A wedding-day timeline template.

Every wedding day needs a written schedule. Without one, the photographer is waiting for you, the band is waiting for the speeches, and your aunt is asking when dinner is served. A good day-of timeline anchors on the ceremony (typically set by sunset) and builds outward in both directions — getting-ready in the morning, reception and dancing in the evening.

This template works for an evening-ceremony wedding, which is the most common format. Shift the times by an hour for morning or afternoon weddings; the shape stays the same. For the full narrative version with the logic behind each block, see our wedding-day timeline guide.

• 09.00 · Breakfast with the wedding party
• 10.30 · Hair and makeup begins (60–75 min per person)
• 11.30 · Photographer arrives
• 13.30 · First look (optional, strongly recommended)
• 14.30 · Wedding-party portraits
• 16.00 · Final vendor checks with planner · couple takes 10 min alone

• 16.30 · Guests arrive · seating begins
• 16.50 · Processional music starts
• 17.00 · Ceremony begins (25–40 min)
• 17.30 · Recessional
• 17.45 · Cocktail hour · couple takes 15 min before joining
• 18.00 · Family portraits in golden hour

• 18.45 · Guests move to reception · couple makes entrance
• 19.00 · First dance (3 min)
• 19.10 · Welcome toast from parent or officiant (3–5 min)
• 19.20 · First course served
• 20.00 · Toasts during dinner (best man, maid of honour, sibling — under 3 min each)
• 20.45 · Main course served
• 21.30 · Cake cutting (brief, photographable)
• 21.45 · Parent dances, then the floor opens
• 22.00 · Full dance floor
• 23.00 · Late-night snacks served
• 00.00 · Music curfew (most destination venues)
• 00.15 · Sparkler exit or planned farewell

• Morning wedding: shift everything 6–8 hours earlier. Ceremony at 10am or 11am, lunch reception instead of dinner, guests depart by 4pm.
• Afternoon wedding: ceremony at 2pm or 3pm, reception runs from 4pm to midnight.
• Destination wedding: use the evening template; adjust ceremony time to 1–2 hours before local sunset (check for your specific date).
• Large (120+ guests): add 20% to each transition (guests move more slowly). Push first dance to 19.15; dinner to 19.35; dancing opens at 22.15.
• Small (under 40 guests): subtract 15% from each transition. First dance at 18.50; dinner at 19.10; dancing by 21.45.
• Friday or Sunday wedding: earlier finish. Consider ending at 23.00 instead of midnight to give guests an earlier night and flight-friendly morning.