Wedding day timings

By Cotswold photographer, Angela Fitch

Getting married is something we don’t do every day, it’s new territory and there’s so much to plan and that includes allowing enough time to fit everything in. 

1. What time is the best time for the ceremony? 
2. When should the meal be served?
3. How long do you need your photographer for?

Naturally, there’s no ‘one size fits all’ as every couple will have their our own ideas and we’re all different. Having said that, there are similarities and this blog will help you to understand how important the timings are on your big day.

What makes a wedding day?

• Bridal preparations
• Arrival of the groom, groomsmen and guests at the church or venue.
• Arrival of the bride
• Pre-ceremony interviews with the Registrar.
• The ceremony
• Post ceremony congratulations, photographs, drinks and canapés
• Bride and groom portraits
• Group photographs
• Wedding meal
• Speeches
• Cutting the cake
• Arrival of evening guests
• First dance
• Evening food
• Fireworks

Wow! That’s quite a list but you may not want to include everything, or indeed you may have extras in mind.

How much time should do these things take?

• Bridal preparations - about two hours but can be longer, depending on the number of bridesmaids.
• Getting to the venue - between two minutes and an hour, congestion/parking can be a problem.
• The ceremony - between 10 minutes and an hour, depending on the number and length of readings, poetry and music etc.
• After the ceremony - allow at least 20 minutes (it can take longer) for hugs and congratulations.
• Bride and groom portraits - 15 - 30 minutes, depending on what you want.
• Group shots - 30 - 60 minutes, depending on how many group shots you would like.
• The wedding meal - an hour or two, depending on the type of meal you have planned.
• Speeches - five minutes to half an hour, or even longer!
• Cutting the cake - five minutes
• First dance - ten minutes
• Fireworks - 10 - 30 minutes.

For weddings that include more than one venue, timings will vary according to distances travelled between venues and things can be slowed down by traffic congestion, parking issues and even guests who struggle to find the venue itself!

Example 1: Three location wedding day

09.00am Arrival of your hairdresser and makeup artist.

10.30am Arrival of your photographer.

11.15am Zipping the dress - can be a ‘mock zip up’ as the photographer may need to leave.

11.30am Photographer departs for the church/venue.

12.00pm Photographer arrives at the church/venue.

12.05pm The bridal party leave for a civil ceremony venue.

12.15pm Arrival of groom and groomsmen at the church/venue.

12.25pm Church wedding - bridal party leaves for the church.

12.30pm Civil ceremony wedding - groom’s interview with the Registrar.

12.30pm Arrival of guests.

12.35pm Civil ceremony wedding - arrival of bridal party.

12.45pm Civil ceremony wedding - bride’s interview with the Registrar.

12.55pm Church wedding - arrival of the bridal party.

1.00pm Your ceremony.

1.30pm Congratulations and photographs.

2.00pm Confetti throw.

2.15pm Everyone leaves for the celebration venue.

2.30pm Arrival at the celebration venue.

2.30pm Drinks and canapés.

3.00pm Bride and groom portraits.

3.30pm Group photographs.

4.00pm Guests take their seats for the wedding meal.

4.10pm Bride and groom are announced and take their seats.

4.15pm Your wedding meal is served.

5.45pm Speeches.

6.15pm Cutting the cake.

6.20pm Time for some mingling.

7.00pm Arrival of your evening guests.

7.30pm First dance.

8.00pm Evening food is served.

9.00pm Maybe fireworks

Example 2: A single location wedding day

10.00am Arrival of your hairdresser and makeup artist.

11.30am Arrival of your photographer.

12.15am Zipping up the dress.

12.20am Photographer moves to the ceremony room to photograph the groom’s party.

12.20pm Arrival of groom and groomsmen at the venue.

12.30pm Groom’s interview with the Registrar.

12.30pm Arrival of guests.

12.40pm The bridal party leave for the ceremony room.

12.45pm Bride’s interview with the Registrar.

1.00pm Your ceremony.

1.30pm Congratulations and photographs.

2.00pm Confetti throw.

2.15pm Drinks and canapés.

2.45pm Bride and groom portraits.

3.15pm Group photographs.

3.45pm Guests take their seats for the wedding meal.

3.55pm The bride and groom are announced and take their seats.

4.00pm The wedding meal is served.

5.30pm Speeches.

6.00pm Cutting the cake.

6.15pm Time for some mingling.

7.00pm Arrival of evening guests.

7.30pm First dance.

8.00pm Evening food is served.