How to Create the Perfect Wedding Day Timeline
One of the big challenges of planning your wedding is developing a timeline for the wedding day. This can seem like an overwhelming task especially for newly engaged couples, but a wedding timeline can help tremendously when inquiring with vendors for their services. Learn how to create the perfect wedding day timeline and make sure your special day runs smoothly.
If you want to skip all the tips scroll to the bottom for a wedding day timeline template. Having a complete wedding day timeline at the beginning of the planing process is not necessary, but having a general outline is preferable.
Advantages to having a wedding timeline:
Keeps the moments of your day organized.
Gives vendors an idea of timeframe when reaching out to them, which improves the accuracy of quotes.
Allows you to consider all the events you want included in your day and what can be cut.
Gives your wedding planner or venue a good starting point.
Allows you to make sure enough time is allotted and none is wasted.
Tips for creating a wedding timeline:
Wedding Day Logistics: Our wedding day timeline template is a great starting point for planning your big day. However, please keep in mind that the logistics of each wedding may differ for each couple. Do you have different venues for your wedding ceremony and reception? Are you arranging transportation for your wedding party and/or guests? What time of day is your wedding - afternoon or evening? Are you considering a "first look" and taking pre-ceremony photos? How you answer these questions will help determine your wedding day.
Start Early!: Start your wedding early to maximize fun with your guests and make time for quality photos, dancing, and other activities. Save time by going to bed early, cutting down on activities at the rehearsal dinner, and skipping clubbing and nightcaps.
Remember Your Wedding Photographer: Choosing the right wedding photography package is crucial for capturing all the special moments of your big day. To ensure comprehensive coverage, it's recommended to book at least eight hours of photography services. This allows for documenting everything from the pre-wedding preparations to key highlights of the reception. Keep in mind the amount of time you have with your photographer, and decide when you want them to start and wrap up their shooting. If you opt for fewer than eight hours, careful planning is necessary to prioritize either the getting-ready shots or the memorable sparkler send-off at the end of the night.
Share Your Wedding Day Timeline: Ensure a smooth wedding experience by sharing your wedding timeline with all parties involved. Send it to your vendors, maid of honor, family members, and planners two to three weeks prior to the big day to allow for any necessary adjustments. Assign a trusted family member or wedding party member, such as the maid of honor or best man, to closely monitor the time and ensure that everyone sticks to the schedule.
Keep Vendors In The Loop: When reaching out to potential vendors having a timeline can be very important, but for some it might not matter as much. For instance catering, hair/makeup, cake, minister/officiant, and flowers will not be as concerned with all the events of the day, just what time their piece needs to be ready. For other vendors, the timeline can have a big impact on the package price and coverage. Services like the venue, wedding planner, photography, and videography can be greatly impacted by the timeline.
Don’t Keep Your Guests Waiting: Make your photographs, speeches, and dances short and to the point. Even better, consider having the meal hour right after the cake cutting and before the dance. This will allow your guests to be refreshed and give you more time for other activities.
Keep In Mind That Religious And Cultural Customs: For example a Catholic wedding typically consists of an early afternoon mass (typically 2pm) instead of an early evening short ceremony (anytime from 4-6pm). For that reason we will address time needed for some of the various aspects of the wedding day and then give a wedding day timeline template for the most common wedding day scenario.
General Wedding Day Timeline
Create the perfect timeline for your wedding day by understanding the average duration of each activity. To assist you, we have broken down the approximate time it takes for each event, starting from getting ready to the exit ceremony. Please note that these time blocks are flexible and can be customized to suit your individual plans.
Getting Ready
For the Bride: A trial run of hair and makeup always helps to estimate how much time you will need to look your best. To be sure you have enough time to enjoy and relax, add another 30-40 minutes to this for a safety net for any issues that could come up, and if nothing comes up, then you’re golden and you can just sit and relax! You’ll also want to include about 20-25 minutes for getting your dress on. Some wedding dresses are tricky and take a bit of practice and time to get zippered, laced, or buttoned properly. Average time: 1.5-2 hrs.
For the Groom: Most weddings involve some sort of group activity early on, like golfing, shooting pool, etc. Afterward, we will get some details of the grooms finishing touches, shoes, jacket, and cufflinks. These little pieces will help tell your story, documenting groom prep is essential. We will finish up with a few portraits of the guys together, fun & formal! Grooms usually take a little less time than the bride and bridesmaids, but obviously, this can vary. Average time: 1-1.5 hrs.
