Timing of Wedding Day

This is my timeline I gave to my wedding party — only the second half was posted at the venue. Our ceremony was at 4pm. I just made this on a word document and sent it by text and made paper copies to those who wanted them. Might have thrown some humour in there for our friends. Our ceremony and rehearsal were at the same location. We started quiet early for hair and makeup with two artists for 5 of us girls. It actually took longer than I thought so I’m glad I made an hour or so buffer for lunch and travel to the venue.


*I found doing the wedding party photos before the ceremony was excellent. It allowed us to get photos with fresher hair and makeup. We didn’t do a first look so my FH had to stand in a corner basically, which in hindsight was funny when the girls did their photos outside. Also, it reduced the time it took for photos after the ceremony for guests, family and wedding party. In turn allotted more time for couple photos. 💝

This was ours (had a start time very close to yours):


2:30 pm - Ceremony
3 pm - Bridal party starts photos
3:30 - Bridal party departed by limo to photo location 4:30 - Cocktails and appetizer service open for guests
6 pm - Dining room open; guests seated for arrival of wedding party
6:15 - Wedding party arrives
6:30 - Dinner service starts
8:30 - First dance; dance floor open immediately after
11:30 pm - Last call
12:30 am - Close down
Hope this gives you an idea.

This was our timeline

330pm ceremony

4pm Group Photo

410pm Sabering

410pm Ceremony reception

415pm family photos

430pm photos

5pm ballroom opens

550pm grand entrance

6pm grace

605pm dinner service

715 speeches

745 first dance

750pm father daughter dance

755pm mother son dance

8pm dance floor opens

805 golden hour photos

9pm cake cutting

10pm garter and bouquet toss

11pm last call

1130 music off and bar closed

I am still working on ours, a few things need to be confirmed such as the smudging ceremony before our vows

Is your ceremony and reception venue the same? If so, any reason you have to start at 2pm instead of later? That's a big gap for your guests between the ceremony and dinner.

Mine is pretty close as well just omitting a few things...smaller wedding party


4:00 pm - Ceremony Start
4:30 pm - Ceremony End
4:30-4:45 pm - after ceremony large picture with all guests outside
4:45-5:45 pm cocktail hour begins. Me and FH run out for our photos
6:00 pm - reception starts and start making your way to your seats
6:15 pm - grand entrance and straight to first dance (wanna dance before I eat and get bloated lol)
6:30 pm - dinner is served
6:45 pm - speeches (only me, FH and Best man) our speeches are spread out in between courses so they will be less than 3 minutes long
7:45 pm - to end (1:00am) - dance, drinks and socialize with guests.
10:00 pm late night snacks

The first option that Brittany has is what I have, only from 2-3 I get ready with the girls at the venue then we start at 3:00-3:30 Cocktail/photos from 3:30-5:00 the rest is the same.

If you are looking for a full day time line I would go with something like this (this is based on a 30 minute ceremony, if it is longer I would push the times - also if the celebration is in the same venue).

2:00 pm - Ceremony Start

2:30 pm - Ceremony End

2:30 pm - wedding party, family and couple portraits start and cocktail hour begins.

5:00 pm - reception starts and start making your way to your seats

5:15 pm - grand entrances.

5:30 pm - dinner

6:15 pm - speeches

6:30 pm - first dance & dance with parents (start bringing people to the dance floor after the dances)

7:30 pm - Cut the cake and serve

7:45 pm to end - dance, drinks and socialize with guests.

OR doing your first dance before dinner has been a popular thing to do lately:

2:00 pm - Ceremony Start

2:30 pm - Ceremony End

2:30 pm - wedding party, family and couple portraits start and cocktail hour begins.

5:00 pm - reception starts and start making your way to your seats

5:15 pm - grand entrances.

5:30 pm - first dance & dance with parents

6:00 pm - dinner

6:45 pm - speeches

7:00 pm - Cut the cake and serve

7:15 pm to end - dance, drinks and socialize with guests.