Wedding Day Timeline Template
How long each part of the day really takes, a sample timeline for a 2pm ceremony, and the moments that most often run late.
By Sharonelle, Founder & Events Director
· 3 min read
How long each part takes
| Part of the day | Typical time | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Hair and make-up | 3 to 5 hours | Depends on how many people; the couple usually go last |
| Civil ceremony | 20 to 45 minutes | Religious ceremonies are often longer |
| Drinks reception and photos | 60 to 90 minutes | Group photos take longer than people expect |
| Calling guests to dinner | 15 to 20 minutes | Longer for large guest lists |
| Three-course wedding breakfast | 1.5 to 2 hours | Plus speeches |
| Speeches | 5 to 10 minutes each | Three speeches can easily take 30 to 45 minutes |
| Room turnaround | 30 to 60 minutes | If the same room is used for the evening |
| Evening reception | 4 to 5 hours | Venue finish time sets the end |
Sample timeline for a 2pm ceremony
| Time | What happens |
|---|---|
| 08:00 | Hair and make-up begins |
| 11:00 | Suppliers arrive and setup begins: florist, stylist, caterer |
| 12:30 | Photographer arrives for getting-ready photos |
| 13:30 | Guests arrive at the ceremony |
| 14:00 | Ceremony |
| 14:45 | Drinks reception, canapés and photographs |
| 16:15 | Guests called to the wedding breakfast |
| 16:30 | Couple's entrance, then starters |
| 17:15 | Main course |
| 18:00 | Dessert |
| 18:30 | Speeches |
| 19:15 | Room turnaround; evening guests arrive |
| 20:00 | Cake cutting and first dance |
| 21:30 | Evening food |
| 23:45 | Last song |
| 00:00 | Carriages; clear-down begins |
Some couples hold speeches before the meal, which settles nerves and lets the speakers enjoy dinner. Either works; just tell your caterer, because it changes when the kitchen serves.
What usually runs late
- Getting ready: build in at least 30 minutes of slack
- Group photographs: keep the list short and have someone gather each group
- Calling guests to dinner: long drinks receptions make this harder
- Speeches: agree a time limit with each speaker
- Travel between venues: check journey times at that time of day
Multi-day and cultural weddings
Ceremonies with religious timings, such as an auspicious time for the wedding, set the whole day's shape, so build everything else around them. Multi-day weddings need a separate timeline for each event. See planning a multi-day Indian wedding.
Questions answered
How long is a typical wedding day?
From the ceremony to the last dance, usually around ten hours, plus several hours of getting ready beforehand.
How long should a wedding drinks reception be?
Usually 60 to 90 minutes, long enough for photographs and mingling without guests getting hungry or restless.
Should speeches be before or after the meal?
Either works. Before the meal lets speakers relax and enjoy dinner; after the meal is traditional. Tell your caterer, because it changes when food is served.