It’s About Time!
How to organise your wedding day timeline
A key step in your wedding planning journey is organising a wedding day timeline, but where should you start? With over ten years of experience in the wedding industry, we’re here to help you create an order of the day.
When it comes to wedding planning, mapping out your wedding day timeline might not seem like the most exciting task. After all, choosing your flowers, cake tasting and finding the perfect outfit is way more fun! But trust us when we say having a well-thought-out order of the day is key to ensuring everything flows smoothly.
We’ve witnessed firsthand how clear (but flexible!) wedding day timings help suppliers deliver an unforgettable day. Early plotting of the wedding day timeline will allow you to relax and enjoy every moment, knowing everything is in hand. So, we’re sharing a simple guide to structuring your day. Think of this as your starting point, sprinkled with tips, and adapt accordingly to suit your plans.
Bridal Beauty
The morning of your wedding sets the tone for the entire day. Whether you’re surrounded by your bridesmaids and closest family or having a quiet moment to yourself, it’s worth allowing plenty of time for pre-wedding prep. Hair and makeup artists each usually recommend around an hour per person, so if you’ve got a larger bridal party, stagger everyone’s slot and factor in extra time for touch-ups and tweaks. Plan in time for sentimental moments, like exchanging gifts, and for capturing behind-the-scenes moments – think you and your besties in matching robes, Champagne toasts and snaps of the girls in their glad rags before heading to the ceremony.
Wedding Planning Tip: Start early, stay relaxed!
Groom Room
The groomsmen’s prep time is typically a bit shorter, but no less meaningful. From adjusting ties and pinning buttonholes to toasting with a bottle of beer to calm the pre-wedding nerves, the candid moments are something to treasure. Capturing the getting ready moments allows each of you to see how the other one spent the wedding morning after the wedding day. We’ll be there to catch the unscripted jokes, banter and the final deep breaths before it’s showtime.
Guest Arrival
Guests should arrive ahead of the ceremony time to catch up with familiar faces and find their seats. When the guests arrive we can capture their genuine reactions as they see the venue for the first time and await your arrival.
Wedding Day Timeline Tip: Guests should arrive 30 minutes before the ceremony start time.
Wedding Ceremony
In your order of events, accurately predict the length of your wedding ceremony as most of your wedding day timings will be worked out based on the service. Civil ceremonies often last around 30 minutes, with a maximum of three readings. Religious ceremonies generally last a full hour as they also include prayers and hymns. If you are having a celebrant-led wedding it can be between 30 minutes and an hour, so check with your celebrant the duration of the service.
Confetti Moment
After the ceremony, allocate 10 minutes for the confetti moment. While the confetti throw only lasts seconds, it takes a few minutes to get everyone into place with their confetti in hand. Following that, we recommend scheduling a big group photo, while all your guests are gathered. We’ll be in the background documenting the laughs, hugs and well wishes. This quick session captures the joyful moment without guests waiting too long before the reception.
Wedding Planning Tip: Schedule ten minutes away from the crowd as newlyweds immediately after the confetti moment. This time allows you a private moment after the ceremony, often accompanied by refreshments and canapés!
Drinks Reception
During the reception drinks, you might serve welcome drinks and canapés, meet and greet your guests and your photographer will take any formal group shots. The drinks reception is the perfect time for us to capture candid content.
Entertainment like live musicians, magicians and garden games can keep guests occupied while you head off for some romantic couple’s portraits.
Wedding Day Timeline Tip: Allow one-and-a-half to two hours for your drinks reception. Any longer and guests will be getting hungry, any shorter and you might feel rushed.
Wedding Breakfast
Allow ample time for your guests to take their seats. Some couples like to include a receiving line here, but it’s optional – skipping the formalities can save you 15-20 minutes.
For the meal itself, a three-course wedding breakfast typically lasts around two hours. Two hours is long enough for each course to be served and enjoyed without rushing, giving everyone the opportunity to savour the dining experience.
The Speeches
Speeches usually round off the wedding breakfast. If those making a speech are particularly nervous, you might opt for the speeches to start before the meal. If you opt to do so, keep in mind that you will need to give your caterers an exact guide on the timings to avoid overcooked dishes or a delay in food service.
Typically, speeches last about 30 minutes. The traditional line-up includes the father of the bride, the groom and the best man, but why not switch it up? Maybe your maid of honour has a few heartfelt words, or the bride wants her moment on the mic. Whoever is speaking ask that they keep their speech to no more than 10 minutes to avoid everyone having to remain seated for too long.
Cake Cutting
Whether you cut your cake right after speeches or save it for later in the evening, factor about 10 minutes into your wedding day timeline for this moment. This short but sweet moment is a fab photo opportunity. If you’re not a fan of cake and you want to do something a little different, you could have a Champagne tower and use this moment to kick off the evening instead.
First Dance
Once evening guests arrive, it's time to hit the dance floor. Whether you’ve practised a choreographed routine or you’re planning a slow sway, we’ll be there to capture the fun – and the moment everyone joins you on the dance floor, too!
Evening Fun
With the party in full swing, you’ll want to keep your guests’ energy levels up. Schedule your evening food service about an hour to an hour and a half after the dancing starts.
Entertain your guests with sparklers, a Photo Booth, casino tables and music and party into the night.
Carriages
Note an end time on your wedding day timeline so guests can arrange their lifts or taxis in advance. Wrapping up your day smoothly ensures everyone leaves on a high note.
Example Wedding Day Timeline
Here is an example of an order of the day, based on a registrar-led ceremony with 60 wedding guests.
08:00 - Bridal preparations begin
11:00 - Groom preparations begin
12:45 - Guests arrive
13:30 - Ceremony
14:00 - Confetti
14:10 - Quiet Moment
14:10 - Drinks Reception
16:00 - Seating
16:15 - Wedding Breakfast
18:15 - Speeches
18:45 - Cut the Cake
19:30 - Evening Guests Arrive
19:40 - Bouquet throw
19:45 - First Dance
21:00 - Sparklers
21:30 - Evening Buffet
00:00 - Carriages
