Guides · October 8, 2026
Wedding day timeline: an hour-by-hour example
Build the day backwards from the ceremony. Once that time is fixed, almost everything else falls into place.
How long things take
| Part of the day | Typical length in published guides |
|---|---|
| Hair and makeup for the group | 3 to 5 hours |
| First look | 15 to 30 minutes, longer with couple portraits |
| Wedding party photos | 30 to 45 minutes or more |
| Family photos | 30 to 45 minutes |
| Ceremony | 20 minutes to an hour |
| Cocktail hour | 45 to 75 minutes |
| Dinner | About 80 to 90 minutes |
| Dancing | 1 to 3 hours |
An example for a 5 pm ceremony
This follows the sample evening schedule in Zola's wedding timeline guide.
| Time | What happens |
|---|---|
| 11:00 AM | Hair and makeup begins |
| 2:00 PM | Get dressed; detail photos |
| 2:30 PM | First look and couple portraits |
| 3:30 PM | Wedding party and family photos |
| 4:30 PM | Guests arrive |
| 5:00 PM | Ceremony |
| 6:00 PM | Cocktail hour |
| 7:15 PM | Grand entrance and first dance |
| 7:30 PM | Dinner; welcome toast |
| 8:30 PM | Speeches |
| 9:00 PM | Parent dances, then the dance floor opens |
| 10:00 PM | Cake cutting |
| 11:00 PM | Send-off |
Three things that save the schedule
- Add ten to fifteen minutes between the ceremony and cocktail hour so guests can move.
- Put the largest family photo groups first, and name one person per family to gather people.
- Give vendors one phone number to call that is not yours.
Sources:
General information for planning, not legal or financial advice. My Wedding Plan is independent and not affiliated with the sources cited.