February Wedding Timeline
In the Temecula area, February isn’t a popular wedding month and as a local wedding photographer, I rarely photograph weddings this time of the year! However, it may be a wedding month worth considering since you’ll find venues have more availability, and you’ll have your pick of wedding dates!
I take an active hand in helping you with your wedding timeline. There are a few questions I ask you to ensure we have enough time on your wedding day to get the portraits you want!
What time is the sunset?
This is the most important question because I want to ensure there is light after your ceremony, and I want to make sure to reserve sunset time for portraits of the two of you!
For a February wedding timeline, we’ll plan on a sunset time of 5:34 PM.
Will you be having a first look?
A first look is when you see your husband or wife-to-be prior to the ceremony. For weddings that take place before Daylight Saving Time starts (mid-March), I do recommend a first look because often there will not be any natural light after you enter your reception. This means all your portraits need to take place before your grand entrance.
A first look is also a good idea if you have a large wedding party or lots of family photos you want to take – you’ll need more time than cocktail hour typically allows.
Below is a more comprehensive article on pros and cons of a first look – check it out!
Everything You Need to Know About a Wedding Day First Look
Is there travel required on your wedding day?
If you’re having your ceremony at a church or getting ready in a hotel, you’ll want to make sure to account for that travel time in your timeline.
How many hours of wedding day photography coverage do you need?
For weddings with about 100 guests in one venue, 8-9 hours is sufficient.
I don’t typically stay at a wedding through the entire reception. I will help you to plan your reception timeline so that your important events, like toasts and cake cutting, occur before I leave. But in general, it’s not a good use of your time or money to have me photograph 3 hours of dancing photos!
Important Parts of Your Wedding Day Timeline
Getting Ready: 1 1/2 Hours
First Look: 30 Minutes
Separate Wedding Party Photos: 30 Minutes
Ceremony: 30 Minutes
Family Photos: 30 Minutes
Combined Wedding Party Photos: 30 Minutes
Married Couple Portraits: 30 Minutes
Grand Entrance: 5 Minutes
First Dance: 5 Minutes
Family Dances:10 Minutes
Toasts:10 Minutes
Bouquet or Garter Toss: 10 Minutes
Cake Cutting: 5 Minutes
Exit: 5 Minutes
February Timeline with First Look – 4:00 PM Ceremony
12:30: Photography starts / getting ready images and details
2:00: First look
2:30: Family photos
3:00: Wedding party photos
4:00: Ceremony
4:30: Any remaining family photos
4:45: Wedding party photos
5:00: Married couple portraits
5:45: Grand entrance
6:00: First dance
6:10: Toasts
6:20: Dinner service
7:30: Family dances
7:45: Cake cutting
7:55: Bouquet toss/garter toss
8:00: Open dancing
8:30: Photography concludes
February Timeline – No First Look – 4:00 PM Ceremony
2:00: Photography starts / getting ready images and details
3:30: Separate wedding party photos
4:00: Separate family photos
4:00: Ceremony
4:30: Family photos
4:50: Wedding party photos
5:15: Married couple photos
5:45: Grand entrance
6:00: First dance
6:10: Toasts
6:20: Dinner service
7:30: Family dances
7:45: Cake cutting
7:55: Bouquet toss/garter toss
8:00: Open dancing
8:30: Photography concludes
Additional Wedding Articles & Planning Resources
Avensole Winery Wedding
16 Amazing Temecula Wedding Venues
Balboa Park Engagement Photos
The New Inn Wedding
Temecula Engagement Photo Locations
