How To Create Your 1PM Wedding Timeline Yourself

• 6:00 AM - Wake up / the basics

Wake up, shower, skincare ...all that good stuff.

Make sure you eat something - even though it's just a light snack.

And if you haven't already packed your “Bride emergency kit” (which...why haven't you??)

...this is when you should pack it .

• 6:30 AM - Vendor window opens at venue (Rentals/florals start coming)

If you didn't set up the day before ...then your décor team, florist, rentals should start coming now.

Your Point Person (usually your Day-of- coordinator) should be there

...to coordinate everything.

• 7:00 AM - Getting ready space prepped

Your getting-ready room should be prepped and ready for you and your bridesmaids.

This is also the time when you can start arranging your details (rings, shoes, jewellries etc) in a box ...so it will be easier when your photographer arrives.

• 7:30 AM - hair & makeup arrival (team starts)

HMU team arrives.

Bridesmaids first, moms - then you last.

If you have a lot of bridesmaids, make sure your artist brings an assistant or ...schedule an earlier start (so 7:00 instead).

• 8:00 AM - photographer / videographer arrive at getting-ready location
  Photographer arrives.

  They’ll start shooting all the little details: dress on the hanger, shoes, jewelry, stationery flat lays, rings etc.

This is why it is important to organize them.

So that everything can be smooth and fast.

• 8:30 - 9:30 AM - groom/groomsmen start prep.

  Groom's party starts dressing up.

They should also be scheduled for similar detail shots wherever they are.

• 9:30–10:30 AM - hair & makeup continues; photographer start capturing candids
  Bridesmaids are done with their makeup ...now you can start your own.

Your photographer should also start getting those "getting-ready" candids (pouring champagne, robe shots, your girls laughing and getting ready).

• 11:00 AM - Bride’s final HMU touch
  Final touches on your hair & makeup.

  During this time your photographer also captures those solo detail shots of hair, veil, perfume, your wedding dress hanged etc.

• 11:15 AM - Bridal party is dressed (except bride) / grooms' party ready

  Your bridesmaids are in their dress, Groom and groomsmen are in their tuxes.

• 11:35 AM - Bride steps into dress (photo moment)
  Give yourself like 30 mins ...cos it takes longer than you think.

  Your bridemaids should assist you here.

  Photographer captures those "Bridesmaids bustling your dress" moment

• 12:05 PM - Quick solo bridal portraits (optional tho ...maybe 10–20 min)
  If you want some solo portraits before the ceremony, do them now.

But keep them quick tho.

• 12:25 PM - Depart for venue (if your Getting-Ready suite is not in your venue)
  If this is you... factor in your travel time with buffer.

If it’s a 20-minute drive, leave by 12:05 - 12:10 to account for traffic.

Your point person should be en route earlier to ensure vendors still on schedule.

• 12:30 PM - Venue doors open / ushers start seating your first guest

Ushers start ushering guests in.

Your Dj should start playing pre-ceremony music.

If you have programs, make sure someone is handing them out.

• 12:45 PM - bridal party ready in holding area; final quick touch-ups
  Bridesmaids, MOB, and ushers lined up ... groom and groomsmen in place.

  Last lip gloss, powder, bustle check happens now.

  Your photographer hides or discreetly get in positions.

• 12:55 PM - Cue: Last call to start; 5-minute warning

DJ start playing the transition cue.

Your Point Person tells everyone: “Five minutes”.

Photographer positions for the processional shots.

• 1:00 PM - Ceremony begins (approx 20–30 min)
  Processional → vows → ring exchange → signing (if needed) → recessional.

  If someone is doing any special reading ...also factor it in ..should not be more than 5mins.

• 1:25 PM - Quick hugs (optional 10 min)

If you plan to greet anyone, you can do it now.

If you prefer photos, you can skip it and go straight to your photos.

• 1:30 PM - Family Photos (30–40 min)
  Here order matters.

  Keep the list tight and written by name.

  You can do all this with a photography shot list.

  (if you want i can give you the one i created).

  YOU CAN GET IT HERE👈

  Also have a photo wrangler (a friend) who will arrange the group ... so photographer isn’t chasing people.

• 2:10 PM - Wedding party photos (25–30 min)
  Bridesmaids & Groomsmen photos happens here.

  Have the photographer call out formations - your wrangler should keep them moving. And keep it brisk.

• 2:40 PM - couple portraits (30–45 min)
  
  

• 3:15 PM - Finish the photos / Head to cocktail hour
  You arrive at cocktail (or rejoin guests).

  Here your photogher will get candids of guests and also some photos of you and husband mingling.

