How to build an Elopement Day Timeline

First I start with the ceremony location and work outwards from there depending on what they want to do.

So let’s say the ceremony in Sedona is at 5:00, an hour and a half prior to sunset, I first plan out the rest of the evening (since it’s towards the end of the day) and plan out how much time I need for bride & groom portraits, family photos, and travel time to dinner.

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Next I start working backwards from the ceremony time,

Travel to the ceremony

How long will it take to get to the ceremony location, is there hiking involved, will there be a delay finding parking, time for guests to arrive and get out of the cars, time for them to use the restroom or get themselves together.

Travel from Location 1

How long will it take to get to the ceremony location from the first location, do we have to hike out, do we have to pack up anything, do we have to stop at the Airbnb to pick up anything, do we need to grab waters.

Lodging shots

Then I account for time it takes to get getting ready shots, writing vows, the first look and anything else they may have.

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I usually like to arrive 15min before and not any earlier just in case they need time to get things together before I arrive.

Typical times for each event (although it completely depends on your style and how you work your art)

• Getting ready shots- 1 hour

• Writing vows- 45min

• First look- 20min

• Ceremony - 20min

• Family photos - 20min

• Bride & Groom portraits - 1 hour

Pro tip: Account for time to get in and out of the car. You would be surprised to know that it usually takes 8-10 minutes for the couple to get out and gather all of their things.

Real Timeline Examples:

• Salt Flats with Guests Timeline

  1:00 Bride & Groom head to the Salt Flats

  3:00 Arrive at Salt Flats

  3:30 Getting Ready Shots

  4:15 First Look

  4:30 Bride & Groom Photos

  5:15 Get ready for Ceremony

  5:30 Ceremony

  5:50 Family Photos

  6:15 Bride & Groom Sunset Photos

  7:00 Dinner

  7:56 Sunset

  9:00 Leave Salt Flats/End of Day!

• Santorini Timeline

  Thursday, August 25

  3:00 Fira to Oia Hike

  7:00 Sunset shoot at: Caldera Hike or Viewpoint to the Plaka Bay

  7:56 Sunset

  Friday, August 26 | Elopement Day!

  9:30 Morning shots

  10:30 Brunch

  12:00 Get Ready at Airbnb

  2:00 Writing Vows & Getting Ready Shots

  3:00 Leave for Skaros Rock (30min drive)

  3:30 Arrive at Skaros Rock

  4:00 Ceremony

  5:10 Leave for Airbnb

  6:00 Arrive at Airbnb

  6:30 Sunset shoot at Airbnb

  7:10 Shots of Dinner Set Up

  7:30 Dinner

  7:54 Sunset

  8:00 End of Day!

  Saturday, August 27

  Travel to Crete (Ferry TBD)

  Check into Airbnb

  Sunset Shoot at Venetian Harbour (Chania) or Potamida (both attached)

• Arizona/Utah 2 Day Elopement Timeline

  Saturday, January 1st | Sedona

  11:30 Arrive at West Fork Trail

  11:50 First Look

  1:30 Head out of trail

  2:00 Drive to Mountain

  3:00 Arrive at Mountain/Hike Up

  3:45 Change into wedding attire

  4:05 Ceremony

  4:15 Ceremony Ends

  5:26 Sunset

  5:40 Head down

  6:00 Arrive at parking lot/ End of Day!!

  Sunday, January 2nd | Page

  8:00 Drive to Page

  11:00 Arrive at Page/Leave for slot canyon

  12:15 Arrive at parking lot/hike trail to slot canyon

  12:45 Arrive at Antelope Canyon

  2:15 Head out

  2:45 Arrive at parking lot

  4:20 Arrive at Horseshoe Bend

  5:20 Sunset

  5:50 Head out

  6:00 End of Day!!

• Big Sur Timeline

  8:15 Arrive at Airbnb:

  8:30 Getting Ready Photos

  9:15 First Look

  9:40 Leave for ceremony

  9:55 Arrive at ceremony location

  10:00 Ceremony

  10:50 Leave to drop Honey (🐶) off at AirBnB

  11:20 Leave for Wharf (40min drive)

  12:00 Arrive at Wharf (Municipal Commercial Wharf 2, A-Tier Gate Monterey, CA 93940)

  12:30 Sail

  1:30 Sail Ends

  1:35 Leave to pick up Honey

  2:15 Leave for Trail (12min drive)

  2:30 First Dance with Musician

  2:40 Picnic

  3:00 Photos/Explore

  3:30 Musician Leaves

  6:20 Sunset

  6:40 Lantern Photos

  7:00 End of day 😊

Popular question: When should I start hair and makeup?

I usually get asked this question and instead let them know when they need to be ready by.

This is the one thing I don’t rush on a wedding day so I make sure to give them an extra 45min to an hour. For example- if we are starting getting ready photos at 11:00am I tell them to be ready by 10:15am.

And that’s it! Trust your instincts and don’t be afraid to reinforce your opinions and suggestions to your couple. You are the professional and know what’s best to give them the best elopement experience!