For all brides and grooms, the wedding day is a mix of excitement and anxiety. Your big day is finally here! You’re marrying the love of your life and everything you’ve planned for months or years is finally happening! But all that pent-up emotion can lead couples to forget some of the essentials along the way.

To help combat any unnecessary stress, we have come up with the ultimate LDS Wedding Day Timeline. This schedule will help you remember how the day will flow, from the temple sealing to portraits, and finally to the reception. Be sure to keep this handy on your wedding day to make sure everything runs smoothly. This timeline is based off a 2 pm sealing time, but can be adjusted to suit your individual needs. Afternoon sealings are recommended because not only are the temples less crowded in the afternoons, but then the wedding day flows seamlessly together without and large gaps of time between events.

8:00 am | Wake Up

Good morning, beautiful bride! The big day is finally here. Be sure to get ready (or arrive at your hair and makeup appointment) in a shirt that you can easily take on and off. Use this time to relax and soak up the excitement of the wedding day!

Once you have your glam look for the day on, gather the essentials. You’ll want to make sure you have everything you need for the temple well before it’s time to leave.

Sealing clothes
Wedding dress
Temple recommend
Marriage license
Wedding day emergency kit

11:00 Am | Family Brunch

This is the perfect chance to combine families and meet together for a shared meal before the big day begins. Whether you go out to eat or stay home, let this be a peaceful start to the day and be sure to eat a good breakfast to give you energy for everything you have ahead of you!

12:30 Pm | Arrive at the Temple

Once you and your fiancé enter the temple, you’ll be directed by temple staff about where to go and when. All couples are invited to sit with one another in the Celestial Room while they wait for their invited guests to enter the sealing room.

2:00 Pm | Sealing

You and your husband-to-be will enter the sealing room engaged and leave married! Be present, try and remember as much as possible, and give all your guests a big hug as they leave.

3:00 pm | Photos at the Temple

I’ll be waiting right outside the temple doors with all your guests, ready to snap a picture of the new Mr and Mrs! We’ll get all the family portraits and pictures with any other invited guests. I will also take some images of just you and your spouse to capture those newlywed smiles! If you prefer a longer portrait session that doesn’t feel as rushed, I suggest booking a Bridal Session with me 4-6 weeks before the wedding.

5:30 pm | Arrive at the Reception Venue

It’s time to get ready for the party! This is a great time to touch up your hair and makeup, get into your wedding dress again, and prepare to greet your guests.

6:00-7:00pm | Wedding Dinner

Most wedding receptions will begin with a served or buffet dinner. You should plan for at least 30 minutes of uninterrupted eating time before the rest of your reception continues. If you plan to have toasts, those should come toward the end of the dinner. A program can take place while guests eat.

7:00-7:30 pm | sunset newlywed portraits

When possible, I always try to sneak my couples away from the reception for some sunset portraits as a newlywed couple. The photos taken earlier at the temple are gorgeous, but nothing can compare to the lighting at sunset time! Plan on slipping out for at least 20 minutes to catch your breath, enjoy a few quiet moments together, and create beautiful portraits with your newlywed glow!

7:30-9:00 pm | Wedding Reception

After dinner and toasts, enjoy the classic reception events: first dance, mother/son and father/daughter dances, bouquet toss, cake cutting, and dancing. I love unique reception events that are unique to each couple, so don’t be afraid to add your own personal touch to the evening!

At the end of the night, I’ll make sure to get a perfect shot of you and your love leaving the reception. No matter what kind of send-off you have, I love to get a last look of a newlywed couple as their friends and family send them off into wedded bliss!