Quick answer
Fix the ceremony time first, work backwards to plan getting ready and photos, and forwards to plan the reception. Add a buffer between every block and share one final version with every vendor; our checklist confirms the timeline about a week before the wedding.
Start from the ceremony
The ceremony time is the anchor. Everything before it is about getting ready and getting there; everything after it is about the reception. Set it with your venue and officiant, and with sunset in mind if you want outdoor photos in good light.
Work backwards for the morning
From the ceremony, subtract travel time, then photos, then getting dressed, then hair and makeup. Ask your hair and makeup artist how long they need per person, and your photographer how long they want for portraits. Their numbers, not guesses, should build the morning.
Work forwards for the reception
After the ceremony comes the cocktail hour or drinks, then guests take their seats, then dinner, speeches, first dance, cake and dancing. Agree the order with your venue and caterer, because dinner service sets the pace of the evening.
Add buffers everywhere
Hair runs late, the photographer wants one more shot, a guest gets lost. Leave slack between blocks so a delay in one does not push everything after it.
Share one final version
Send the same timeline to every vendor and the wedding party, with names and phone numbers for whoever is in charge on the day. One shared version prevents most day-of confusion.
Frequently asked questions
How do we make a wedding day timeline?
Set the ceremony time first, work backwards to plan getting ready and photos, then forwards to plan the reception, and add a buffer between every block.
Who should get a copy of the wedding day timeline?
Every vendor, the wedding party and whoever is running the day, with contact details for the person in charge.
When should the wedding day timeline be final?
Shortly before the wedding, after checking it with each vendor. Our planning checklist confirms the day-of timeline with every vendor about a week before the wedding.