everyone involved in making things happen feels confident about plans so there aren’t major hang ups the day of.
When thinking through a super basic timeline and how many hours of photography coverage you need, here are a couple things to remember:
If you’re working with a strict budget, prioritize photography for the chunks of time that will be most important to you (typically family portraits, ceremony; etc.).
If you have a flexible budget, full day coverage is almost always the BEST option because… it’s blanket coverage for every little thing. We tend to forget the little things, and this will allow you loads of flexibility to not only avoid feeling rushed but also provide me more creative freedom to show up and do my best work.
Build in buffer for yourself - the time moves quicker than you’d expect, and something almost inevitably goes wrong.
(Think through bathroom trips, drinks of water/bites to eat, extra time for if someone’s running late, time allowing you to breathe and feel fully present; etc.)This is a lot like #3, but… if there’s travel involved, expect a minimum of 15 minutes added to each trip for people to run to the restroom, get caught in traffic, search for parking; etc.
DOWNTIME. Time carved out for the two of you to connect, breathe, and reset so you can feel fully present in the moment. I love first looks for this, but it doesn’t have to be a first look (or can be more than one spot in the day!)… It could be right after the ceremony, right after family group portraits, or making sure you get to sit and watch the sunset together.
As an introvert, this is absolutely a MUST HAVE. Even for those who are extroverts, it’s really important to have built in reminders to slow down and soak it all in.
Want some inspiration on what your plans could look like? Here is a sample timeline based on a real wedding!
Elopement in Packwood WA
Cabin Elopement near a National Park
Couple + under 15 guests
Very minimal hiking and travel; simple plans prioritized on spending lots of intentional time with the people closest to you.
10 AM
- Couple slowly wakes up at their air b&b; makes breakfast together
11 AM
- Photographer arrives; take a few cozy morning routine and detail images
- Final touches on personal vows
- Exchanges gifts
- Couple help each other get dressed in their wedding outfits
12 PM
- Travel to scenic location nearby to share private vows
12:45 PM
- Share personal vows
- Short directed couples portraits
- Picnic lunch at scenic location
- Short hike/walk to enjoy the park
2 PM (or when ready)
- Travel back to cabin
2:45 PM
- Last minute touch ups (or a power nap in hammocks!)
3 PM
- Officiant and guests arrive
- Couple greet guests and mingle
3:20 PM
- Ceremony begins
3:40 PM
- Ceremony ends; group portraits
- Sign the marriage certificate
4:00 PM
- Champagne pop! Pull out appetizers to share
- Guests mingling - playing board games/lawn games, signing a guest book; etc.
4:30 PM
- Dinner
5:30 PM
- Toasts, cake cutting, and first dances
7:00 PM
- Sneak away for couples portraits at sunset
8:00 PM
- Couple changes into cozy clothes
- Bonfire and s’mores at the cabin
- Photography coverage ends