Lyla Dejesus
Planning a wedding can be a daunting task, with many details to consider and decisions to be made. One of the most important aspects is timing. The wedding ceremony is usually the central event of the day, with the reception and other festivities flowing from there. The time of the ceremony itself can vary depending on cultural and personal preferences, with non-religious ceremonies tending to be shorter and religious ceremonies lasting up to an hour or more. The time of day for the ceremony is also a key consideration, with many couples opting for a midday or afternoon start time, followed by post-ceremony drinks and photographs.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Date | May 19, 2018 |
| Time | 12 noon BST |
| Location | St. George's Chapel, Windsor Castle |
| Ceremony Type | Religious |
| Duration of Ceremony | 30 minutes to an hour |
| Duration of Reception | 5 to 8 hours |
| Number of Guests | 600 |
| Televised Coverage | CBS News Presents, Today at the Royal Wedding, The Royal Wedding: A Special Edition of Good Morning America, BBC and BBC America, Freeform network |
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What You'll Learn
Royal wedding of Meghan Markle and Prince Harry
The wedding of Meghan Markle and Prince Harry took place on Saturday, May 19, 2018, at St. George's Chapel on the grounds of Windsor Castle. The ceremony began at 12 p.m. BST, with the Dean of Windsor and the Archbishop of Canterbury officiating the wedding in front of 600 guests inside the chapel.
The bride, Meghan Markle, was an American actress, born and raised in Los Angeles. The groom, Prince Harry, is the second son of Princess Diana and Prince Charles. The couple met on a blind date in the summer of 2016 and their romance quickly blossomed. Their engagement was announced on November 27, 2017, and the wedding date was confirmed shortly after.
The wedding was a highly anticipated event, with an estimated 1.9 billion people tuning in worldwide. The ceremony included a gospel choir, a solo performance by a cellist, and a carriage procession through Windsor town. The wedding cake was a lemon elderflower cake with buttercream frosting, created by baker Claire Ptak. Markle's dress was designed by Ralph & Russo, and she wore a wedding band made from Welsh gold, gifted by Queen Elizabeth II.
The wedding party included Prince George and Princess Charlotte of Cambridge as a page boy and bridesmaid, respectively. Notable guests included George and Amal Clooney, Idris Elba, Tom Hardy, James Corden, and Elton John, among others. The couple delayed their honeymoon to attend private engagements and Prince Charles' 70th birthday celebration at Buckingham Palace, their first public appearance as a married couple.
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Televised coverage schedule
The televised coverage schedule for the wedding of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle on Saturday, May 19, 2018, is as follows:
CBS
CBS News Presents will air on the CBS network from 4 a.m. to 10 a.m. ET.
NBC
Today at the Royal Wedding will air on NBC from 4:30 a.m. to 11 a.m. ET.
ABC
The Royal Wedding: A Special Edition of Good Morning America will air on ABC from 5 a.m. to 10 a.m. ET.
BBC
The Royal Wedding will air on BBC and BBC America. Via BBC America, the wedding will air from 4 a.m. to 9 a.m. ET.
Freeform
The Freeform network will cover the nuptials with Robin Roberts and David Muir from 5 a.m. to 10 a.m. ET.
The royal wedding service will begin at 12 p.m. BST (7 a.m. ET) at St. George's Chapel in Windsor Castle. The ceremony will be conducted by the Dean of Windsor, with the Archbishop of Canterbury officiating the vows. The married couple will then embark on a 1 p.m. carriage procession through Windsor town before returning for a reception at St. George's Hall.
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Wedding ceremony and reception times
Planning a wedding can be overwhelming, but creating a timeline for your big day can help ensure that everything runs smoothly. The time of your wedding ceremony and reception will depend on several factors, including the type of ceremony, the number of guests, and whether you're having a first look.
Ceremony Start Time
The ceremony start time listed on your wedding invitations is usually just for guests. The couple, wedding party, and vendors will need to arrive much earlier to prepare. Most weddings don't start at the exact time on the invitation, so don't worry if the ceremony begins a little later than planned, as this gives guests extra time if they're running late.
If you're having a non-religious ceremony, it will typically last around 20-30 minutes, while religious ceremonies can last up to an hour. Most couples get married between 12 pm and 5 pm, with 2 pm or 3 pm being common ceremony start times. However, during the summer months, a 5:30 pm ceremony is also a good option. If you want to plan your ceremony time around sunset, a good rule of thumb is to start an hour and a half before sunset.
Pre-Ceremony Timeline
Before the ceremony, you'll need to allow ample time for hair, makeup, and getting dressed. This can take several hours, especially if you have a large bridal party. If you're doing a "first look," where the couple sees each other for the first time before the ceremony, you'll want to start pre-ceremony photography coverage about 3-4 hours before the ceremony. This will give you time to take photos with the wedding party and family before the ceremony begins. Guests should arrive about 30 minutes before the ceremony starts.
