One of the most difficult parts about planning a wedding is creating the wedding day timeline. Most couples aren’t sure how much time to schedule for certain aspects of the wedding and often find themselves running behind, causing them to stress on the wedding day. Your wedding day is supposed to be fun. You spend a TON of time planning it, you need to enjoy it and not stress on the day.
To help do that, it is important to have a timeline for the day. This timeline needs to have “extra” time built in to allow for things that may run late. Below is a sample timeline that we provide our clients to get them started on the planning process. It is important to reach out to your vendors for their suggestions to help you refine this timeline based around time that they need.
This timeline assumes a 6pm start time for the ceremony. You have have to adjust this time based on the time of year you are getting married. For instance, if you get married in Florida in the winter months, sunset will be 6pm or earlier. If you want to finish the ceremony before dark, you will need to start before 6pm. In the summer, sunset is around 830pm, so a 6pm ceremony would likely work better, but you can adjust that earlier/later as necessary. Just adjust the timeline along with it.
9:00 AM - Rise and Shine!
Start your special day with a sense of calm and excitement. Have a wholesome breakfast and take some time for yourself. Meditate, practice yoga, or simply enjoy a quiet moment with your thoughts. Surround yourself with positivity and visualize the beautiful day that lies ahead.
11:00 AM - Hair and Makeup
Gather your bridal party and head to the beauty salon. Trust your chosen hair and makeup artists to transform you into the stunning bride you've always envisioned. Allow this time for bonding with your bridesmaids and sharing stories of your journey together. We recommend that you, as the bride, get ready in the middle of your bridal party. Hair and makeup is the one thing that often takes longer than expected. If you go last and hair/makeup is running behind, you will delay things. If you are in the middle, the hair and makeup artists can go a bit faster on the remaining bridesmaids, as theirs isnt as important as yours.
1:00 PM - Lunch and Finish Hair/Makeup and Start Getting Ready
Return to your bridal suite or home for a light lunch and some final touches while getting ready. This is the perfect time for your photographer to capture candid moments of laughter and anticipation with your closest friends and family.
2:30 PM - The Groom and Groomsmen Prepare
While you and your bridal party are getting ready, don't forget about the groom and his groomsmen! They can enjoy a casual brunch together before getting dressed in their stylish attire. Encourage them to capture some pre-wedding photos, showcasing the excitement of the day.
3:00 PM - First Look and Photos
The moment has come for your first look! Meet your partner in a secluded spot before the ceremony, allowing a private and intimate moment between just the two of you. Your photographer will capture the raw emotion of this special encounter. Follow it up with a photo session with your bridal party and family members.
4:30 PM - Ceremony Setup
As the guests start arriving at the ceremony venue, make sure everything is in place. Double-check the floral arrangements, seating arrangements, and any other decor details to create the perfect ambiance for your "I do" moment.
6:00 PM - Ceremony Time!
Step into the spotlight and exchange your heartfelt vows in front of your family and friends. Let the love and support of your loved ones surround you as you officially tie the knot. Remember to stay present and take in every second of this beautiful moment.
6:30 PM - Cocktail Hour
After the ceremony, while you and your partner have a brief private moment, your guests can enjoy a cocktail hour. They will be treated to drinks, hors d'oeuvres, and pleasant conversation while you're taking formal photos or simply relishing each other's company.
7:30 PM - Reception Grand Entrance
Make a grand entrance into your reception venue as a newlywed couple. This is the time to let your personalities shine through - choose a song that represents your love story, and enjoy the applause and cheers from your guests.
8:00 PM - Dinner and Toasts
Sit down to a delicious meal with your loved ones. This is also the perfect time for heartfelt toasts from the best man, maid of honor, and any other close friends or family members who wish to share their well wishes.
9:00 PM - First Dance and Open Dance Floor
It's time for your first dance as a married couple! This special moment will be etched in your memories forever. Afterward, invite your guests to join you on the dance floor as you celebrate and groove to the music.
10:00 PM - Cutting the Cake and Late-Night Snacks
Cut the cake together, and don't forget to share a sweet bite with each other. Treat your guests to a late-night snack station to keep the energy high on the dance floor.
11:00 PM - Farewell and Send-Off
As the night draws to a close, bid farewell to your guests with heartfelt gratitude for being a part of your special day. A sparkler send-off can add a touch of magic to the end of the evening.
As you will notice, this timeline provides A LOT of time before the ceremony for getting ready. This will allow you a stress free day as there is ample time in case of a delay. This also provides you plenty of time with your photographer to allow them to create the portraits you hired them to create.
We always recommend a first look for this reason. It allows you to get most of the bridal party and couples portraits before the wedding, leaving the family formals and sunset type portraits for after the ceremony. This will help keep you from spending 2 hours after the ceremony taking pictures.
If you wish to keep it traditional and not see each other before the ceremony, then remove the first look portion and adjust the timeline accordingly. Just be sure to add extra time after the ceremony to get those portraits of you and your husband/wife as well as all the family and bridal party portraits.
A well-planned wedding day timeline ensures that you and your partner can relax and enjoy every moment of your magical day. With a thoughtful schedule in place, you can make the most of each stage, from the intimate first look to the joyous reception. Embrace the journey, cherish the memories, and embark on your new chapter together with love, laughter, and a lifetime of happiness. Here's to your "happily ever after"!
