Want a personalized version? Use the interactive timeline generator to build a timeline tailored to your ceremony time, coverage hours, and key moments.
Timeline Planning Basics
We have photographed weddings in St. Augustine for ten years. A good timeline keeps your day calm and easy. Without one, everything feels rushed. A timeline does more than list times. It protects the moments that matter most.
Planning Start
3-4 months before
Final Timeline
2 weeks before
Buffer Time
15-30 minutes
Hair/Makeup Buffer
45-60 minutes
Our #1 Timeline Tip
Build your timeline backwards from your ceremony time. Once you know when you're saying "I do," everything else falls into place. We start with ceremony time, then work backwards through portraits, getting ready, and prep time.
The key elements every timeline needs:
Buffer time between major events - Hair and makeup almost always runs 30-45 minutes late
Realistic travel time - Factor in St. Augustine traffic, especially during tourist season
Vendor coordination windows - When your florist delivers, when your band arrives to set up
Photography priorities - Golden hour timing, family photo windows, couple portraits
Coverage Length Options
We offer 4, 6, and 8-hour wedding photography packages, with extra hours available to extend your coverage. Here's what each length allows and when it works best:
4-Hour Coverage ($1,500)
Best for: Intimate ceremonies, courthouse weddings, small receptions
Typically covers: Getting ready final touches, ceremony, family photos, first hour of reception
Timing: Usually 2 hours before ceremony through dinner service
6-Hour Coverage ($2,250)
Best for: Traditional weddings without first look, smaller guest counts
Typically covers: Final getting ready, ceremony, portraits, cocktail hour, reception through first dance
Timing: 2-3 hours before ceremony through dancing start
8-Hour Coverage ($2,900)
Best for: Full weddings with first look, complete day documentation
Typically covers: Getting ready, first look, ceremony, all portraits, full reception
Timing: 4-5 hours before ceremony through dancing/exit
Extended Coverage (8-Hour Package + Extra Hours)
Best for: Destination weddings, extensive portrait sessions, large families
Typically covers: Full getting ready, multiple locations, extended family photos, complete reception
Timing: When you need more than eight hours, we add extra hours to the Full Day package (additional hours are $375 each) to cover everything from early prep through the grand exit.
First Look vs Traditional Timing
One of the biggest timeline decisions you'll make is whether to do a first look. After photographing both styles hundreds of times, here's the honest breakdown:
First Look Timeline
Pros:
More time for couple portraits
Less pressure after ceremony
Guests don't wait as long
Better golden hour timing
Cons:
Less anticipation at ceremony
Longer photo day
More coordination required
Traditional Timeline
Pros:
Maximum ceremony emotion
Shorter getting ready time
Classic wedding experience
Less pre-ceremony stress
Cons:
Guests wait during portraits
Rush between ceremony and reception
May miss golden hour
Less portrait time
Making the Choice
We recommend first looks for couples who want extensive portraits and don't mind a longer photo day. Choose traditional timing if the surprise moment at the ceremony is your priority and you're okay with shorter portrait sessions.
Seasonal Timing Considerations
St. Augustine's seasons dramatically affect your timeline. Here's what we've learned photographing here year-round:
Spring/Fall (March-May, October-November)
Perfect weather, comfortable temperatures
Peak wedding season, book early
Ideal ceremony time: 4:30-6:30pm
Golden hour: 6:30-7:30pm (spring), 5:30-6:30pm (fall)
Summer (June-September)
Longer days, beach season
Heat, humidity, afternoon storms
Ideal ceremony time: 6:30-7:30pm
Golden hour: 7:30-8:30pm
Winter (December-February)
Cool temperatures, Nights of Lights
Early sunset, variable weather
Ideal ceremony time: 3:30-4:30pm
Golden hour: 5:00-6:00pm
Summer Storm Planning
June through September brings afternoon thunderstorms. Plan indoor backup locations and consider earlier ceremony times. We've seen beautiful storms clear just in time for golden hour portraits.
600+
Weddings
10+
Years
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Rating
310+
Reviews
Sample Wedding Day Timelines
Here are real-world timelines we've used for successful St. Augustine weddings. Adjust based on your specific venues and needs:
Reception begins - grand entrance, first dance, toasts
7:00pm
Photography coverage ends (8 hours)
6-Hour Coverage Traditional (No First Look)
2:00pm
Photography coverage begins - final getting ready
3:00pm
Detail shots, bride and groom separate prep
4:00pm
Pre-ceremony family photos (groom's side)
4:30pm
Guests begin arriving
5:00pm
Ceremony begins
5:30pm
Family photos immediately after ceremony
6:00pm
Couple portraits during cocktail hour
6:30pm
Cocktail hour continues
7:30pm
Reception begins, dinner service
8:00pm
Photography coverage ends
Golden Hour Planning
Golden hour—that magical time when the sun is low and light is warm—is every photographer's favorite time. In St. Augustine, we plan entire timelines around it.
