Timelines by Region
Courtesy of Josh Jones Photography
When creating your wedding weekend timeline, keep in mind the following:
If it usually takes 5 minutes for something, go ahead and estimate 15-30. You want to make sure that you are able to be present on your wedding day and not stressed about rushing any minute of it!
Your ceremony might only take 15-20 minutes but we always budget 30 minutes. Your vendors are very used to this schedule and we don't want to confuse them!
Always budget some buffer time on your wedding day even if you don't think you'll need it. You never know when you might want to have a conversation with your mom or receive a meaningful gift from your aunt!
Don't forget about snack breaks! Budgeting 10-15 minutes in between events to grab a quick snack can be a game changer!
Before You Get Started:
Photographer: I always recommend relying on your wedding photographer to help create your timeline especially if he or she is familiar with your wedding venue. Typically, photographers offer packages based on 8-10 hours of photography coverage and this is important to take into consideration when and if you would like getting ready and send off photos. The advice and recommendations below are from my experience and it is more of an “encyclopedia” and less of what you “should” or “shouldn’t ” do at your wedding.
Venue: Always check with your venue(s) when you have access to the space at the beginning of the day. If you have more than 1 venue, multiply the estimated travel time by 1.5 to allow enough time for travel in between venues.
Sunset: Check before setting your ceremony time what time the sun will be setting on your wedding day. I recommend having the ceremony anywhere from 1.5-2 hours before sunset to make sure you have plenty of time for photos!
Seasons: Your wedding ceremony time will depend on the time of year as well. For example, if your wedding is in November-February, I recommend having a ceremony start time of 4pm or 4:30pm. If your wedding is March, April, May, September, October, I recommend 5pm or 5:30pm for your ceremony. June, July, and August is the perfect time for a later ceremony at 5:30pm or 6pm.
Keep in mind if your wedding ceremony is outside to take into consideration your guests comfort.
End Time: Always check with your venue if there are any noise ordinances or when they need to stop serving alcohol. Typically, receptions end around 9:30pm-10:30pm. Strategically plan your cake cutting right before the dance floor opens. Cake cutting tells the older crowd that the reception has ended and they are free to go.
Everything is Optional: I encourage you to get creative with the timeline and enter items that are important to you. If you really want amazing and diverse photos from your wedding, plan more time with your photographer before and after the wedding. If dancing and entertainment is the most important thing, you can cut out "sunset" photos with your photographer to prioritize your party time.
Note: The example timelines below are based on region. This does NOT mean that you must select the one that is in your wedding’s region to have a good time. It is to showcase what can be done and my experience with different regions, venues, and religions.
Southern Timeline
1 Venue
First Look/First Touch
8:30am-1:30pm: Hair and makeup (depends on how many hair and makeup services, check with hair and makeup stylist first!)
12:00pm: Lunch for wedding party, Groomsmen arrive (typically with lunch!)
1:00pm: Photographer arrives, getting ready and detail photos
1:30pm: Bride dressed and ready for photos
2:00pm: Photos with mom/sister/whoever is helping you get ready!
2:15pm: First look or first touch with your future hubby!
2:30pm: Wedding party dressed and ready for photos
3:00pm: Wedding party photos
4:00pm: Wedding party break
4:30pm: Guests arrive
4:45pm: Prelude music begins
5:00pm: Ceremony begins
5:30pm-6:30pm: Cocktail hour begins, bar opens
5:30pm-6:15pm: Family photos
6:15pm-6:25pm: Bride and groom private dinner
6:30pm: Grand entrance for wedding party, bride and groom
6:35pm: First dance with bride and groom
6:37pm: Father/daughter dance (if applicable)
6:39pm: Mother/son dance (if applicable)
6:41pm: Welcome (typically from whoever is technically "hosting" the wedding but can be from anyone that is important to you!)
6:43pm: Blessing (typically from officiant or father of the groom, again this is totally up to you!)
6:45pm: Dinner served or buffet stations open
6:45pm-7:15pm: Sunset photos with bride and groom
7:15pm: Cake cutting
7:20pm: Speeches (if applicable, can also be done at rehearsal dinner)
7:30pm: Dance floor opens!
