Build a Detailed Wedding Day Schedule

Create a minute-by-minute timeline for your wedding day and share with all vendors and VIPs. Start with ceremony time and work backwards for prep, and forwards for reception. Typical timeline: Hair/makeup (3-4 hours before ceremony), First look (if doing, 2 hours before), Transportation to venue (1.5 hours before), Guest arrival (30 min before ceremony), Ceremony (30-45 min), Family photos (30 min), Cocktail hour while couple does portraits (1 hour), Reception entrance (announce time), First dance/parent dances (30 min), Dinner service (1 hour), Toasts (30 min), Cake cutting (15 min), Open dancing (2-3 hours), Last dance and exit. Build in 15-min buffer between major segments.