A Wedding Timeline: Can The Order Of Events Change?

Planning a wedding can be stressful, but creating a timeline for the big day can help keep things running smoothly. A wedding timeline is flexible and can be tailored to suit the needs and preferences of the couple. While some traditions such as the first dance and parent dances are common, there is room for creativity and customization. The timeline can be adjusted to accommodate different cultural and religious backgrounds, as well as the couple's personal style. Ultimately, the goal is to create a memorable and enjoyable experience for the couple and their guests.

Hair and makeup

To ensure the day runs to schedule, it's a good idea to be mindful of the order of appointments. It's recommended to schedule the most responsible bridesmaids earlier in the day to avoid delays. Similarly, consider any external factors that could impact the timing, such as young children who may need a babysitter or the mother of the bride, who may want to be ready earlier to help with preparations.

The bride's hair and makeup should be scheduled somewhere in the middle, allowing ample time for adjustments and a more leisurely process. This also means the bride will be ready to answer any questions or deal with last-minute issues before getting dressed. It's also suggested that the bride's services are completed second-to-last, leaving the flower girls until last as their hair and makeup are less complex and less likely to be impacted by delays.

The number of stylists and makeup artists will depend on the size of the group and the desired styles. As a general rule, allow 30–45 minutes per person for hair and 30–45 minutes per person for makeup. For the bride, allow 60–90 minutes for each. It's also recommended to have one makeup artist for every six applications to avoid delays.

In addition to timing, there are a few other things to consider when it comes to hair and makeup. Firstly, ensure your stylists and artists have everything they need, including chairs, tables, power sources, and natural light. Secondly, discuss with your makeup artist whether to do hair or makeup first. While there is no specific rule, some artists prefer to do makeup first so that their clients look and feel more glamorous for photos. Finally, don't forget to ask your hair and makeup team about touch-up products to keep you and your bridal party looking fresh throughout the day.

Photography

Preparation and Getting Ready Photos

Allow plenty of time for preparation shots, which can include the bride and groom getting ready separately, as well as photos of the wedding attire, rings, and other details. These shots help to ease you into the day and capture the mix of emotions that come with it. The photographer should arrive around 30 minutes to an hour before the couple is dressed and ready.

First Look Photos

The "first look" is when the couple sees each other for the first time before the ceremony. This is a great opportunity to get more formal photos out of the way and share a quiet moment. It also gives you more time to relax and enjoy your cocktail hour. If you opt for a first look, allow around 1-1.5 hours, and choose a secluded area near the venue.

Family and Group Photos

Family photos can be taken just after the first look or the ceremony, ideally in a central location close to the ceremony site. These photos usually take around 20-30 minutes, depending on the number of combinations and the size of your family.

Wedding Party Photos

These photos are typically fun and casual, capturing the celebration between the couple and their closest friends. Allow around 15-20 minutes for these shots, and consider including props such as champagne flutes for toasting.

Couple Portraits

For couple portraits, photographers recommend allowing between 45 minutes to an hour. If you're doing a first look, these can be taken before the ceremony. Otherwise, they will be taken during the cocktail hour.

Ceremony and Cocktail Hour

Most ceremonies last around 20 minutes for non-religious and up to an hour for religious weddings. The cocktail hour usually begins immediately after the ceremony if the ceremony and reception are at the same venue, or it might start later if travel is involved. During this time, the couple can escape for post-ceremony photos.

Reception

The average wedding reception lasts about 5 hours, including one hour for cocktails and 4 hours for dinner and dancing. The reception typically includes the couple's grand entrance, first dance, dinner, toasts, parent dances, cake cutting, bouquet and garter toss, and open dancing.

Sunset Photos

Sunset photos offer incredible natural lighting, so it's worth planning a few shots around this time. If your schedule doesn't allow for golden hour photos, consider stepping out during dinner for 15 minutes.

Reception Sneak Away

If possible, plan to borrow the couple from the reception for 10-15 minutes during sunset or twilight to capture some creative shots. By this time, the nerves from earlier in the day will have faded, and these photos can be all about having fun.

Open Dancing and Grand Exit

Open dancing usually lasts for a few hours, and it's a good idea to schedule a final song and grand exit to signal the end of the reception.

Remember, this is your special day, and you can customize the timeline to suit your needs and preferences. Work closely with your photographer and wedding planner to create a detailed schedule and ensure that your day runs smoothly.

Getting dressed

The key to a wedding that runs smoothly is planning ahead. A detailed wedding timeline will help to keep everything on track from start to finish. Here is a breakdown of the "getting dressed" portion of the day.

2:30 p.m. Couple Gets Dressed

Once you are mostly dressed, the photographer will capture intimate moments of your maid of honour (and bridesmaids, too) helping you with the final touches, such as zipping up your dress and putting on your shoes. The groom will also be photographed with his groomsmen, tying his tie and having someone attach his boutonnière.

