How to Create Your Wedding Day Timeline (Beginner friendly)
I've created other timelines for specific times in the past...1PM, 2PM etc
(i'll link it below if you want to read it)...
But then i was thinking
should i keep going on? ...4PM, 5PM, 6PM and so on
nahhh
...that'll be too stressful
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So..
That is why i decided to write this blog post.
To teach how to create one for yourself that is just as good.
I'm going to be breaking it down step by step, so that it is very simple to follow.
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Let’s get into it.
Step 1: Decide Your Ceremony Time
This is your anchor.
Everything before and after revolves around it.
If you've an afternoon ceremony (like 2 PM) ...then your morning will be earlier and tighter.
An evening ceremony (like 6 PM) ... then you’ll have a more relaxed morning but a later party.
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So write your ceremony start time in the middle of a page.
And circle it.
We’re building everything around that.
Step 2: Work Backwards From Ceremony
Now, think about the moment before you walk down the aisle.
You’re dressed, makeup done, bouquet in hand and tucked away so guests don’t see you.
Ask ...."What has to happen before this?"
Hair and makeup (for you and your bridesmaids)
Getting ready photos & tiktok videos (robes, champagne, all that cute stuff)
Bridal party photos
First look (if you're doing one)
Family photos
Getting dressed
Travel time (if your venue isn’t where you’re getting ready)
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Once you know what you want, you can plug in realistic times for each.
Example:
Hair & Makeup starts: 8:00AM
First Look: 1:30PM
Be dressed and ready by: 1:00PM
Photos: 1:00–2:30PM
Ceremony: 3:00PM
And give yourself buffer time.
Hair might run late.
Your flower girl might go missing.
Someone’s probably gonna need bobby pins.
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Life will happen... build it in.
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Step 3: Work Forwards From Ceremony
Okay - ceremony’s done.
Everyone claps.
You said "I do."
What now?
Usually, it flows like this:
Cocktail hour (guests mingle while you take more photos or rest)
Reception begins
Grand entrance
First dance
Dinner is served
Toasts/speeches
Parent dances (if you’re doing them)
Cake cutting
Dancing + party time
Bouquet toss/garter (if you want that)
Exit or after-party
Write out what you’re including, then space them out with about 10–30 minutes each (depending on what it is).
You don’t want the night feeling rushed, but you also don’t want long awkward gaps .
..where guests are just sitting around staring at their phones.
Step 4: Plug in Your Vendor Needs.
This is where a lot of DIY timelines flop ...cos you forget vendors also need their own time.
Like
Photographer: they'll need 30–45 mins for detail shots before you put your dress on.
Hair & makeup: needs a trial-run schedule. If you’ve more 4 bridesmaids they need to start at very early on.
Or bring in more assistance.
Caterer: needs at least an hour to flip the cocktail hour into your dinner setup.
Florist: needs time to set aisle flowers, centerpieces.
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So call or email your vendors and ask them ...how much time they need on a wedding day for setup/shots/service.
And add those into your timeline.
Step 5: Add your transition times
This is the secret saucee
Cos people forget to plan transitions.
Little moments like:
Getting from hotel to venue
Bustling your dress
Sneaking off to change shoes
Moving guests from outdoors to indoors
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These things take time... so build these into your timeline on purpose.
It’ll make everything feel more relaxed and flowy on the actual day.
Step 6: Now plug it all into a timeline
Once you’ve mapped everything out, just stack it like a simple schedule.
Here’s an example:
7:30AM – Hair and makeup starts
12:30PM – Photographer arrives
1:00PM – Get dressed
1:30PM – First look + portraits
2:30PM – Hide before ceremony
3:00PM – Ceremony begins
3:30PM – Cocktail hour
4:30PM – Reception starts
5:00PM – Grand entrance
5:15PM – First dance
5:30PM – Dinner served
6:30PM – Speeches
7:00PM – Cake cutting
7:30PM – Open dancing
10:00PM – Exit
This is just an example.
You can move things around based on your needs.
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But that's basically it.
If you want a more detailed timeline ...i linked some of the ones i did below.💕
Also...before you go
If you need more help.
In not just the timeline but other parts too.
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Then i want to introduce you to my
Wedding Planning Bundle.
I created for brides who are planning their wedding by themselves.
But still not want a bit more guidance ...so it's not so stressful
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So if you've being looking for a tool like this.
You’ve GOT to read this next...
Getting married at 3? Cute. But when do you eat?
Get dressed? Take pics??
This blog post maps it all out — no fluffy timelines or hour-by-hour panic. Just a calm, clear plan that keeps the vibes high.
A 2 p.m. ceremony sounds chill… until you realize you have no idea when anything’s supposed to happen.
This timeline breaks it down hour by hour — no chaos, no drama, just what actually needs to happen (and when).
Planning a 1PM wedding?
This post breaks it all down for you—what to do, when to do it, and how to not lose your mind. If you want the kind of wedding timeline that actually makes sense, this is the one brides wish they had.