Wedding Day
The bride and groom should plan out the times of events of the day. The timing of the wedding day is crucial: good planning and timing can help the day run without a hitch. A schedule for the wedding should be mapped out, and all suppliers informed of the expected running order
The following is a rough timeline for the big day, from the ceremony to the end of the reception.
Arrivals at the Ceremony
Ushers 45 minutes before; best man and groom 45-30 minutes before; guests: up to 30 minutes before; groom's parents: 15 minutes before; mother of bride and bridesmaids ten minutes before; bride and father five minutes before.
Church of Civil Ceremony
20-60 minutes (civil ceremonies are shorter than religious ones)
N.B. Allow plenty of time to get from the ceremony venue to the reception, if applicable, especially if the area is prone to heavy traffic.
Photographs
20-30 minutes
Note: Allow approximately ten minutes for pictures of the bride and groom, ten to twenty minutes for other shots.
Drinks Reception
90 minutes, usually extends to two hours
Note: A receiving line takes about 40 minutes and well organised photographs take 20-30 minutes.
Seating guests
Up to 30 minutes.
The Wedding Meal
Two hours for three courses.
Speeches
30 minutes, usually extending to 45 minutes (at least ten minutes per person, assuming there are three speakers).
Cake Cutting
15-20 minutes.
Dancing
Approximately three hours.
Note: This depends upon when the bride and groom leave, and how long the party lasts, and the style of the venue/reception.
Going Away
15 minutes (throwing bouquet and saying goodbye).