2:45 p.m. Individual Portraits

Once you are fully dressed and ready, the photographer will capture some beautiful portrait and detail shots at pre-scouted locations around the venue. These will be done of both partners on their own.

3:10-3:30 p.m. Wedding Party Group Photos

These photos are casual and fun, capturing the moments of celebration between the couple and their closest friends. If you want any special shots, such as toasting with champagne, make sure you have the props ready.

3:30 p.m. First Look

The first look is a special, optional moment where you and your partner see each other for the first time, away from the wedding ceremony and guests.

3:30-4:10 p.m. Portrait Photos Together

If you're opting for a first look, this is an ideal window of time for your photographer to capture some intimate portraits of just the two of you at pre-scouted locations around the venue.

4:10-5:00 p.m. Wedding Party and Family Photos

Have your family meet, dressed and ready, in the lobby of your venue. Make sure your photographer has a shot list of every family combination you want to be captured, and designate a family member to help the photographer identify everyone.

First look

The first look is a special moment where you and your partner see each other for the first time, away from the hundreds of eyes that will be watching you exchange vows during the ceremony. It is entirely optional, but it can be a great way to ensure you and your partner have more time and freedom on your big day.

If you opt for a first look, you should plan for it to take place a few hours before the ceremony. This will allow for you and your partner to take intimate portraits together at pre-scouted locations around your venue. It is also a good opportunity to take wedding party and family photos, as everyone will already be dressed and ready.

If you are having a sunset wedding, the first look can be timed to make use of the soft and flattering lighting at this time of day. However, if you are having a sunset wedding, it is also important to consider the time needed to travel to your ceremony venue if it is off-site.

A first look can be particularly helpful for evening weddings, as it ensures there is enough daylight for photographs. It can also be a good option if you are having a large wedding party or a complex family situation, as it allows for more time to take group photos.

If you are unsure about whether to have a first look, it is important to discuss this with your photographer and wedding planner. They will be able to advise you on the best timeline for your day and help you make the right decision for the wedding you are envisioning.

Ceremony

The ceremony is the most important part of the wedding day, as it makes your union official. Here is a detailed and direct guide to planning your wedding ceremony.

Planning and Timeline

It is important to create a detailed, hour-by-hour wedding day timeline to stay organised and stress-free. Share this timeline with your wedding party, wedding coordinator, photographer, caterer, florist, and other vendors to ensure everyone is on the same page.

Processional

The processional is the first part of the ceremony. This is when members of your immediate family and wedding party head down the aisle and either find a seat or take their places on either side of the altar. The order of the processional can vary depending on cultural and religious traditions, but it typically begins with the mother of the bride, followed by the groom, best man, paired-up wedding party, flower girl, and ring bearer. The bride is usually the last to make her entrance, escorted by her father.

Officiant's Welcome

Once everyone is in place, the officiant will say a few words of welcome. They may thank the guests for bearing witness to your union and offer a general welcome.

Officiant's Introduction and Thoughts on Marriage

The officiant may then offer an introduction and some thoughts on marriage. This could be a brief recounting of your love story, words on what marriage means to you, or a statement about the ceremony to come and what it represents.

Readings

If you are including readings of any sort in your ceremony, this is when they will take place. You could have your officiant introduce each reading and speaker, or you can have things flow more naturally between readers.

Officiant Addresses Couple

The officiant will then address the couple directly, talking about the responsibilities of marriage and the sanctity of the vows they are about to take.

Vows

After the readings, the couple will take turns reciting their vows. This is often the most emotional part of the ceremony, especially if you write your own vows. You could write your own vows, share personal statements, or use traditional phrasing.

Ring Exchange

After the vows, the couple exchanges wedding rings as a symbol of their marriage. You may opt to perform the ring exchange quickly without vows, or you may say a few words about what the ring symbolizes before placing it on your partner's finger.

Kiss

After you've exchanged vows and rings, seal your marriage with a kiss!

Unity Ceremony (Optional)

If you are planning on having a unity ceremony, this is a good time to incorporate it. In a unity ritual, the couple does something that physically symbolizes their new union, such as lighting a single candle together or binding their hands with a ribbon.

Closing Prayer or Blessing

If your ceremony is religious, this is the time for a final prayer. Typically, closing prayers are the same as final blessings after each religious ceremony. If your ceremony is not religious, the officiant can say words of encouragement, bless your union, or read a requested prayer or poem aloud.

Pronouncement

The officiant then pronounces you married and turns to the guests to introduce the married couple for the first time, encouraging guests to applaud and celebrate.

Recessional

The newlyweds then lead the recessional down the aisle as guests cheer. The order is usually the reverse of the processional.

Timing

Wedding ceremonies typically last 20 minutes to an hour, depending on the type of ceremony. Non-religious ceremonies tend to be shorter, while religious ceremonies can be longer and include more rituals.

Frequently asked questions