HOW TO PLAN YOUR WEDDING TIMELINE
The key to a smooth wedding day is being realistic and building your timeline around what truly matters to you. Every couple has different priorities: some are all about dancing, others about the food, photography, or simply spending time with guests.
My advice: pick 1–3 priorities and let them guide your schedule. For me, it would be making sure the photographer captures the day, getting the cows milked without hiring someone else, and spending quality time with my extended family traveling from across Canada. Yes, it’s oddly specific—but that’s the point.
Once you’ve identified your priorities, plan every part of your timeline around them. Everything else—ceremony length, cocktail hour, or cake cutting—can be arranged to support those moments, not the other way around.
Timeline Limitations
When we have those priorities in mind, there will be a few critical timeline limitations on the wedding day (ex. Ceremony, Reception, Set-up, Tear down, etc.). Take a piece of paper and write down the critical timeline limitations, and buffer each side with a minimum of 15 minutes.
I have made an easy timeline estimation list below - if you need help conceptualizing. Here is the start of an example:
Ceremony: 2-2:45 pm
15 minutes
Receiving Line: 3-3:45 pm
15 minutes
Cocktail Hour & Family/Guests (Couples Portraits & Wedding Party): 4-4:45 pm
15 minutes
Grand Entrance (Arrival): 5-5:15 pm
15 minutes
Reception Dinner Served: 5:30-6:30 pm
Speeches Start: 6 pm
Why always leave 15 minutes? Because the wedding day will be so full, leave space to breathe and enjoy it.
While you create this timeline, remember your priorities and eliminate anything that does not align with them. No one said you need people to do wedding speeches or have a receiving line; it is entirely up to you.
My ideal wedding timeline, from my perspective and priorities.
When I tell my clients what my ideal wedding timeline is, it turns some heads and makes people laugh, because my priorities are photography, guests and milking the cows.
So, here we go:
Get Ready: 10 am - Noon-ish, Chauretterie - invite my cousins and close family friends.
First Look, Couples Portraits & Private Vows: 12:30 pm
Immediate Family & Wedding Party Photos: 1:30 pm - 2:30 pm *Wedding party can be ready by 1:30 pm
Family Milks the Cows: 3-5 pm, while I give all my guests a designated time to meet me for pictures and a quick cheers.
Get Coffee (Alone): 5 pm
Bride & Groom Alone Drive to Farm: 1 HR
Cocktails & Snacks: 6 pm, Guests arrive on Farm, while I take pictures with my horses.
Ceremony: 7-7:20 pm
Straight into an epic Dance Party: 7:30 pm
Snacks & Dessert: 8 pm
Party: I plan to be the last guest at the party.
Then Catered Brunch at 10 am: For Everyone - the next day in the city.
If you could not tell - I want a lot of time with my guests, snacks, horses, and no traditional reception. Because that is what would be best for my priorities.
I hope that inspires you to make the day function better for you, no one said you need to do anything.
Timeline | Photography Estimate
Getting Ready & Details: 30 minutes (per partner)
Hair and makeup, getting dressed and capturing detailed shots.
First Look & Portraits: 30 minutes to 1 hour
Allow for a private moment and capture photos together before the ceremony.
Wedding Party: 1 hour
Allocate time for group photos with the wedding party and any other special attendees.
Ceremony: 20 minutes to 1 hour
The duration can vary depending on the type of ceremony and any special rituals or traditions involved.
Cocktail Hour & Family/Guests: 1 hour
Guests can enjoy a cocktail hour while photos with immediate family members and close relatives occur.
Grand Entrance: 15 minutes
This includes the announcement of arrival and any special introductions.
Dinner: 1 to 1.5 hours
Account for the time it takes for guests to be seated and served their meals.
Reception Program: 30 minutes to 2 hours
Allocate time for speeches and the first dance together. May include time for the cake-cutting ceremony and additional activities like the bouquet and garter toss.
Dance & Party: 1 hour
Enjoy dancing and celebrating on the dance floor.
Grand Exit: 15 minutes
End the evening with a grand exit, such as a sparkler send-off or a farewell with guests.
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