George Boyle
The wedding breakfast is a key part of the day, and it's important to allow enough time for it and the surrounding events. The wedding breakfast itself can last up to two hours for a three-course meal, and this is followed by speeches, which can last from 10 minutes to half an hour or longer per speaker. Evening guests should be asked to arrive at least 30 minutes after the wedding breakfast to avoid them turning up while people are still eating. After the meal and speeches, the evening celebrations can begin, including the first dance, which tends to be the last formality of the evening that a photographer might stay for.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Ideal time to start wedding preparations | 9 am–12 noon |
| Time for a light breakfast | N/A |
| Time for hair, makeup, and fittings | Couple of hours for the bride; 45–60 minutes for each member of the wedding party |
| Arrival time of wedding suppliers | 1:30 pm |
| Time for welcome drinks and photos | Minimum of 1.5 hours |
| Time for guests to move from drinks reception to wedding breakfast | 30 minutes |
| Duration of a 3-course meal | 1.5–2 hours |
| Duration of speeches | 10 minutes to half an hour or longer, per speaker |
| Arrival time of evening guests | At least 30 minutes after the wedding breakfast |
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What You'll Learn
Wedding breakfast duration: 1.5-2 hours for a 3-course meal
Planning a wedding breakfast can be tricky, but a good rule of thumb is to allow 1.5–2 hours for a 3-course meal. This duration ensures that your guests have enough time to enjoy their food and drinks, and it also gives the catering staff enough time to serve each course without feeling rushed.
The duration of your wedding breakfast will depend on several factors, including the number of guests, the type of food being served, and the efficiency of the catering staff. It's a good idea to consult with your caterers to get their expert opinion on how long they expect their service to take, and you can also request that they stick to a specific timeline if you prefer.
It's important to consider the flow of your wedding day and how the breakfast fits into the overall schedule. For example, you may want to allow time for welcome drinks and photos before the meal, which can take around 1.5 hours. After the meal, there are usually speeches, which can last from 10 minutes to half an hour per speaker, and then the evening celebrations can begin!
To ensure a smooth transition between the wedding breakfast and the evening festivities, it's a good idea to invite your evening guests to arrive at least 30 minutes after the expected conclusion of the wedding breakfast. This buffer helps to avoid any overlap and ensures that your daytime guests don't feel rushed to finish their meal.
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Evening guests: arrive 30 minutes after breakfast
Evening guests should arrive at least 30 minutes after the wedding breakfast has finished. This is to allow for the wedding breakfast to overrun, which often happens. The wedding breakfast itself can last up to 2 hours for a 3-course meal, depending on the caterers, the number of guests, the food types, the number of courses, the number of catering staff, and the type of venue.
After the wedding breakfast, there are usually speeches, which can last from 10 minutes to half an hour or longer per speaker. The father of the bride typically starts, followed by the groom, who thanks the guests, and then the best man. The bride may also give a speech. After the speeches, the evening celebrations can begin.
Evening guests should arrive at the conclusion of the wedding breakfast and speeches. They can then be welcomed by the happy couple and enjoy a drink and canapés during the drinks reception, which usually lasts around an hour and a half. This is a great opportunity for the photographer to capture some early evening shots of the couple and their bridesmaids and groomsmen.
The drinks reception is a good time for the couple to cut their cake, which is one of the last formalities of the evening. The first dance usually follows, with the photographer often staying to capture this moment. After the first dance, the guests typically take to the dance floor, and the party begins.
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Speeches: 10 minutes to 30+ minutes per speaker
Wedding breakfasts typically last around 1.5–2 hours for a three-course meal. However, the duration can vary depending on several factors, including the number of guests, the type of food, the number of courses, the number of catering staff, and the venue. It's recommended to consult with caterers to get a more accurate estimate.
When it comes to wedding speeches, it's important to allow ample time as they can significantly impact the flow of the event. Traditionally, the father of the bride, the groom, and the best man give speeches, but modern weddings may also include speeches from the mother of the bride, the bride herself, or other principal guests.
