
Planning a wedding is no easy feat, and the time of the ceremony is one of the most important details. The wedding ceremony usually lasts between 30 minutes to an hour, and the reception typically lasts four to five hours. The time listed on the invitations is for guests only; the wedding party, vendors, and the couple themselves will need to be ready hours before the ceremony begins. For instance, the bride and bridesmaids will need to factor in time for hair and makeup. The photographer should arrive 30 minutes before the couple is dressed and ready to capture the wedding attire, rings, and invitations.
The time of the wedding ceremony is especially crucial for destination weddings or weddings with guests travelling from out of town. Guests will need to know the time of the ceremony to plan their travel, and the couple may need to plan additional activities for guests if there is a large gap between the ceremony and reception.
Time zones also play a significant role in the timing of a wedding, especially for highly anticipated nuptials such as the royal wedding of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, which took place at noon in the UK (BST) and 4 am on the US West Coast (PT).
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Date | Saturday, May 19, 2018 |
| Location | St. George's Chapel at Windsor Castle |
| Time (BST) | 12 p.m. |
| Time (PT) | 4 a.m. |
| Time (HAST) | 1 a.m. |
| Time (MT) | 5 a.m. |
| Time (CT) | 6 a.m. |
| Time (ET) | 7 a.m. |
| Time (CEST) | 1 p.m. |
| Time (MSK) | 2 p.m. |
| Time (SAST) | 1 p.m. |
| Time (JST/KST) | 8 p.m. |
| Time (AET) | 9 p.m. |
| Bride | Meghan Markle |
| Groom | Prince Harry |
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What You'll Learn

Wedding day timelines
A wedding day timeline is essential to keeping your big day running smoothly and ensuring that everything stays on track. It's important to finalise your wedding day timeline about a month before the date and confirm the timing again a week before the wedding.
7:00 a.m. Hair and Makeup
Hair and makeup artists arrive and begin their preparations. This is also when the bride and bridesmaids should be getting ready.
11:00 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.
The wedding photographer should arrive 30 minutes before the couple is dressed and ready. During this time, the photographer can capture images of the wedding attire, rings, and invitations.
12:00 p.m. - 12:30 p.m.
The bride's hair and makeup are complete. The bridesmaids, mother of the bride, and other VIPs should be dressed and ready by this time. The photographer can capture images of everyone together and intimate moments of the maid of honour helping the bride with her dress and shoes.
1:00 p.m. - 2:00 p.m.
The ceremony usually lasts about 30 minutes, but can be up to an hour. The couple, wedding party, and vendors will need to arrive much earlier.
2:30 p.m. - 3:00 p.m.
Cocktail hour typically begins immediately after the ceremony if the ceremony and reception are at the same venue. If travel is involved, it may start about 30 minutes later.
3:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.
Most wedding receptions last four to five hours and include festivities such as toasts, speeches, and dancing.
8:00 p.m.
The last song plays, and the newlyweds make their exit.
Remember, this is just a sample timeline, and you can customise it to fit your unique needs and wedding vision. For example, if you're having a morning wedding, you'll need to adjust the timeline accordingly.
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Royal wedding TV schedules
The wedding of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle will take place on Saturday, May 19, 2018, at St. George's Chapel, Windsor Castle. The wedding will begin at 12 p.m. BST (British Standard Time), which is 4 a.m. PT.
For viewers in the United States, that means an early start to catch the full royal wedding experience. Many channels will begin their coverage as early as 2 a.m. PT, with the royal family arriving from 3:20 a.m. PT, followed by Prince Harry and Prince William, and then Meghan and her mother. The wedding ceremony will begin at 4 a.m. PT, and viewers can then watch the newlyweds embark on a carriage procession through Windsor at 5 a.m. PT.
For those who prefer to skip the early start, there will be plenty of coverage throughout the day, with the major networks providing a full package of the event. Viewers can also watch the wedding on the Royal Family's Facebook page and YouTube channel from 6 a.m. ET (3 a.m. PT).
- Honolulu, Hawaii: 1 a.m. HAST
- Los Angeles, Las Vegas: 4 a.m. PT
- Denver: 5 a.m. MT
- Chicago: 6 a.m. CT
- New York: 7 a.m. ET
- London: 12 p.m. BST
- Paris: 1 p.m. CEST
- Moscow: 2 p.m. MSK
- Johannesburg: 1 p.m. SAST
- Tokyo, Seoul: 8 p.m. JST/KST
- Sydney: 9 p.m. AET
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Royal wedding guest arrivals
The wedding of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle is set to be a grand affair, with extensive media coverage and a star-studded guest list. The guest arrivals promise to be a spectacle in themselves, with the royal family, the bride and groom, and 600 guests expected to attend.
