From Rise & Shine to Last Dance: the Ultimate Wedding Timeline!
Having a well-planned schedule for the day is a game-changer! It helps keep everything running smoothly and ensures that no detail gets overlooked. Depending on how busy the day is, you might want to have one main timeline, plus separate ones for your wedding party and family. The more details you can include, the better! Just remember, everything in this blog is meant to be a helpful suggestion—it’s your day, so feel free to arrange things in whatever order makes you two happiest.
The Night Before:
The excitement is building, and emotions are running high! Going through your ceremony run-through a few times will help calm everyone’s nerves and smooth out any unexpected kinks. Afterwards, many couples love to share a meal with their family and wedding party to catch up! It’s easy to get caught up in the excitement, but remember, setting yourself up for success the next day is key! Staying hydrated and eating well will help you feel your best. Sleep is your best friend the night before — wedding day is going to be a long day and you’ll want to feel well rested!
Rise & Shine:
The morning of the wedding looks a little different for each side! For a bride and bridesmaids, there will be a hair and makeup schedule that kicks off bright and early. Having set start times for everyone ensures no one is left wondering where they need to be and when. Don’t be shy about assigning roles! One person should be in charge of food, keeping light and healthy snacks available throughout the day. Another can take charge of the music, making sure the playlist keeps the good vibes flowing. It’s also fun to have someone snapping behind-the-scenes pictures and videos. The bride should have a go-to contact person (usually the maid of honor or wedding coordinator) to handle any questions that pop up!
For a groom and groomsmen, the morning has a bit more flexibility! If there’s any venue prep assigned to the groomsmen, they’ll typically take care of that first thing. Afterward, it’s time to handle any last minute errands, enjoy a nice meal, and then leave about 1-2 hours to shower and get dressed. Pro tip: Have everyone shave the night before to avoid any red bumps or nicks—trust us, your skin will thank you!
Transportation:
If you’re getting ready offsite, make sure to factor in travel time to the venue— give yourself a little extra buffer for any unexpected traffic or delays. It’s a good idea to plan ahead and figure out who’s riding in what car, or if you’ll be using a group shuttle. Don’t forget to plan how everyone will get home safely at the end of the night!
Arriving to the Venue/ Pre Ceremony Pictures:
Taking as many pictures as you can before the ceremony is a great way to free up more time later in the day! Even if you’re not planning a first look, you can still get individual bridal & groom portraits, wedding party photos and some family shots out of the way. If you are planning a first look, make sure to give yourselves even more time before the ceremony to enjoy that special moment together, including taking your wedding party and family photos. Once the photos are wrapped up, take a little 20-30 minute break to relax, catch your breath, and do any last-minute touch-ups. Planning to start all of this about 1-2 hours before your ceremony should give you plenty of time to get everything done!
Ceremony:
Guests usually start arriving about 30 minutes before the ceremony begins! The DJ should have tunes playing to welcome everyone in and get the wedding vibes going! Ceremonies typically last anywhere from 20 minutes to an hour, depending on what’s included. Some couples choose to add religious elements or unity ceremonies— include whatever feels right for you two!
Cocktail Hour / Additional Pictures:
After the ceremony, guests will head over to the cocktail hour space to enjoy some light bites and drinks at the bar! It’s the perfect time for the couple to take any remaining pictures. If most of your photos were done before the ceremony, you and your partner can join in on the fun, mingling and greeting your guests! This part typically lasts about an hour, depending on how many photos are still on the list. Pro Tip: Having a detailed shot list for your photographer helps them be more efficient and makes sure no photo is missed!
Grand Entrance:
As cocktail hour wraps up, the DJ will make an announcement for guests to take their seats for dinner. Once everyone is settled, it’s time for your grand entrance! You can really have fun with this moment—consider including your wedding party, playing your favorite party songs, or even adding some choreographed dances! Don’t be afraid to get creative and make it your own!
After the grand entrance, there are a few different ways to go about things. Some couples dive straight into their first dance, while others like to save it for later. This is also a great time for the newlyweds to make a quick toast, thanking everyone for being part of the celebration. If anyone would like to bless the food, this is the perfect moment before dinner is served! The grand entrance, first dance, and any speeches typically take about 5-15 minutes.
Dinner, Toasts and Intimate Dances:
When dinner service begins, the couple should always be served first. After finishing the meal, it’s a great time to get up, mingle, and do table touches with the guests! Once the last table has been served, it’s a great time to kick off the toasts and speeches. Be sure to chat with your wedding party and family beforehand to figure out who will speak and in what order. You can also decide if you’d like to open the mic to others or keep it to the people you’ve already planned. After the toasts, it’s time for your more intimate dances—if you didn’t do your first dance earlier, this is when you’ll have that special moment, along with dances with any special people in your lives. Whether it’s with your mom, dad, or anyone else close to you, these dances are all about celebrating your loved ones. Expect all of this to take about 45 minutes to an hour!
Dancing & Formalities:
When the DJ announces that the dance floor is open, it’s time to get everyone on their feet and dancing! You can choose to cut the cake before hitting the dance floor or dance for a bit and then do it afterward—totally up to you! You can also decide whether you want the cake cutting to be announced or keep it a little more private by sneaking away with your photographer and videographer to capture the moment. The bouquet and garter toss can happen at any point during the dancing, along with any other fun games you’ve planned!
Grand Exit:
As you dance the night away, soaking in all the love and joy, there comes an end to the night when it’s time to make your grand exit in fashion! As your guests gather with sparklers, bubbles, or whatever you’ve chosen to light up the night, it’s the perfect opportunity to steal a private last dance with the one you love most. After running through the tunnel, take a moment to say your goodbyes and thank your guests, then make sure you’ve got your getaway car ready! Whether it’s the car you arrived in or a prearranged ride, you’ll get to drive off into the night, hand in hand with your new husband or wife!
Here is an example timeline:
9am – Hair and Makeup Starts
1:30pm – Drive to the Venue
2pm – Pre Ceremony Photos / First Look
4pm – Ceremony
4:30pm – Cocktail Hour
5:45pm Grand Entrance / First Dance
6pm – Dinner Service
6:30pm – Toasts
6:45pm – Intimate Dances
7pm – Dance Floor Opens
8pm- Bouquet and Garter Toss
8:30pm – Cake Cutting
10pm – Private Last Dance & Grand Exit
Happy Planning!