Sample Timeline

When building out your timeline, 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 (portraits, ceremony; etc.)

• if you have a flexible budget, full day coverage is the BEST option because… we forget the little things, and this will allow you loads of flexibility to avoid stress.

• either way, 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.)

  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; makes breakfast together
  11 AM
  - Photographer arrives
  - Best friends arrive
  - Couple begin getting ready
  - Exchanges gifts
  - Final touches on personal vows
  12 PM
  - Travel to scenic first look location with best friends
  12:45 PM
  - First look at scenic location in the NP (under 5 min. walk)
  - Share personal vows (privately)
  - Short couples portraits
  1:15 PM
  - Picnic lunch at scenic location
  2 PM
  - Travel back to cabin
  2:45 PM
  - Last minute touch ups
  3 PM
  - Officiant and remaining guests arrive
  - Couple greet guests and mingle
  3:30 PM
  - Ceremony begins
  3:45 PM
  - Ceremony ends; group portraits
  - Sign the marriage certificate
  4:10 PM
  - Champagne pop! Pull out appetizers to share
  - Guests mingling - playing board games, lawn games, signing a guest book; etc.
  4:45 PM
  - Seating and dinner service
  5:30 PM
  - Toasts, cake cutting, and first dances
  7:00 PM
  - Sneak away for couples portraits at sunset
  8:00 PM
  - Bonfire and s’mores at the cabin
  - Photography coverage ends