Day of Scheduling Planning a reception im Lost!!

Hello Rebecca,
Are you having a day of coordinator? Because they can help you with the scheduling. But like everyone said, speak with your vendors to assist with the scheduling plan.

The day of wedding schedule should reflect on how long you would need to get ready beforehand of the wedding with photos taken if doing this too.

The time of the wedding can be 4:00pm

Suggested plan:

Getting ready with wedding party and moms 2 hours

Photos with the wedding party and family 30 minutes

First look with husband to be 10-15 minutes

Procession start given a bit of delay and wedding ceremony 45-50 minutes

Group photos 30 minutes

Couple shots in reception hall/outside 20 minutes

Reception starting time given around 6:00

Cocktail hour 30- 1 hour time depending on your timing

Reception start 6:00

First dance 5 minutes

Cake cutting 5 minutes

Speeches 2 mintues each wedding party and family unlimited time including yourselves

Dance floor open for party time

Like everyone has said, I'd work with your photographer and you hair & makeup team to figure out your timeline before the wedding ceremony!! One important decision is whether you're going to do a first look or not, because that really changes your photography timeline!

For the reception, here's a great example for the order of events:

Wedding Reception Timeline

I would talk to your venue first and see what they suggest for times. They usually have a rough timeline for weddings. And then I would talk to your hair and makeup once you set up a time line for your venue for ceremony and reception.

Like Liberty says, consult your HMUA on getting ready times as it'll be based on how many people are getting work done vs hope many staff are working on you.
On top of that, you have to factor in travel time between where you're getting ready and your ceremony. I would allocate 1.5x the time it takes to get where you need to get. You never know what may happen along the way.

For the reception, there are a gazillion ways it can be run. It depends on what activities you have going on. A typical three course dinner lasts 1.5-2 hours and you can schedule things in between courses.

I'd talk to those doing hair and makeup, they will know how long they need to get the bridal party ready. There are many ways a reception can run and what order things are done is totally up to you! I'll share our reception timeline below!
5pm- doors open/cocktail hour
6pm- bridal party entrance 6:15- first dance 6:30- dinner service starts 7pm- speeches (after last table has sat to eat)7:30- cake cutting 7:45- party time!We are not doing any parent dances, garter toss or bouquet toss