10:30pm: Last call
11:00pm: Sparkler send off, bar closes
Southern Timeline
2 Venues
No First Look
8:00am-12:30pm: Hair and makeup for wedding party
12:00pm: Groom and Groomsmen arrive partially dressed at reception venue
12:15pm: Shuttle arrives for groomsmen at reception venue to go to ceremony venue
12:45pm: Groom and Groomsmen arrive at reception venue
1:00pm: Shuttle arrives for bride and bridesmaids to take to ceremony venue
1:30pm: Bride and bridesmaids arrive at ceremony venue (bridesmaids are fully dressed)
1:30pm-1:45pm: Bride and bridesmaids getting ready photos
1:45pm-2:00pm: Bride into dress
2:00pm-2:30pm: Bride and bridesmaids photos
2:00pm-2:30pm: Groom and Groomsmen getting fully ready
2:30pm-3:00pm: Groom and groomsmen photos
3:30pm: Guests arrive at ceremony venue
4:00pm: Ceremony begins
5:00pm: Ceremony ends, transportation arrives for wedding party
5:30pm-6:30pm: Cocktail hour
6:00pm-6:20pm: Private dinner for bride and groom
6:20pm: Welcome from couple or father of the bride
6:30pm: Grand entrances
6:35pm: First dance with bride and groom
6:40pm: Blessing by officiant or other important member of wedding
6:45pm: 1st dinner course served
7:00pm: 2nd dinner course served
7:30pm: Cake cutting
7:40pm: Speeches
7:45pm: Father/Daughter Dance
7:47pm: Mother/Son Dance
7:50pm: Dance floor opens!
10:00pm: Last call
10:30pm: Send off
New England/Florida Timeline
2 Venues
First Look
6:30am-11:00am: Hair and makeup for wedding party
9:00am: Groomsmen arrive
11:00am: Groomsmen fully dressed
11:00am: Photographer arrival, detail and getting ready shots
11:15am: Bride and mother of the bride fully dressed and ready
11:45pm: Transportation arrives for wedding party
12:00pm: Wedding party bus 1 leaves for ceremony venue
12:15pm: Wedding party bus 2 leaves for ceremony venue
12:30pm: Wedding guest transportation leaves for ceremony venue
1:00pm: Bride and bridesmaids setup in bride’s quarters at ceremony venue
1:15pm: Groom and groomsmen arrive at ceremony venue
1:30pm: First look or first touch with your future hubbie at the ceremony venue!
1:30pm: Wedding guests arrive at ceremony venue
1:45pm: Prelude music begins
2:00pm: Ceremony begins
2:30pm: Ceremony ends, wedding guests board transportation to reception venue
2:30pm-3:00pm: Wedding party and family photos at ceremony venue
3:00pm: Wedding party and family board transportation to reception venue
3:30pm: Wedding guests arrive at reception venue
3:30pm-5:00pm: Cocktail hour
4:00pm: Wedding party and family arrive at reception venue
4:00pm-4:15pm: Wedding party and family photos
4:15pm-4:45pm: Bride and groom portraits off-site
4:45pm-5:00pm: Bride and groom private dinner
5:00pm: Wedding party grand entrance
5:05pm: First dance with bride and groom, after this, everyone joins on dance floor for first dance set
5:15pm-5:30pm: First dance set, Yes everyone is on the dance floor!
5:30pm: Blessing by officiant or other important member of wedding
5:40pm: Stations open
5:45pm: Welcome by couple or father of the bride
6:00pm-6:15pm: Sunset photos
6:30pm: Cake cutting
6:40pm: Speeches
6:50pm: Father/daughter dance
6:52pm: Mother/Son Dance
6:55pm: Dance floor opens for the rest of the evening
9:00pm: Photographer departs
9:30pm: Last call
10:00pm: Send off
Northern California
1 Venue
First Look/First Touch
Religious ceremony
8am-12pm: Hair and makeup for wedding party
11:00am-12:00pm: Lunch for bride and bridesmaids
12:00pm: Photographer arrives, detail and getting ready shots
12:30pm-12:45pm: Bride getting ready photos with sister and mom
1:00pm-1:30pm: Bride and bridesmaids photos
1:30pm-2:00pm: Break for bride and bridesmaids
2:00pm: Groom and groomsmen arrive, partially dressed
2:30pm: First look/first touch with bride and groom
3:30pm: Wedding party and family portraits
4:00pm: Groomsmen Tisch
4:30pm: Wedding guests arrive, passed champagne upon arrival, groomsmen greeting and ushering guests
5:00pm: Ceremony begins/Chuppah starts
6:00pm: Ceremony ends
6:00pm-6:30pm: Cocktail hour
6:30pm-7:15pm: Wedding guests welcome bride and groom, Israeli Dances
7:15pm-7:30pm: 1st dinner course
7:30pm-8:00pm: 2nd dinner course
8:00pm: First dance with bride and groom, then wedding guests join them on the dance floor for second set
9:25pm: Cake cutting
9:30pm: More dancing
10:30pm: Last call
11:00pm: Send off