Post-Ceremony Timeline
After the ceremony, you'll typically have a cocktail hour or drinks reception, where guests can enjoy cocktails or bubbly while the couple escapes for some photos. This is also when family portraits and bridal party photos are usually taken. Depending on how many photos you want, you can join the cocktail hour halfway through or spend some time having a private drink and taking a breather before the reception.
Reception Timeline
The reception is where the party truly starts, with dinner, dancing, and celebrating the newlyweds. The reception typically begins with the grand entrance of the wedding party, followed by the couple's first dance. Dinner is served shortly after, and the amount of time it takes will depend on the number of guests and the style of dinner service. A buffet-style meal or plated dinner will take about 20-45 minutes, while a three-course meal can take up to two hours.
After dinner, there are usually toasts and speeches from the parents, best man, maid of honour, and other members of the wedding party. Then it's time for the cake cutting, bouquet toss, and hit the dance floor! The DJ or band will keep the party going until the end of the night, and it's a good idea to offer late-night snacks like pizza or sliders towards the end of the evening to give guests a final energy boost.
Travel Time
If your ceremony and reception are in different locations, don't forget to add travel time to your timeline. This will ensure that guests have enough time to get to the reception venue and that your timeline stays on track.
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Wedding day timelines
Planning a wedding day timeline is essential to ensure your big day runs smoothly and stays stress-free. A detailed, hour-by-hour wedding day timeline will help you, your wedding party, vendors, and guests stay on the same page and organised throughout the day.
The first step is to determine the ceremony start time, which will be listed on your wedding invitations. This is usually between 12 pm and 5 pm, with the most common time being 5 pm. The ceremony start time will depend on the type of ceremony, with non-religious ceremonies lasting around 20-30 minutes and religious ceremonies lasting up to an hour. If you are having a first look with your partner before the ceremony, you will need to factor this in, along with hair and makeup, which usually begins around 7 am.
The cocktail hour typically begins immediately after the ceremony if the ceremony and reception are at the same venue. If there is travel involved, it will begin about 30 minutes later. The cocktail hour is a great time for the couple to take photos, while guests enjoy drinks and canapes. The reception usually lasts four to five hours, with some couples opting for an extended reception for more toasts, speeches, and dancing. During the reception, there will be a time for dinner, toasts, the first dance, cake cutting, and bouquet toss.
Finalise your wedding day timeline about a month before the wedding date, and confirm the timing again a week before the wedding. It is recommended to work with a professional wedding planner to guarantee your timeline fits all your needs and runs smoothly.
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Wedding day schedule
A wedding day is a complex event with many moving parts, and a clear schedule is the key to making sure everything runs smoothly. Here is a suggested wedding day schedule to help you plan your big day.
Morning: Getting ready
The wedding day begins early, especially for the couple, the wedding party, and vendors. The bridal party should start hair and makeup as early as possible, ideally after a good breakfast. The caterers will also arrive early to set up, and the rental companies will be the first on-site.
Early afternoon: Guest arrival and ceremony
Guests will start arriving around 1.5 hours before the ceremony, which is usually scheduled between 12 pm and 5 pm. The ceremony itself can last anywhere from 20 minutes to an hour, depending on whether it is religious or non-religious.
Late afternoon: Drinks, photos, and reception
After the ceremony, guests can enjoy cocktails while the couple and wedding party take photos. This is also a good time for the couple to have a private drink and a breather. The reception can begin around 30 minutes to an hour after the ceremony, with the couple making a grand entrance.
Early evening: Dinner, toasts, and first dance
Dinner is usually served soon after the reception, with each course taking around 30 minutes. The best man and maid of honor can offer toasts during or after dinner, with a recommended time limit of 5 minutes per speaker. The first dance traditionally follows the toasts, and the couple can transition into an open dance floor for all guests.
Evening: Cake, bouquet toss, and party
After the first dance, the couple can cut the cake, followed by the bouquet and garter toss. The newlyweds can also take this opportunity to thank their guests. Evening food is served around 9 pm to keep the party going, and the final song and send-off are usually scheduled for 11 pm to midnight.
Tips for creating your schedule
- Consult with your vendors (hair and makeup artists, florist, caterer, etc.) to determine their arrival time and how much time they need for their services.
- Account for travel time if the ceremony and reception are at different locations.
- Set aside time for additional portraits during the golden hour before sunset.
- Stick to a clear timeline, but be prepared to be flexible if things run a little late.
- Make sure to have extra copies of your wedding schedule to share with VIPs and wedding party members.
- If you're working with a wedding planner, they can help craft the perfect timeline and keep things running smoothly.
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Frequently asked questions
Most weddings take place between 12 pm and 5 pm, with the most common start time being between 1 pm and 3 pm.
The length of the ceremony depends on the type of ceremony. Non-religious ceremonies last around 20-30 minutes, while religious ceremonies can last up to an hour.
Guests typically arrive 30 minutes before the ceremony starts.
The couple can take photos during the cocktail hour after the ceremony. This gives them a chance to freshen up and mingle with guests before being seated for the wedding breakfast.
The reception typically starts with the grand entrance of the wedding party, followed by the couple's first dance. The timing may vary depending on the couple's preferences and the venue's schedule.
