Wedding Day Timeline Planning: Scheduling Your Perfect Day

A bride and groom kiss under a veil.

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Your wedding day should feel like an unfolding story—not a stressful rush from one event to the next. A well-thought-out timeline allows you to be fully present, enjoy every moment, and rest in the flow of the day, knowing everything is taken care of. Whether you’re working with a coordinator or creating the schedule yourself, this guide will help you design a wedding day timeline that aligns with your priorities, supports your energy, and leaves space for connection.

Why a Timeline Matters

Even the most laid-back wedding days benefit from structure. A clear schedule ensures that everyone—vendors, family, the wedding party—knows where to be and when. It eliminates confusion, protects space for the moments that matter most to you, and creates room to breathe.

When we help couples plan their timelines, we’re not just thinking about logistics. We’re considering energy. Where can you rest? When can you connect? How can you start your day grounded, and end it with joy?

We believe your wedding day should be paced with intention—not urgency.

Key Elements of a Wedding Day Timeline

There’s no one-size-fits-all schedule, but most wedding timelines include the following elements:

  • Getting ready
  • First look (if doing one)
  • Wedding party and family portraits
  • Ceremony
  • Couple’s portraits
  • Reception (cocktail hour, dinner, speeches, first dances, open dancing)

Let’s walk through each part of the day and how to approach it with intention.

Morning Prep: Getting Ready

Give yourself space in the morning. Start with a good breakfast, calming music, and people who keep you grounded. Hair and makeup should finish at least 60–90 minutes before the first look or ceremony (whichever comes first) to allow for getting dressed, touch-ups, and solo moments.

We recommend building in buffer time here. If hair or makeup runs long, or you simply need a few quiet moments to breathe, this cushion ensures you stay on track.

Read our full guide on getting ready for more tips on creating a peaceful, supportive morning environment.

First Look: Yes or No?

If you’re planning a first look, schedule it to happen after you’re both fully dressed and ready—ideally 2–2.5 hours before the ceremony. This gives you time for portraits, some family photos, and a few minutes just for the two of you.

If you’re skipping the first look and seeing each other at the ceremony, you’ll need to move most portraits to afterward, and plan for a longer cocktail hour.

Not sure which is right for you? Read our guide: To Look or Not to Look

Wedding Party & Family Photos

Whether these happen before or after the ceremony, we recommend organizing your family photo list ahead of time and assigning someone who knows the key players to help round people up. Formal family photos typically take 20–30 minutes.

We’ve put together a guide for creating your formal shot list to make this part efficient, meaningful, and smooth.

Ceremony Start Time

Set your ceremony start time based on lighting (if it’s outdoors), weather considerations, and the time needed for pre-ceremony events.

Golden hour ceremonies are stunning, but keep in mind that this means doing portraits earlier in the day.

We suggest starting the ceremony 2 hours before sunset in fall/winter, or 2.5–3 hours before sunset in spring/summer. That allows for optimal light during the ceremony and portraits afterward if needed.

Couple’s Portraits

This is one of the few quiet, connecting moments you’ll have all day. Protect it. Whether you do portraits before or after the ceremony, we recommend at least 20–30 minutes alone with your photographer. If possible, sneak out during golden hour for a few sunset photos.

Want ideas for intimate couple portraits? Read Let’s Get Intimate

Reception Flow

Here’s a typical flow of events after the ceremony:

  • Cocktail hour (if photos are done earlier, enjoy this with your guests)
  • Grand entrance
  • Dinner
  • Speeches and toasts
  • First dance & parent dances
  • Open dancing

We recommend spacing toasts during dinner to avoid lulls, and leaving space after dinner for unstructured fun.

If you’re planning a unique moment—like a choreographed dance, a surprise song, or a cultural tradition—be sure to let your photographer/videographer know so we’re ready to capture it.

Need ideas for a fun and present reception? Read Clank Your Glass and Shake Your Ass

Creating Space to Be Present

Here are a few reminders to infuse presence and ease into your timeline:

  • Buffer time is your friend. Add 10–15 minutes between events where possible.
  • Start earlier than you think. Especially for hair/makeup and travel between locations.
  • Plan 5-minute pockets of stillness. Step away with your partner, take a breath, soak in the moment.
  • Delegate. Assign people to handle questions, vendor coordination, and wrangling family members.

These small shifts in structure create emotional space—for presence, joy, and surprise.

Sample Timeline (With First Look)

Here’s a real-world example to help visualize:

  • 9:00am – Hair & makeup begins
  • 12:00pm – Photographer arrives, detail shots & getting ready
  • 1:00pm – First look & couple’s portraits
  • 2:00pm – Wedding party & family photos
  • 3:30pm – Final touch-ups, guests begin to arrive
  • 4:00pm – Ceremony
  • 4:30pm – Cocktail hour
  • 5:30pm – Reception begins
  • 6:00pm – Dinner & toasts
  • 7:00pm – First dances
  • 7:30pm – Open dancing
  • 8:00pm – Golden hour portraits (optional sneak away)
  • 10:00pm – Sendoff

Adjust as needed based on your vision, season, and venue.

Sample Timeline (Without First Look)

  • 10:00am – Hair & makeup
  • 1:00pm – Photographer arrives
  • 2:30pm – Couple gets dressed separately
  • 3:00pm – Solo & detail portraits
  • 4:00pm – Ceremony
  • 4:30pm – Family & wedding party photos
  • 5:15pm – Couple’s portraits
  • 6:00pm – Reception

You may need a longer cocktail hour (1.5 hours) if all portraits happen after the ceremony.

Need help building your checklist? Read our Final Checklist Guide

Closing Thoughts

Your wedding day timeline should reflect your values, energy, and the experience you want to create—not a template from Pinterest.

Our advice? Start with what matters most to you. Do you want to prioritize time with guests? Intimate portraits? A calm morning? Use that to guide your flow.

Then build structure to support it.

We’re here to help you shape a day that feels expansive, beautiful, and fully yours.

Back to Wedding Planning Guides

Next up? Getting Ready

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