• 3:15–4:15 PM - Cocktail hour (guests mingle)
  Servers come with passed appetizers; signature drink station are open.

  This is your time to breathe and actually eat something.

• 4:15 PM - Vendors prep to open reception doors
  Your caterer confirms dinner service timing with venue coordinator; DJ does a quick sound check for entrance cue.

• 4:30 PM - Reception doors open / grand entrance
  MC/DJ cues your bridal party and both of you entrance.

Your can have your first dance now ...just make it short

• 4:45–6:00 PM - dinner service
  Depending on how you're serving

  If plated, schedule 60–75 minutes. If its a buffet, time can be shorter

  ...but expect lines.

• 6:00–6:30 PM - speeches & toasts
  Limit to 3–4 people and 3–5 minutes each max.

• 6:30–7:00 PM - cake cutting + parent dances
  Cake, parent dances, then open the dance floor.

• 7:00–10:00 PM - dancing / entertainment / late snacks
  Your DJ start the party.

  If you have any late-night snack, bring it out around 9:00 to refuel your guests.

• 9:45 PM - gather belongings / prepare for exit
  Your point person should start gathering your belongings.

  Checks the gift table, any vendor items, décor to-go boxes. and collect any items you want returned.

• 10:00 PM - Grand exit
  You can do whatever you want here ...sparklers, bubbles,etc.

  Also (very important) ...make sure someone is handling transport if it's needed.

• 10:15–11:00 PM - Vendor breakdown & pickup
  Your rental company picks up overnight or next morning according to your contract; Your caterer will pack the leftovers.

  Florist takes home any personal items that need preservation.

• Next morning
  I know this is the next day but ...

  Assign someone to check the venue for any missed items, to confirm what the rental company returned, and grab any forgotten personal items.

• 5:30–6:30 AM - wake up + prep
  Since your photos are earlier

...you have to wake up alot sooner than people without first look.

• 6:30 AM - Vendors load-in at venue (rentals & decor)
  Your florist, rentals and point person should arrive at the venue now.

  Chairs, tables, centerpieces, ceremony arch - all of that should be laid out.

  If you didn't already do it the day before

• 7:30 AM - hair & makeup team arrives
  Start your bridesmaids glam early.

You the bride goes last.

• 8:00 AM - Photographer + videographer arrive (details + candids)
  
  They’ll start shooting all the little details: dress on the hanger, shoes, jewelry, rings etc.

• 8:30–10:00 AM - Bridesmaids finishing touches, brides glam wraps up
  Bridesmaids and moms makeup & hair are done.

  You the bride is almost rounding up.

• 10:00 AM - Bridal party dressed aside from bride; Grooms' party ready.
  Bridesmaids in dresses, groom and groomsmen dressed.

Photographer does group pre-first-look candids with them.

• 10:15 AM - Bride into dress
  You wear your dress, full veil & accessories.

Photographer does solo portraits around the getting-ready space (quick 10–15 min).

• 10:45 AM - First Look (20–30 minutes)
  Do first look away from the venue doors so your guests won’t spot you.

Photographer captures the reaction and you can also sneak some couples’ photos in.

• 11:15 AM - General Photos (Wedding party + Family)
  Now you’re with done first look.

Use this bright sunlight and knock out all your photos

I gave you 1hr 30mins

...but you can extend if its not enough.

• 12:45 PM - Finish portraits; quick rest & touch-ups
  Rest, hydrate, munch on a snack

and do some final touch-ups on your make up and hair before the cermony.

• 12:55 PM - travel or move to ceremony space
  If your getting-ready suite is off-site, make sure you factor in travel time.

• 1:00 PM - Ceremony begins (25-30 minutes)
  Because you did most photos earlier, ceremony is relaxed.

Enjoy it.

• 1:25-1:35PM - ceremony ends; quick hugs
  Here you can squeeze in a few hugs and greeting before you head to cocktail.

• 1:35–2:15 PM - cocktail hour
  Since your photos are done, you can actually interact with your guests, eat, and be relaxed.

If you want to take few pictures with your guests

...you can do it here.

• 2:15 PM - reception doors open / grand entrance
  You, your husband and your wedding party enters

...short first dance & welcome.

• 2:30–4:15 PM - dinner & toasts
  Timing for this depends on your serving style.

Also if you have any who wants to toast ...they can do it mid-dinner.

• 4:15–4:45 PM - cake cutting , dad & daughter dances

• 4:45–8:00 PM - reception party / dance floor
  Dance floor opens.

• 8:00 PM - Exit. (Depending on your venue curfew)

• After the wedding

Same as the one with no-first-look: confirm who is packing gifts, leftover food, rentals etc

Also tip vendors if that’s your plan.