With so much going on and so many people to please, planning your wedding day timeline can feel completely overwhelming. Naturally, every wedding is slightly different, with couples omitting certain elements or including something unique – like surprise singing waiters or spectacular fireworks! But many elements of a wedding day are always included, like the drinks reception and the wedding breakfast. Based on 60 day guests, we’ve plotted a guide on wedding day timings to help you plan the flow of your special day, from dawn til dusk…
Thomas Frost Photography
Bridal Beauty
Start your day bright and early, giving yourself plenty of time to enjoy the morning with your best girls. The timings for hair and makeup should be confirmed with your stylists, but generally, you should allow at least an hour per person for makeup and the same for hair, depending on the complexity of the styles. Decide in advance the order each member of the bridal party will sit in the makeup chair so that you all know who should be where and when. Factor in some extra time for unexpected delays, exchanging gifts, photographs and keeping the morning stress-free.
Groom's Preparations
While the bridal party is often the focus, the groom and his groomsmen also need time to dress, style and enjoy a bit of camaraderie. This typically takes less time than the bridal preparations. The boys need to ensure there’s a schedule for showers, shaving, dressing and adding finishing touches like cufflinks and buttonholes. Usually, the groom and groomsmen are dressed and at the venue before the guests start to arrive.
Guest Arrival
Guests should begin arriving at least 30 minutes before the ceremony start time. This window gives them ample time to briefly say hello to one another, find their seats and settle down before the bridal party arrive.
Rolling Pictures
Wedding Ceremony
In your order of events, plan an accurate amount of time for your wedding ceremony. Civil ceremonies often last around 30 minutes, with a maximum of three readings. Religious ceremonies generally last a full hour as they also include prayers and hymns.
Confetti Moment
After the ceremony, allocate 10 minutes for the confetti throw. It takes a few minutes to get everyone into place before you walk through an aisle of confetti. Your photographer might capture a big group photograph of all your guests and possibly a few family photographs straight after the confetti moment before guests disperse. This quick session captures the joy of the moment without keeping guests waiting too long before the reception.
Quiet Moment
Schedule ten minutes away from the crowd as newlyweds immediately after the confetti moment. Taking this time allows you to absorb the joy of your nuptials privately – often accompanied by some refreshments and canapés!
Drinks Reception
Allow between an hour and a halt to two hours for the drinks reception. This part of your day might include welcome drinks, canapés, more group photographs, couple's portraits and mingling with your guests. Entertainment like music, garden games or a magician during this period can create a fun atmosphere and keep guests engaged.
Take Your Seat
When inviting guests to take their seats for the wedding breakfast, decide in advance if you would prefer a formal greeting line or a direct call to take their seats. A greeting line can take about 30 minutes and allows you to say hello to each guest individually. Alternatively, guests can be invited to take their seats without a greeting, which takes around 15 minutes. With both options, the couple is formally announced into the room once everyone else has sat down.
Wedding Breakfast
For a traditional plated wedding breakfast, estimate around two hours for a three-course meal to be served and enjoyed. Two hours allows time for everyone to finish each course before the plates are cleared, ensuring savours the dining experience without feeling rushed.
Verity Westcott Photography
The Speeches
Speeches usually round off the wedding breakfast. If those making a speech are particularly nervous, you might opt for the speeches to start before the meal. Bear in mind, that you will need to give your caterers an exact guide on the timings to avoid overcooked dishes or a delay in food service. Typically, speeches last for about 30 minutes. The traditional line up includes the father of the bride, the groom, and the best man, who should each speak for roughly 10 minutes. Nowadays, the ladies are taking to the microphone, too. So if you, your mum or your maid of honour want to say a few words, adjust the timings accordingly.
Cutting the Cake
Deciding when to cut the cake will depend on the structure of your day. Some prefer doing it immediately after the speeches, announcing it during the last speech. Others choose a later time during the evening reception, particularly if you want evening guests to join you for this celebration.
Evening Guest Arrival
As evening guests start to arrive, leave yourselves a half-hour break in your timeline to give you time to greet them. Whether it’s a formal or informal greeting, welcoming evening guests usually coincides with a drink and leads nicely into the evening reception.
Paige Grace Photography
Bouquet Throw
This tradition can be a fun moment to capture on camera. Gather all of your guests to watch the bouquet toss before the dancing begins. Consider if you have people in the crowd who will be willing to catch the bouquet, if most of your guests are already married you might be short on participants.
First Dance
Whether you choose a slow dance or a choreographed routine, the first dance is a spotlight moment where the newlyweds take to the dance floor and kick off the party. Decide if you want to include a formal father-daughter dance or a mother-son dance at this time, too.
Party Time
The band or DJ will keep the music pumping from the first dance, with guests throwing shapes on the dance floor. During the evening reception, there are plenty of extra entertainment options. From casino tables to a photo booth, treat guests to a night of fun once all of the formalities have finished. 
Nova Wedding Photography
Evening Food
After an hour or so of dancing, top up everyone’s energy levels by serving the evening food. Whether you opt for a grazing table, pizza slices or fish and chip cones, keep your guests fed and watered to keep the party lively.
Time to Sparkle
Once darkness falls, ask your guests to join you outside for a sparkler moment. Walk hand-in-hand as newlyweds under an arch of twinkling sparklers for romantic photographs.
Carriages
Finally, designate an end time for the celebration. Setting a clear time for carriages or transport arrangements helps ensure that the day concludes smoothly without any confusion.
Clare Kinchin Photography
Example Timeline
8am - Bridal preparations begin
11am - groom preparations begin
1pm - Guests arrive
1:30pm - Ceremony
2pm - Confetti
2:10pm - Quiet Moment
2:10pm - Drinks Reception
4pm - Seating
4:15pm - Wedding Breakfast
6:15pm - Speeches
6:45pm - Cut the Cake
7pm - Evening Guests Arrive
7:30pm - Bouquet throw
7:40pm - First Dance
9pm - Evening Buffet
10pm - Sparklers
12am - Carriages
words Becci Clubb
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