Hi, I’m Tyler Jordan Soucy, a documentary wedding photographer based in Connecticut, who works with couples worldwide. I believe that weddings are meant to be lived, not performed. This journal is where I share some of my quick insights as a documentary photographer, and I hope you find something useful or inspiring here.

Rewriting The Wedding Timeline

Wedding timelines can often feel like a source of stress, but they don’t have to be. While structure is important, that doesn't mean you need to feel like you're at the mercy of your own wedding’s schedule. Your wedding can be an organic celebration, not a 10 hour marathon.

If the thought of rigid schedules makes you tense up, there’s good news: You can embrace spontaneity, have a ton of fun, and still get beautiful photos.

Start with Your Priorities

What’s most important to you?

Build your timeline around the moments and feelings that matter most. Think about the experience you want to have and the experience you want to remember.

When you focus on what truly matters to you, scheduling everything around those priorities will make your timeline fall into place naturally.

Think In Moments, Not Minutes

Rather than focusing on how many minutes each part of your day will take, think about the moments. It’s not about creating an overly segmented schedule, but about ensuring there’s room for you to fully experience what matters most.

Most weddings can be broken down into three distinct and important parts: getting ready, getting married, and your party. Yes, the ceremony, cocktail hour, and reception all have set start times, but the moments in between don’t always need to be premeditated.

Your wedding is meant to be lived, not performed. Give yourself the freedom to embrace moments as they come without feeling rushed or stressing over the clock.

Consider a First Look (or Don’t)

A first look can help smooth out your wedding day’s flow, but your emotional experience shouldn’t be dictated by the logistics of a schedule. The timeline should be built around you. Focus on the moments that matter most and the experiences you want to carry with you from your wedding.

Whether you choose a first look or not, make sure it's a decision that feels right for you both—don’t feel pressured into it just because it might fit better in the schedule.

Slow Down After the Ceremony

Instead of immediately diving into family photos, it’s more than okay to take a breather. You might miss some of your cocktail hour, but you also deserve a moment to process the fact that you literally just got married.

Your family isn’t going anywhere.

This is also why I typically recommend taking formal photos with just your immediate family and in fewer combinations. The less rushed you feel, the more relaxed and present you’ll be when you're ready for those group photos.

Embrace the Chaos

No matter how much you plan, things can go “off-schedule.” Most weddings have a tinge of chaos bubbling under the surface, and I think that’s part of what makes them so special. While wedding planners are amazing and work tirelessly to keep everything running smoothly, there’s only so much that can be controlled in an event with so many moving pieces. Expectations don’t always align with reality, and that’s okay.

The beauty of embracing the chaos is that it allows you to be fully present and immersed in your wedding without stressing over the little things that won’t matter when you look back. People who can let go and surrender themselves to the unpredictable moments often have the most memorable weddings.

Conclusion: Time Is On Your Side

Timelines should work for you, not against you. By prioritizing what matters most to you and building your schedule around those moments, your wedding becomes a true reflection of who you are as a couple.

If this amount of freedom sounds appealing to you, I think you’d also love having a documentary style wedding photographer.