Common Wedding Timeline Mistakes (and How to Fix Them Before the Day)
If there’s one thing that can make or break how stress-free your wedding day feels, it’s the timeline. I’ve seen hundreds of timelines over the years — the color-coded spreadsheets, the ones scribbled on the back of envelopes, and everything in between.
But no matter the format, there are a few common mistakes that tend to pop up again and again. Here’s what they are — and how to fix them before the big day.
Mistake #1: Planning the Ceremony Around the Best Light
I totally understand the thought process here — you want that dreamy golden-hour glow for your ceremony photos. But if you’re not doing a first look and your ceremony is scheduled for sunset (especially in late fall), you’ll be taking all of your portraits in the dark.
Instead, chat with your photographer early about what matters most to you. Do you want to prioritize sunset photos of the two of you, or do you want a romantic evening ceremony? You can absolutely have both — it just takes a little timeline adjusting.
Sometimes that means having an earlier ceremony and then sneaking back out during the reception for a few quick golden-hour portraits. You get the best of both worlds without sacrificing natural light.
Mistake #2: Not Building in Wiggle Room
Even the most carefully planned wedding days run behind at some point. Someone’s boutonniere breaks, a family member disappears right before photos, or traffic delays the makeup artist.
The fix? Add cushion time between key parts of the day. Even five or ten minutes here and there gives you room to breathe if something runs late — and if everything goes perfectly on time, you just get to relax for a bit. Win-win.
Mistake #3: Scheduling Photos Right Up Until the Ceremony
If you’re doing a first look, try to wrap up photos and head back to your getting-ready space about 30–40 minutes before guests arrive.
Otherwise, you’ll likely end up being spotted (or even interrupted) by early arrivals. It’s not the end of the world, but it does make for some awkward moments — and a less relaxing transition into ceremony time.
Mistake #4: Not Allowing Enough Time for Bride & Groom Portraits
You two are kind of the main event! And yet, this is one of the areas that gets cut the most when things run behind.
Make sure your photographer has plenty of time for just the two of you — at least 20–30 minutes if possible. I know it’s hard to make guests wait for the reception, but these are the photos you’ll look back on forever.
Mistake #5: Saving the Bride’s Hair & Makeup for Last
Please, please don’t do this one. It seems logical (“save the bride for last so her hair and makeup stay fresh!”), but if anyone else runs late, your photos will too.
Ideally, you and whoever’s helping you get dressed — your mom, sister, or best friend — should be somewhere in the middle of the lineup. That way, you’re fully ready when photo time starts, and your schedule isn’t at the mercy of the hair and makeup timeline.
Final Thought
A well-built timeline doesn’t mean the day runs perfectly — it just means there’s space to enjoy it, even when things don’t go exactly as planned. Build in extra time, trust your photographer’s guidance, and remember: calm timelines create calm wedding days.