The Ultimate Aberdeen Wedding Day Timeline: 5 Key Moments Not to Miss 

I’ve seen my fair share of weddings, so I know how exciting yet daunting they can be. One key to a successful and memorable wedding day is having a well-organised timeline. From the moment you start getting ready to the last dance of the night, every moment counts.

However, you may be wondering how your big day is supposed to flow. Sure, you’ve probably been to a wedding or two to know how the basic timeline is set up. To help set you up for success, I’m breaking down the five key moments you won’t want to miss–from getting ready to breaking it down on the dance floor to your favourite throwback track.

Here are 5 key moments not to miss in your Aberdeen wedding day:

Rise and Shine

The morning of your wedding day starts bright and early. Start your day with a delicious breakfast, a cuppa tea (food is so important!), and a calming activity such as a wee walk in the fresh Scottish air to centre yourself for the day ahead. There will be a lot going on, so taking this time for yourself is the perfect way to kickstart the day.

I also highly recommend tidying your room. I know what you’re probably thinking – why would you clean on your wedding day? Keeping it from clutter helps keep the mind uncluttered and it makes for better photos. This means clearing any dirty dishes out of the way, making sure the bed is made, and everything is all tidy up. You’ll thank yourself for it later.

Hair and Makeup

Now that you’ve found your zen, it’s time for hair and makeup. Give you and your wedding party plenty of time for this to ensure everyone looks and feels their best. Talk to your hair and makeup team ahead of time to work out the best times for everyone.

They’ve seen a wedding morning plenty of times before, so they’re the pros when it comes to knowing how long it’s going to take. It’s also important to find a space next to a window (hello, natural lighting!)

Keep light snacks and refreshments on hand to keep everyone energised. The last thing you need is for some of your favourite people to have one too many mimosas on an empty stomach!

Dressing Up

Once everyone’s done up, it’s time to get dressed. The bride and bridal party should have their hair and makeup complete one hour before the ceremony starts, at the latest. Then, it’s time to get dressed. This allows you to get some final photos before walking down the aisle, and of course, it’s time for a wee final cheers together.

A groom and his wedding party typically start getting dressed around two hours before the ceremony so that they are ready to greet guests on arrival around one hour before. This may differ from wedding to wedding, but chat to your suppliers to work out the timeline in particular the venue and your photographer/videographer.

Ceremony Begins

Let the fun begin! Guests start arriving at the ceremony venue, and the anticipation builds as they take their seats. As a photographer, I love nothing more than feeling the buzz of the guests, waiting to see the soon-to-be newlyweds walk down the aisle.

Each ceremony is going to differ in length, and it’s entirely up to you and your partner (along with your wedding ceremony officiant i.e. the person marrying you) to decide how long you want it to go for. On average, ceremonies typically last 20-30 minutes, as this is the sweet spot so guests don’t get bored.

Exchanging Vows

This is the heart of the wedding day, where the couple exchange vows and rings, pledging their love and commitment to each other in front of their loved ones. This is one of my favourite moments to photograph because you can feel the love in the air and I am there to catch whatever happens!

I know for some couples, the idea of wearing their heart on their sleeves in front of all of their loved ones is nerve-wracking. Why not consider incorporating a symbolic gesture (such as the traditional Scottish handfasting where you tie the knot). This is a great symbol of your love without having to be too vulnerable!

Speaking of which, you could consider having a “first look” and sharing personal vows together, just the two of you (and me!), before the ceremony.

Congratulations and Mingling

After the ceremony, the newlyweds greet their guests as they leave the ceremony venue, receiving well wishes and congratulations. Before the drinks reception begins, this is a great chance for guests to be able to take photos with the couple. You’ll typically see family photos and group shots taken during this window. However, it depends on the couple and the timing of the ceremony. Sunlight can make or break the photos, so getting the newlyweds to their next location for photos is crucial. If there isn’t a lot of time, don’t fret. There’s plenty of time to love on the happy couple during the reception.

This is a great time for me to get lots of candid shots of guests chatting, laughing, enjoying drinks, canapes, and any entertainment. It is lovely to see all the hugs and kisses friends and family have for the newlyweds. This time would also be good for a confetti photo and perhaps a group shot of everyone at the wedding.

To ensure that we have plenty of time to get enough photos, I recommend this lasts about two hours (so from the end of the ceremony until the call to dinner). This calls for plenty of time for photos, drinks, and mingling. Of course, this may differ, depending on the number of guests and number of locations your ceremony, photos, and reception are spread across.

Capturing Memories

While guests enjoy the drinks reception, the couple and their bridal party take time for photos. Whether you say “I do” in the rustic countryside at Aswanley or on your family farm, I’ll be there along the way to help capture the joy of finally being partners for life. Of course, I’m going to capture a good mix of both fun, loving and some formal photos.

Chances are we’ll go for a walk around the grounds of your wedding venue or perhaps venture into some fields or up a hill. However, I won’t keep you for long, as I know you will be keen to get back to your friends and family. Most couples always say they are delighted to have a little break away from the busyness of the wedding day, just the two of them (plus me as the third wheel).

Speeches and Toasts

Although there’s nothing more special than a wedding ceremony, the reception is where the true party starts. After everyone is seated, the reception usually kicks off with speeches and toasts from the wedding party and close family members or friends. This is a heartfelt moment filled with laughter, tears, and sentiments–so have those hankies ready.

Your guests are going to be hungry at this point, so try to remind anyone who is giving a speech that it should be three to five minutes at the longest. This will keep your starving guests happy and keep the food from spoiling in the kitchen.

Dinner is Served

No matter what kind of dinner you’re serving – whether it’s a four course feast, family-style dining, or food trucks – now is the time to enjoy a meal and a drink or two.

Be sure to leave some space for pudding, there may be a dessert table if you’re lucky, and if you are having a cake, this may be cut at the end of dinner or before dancing starts.

Dancing the Night Away

This is the moment everyone’s been waiting for. The dance floor opens, and the celebration kicks into high gear. Guests of all ages hit the dance floor, cutting loose to the beats of the DJ or live band. This is the time you’ll most likely remember for the rest of your life. There’s nothing more special than being surrounded by your loved ones on the dance floor, which is why I always tell my couples to get their guests to meet them out there. It’s a photographer’s dream to see a jumping dancefloor.

Now that you know how to make a perfect wedding day timeline, it may time to think about booking your wedding photographer. While there are so many options out there, remember I’m not just your run-of-the-mill Aberdeen photographer. I’m your bonus bridesmaid, extra set of hands, your number #1 fan, and the one who will capture all the details you want to remember forever.

Let’s start planning out your wedding journey today!