Planning Your Perfect Wedding Timeline

Click pause on love island and let’s get planning! I Know, I know it may not sound like the most exciting wedding planning you’ll do.  After tons of weddings I’m sure this will help make your day run smoothly and you’ll have that relaxed feeling.

A well planned wedding means you’ll have plenty of time with friends and family, you’ll enjoy your beautiful venue and get the photos you want. I’ve worked at weddings that are rushed or have big lulls that drain the energy from you and your guests, let’s avoid that!

The Morning

It’ll usually be an early start, you’ll probably be awake anyway:). Firstly check the start time with the hair and makeup team, this will of course depend on the amount of people they will be making up. Typically expect both hair and makeup respectively to take 30 - 45 per bridesmaid and often 60 - 90 minutes for the bride. For 4 BMs and the bride allow 4 hours and plan to be ready and in your dress two hours before the ceremony. For example if it’s a 2pm ceremony with 4 BMs start the makeup/hair at 8am and by 12ish you should be in your dress. This is specially important if you want to factor in some wedding party photos and portraits before the ceremony. Get the morning timing wrong and you’ll likely be flustered and rushed - not what you want just before your ceremony. Plan to be ready and photos done 30 minutes prior to your leaving time and make sure someone checks the route to the ceremony to see if there are any delays. If alls good then enjoy another glass of bubbly with your wedding party.

Ceremony

Your chosen time can depend on the the time of year, the availability in your chosen venue and registrars so it’s not always in your complete control. With that in mind the earlier you book your wedding the better chance you can dictate the timings. A ceremony time of 1pm or 2pm are the most popular because the day doesn’t feel dragged out with big lulls but also not rushed either. The groom/partner 1 will need to see the registrar (if its a venue) 30 minutes prior to the ceremony and the bride/partner 2 15 minutes before. 

A venue wedding ceremony will typically take no longer than 30 minutes including signing of the register. 

A church wedding can take 45 or so minutes as they may include hymns and readings. Importantly factor in another 20 minutes after the ceremony because your family and friends will want to congratulate you with hugs and kisses. Add this to your timeline and enjoy it, I find it a great time for lots of natural photos, smiles, laughter, hugs, handshakes galore.

After ceremony at the venue 

At the venue you will be handed a drink after the ceremony or upon arrival from the church and again all the guests will be happily congratulating you both. Ideally you want at least 90 minutes after the ceremony has finished and the rounding up for the meal. Ideally though 2 hours is better, and for large wedding parties or early ceremonies 2 and a half hours is not uncommon. This time will go quickly though. 

This is often the photographers busiest time too as there are lots of beautiful informal shots as well as group and couple shots if you have chosen those options. The time to allocate for group shots will depend on the size of the wedding and how many you’d like. I recommend to keep them to 6 -8 groups (2 to 3 minutes each), the photographer will then take a variety of shots of the groups. Time for Confetti shots and a big group shot may also need to be factored in, just ask your photographer. 

Once the group shots are completed it’s a good time to get some couple portraits. Most couples want these (and some group shots) but it’s up to you, some want natural all the way. This doesn’t and shouldn’t be a grand elaborate photo shoot. A 15 minute session is great to get a good variety of shots and create some magic. Hopefully you’ll then have some more relaxing time with the guests prior to the meal.

The Meal (wedding breakfast)

Most weddings these day don’t have a receiving line anymore but if you do allow 30-45 minutes - this needs to be added to the time above. The alternative nowadays is the married couple entering the breakfast room to a round of applause from their guests who have already been rounded up. From start to finish this is typically 2 to 2 and a half hours including the speeches. However if you have lot’s of speeches and you know they’ll go on a while factor in more time. So if your ceremony was at two we’ve now reached about 6 - 6:30pm, a little more relaxing mingling time before the evening guests arrive.

The evening

Evening guests will arrive at around 7:30pm ready for the cutting of the cake at approximately 7:50pm. This will usually lead straight into the first dance a 8pm.

Summary

And that’s it folks, the biggest tip I have is to allow a bit of wriggle room at each stage, that way you’ll have a great chilled wedding.

My Free auto wedding timeline planner

If you’d like a simple tool that instantly gives you a timeline from morning to night by just entering the ceremony time then just text me with your email. I’ll send it over free of charge, no strings attached (I’m good like that) It’s a great starting point and you can experiment with different ceremony times.

Adrian

mob: 07584412926

Or email: admin@adrianmiller.photography