For those eagerly awaiting a glimpse of the royal wedding guest arrivals, the timing varies depending on your location and news source. In the UK, BBC One and Sky One will commence coverage at 9 am, while ITV will start at 9:30 am. Reuters reports that wedding guests will begin arriving as early as 9:30 am local time, with members of the royal family expected to arrive at 11:20 am. Princes Harry and William are due to arrive at 11:30 am, followed by the Queen, who will be the last royal to arrive.
For viewers in the United States, the timing will depend on your time zone. On the West Coast, the wedding festivities will air as early as 2 am PT, with the wedding ceremony taking place at 4 am PT. In other time zones, the wedding ceremony will air at 5 am MT, 6 am CT, and 7 am ET. For those on the East Coast, coverage may begin as early as 4 am ET.
So, whether you're watching from the comfort of your home or joining the street parties across the UK, be sure to tune in early to catch the highly anticipated guest arrivals at the royal wedding of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle.
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Wedding photo backdrops
The time of the wedding on PST is 4 a.m. PT. Now, let's move on to discussing wedding photo backdrops.
A well-chosen backdrop is essential to elevate your wedding photography and capture cherished memories that will last a lifetime. Here are some tips and ideas to consider when selecting or creating your wedding photo backdrops:
Planning and Timing
The key to successful wedding photography is advance planning and timing. It is crucial to allow ample time for hair, makeup, and dressing before the ceremony. The photographer should arrive approximately 30 minutes before the couple is ready to capture the wedding attire, accessories, and intimate moments of preparation. This timing also allows the photographer to scout the venue for the best photo backdrops.
Venue and Backdrop Selection
The wedding venue itself can often provide stunning backdrops for photographs. Consider the architecture, landscaping, and unique features of the site. If your venue has beautiful scenery, such as a garden, a body of water, or a breathtaking view, utilise it as a natural backdrop.
Customisable Backdrops
Customisable backdrops offer a personalised touch to your wedding photos. Companies like Alba Backgrounds offer high-quality , polyester, seamless, and non-reflective backdrops in various sizes and designs. You can choose from their existing collection or create a unique custom design that reflects your wedding theme and colour palette. These backdrops are reusable, machine washable, and wrinkle-free, ensuring convenience and longevity.
Backdrop Ideas
When selecting or creating your backdrops, consider the following ideas to enhance your wedding photos:
- Floral backdrops: Fresh flowers or floral arrangements add a romantic and elegant touch to your photos.
- Neon signs: For a modern twist, incorporate lighted or neon signs with catchy phrases or your wedding hashtag.
- Arches and props: Arches, such as floral or balloon arches, provide a beautiful frame for the couple and bridal party. Additionally, consider using photo booth props, such as oversized frames, fun signage, or balloons, to create playful and memorable shots.
- Fabric backdrops: High-quality fabric backdrops in complementary colours can add a touch of elegance and softness to your photos.
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Wedding hair and makeup timings
Planning a wedding can be stressful, but creating a timeline for hair and makeup can help the day go smoothly. The duration of hair and makeup depends on several factors, including the number of people getting ready, the length and thickness of their hair, and the number of artists on hand.
As a rule of thumb, it is recommended to allow at least 60 minutes per person for hair and makeup. This allows time for interruptions and ensures that the artists are not rushing. The bride should ideally be the second-to-last person to have her hair and makeup done, so her look is fresh for the ceremony. It is also important to factor in time for the artists to set up their equipment and lighting, especially if they are working in a different location from where they are based.
To create a timeline, start by consulting with your hair and makeup artists to determine how much time they need per person. Then, consider the number of people in your bridal party who will be getting their hair and makeup done. If you have a large group, you may need to start earlier in the day. It is also important to factor in travel time if your artists are coming to you.
Additionally, consider any pre-ceremony activities, such as taking pictures, that may impact your timeline. The photographer should arrive 30 minutes before the bride is dressed and ready, so the hair and makeup timeline should account for this as well. If you are doing a first look or taking pictures before the ceremony, you will need to allow extra time for touch-ups.
Finally, don't forget to build in some buffer time to your timeline to account for any unexpected issues, such as traffic jams or problems with hair styling or makeup. By creating a detailed timeline and allowing ample time for hair and makeup, you can help ensure that your wedding day runs smoothly and stress-free.
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Frequently asked questions
The wedding of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle took place at 4 am PT.
Coverage of the wedding began at 2 am PT.
The royal family arrived at 3:20 am PT.
The couple got married at 12 pm BST.
The wedding took place on Saturday, May 19.











































