Creating Your Wedding Day Timeline

One of the most important things you can do to minimize the stress of your wedding day is by creating a wedding day timeline. A well-thought-out but flexible timeline will allow everyone to be on the same page while also reducing the confusion of what may be happening next.

A wedding day timeline can break down each event to keep each vendor or bridal party member in check for what is happening next. I recommend finalizing your timeline about a month before your wedding with your vendors to make sure everyone is on the same page and confirm a week or two out. 

No matter who will be working with you on your wedding day, it’s best to know how long each activity may take on the wedding day. Once you know how much time each activity takes, you can start creating the perfect timeline for your wedding day. 

I’ve added two sample timelines below for you to see what a wedding day may look like with or without a first look.

Sample Timeline with a First Look

• 9:00 a.m Hair and makeup arrives
• 12:00 p.m. Photographer arrives 
• 1:15 p.m. Groom + Groomsmen depart for the ceremony site
• 1:30 p.m. Bride + Bridesmaids depart for the ceremony location
• 1:45 p.m. First Look
• 2:00 p.m. Bride & Groom + bridal party portraits
• 3:00 p.m. Ceremony 
• 3:45 p.m. Family Portraits
• 4:15 p.m. Additional Bridal Party + Bride & Groom Portraits
• 4:30 p.m. Cocktail Hour
• 5:00 p.m. Introductions & First Dance
• 5:30 p.m. Welcome Toasts/ Entrees/ Speeches
• 6:15 p.m. Sunset Portraits 
• 6:30 p.m. Dancing 
• 7:15 p.m. Cake cutting / Bouquet toss
• 8:00 p.m. Photographers Depart

Sample Timeline without a First Look

• 9:00 a.m Hair and makeup arrives
• 1:00 p.m. Photographer arrives 
• 2:00 p.m. Groom + Groomsmen depart for the ceremony site
• 2:15 p.m. Bride + Bridesmaids depart for the ceremony location
• 3:00 p.m. Ceremony 
• 3:45 p.m. Family Portraits
• 4:15 p.m. Bridal Party + Bride & Groom Portraits
• 5:30 p.m. Introductions & First Dance
• 6:00 p.m. Welcome Toasts/ Entrees/ Speeches
• 7:15 p.m. Sunset Portraits 
• 7:30 p.m. Dancing 
• 8:00 p.m. Cake cutting / Bouquet toss
• 9:00 p.m. Photographers Depart

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