When couples start to plan their wedding, one of the most important things to sort out is a wedding day schedule. Getting organized and sticking to a detailed schedule is the best way to make sure everything will happen on time and make the day completely stress-free. This is also a great way to share your timeline with vendors, so they can keep track of their own schedules for the day. Trust me, without it the day would be vey chaotic;)
To help couples get on track with an organized wedding timeline, take a look at a few common examples for weddings that are set for the morning, afternoon, and weddings with first look.
Full Day Wedding (Most Common)
This is most common schedule which I am usually working with. It’s a day full of activities and its spread out quite conveniently so there is time for everything.
Schedule
9.00 a.m.— Breakfast
10:00 a.m.— Hair and makeup (11am photographers to start)
1:00 p.m.—Dressing up and final touches
2:00 p.m.—Guests start to arrive
2:40 p.m.—Guests are seated
3:00 p.m.—Ceremony
3:30 p.m.— End of Ceremony, snacks/mingle/lawn games/group photos
4:30 p.m.—Bride&Groom depart for photoshoot
5:45 p.m. - Guests invited to take a seat.
6:00 p.m.— Reception starts. Bride and Groom grand entrance
6:10 p.m. - Welcome speech
6:15 p.m. - First meal/drinks
6:30 p.m. - 2 speeches
7:00 p.m. - Dinner served
7:40 p.m. - More speeches
8.15 p.m.— Cake cutting and desert
8:30 p.m. - Sunset photos
9:00 p.m.— First dance
9:15 p.m. – Everyone free to dance
11:00 p.m. – Guests depart
Morning Wedding (Brunch Wedding)
Traditionally, weddings are full-day affairs that often start later in the day, but more people are choosing to have morning weddings. One of the biggest benefits being that morning weddings feel laid back, more cost-effective by saving money on lighting and food costs, and the guests are given a longer time to recover from the festivities. It is also suitable for adventurous couples who are doing first look at the sunrise.
Schedule
6:00 a.m. —Breakfast with the wedding party
7:00 a.m.— Hair and makeup + getting ready photography
9:00 a.m.—Family photos and couple portraits
9:30 a.m.—Guests are seated
10:15 a.m.—Ceremony
10:45 a.m.—Snacks and refreshments while the couple have photos taken
11:30 a.m.—Brunch begins
12:15 p.m.— Wedding party toasts
1:00 p.m.— Cake cutting and thank you speeches
1:30 p.m.— First dance and thank you speeches from the couple
1:45 p.m. – Everyone free to dance
4:00 p.m.—Guests depart
Wedding with First Look in the morning
First looks are very important and most of my couples choses to see each other only at the ceremony with family and friends as witnesses.
For those of you who are considering doing a first look before the ceremony, I have to say from practical point of view it is even better, as later after ceremony you can stay longer and enjoy your time with guests rather than running away for photoshoot. Morning photoshoots tend to be more relaxed as there is simply more time.
Schedule
9.00 a.m.— Breakfast
10:00 a.m.— Hair and makeup (11am photographers start)
12:00 p.m.—First Look, Photoshoot
3:00 p.m.—Guests arriving
3:30 p.m.—Guests are seated
4:00 p.m.—Ceremony
4:30 p.m.— End of Ceremony, snacks/mingle/group photos
6:00 p.m.— Reception starts. Dinner, speeches between the courses.
8.15 p.m.— Cake cutting and desert
8:30 p.m. - Sunset photos
9:00 p.m.— First dance
9:15 p.m. – Everyone free to dance
11:00 p.m. – Guests depart