Wedding Day Timeline

Your wedding schedule can start as early as you wish considering how much time you do need to get done for hair, getting ready, family shots beforehand, first look, wedding, group shots, family shots (grooms side), couple shots, venue, entrance, first dance, cake cutting, father/daughter & son/mother dance, speeches and exit (if doing so).

Going with a 1/2 and full hour time sheet may help so your vendors can keep track too.

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My wedding is at 5pm and venue 30 minutes away. I would also add some buffer time into your schedule 10-15minutes. Below is a simplified version of my tentative schedule if it helps. Since you only have 8 hours I would do something like, 1-9pm or 1:30-9pm. Like Amelia said asking your photographer how long first look and brideamaids photos might take might also help with your timeline. Factors such as how big bridal party and family is will take into account how much time you need as well.

8:30 wake up
9:30-10:45 Breakfast
11:00 start to get ready
12:00 photographer arrives
1:30 B and G Ready
1:45 B and G leaves to venue seperately
2:30 Arrival at Venue
2:40 first look photos and portraits
3:25 photos completed
3:30 family arrives venue
3:40 family photos
4:25 family photos completed
4:30 Guest Arrival
5:00 Ceremony Starts
5:25 Ceremony ends
5:30-6:30 Cocktail hour(other photos/ large group photos)
6:35 head to reception room
6:45 MC announces activities.
7:00 activity #1
7:15 dinner service begins & activity #2
7:30:Toast #1
7:40 Toast #2
7:50 Toast #3
8:00 activity #3
8:15 Sunset photos
8:40 review activity and prizes
8:55 toast #4& thanks,
9:00 Dinner service ends
9:10 Dance floor opens
9:30 Night photo
11:00 dance floor closes
12:00 everyone out

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Thanks you!!

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Thank you

I would ask your photographer how long they need for the first look, I imagine the latest you would want to do that is 330/4 so you can sneak away again of you aren't greeting guests.


Maybe 130-245 getting ready shots (the dresses hanging, pretending to put on makeup, a mimosa toast etc) time to travel with a buffer, 315/330-415 first look and some pre-ceremony shots of wedding party, ceremony at 5, wedding party/group shots from 545(or whenever your ceremony ends)-630, and then your reception.
If you have them from 130-930 make sure you have a list of what reception shots you want (toasts, dances, bouquet toss, cake cutting) and ask someone to be in charge of making those things happen before the photographer leaves with time for things to run behind. This could be the DJ, or a bridesmaid/groomsman or just a very detailed friend.
I would also ask a groomsman to snap a few candid photos of the guys getting ready. They might be nice to have even if your hubby doesn't think he wants them. Mine is the same!

View quoted message Thank you! What if we wanted to add the first look into there before the ceremony. What time would I need to fit that in at?

It’s going to depend on how long you want your photographer for during the reception. Considering your first look would probably be around 3pm, you could have the photographer from 1-9 or 2-10 if you just wanted quick shots of getting ready.