As a general guideline, it's advisable to allocate at least 10 minutes per speaker. However, it's not uncommon for speeches to extend beyond that, with some speakers taking 30 minutes or more to deliver their remarks. To ensure a smooth flow, it's recommended to double the estimated speaking time when creating the schedule, as speeches rarely adhere to the planned duration.
The placement of the speeches within the wedding breakfast can also vary. Typically, they occur after the meal, but they can also be done before the meal or even between courses, especially if the speaker prefers to speak on a full stomach. However, it's worth considering that guests might get hungry if the speeches are too long before the meal.
To ensure the wedding breakfast runs smoothly, it's advisable to have a toastmaster or MC who can introduce each speaker and keep things on track. Additionally, it's a good idea to remind guests to sign the guest book during this time.
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Photos: 5 minutes per group, 30 minutes for portraits
The time taken for wedding photos can vary depending on the number of photos and the number of guests in each photo. A good rule of thumb is to allow 5 minutes per group photo and at least 30 minutes for the couple's personal portrait shots.
It is important to ensure that the relevant people are available for group photos immediately after the ceremony so that no one is missing. Designate someone trustworthy to gather everyone for group photos and chase any stragglers. It is also a good idea to ask your photographer to scout out some potential backgrounds in advance.
If you are having a church wedding, allow 30 minutes for photos, keeping in mind that you will then need to travel to your reception venue. After a ceremony at the venue, allow a minimum of one and a half hours for welcome drinks and photos before proceeding to the wedding breakfast.
The wedding breakfast typically lasts around 1.5 to 2 hours for a three-course meal, but this can vary depending on the number of guests, the type of food, the number of courses, the number of catering staff, and the type of service. For example, a plated meal service may take longer than a buffet, where each table is invited to get their food in turn.
After the wedding breakfast, there are usually speeches, which can last from 10 minutes to half an hour or longer per speaker. The father of the bride, groom, and best man typically give speeches, and sometimes the bride or other principal guests may contribute.
Evening guests are usually asked to arrive at least 30 minutes after the wedding breakfast to avoid overlapping with the meal. During this time, the couple can take advantage of the early evening light for another portrait session.
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First dance: the last formality of the evening
The first dance is the last formality of the evening and the perfect opportunity for the photographer to capture the newlyweds' special moment. It is customary for guests to join the dance floor after the first dance, so it's a good idea to have a backup DJ or playlist to keep the party going.
The first dance usually takes place after the wedding breakfast, speeches, and cake cutting. The wedding breakfast typically lasts up to two hours for a three-course meal, and the caterers' service time will depend on the number of guests, food types, number of courses, and venue. After the meal, the MC will signal the start of the speeches, which can last from 10 minutes to half an hour or longer per speaker. The father of the bride usually starts, followed by the groom, and then the best man.
After the speeches, the MC announces a toast to the couple, marking the start of the evening festivities. The cake-cutting ceremony usually follows, and it is often done immediately before the first dance. Evening guests are typically invited to arrive at least 30 minutes after the wedding breakfast to avoid overlapping with the meal.
The first dance is an important moment for the newlyweds and a key photo opportunity, so it's worth adding to the wedding timeline. It is also essential to include the photographer's departure time in the schedule to ensure all special moments are captured before they leave.
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Frequently asked questions
A three-course meal usually takes 1.5 to 2 hours depending on the type of service and how quickly the venue serves the meal. It is recommended to ask the caterers to provide a guide on how long their service will take.
After the wedding breakfast, there are usually speeches, which can last from 10 minutes to half an hour or longer per speaker. The father of the bride typically starts, followed by the groom and then the best man. After the speeches, there is usually cake cutting and then the first dance.
Evening guests should arrive at least 30 minutes after the wedding breakfast. This ensures that they do not arrive while people are still eating.
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