Not sure how to plan your wedding day timeline? We spoke with some of the best wedding coordinators locally to get their expert insights on creating a flawless schedule for your big day.
Whether you’re starting with morning preparations or dancing into the night at your after-party, here’s how you can make every moment count, according to professionals Kam Tolentino of The Weekend Planner and Amanda Tirol of Events by Amanda Tirol.
The day begins early at 7:00 AM with makeup and hair preparations for the bride and bridal party.
Kam emphasizes the importance of starting well before the ceremony to accommodate various needs: “Usually the wedding timeline starts as early as 7 hours before including the makeup artist’s set up time. This may be longer or shorter depending on a couple of factors such as the time the makeup artist needs, if the bride is having both prep and bridal look.”
By 11:00 AM, it’s time for bridal portraits and group photos. This session is important and can extend until 1:00 PM. Kam warns about common timing errors, noting, “Expectation also has to be set that photoshoots take time factoring in that sometimes it takes a while for the entourage to gather and be ready.”
Adding to this, Amanda provides specific advice on timing: “I recommend starting your pre-ceremony photos (like the bride’s and groom’s portraits) at around 1:00 PM, giving you a relaxed window to capture those special moments before the ceremony.”
At 1:00 PM to 2:00 PM, the party will travel to the ceremony venue. Kam advises including a buffer for travel: “It’s always good to allot extra 15-25 minutes of travel whether it’s going from the hotel to church or church to reception,” says Kam. This ensures everyone arrives relaxed and on time.
In a similar way, Amanda emphasizes the importance of buffer time, “Remember, having a little extra time built into your schedule is always a good idea. You don’t want to feel rushed on your wedding day, and the buffer time allows you to handle any unexpected delays.”
There’s a pause for relaxation and last-minute adjustments from 2:00 PM until the ceremony starts. This buffer until 3:30 PM allows for a calm lead-up to the event to make certain that everything is perfect.
The ceremony is set to begin at 4:00 PM. Amanda explains the choice of time, “Typically, we aim for a 4:00 PM ceremony, but the timeline can shift depending on several factors, like the size of your bridal party or how long makeup and hair will take.” This sort of scheduling allows everything to unfold naturally without rushing.
Immediately following the ceremony, around 5:00 PM, take advantage of the beautiful natural light for post-ceremony photos while your guests start the cocktail hour. Kam points out, “After the ceremony, you still have the natural light for your postnup until 5PM, while your guests are enjoying their cocktail hour.”
At 6:00 PM or 7:00 PM (depending on how long your postnup shoot is), the reception kicks off, running until about 9:00 PM. This segment includes dinner, speeches, and entertainment, providing ample time for celebration. Kam notes the typical duration, saying, “The reception could run up to 9:00 PM already including dinner.”
Following the reception, the after-party begins to extend the festivities into the night. Kam mentions, “The after party will start right after!” to allow everyone to enjoy a more relaxed and festive atmosphere as they celebrate the newlyweds.
Now that you have a detailed schedule in place, here are some additional things to consider to ensure your wedding day goes as smoothly as possible.
Food Ordering and Timing
Kam observes that many couples do not account for the time it takes to order and receive food for their family and entourage, which can lead to delays. “There have been many instances where couples underestimate the time required ordering and waiting for food for their family and entourage. We always recommend to include the family members and entourage in the order count for crew or supplier meals (as long as the venue permits!).”
On a Realistic Wedding Planning Timeline
Meanwhile, Amanda discusses the typical timeline couples should consider when planning their wedding. She explains, “Typically, couples have between six months to a year to prepare for the big day. This timeline works well for most, giving you ample time to select vendors, find the perfect venue, and take care of all the little details.” She also emphasizes that flexibility and quick decision-making can significantly compress this timeline. “We’ve seen weddings come together in as little as a week, and, believe it or not, they turned out beautifully!”
From getting ready in the morning to dancing the night away at your after-party, having each part of your day planned will help keep things moving smoothly and ensure you have the best time.
Just remember, while it’s great to have a plan, being flexible and going with the flow can also help make your day perfect!