With First Look: Schedule couple portraits during golden hour, 1-2 hours after your first look and ceremony.
Without First Look: Plan ceremony to end 45 minutes before golden hour starts, allowing time for family photos before couple portraits.
Backup Plan: Always identify covered areas with good light in case of weather. The Lightner Museum courtyard and Villa Blanca's covered terrace are our go-to spots.
Coordinating with Vendors
Your timeline affects every vendor. Here's what each needs to know:
Vendor Timeline Coordination
Hair/Makeup: Share ceremony time and coverage start time. Build in extra buffer—we've never seen hair and makeup finish early.
Florist: Coordinate delivery times with venue access and ceremony setup needs.
DJ/Band: Ensure they know cocktail hour start time and any special timing for entrances or first dance.
Videographer: Share full timeline and coordinate on couple portrait timing to avoid conflicts.
Venue: Confirm setup and breakdown times, noise restrictions, and vendor load-in schedules.
Need Help Planning Your Timeline?
After 600+ weddings, we know exactly how to time your day for the best photos and smoothest experience. Let's create a custom timeline for your St. Augustine wedding.
St. Augustine weather can change quickly. Here's how we plan for different scenarios:
Common Weather Timeline Adjustments
Summer Storms: Move ceremony 30-60 minutes earlier. Have indoor portrait locations ready. Storms often clear by evening.
High Heat: Schedule all outdoor photos before 11am or after 6pm. Plan more indoor time during midday.
Winter Cold Fronts: Have jackets for portraits. Indoor backup locations are essential—Lightner Museum, Villa Blanca, and historic hotels work well.
The venues we work with most have excellent indoor backup options:
Lightner Museum: Covered courtyards with beautiful natural light
Villa Blanca: Multiple covered terraces and indoor spaces
White Room: Floor-to-ceiling windows provide great indoor light
Historic Hotels: Bayfront Marin House and Casa Monica offer elegant indoor alternatives
Day-of Execution Tips
The best timeline in the world doesn't help if it's not followed. Here's what we've learned about day-of execution:
Our Day-of Timeline Tips
Designate a timekeeper - Usually your coordinator, but could be a responsible family member
Share the timeline with everyone - Every vendor, family member, and wedding party member should have a copy
Start getting ready 15 minutes early - This builds buffer time throughout the day
Have vendor contact numbers ready - Your coordinator needs to be able to reach everyone
Be flexible on small delays - 15-20 minutes behind is normal and manageable
Remember: your timeline is a guide, not a law. The goal is to reduce stress and create space for the moments that matter most. Some of our favorite wedding photos happen in the unplanned moments between scheduled events.
Final Timeline Check (2 Weeks Before)
Confirm all vendor timing and contact information
Share final timeline with entire wedding party
Identify your timeline coordinator for the day
Confirm backup plans for weather
Double-check venue access times and restrictions
A great timeline allows you to be present in your wedding day instead of worried about what comes next. That's when the best photos happen—when you're relaxed, enjoying the moment, and trusting that everything is taken care of.
Start your timeline 3-4 months before your wedding. This gives you time to coordinate with vendors and make adjustments. We recommend finalizing it 2 weeks before your wedding day.
A first look happens 1-2 hours before ceremony, allowing more time for portraits before guests arrive. Traditional timing means you see each other at the ceremony, with most portraits happening after during cocktail hour.
Golden hour in St. Augustine happens 1 hour before sunset. In summer, plan ceremony around 6:30pm for 7:30pm golden hour. In winter, ceremony around 4:30pm works perfectly for portraits.
Yes. We recommend adding 15-30 minutes buffer between major events. Hair and makeup almost always runs late, and you'll want time to enjoy the moments without rushing.
Plan 30-45 minutes for family photos. With large families or complex groupings, allow up to an hour. Having your list ready and designating someone to gather people speeds this up significantly.
For 8+ hour coverage, we typically start 4-5 hours before ceremony. This allows time for hair/makeup finishing touches, dress photos, and getting ready candids without feeling rushed.
Summer heat and afternoon storms mean earlier ceremony times work better (4-6pm). Winter allows more flexibility but sunset comes early. Always have an indoor backup plan for portraits.
Absolutely. These are starting templates. Every venue has unique considerations—travel time between locations, lighting changes, noise restrictions. We help customize based on your specific venues and needs.