Wedding Day Timeline
A calm wedding day runs on a clear schedule with buffer between blocks. Use this template as your base — shift the times to fit your ceremony and reception, and share it with your vendors and coordinator.
Time
Activity
Details
7:00 AM
Bridal prep begins
Hair and makeup start. Groom prep can run in parallel.
9:00 AM
Photographer & videographer arrive
Capture the getting-ready shots and details.
11:00 AM
First look and couple portraits
A calm photo session before guests arrive.
1:00 PM
Family portraits
Combine families for the formal group photos.
3:00 PM
Ceremony setup complete
Venue, decor, seating, and sound checked.
4:00 PM
Guests arrive & welcome
Welcome drinks and seating begin.
5:00 PM
Ceremony begins
The main ceremony — vows, pheras, or exchange.
6:30 PM
Ceremony concludes
Blessings, photos, and transition to the reception.
7:30 PM
Reception setup
Cocktail hour, lighting, and music ready.
8:30 PM
Dinner service begins
Buffet or plated service, dietary dishes labelled.
9:30 PM
Couple's first dance
The first dance and cake cutting.
10:00 PM
Speeches & toasts
Parents, siblings, and best friends.
11:00 PM
Dance floor opens
Music and dancing for everyone.
11:45 PM
Send-off
Candles, petals, or sparklers as you leave.
The template works backwards from your ceremony start time. Set the ceremony hour first, then work the prep, portraits, and guest arrival backwards, and the reception, dinner, and dancing forwards. Keep 30–45 minutes of buffer between blocks — a delayed makeup artist should not push back the ceremony.
For a traditional ceremony, use the ceremony timeline template for the ritual-by-ritual sequence. For the evening, the reception template covers the entrance, dinner, first dance, and send-off.
The ritual-by-ritual ceremony sequence, from guest arrival to the portraits.
OpenThe evening in order: entrance, dinner, first dance, speeches, and send-off.
OpenThe timeline generator builds the day-of schedule alongside your month-by-month plan.
Open the timeline generatorStart here: the full wedding planning guide and a free checklist.
ExplorePlan the money side with the budget calculator, planner, and templates.
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ExploreBuild the guest list, chase RSVPs, and plan seating without drama.
ExploreFind, compare, and book the right vendors — with contracts in writing.
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ExploreChoose a palette, style the moments, and stay on budget.
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ExploreDownload and print the plan
ExploreThe day, hour by hour
ExploreFrom guest arrival to portraits
ExploreEntrance, dinner, dance, send-off
ExploreCommon timeline questions
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