Planning
The wedding-day timeline we give every couple
A good timeline is the quiet secret behind every relaxed wedding. Here is the framework we start from, and why each block is there.
Nathaniel Brooks4 min read
Couples are often surprised by how much time a wedding day really needs. Hair and makeup run long, photos take longer than anyone thinks and moving 150 guests from one lawn to another is never quick. A thoughtful timeline is how we protect the moments that matter.
Here is the framework we start from for a summer wedding with a 17:00 ceremony. Every wedding is different, but this rhythm works beautifully in Napa light.
A sample summer timeline
- 10:00 Hair and makeup begin, with the couple finishing last
- 14:00 Photographer arrives for details and getting ready
- 15:00 First look and couple portraits
- 15:45 Wedding party and family photos
- 16:30 Guests arrive, welcome drinks in the shade
- 17:00 Ceremony, around 25 minutes
- 17:30 Cocktail hour and golden-hour portraits
- 18:45 Dinner, toasts and first dance
- 21:00 Dancing, with last call at 21:45 for a 22:00 curfew
Why we love a first look
Seeing each other privately before the ceremony lets you finish most portraits early, so you can actually enjoy your own cocktail hour. It also gives you a quiet moment together before the day speeds up. Couples who choose it almost always tell us they are glad they did.
Build in buffers everywhere. A timeline with no slack is a promise you cannot keep.
Small details that save the day
Schedule a 15-minute pause for the two of you right after the ceremony, before you greet anyone. Have dinner served to you first, so you can eat before toasts begin. Plan sunset portraits for about 20 minutes before actual sunset, when the vineyard light turns gold.
Assign one trusted person, ideally not a parent, to be the point of contact for family questions on the day. Give them the timeline, the photo list and our lead planner's number. It keeps well-meaning relatives away from you and lets everyone feel looked after.
And plan your exit as carefully as your entrance. Decide whether you will leave before the last song or stay to the end, arrange the car in advance and make sure someone is collecting gifts, cards and your belongings.
Share the final timeline with every vendor two weeks before the wedding, and give a simplified version to your wedding party. When everyone knows the plan, the day flows, and you are free to simply be there.