First Look and Couple Photos
The next phase of your outline can really change here. Consider if you want first-look photos with couples' portraits, and whether or not you want to include the bridal party and/or family. Another common photo request to consider for brides is if you’ll want first-look photos with your father or family. These variables could really change your timeline. Average time: 1-2 hrs.
Keep in mind things like bride/groom gifts and notes as well as any other personal touches that are unique to your day.
Arriving at The Ceremony
Maximize your time at the ceremony venue. If you're already getting ready there, utilize this opportunity. But if you're arriving separately, schedule thirty minutes together with your guests. Average time: 30 mins.
Ceremony
Over the past couple of years, we’ve noticed a trend. Ceremony services are getting shorter and shorter. That’s not to say that they are less important, couples have just been focusing more on the aspects that are truly meaningful to them. Your officiant will give you more information on how long all this will take. Plan for 15-30 additional minutes to allow your guests to exit the ceremony, and 30-45 minutes if you’re planning on having a receiving line. Ceremony Average time: 15 mins-1 hr.
Cocktail hour
Guests can enjoy a drink at the bar while mingling. The catering staff will serve delicious hors d'oeuvres and pass out drinks to help everybody get into a celebratory mood. This is the perfect time to capture couple portraits and family & bridal party photos. Additionally, you can take advantage of this time to capture stunning sunset photos with your photographer. Depending on what you did before the ceremony (first look/ no first look) can change your timeline here. Average time: 1hr.
Reception
Guests move to dinner: This time will include Introductions, Toasts/Speeches, and the first dance. Average time: 30 mins.
Dinner: Typically you will go with your photographer during a portion of dinner to do sunset photos. Average time: 45 mins.
A bit of dancing usually occurs before Cake Cutting & Parent Dances (Average Time: 15 mins.) Dancing picks back up after and depending on what you would like for your day will end the night. A typical evening wedding can end anywhere from 10pm-12am.
Exit Ceremony
After the festivities come to an end comes the bride and grooms grand exit (Average Time: 10 -20 mins., depending on the extravagance.) Factors such as confetti throwing, dancing, a getaway car, and smoke bombs may contribute to the length of this time.
Remember, this is just a guideline and the specifics will differ from wedding to wedding. Planning is key to less stress on your big day, so be sure to use your wedding planner to their full potential!
wedding Day Timeline Template (with First-Look)
Start your wedding day in style with this adaptable timeline. Designed to accompany a 5:00 p.m. ceremony start time, feel free to adjust the timing to suit your event. With our guide, you can ensure a seamless and unforgettable wedding celebration.
10:00 a.m. Hair and makeup artists arrive / getting ready
11:00 a.m. Vendors arrive for setup
1:00 p.m. Bride begins hair and makeup Photographer arrives; begins shooting getting-ready photos
2:15 p.m. Bride gets into her wedding dress
3:00 p.m. Couples' "first look" and portraits
3:30 p.m. Wedding party photos
4:30 p.m. Guests begin to arrive / pre-ceremony music starts
5:00 p.m. Ceremony start time
5:30 p.m. Ceremony ends / cocktail hour begins / Formal Photos
6:30 p.m. Cocktail hour ends / guests are invited into the reception
6:45 p.m. Newlyweds' introduction and first dance
7:00 p.m. Dinner is served
8:00 p.m. Toasts
8:30 p.m. Parent dances (father-daughter dance and mother-son dance)
9:00 p.m. All guests invited onto the dance floor
9:15 p.m. Cake cutting / dessert is served
9:30 p.m. Bouquet / Garter Toss
10:55 p.m. Last song
11:00 p.m. Exit / Send Off
Having a Well-Planned Timeline Ensures a Smooth and Unforgettable Wedding Day
Now that you’ve earned a bit about planning your wedding, hopefully creating the perfect timeline isn't so daunting. Don’t forget to factor in any travel or down times for the wedding party. Be sure to leave extra time just in case there are delays! Hundreds of incredible details go into a wedding's success. Taking the time to create an efficient timeline will help bring those details together to create an effortless and unforgettable day. As you start mapping out your wedding with your partner, don't forget to take moment and soak it all in! Plan ahead and be prepared - With this advice, you'll make sure that the most important day of your life runs as smoothly as possible!