A ROUGH GUIDE TO WEDDING DAY TIMINGS
Throughout the day schedule in little pockets of time so you can have some moments with your new husband, mingle with friends - have an itinerary and someone who'll move the day along but make sure you get time to take it all in!
Eat Breakfast
Have something early on, as the day progresses you may not have the time or the appetite!
Hair and Make-up
Allow at least 60 minutes for hair and then a further 60 minutes for make-up (just for the Bride) plus extra time for every other person who's having their hair and make-up done professionally. Get your hair done 1st, if you do run out of time this ensures you at least are ready!
Dressing & Prep photos (Bride)
Parents and Bridesmaids should be completely ready before you get into your dress - allow 30 minutes for this in case of nervous re-do's - (crochet hooks are invaluable for tiny buttons) and aim for everyone to be completely ready 30 minutes before you leave, this will give you time to relax and have some photos taken with parents and bridesmaids.
Pre-ceremony photos (Groom)
Arrive ready (inc buttonholes) with all your groomsmen 60 minutes before the ceremony, this gives you time to relax and have some shots done before you need to start greeting guests and chatting to the priest or registrar.
Ceremony
Church of England Ceremony (in signing the register) allow 45 minutesCatholic Ceremony (inc signing the register and communion) 60-75 minutesCivil Ceremony (inc readings and signing the register) 20-30 minutes
Allow plenty of travel time for your guests to get between venues.
Drinks Reception
Allow at least 60 minutes, 90-120 minutes is better and will mean you have time to mingle as well as complete the group and couple portraits (weather permitting)
Photos
Ask your photographer how long they need to capture the images you want. Timings will depend on the weather, the light, how many guests you have and the venue.
Receiving Line (Couple only)
Allow 10-15 seconds per guest - 100 guests = 15-25 minutes
Receiving line (Parents, Couple and Bridal Party)
Allow 30-45 seconds per guest - 100 guests = 50-75 minutes
Guests seated for Dinner
Once announced, allow 15 minutes for everyone to freshen up, find their table/seat and be ready for the 1st course or speeches.
BBQ or Hog Roast (2 courses)
Allow 1.5 hours
Wedding Breakfast (3 courses)
Allow 2 hours
Speeches (Father of the Bride, Groom & Best Man)
Typically all three speeches will take 20-30 minutes
Room Turnaround & DJ Set up
To have your room cleared and/or moved around for the evening will take 45-60 minutes. DJ or Band setting time is usually the same and runs concurrently to this.
Evening Reception
Have evening guests arrive during the hour after the wedding breakfast. Don't be surprised if they arrive after the time on the invite. Day guests may choose to use this time (if they've booked rooms) to check-in, get changed or have a nap!
Cake Cutting & 1st Dance
Call guests together (on the dance floor) to watch you cut the cake then move straight into the 1st dance, this ensures everyone is there for the start of the evening reception.
Evening Buffet
Aim for around 1.5 hours after your evening guests arrive.
CIVIL CEREMONY EXAMPLE TIMINGS (2pm Wedding at a single location - no receiving line)
10am-12pm Bride Hair and Make-up - allow extra time for Bridesmaids prep12pm Pop the champagne cork and chill!12.30pm Bride/Bridesmaids get into dress/es1pm Bride & Bridesmaids are ready: portraits with parents & Bridesmaids1pm Groom, Best Man and Ushers arrive at venue (dressed and ready) portraits/group shots1.30pm Guests start to arrive1.30pm Groom sees Registrar at Venue1.45pm Brides sees Registrar at Venue2pm Ceremony2.30pm Drinks reception & Photos3.45pm Guests start to go in to dinner4pm Wedding Breakfast6pm Speeches6.30pm Room turnaround/DJ set up7pm Evening guests arrive7.30pm Cake cutting & 1st Dance
C of E CHURCH CEREMONY EXAMPLE TIMINGS (1pm Wedding - with receiving line)
9am-11am Bride Hair and Make-up - allow extra time for Bridesmaids prep11am Pop the champagne cork and chill!11.30am Bride/Bridesmaids get into dress/es12pm Bride & Bridesmaids are ready: portraits with parents & Bridesmaids12pm Groom, Best Man and Ushers arrive at Church (dressed and ready) portraits/group shots12.30pm Guests start to arrive12.45pm Bride leaves for ceremony1pm Ceremony1.45pm Exit church. Mingle. Confetti. Photos2.45pm Arrive at Reception venue. Drinks reception & Photos3.45pm Receiving Line4.15pm Wedding Breakfast6.15pm Speeches6.45pm Room turnaround/DJ set up7.15pm Evening guests arrive7.45pm Cake cutting & 1st Dance