Planning your wedding timeline can feel overwhelming, but it does not have to be. A great timeline is not about squeezing in as much as possible. It is about creating a natural flow to your day so you can stay relaxed, enjoy the moments, and feel free to be yourselves. When you feel calm and present, the photos and video naturally follow suit. That is why at Riverwood we focus on building timelines that prioritise your experience first and the coverage second.

One of the biggest timeline challenges couples face is the morning. Hair and makeup nearly always take longer than expected, and when things run behind early, the rest of the day can feel rushed. Make sure you have a conversation with your HMU so you know how much time it will realistically take, and make sure the bride or person being fully photographed is finished first. From there, allow time for getting ready photos, details, family moments, and some breathing time before you leave. A buffer is your best friend. It keeps everyone relaxed and gives your creative team the space to capture natural, genuine emotions.

Your ceremony and reception timing matter too. After the ceremony, allow fifteen minutes to hug everyone, then around thirty minutes for family photos, thirty minutes for the bridal party, and twenty to thirty minutes for your couple portraits. The most important thing to remember is this: twenty minutes with a relaxed couple who are enjoying themselves is worth more than an hour with a couple who are stressed and thinking about the clock. If golden hour fits the flow of your venue and timeline, we will guide you through that during your consultations. It is never essential, but when it works, it gives you a few quiet minutes together and some beautiful soft light.

During the reception, the biggest mistake couples make is leaving too much space between formalities. Large gaps between speeches, dinner, cake and dancing can make the evening drag for guests. Instead, keep the formalities grouped closely so the energy stays high and your night flows smoothly. This helps your photos and video too, because the most meaningful moments often happen between the planned events. A well structured but relaxed timeline lets all of these moments unfold naturally.

If you want help shaping your perfect timeline, we would love to walk you through it. Every venue, season, and couple is different, and we go through all of this carefully during our consultations.

Book a time to chat with us and we will help you build a timeline that feels effortless, enjoyable, and completely your own.