The Ultimate guide to wedding timings!
A stress-free schedule = a stress-free day. Here’s how to plan it like a pro.
Planning a wedding? You’ve probably realised how many moving parts there are and how quickly a dreamy day can become a logistical puzzle. The good news? A well-thought-out timeline is one of the biggest ways to make your day run smoothly and help you actually enjoy it.
We’ve put together your ultimate guide to wedding timings, filled with real-life advice, top tips, and the most common mistakes we help couples avoid.
Pat Partridge Photography
MORNING PREP!
TOP TIP: Always build in more time than you think you need.
If you’ve got a glam team on board, chat with them early about how long they’ll need per person. For example:
Bride: 1 hour for hair + 1 hour for makeup
Bridesmaids: 45–60 mins for each for har & makeup
Add on time for photos, breakfast, gifts, letters and that moment you finally put the dress on.
Aim to be putting your dress on AT LEAST 1 hour before you need to leave for the ceremony – this gives you time for first looks, time for touch-ups, and some breathing time!
Hajley Photography
Ceremony Timings- what’s the difference!
LEGAL CEREMONY
LENGTH: 30 mins
PRE-CEREMONY INTERVIEW: 15 minutes
READINGS: optional readings can be added (1–3 recommended)
CHURCH CEREMONY
LENGTH: 45 mins- 1 hour (without mass)
HYMNS: 2 or 3 hymns
READINGS: usually 2 readings
CELEBRANT CEREMONY
LENGTH: 30/45 mins
READINGS: usually 2/3
EXTRAS: you can pretty much do anything...hand fastening/ blessing of rings
*Discuss with your celebrant to understand the accurate time of your ceremony
Pat Partridge Photography
Wedding Breakfast & Speeches: Before or After?
Whether you do speeches before or after the meal will depend on the flow of your day, but the good news? Both options work brilliantly when planned right.
That said, here are a few quick pros and cons of each to help you decide:
SPEECHES BEFORE DINNER
Pros :
Better for nervous speakers
Room still looks tidy for photos
Guests are engaged, before food is served
Cons:
People may be hungry (need to provide more canapes)
Not traditional (if you care)
Can impact on timings if they run over
SPEECHES AFTER DINNER
Pros:
People have had a few drinks, so the crowd may be better
More traditional / expected by guests
People won’t be hungry
Less time pressured
Cons:
Speakers might be nervous all day / can’t relax whilst eating
Tables / background may look messy
Guests may be a little drunk (this could also be a pro😉)
Top Tips:
If you’ve got 4+ speakers, we recommend splitting them up , two before, two after, to keep energy high and the pace flowing.
Got singing waiters or a surprise band set? Chat to your planner/ coordinator to make sure it fits in without derailing the schedule.
Pat Partridge Photography
First Dance Timings
When’s the best time to hit the dance floor?
It depends on your day’s flow, but here’s a rough guide to help you time it right:
7:00 PM: Quite early- but ideal if you’ve got a shorter evening or want to kick off the party fast
7:30 PM: Early-ish, but ideal for winter weddings
8:00 PM: PERFECT!
8:30 PM: Great for summer!
9:00 PM: Still works, especially if you’ve got a longer cocktail hour or a slightly later meal.
10:00 PM: Quite late unless its destination/ late finish time
Final Tips From Us…
Share your timeline with all suppliers in advanced.
Delegate like a pro. Your job on the day is to enjoy it, not to chase timings. That’s what your planner/ or on-the-day coordinator is for.
Build in buffer time. Things rarely run exactly to the minute and that’s okay. A bit of breathing space can make all the difference to your vibe.
Plan to be present. Timelines are tools to help you enjoy the day, not control it. The best moments are the ones you’re fully in.
All your brilliant plans and dreamy ideas? They live right here - no sweat.
From when your suppliers roll up to those all-important first look moments, we’ve got it covered.
Best part? It’s as easy as filling in the blanks. Yup, seriously. No fancy skills required.
Let’s get everything in your head, in one place.