Wedding Day Timeline Tips

Plan your wedding day timeline to keep you on schedule for your big day!

-Consider the travel time from where you are getting ready to the ceremony venue. Also, consider the travel time from the ceremony to the reception.

-Talk to your HMUA about the time needed to complete all of your bridal party members.

-The first dance is typically immediately following your entrance -or- after the meal.

-The typical ceremony is 15-20 minutes unless you have a mass (allow for 30 minutes).

-If you want a party atmosphere, you can have open dancing between events.

-Try to plan as many pictures as possible before the wedding. Pictures always take longer than you think to get everyone lined up.

-Try to have a minimum of 2 hours for dancing. Guests will remember if they had a good time.

-You don't have to introduce every person of your wedding party. You can introduce your parents and then have your "tribe" enter as a group to keep the time short and hype high.

-Guests should arrive 30 minutes before the ceremony begins.

-There is a reason it is called cocktail hour. Please do not keep guests waiting longer than an hour.

-You do not have to wait until party time for dancing. You can plan dance time between the parents' dances and cake cutting. You can dance during cocktail hour too.

-Finally, who is breaking down the reception hall? Do you need to set aside time for the breakdown?

Wedding Day Moments

Leave for venue

Bridal party arrives at venue

HMUA arrive

Start getting ready

Photo/Video arrives

Getting ready photos

Small Bites/Lunch

Groom + Groomsmen arrive

Couple opens gifts for each other

Bride gets dressed

All wedding party is ready

First looks

Before wedding party & family photos

Vendors arrive: Cake/DJ/Caterer/etc.

Guests arrive at ceremony

Ceremony starts

Ceremony ends

Reception starts

Cocktail hour

After wedding party & family photos

Grand Entrance/Introductions

First Dance

Blessing/Welcome toast

Meal

Toasts/Speeches

Photo Booth opens

Parents' Dances

Bouquet Toss

Garter Toss

Money Dance

Longest Married (Anniversary) Dance

Par-tay!

Photo booth closes

Last Dance

Send-off

Reception ends