Planning Your Catholic Wedding: A Sample Wedding Timeline for the Special Day

Bride and groom walk down the aisle of a grand church, hand in hand, smiling as guests applaud.

Your wedding day is an incredible event, from the first rays of the sunrise to the very end of the night. Each moment and each detail celebrates the milestone moment when you enter into marriage and begin the journey of a lifetime - towards Heaven with your spouse!

In order to have a smooth and successful day, a well planned timeline is essential. Communicate your schedule with your vendors, bridal party, and family members to ensure everyone is on the same page for the day. Remember that although even the best planned days have unexpected things that may adjust the timeline of the day, your vendor team will help to keep things moving in the right direction and have your vision front of mind! Sometimes pivoting is more important than planning.

Taking these general recommendations, you can build a customized wedding day timeline to fit your vision for the day. Build your day around what matters most to you and make time for the moments you want to prioritize.

Helpful Reminders

Leave room for transportation and add extra buffer time.
If you want to have sunset pictures, be sure to check the time of sunset for the season of your wedding. Winter sunsets are much earlier than a mid summer wedding!
Be mindful of your photographer / videographer packages. If you have an 8 or 10 hour limit, be sure to include the key events within that timeframe.
What time are you able to get into the venue?
What time do you need to be out of the venue?
If part of your day is outside and weather dependent, have a backup option for photos, cocktail hour, etc.

Pro Tip: Save at least a 10 minute space in your day for private connection time after your wedding ceremony to celebrate your new husband/wife.

General Time Recommendations:

Bridal Getting Ready (Hair & Makeup) : 90 mins

Bridesmaid Getting Ready (Hair & Makeup) : 60 mins

Guys Getting Ready : 60 mins

First Look : 30 mins

Bridal Party Pictures : 2-3 mins per shot

Family Pictures : 2-3 mins per shot

Couple Pictures : 30 mins

Wedding Ceremony : 90 mins

Wedding Party Entrance : 10 mins

Welcome / Prayer : 3 mins

Toasts : 3-5mins per person

First Dances : 3-5 mins per dance

Wedding Games : 10 mins

Sunset Pictures : 45 mins

Use these sample wedding timelines below to help you start planning YOUR special day!

SAMPLE WEDDING TIMELINE

WEDDING DAY TIMELINE (with first look)

7:30am: Girls start getting ready / Breakfast / Hair & Makeup Begins

11:00am Photographers arrive for detail shots and getting ready pictures

12:30pm Bride is in her dress

12:30 pm Lunch for bridal party

1:15pm First Look

1:45pm Formal Bridal Party Pictures

2:00pm Family Pictures

2:30pm Wrap up pictures / everyone hides away / last min touchups

2:55pm Procession & Wedding Party cued up

3:00pm Wedding Ceremony Begins

4:30pm Wedding Ceremony Ends

4:30pm Trolley ready to pick up bridal party

4:45pm Bridal Party & Couple Photos

5:00pm Cocktail Hour Begins

5:30pm Wrap up bridal pictures

6:00pm Guests are invited to be seated

6:15pm Bridal Party Entrance / Welcome the B&G!

6:25pm Welcome / Prayer before meals

6:30pm Dinner Service Begins

7:45pm Toasts (Father of the Bride, Maid of Honor, Best Man)

8:00pm Formal Dances (First Dance, Father - Daughter, Mother - Son)

8:10pm Dance floor opens

11:00pm Reception Ends

11:30pm Everything out and packed up!

WEDDING DAY TIMELINE (with aisle reveal)

8:30am: Girls start getting ready / Breakfast / Hair & Makeup Begins

12:00pm Photographers arrive for detail shots and getting ready pictures

12:30 pm Lunch for bridal party

1:30pm Bridal Party assembled at Church

2:00pm Wedding Ceremony

3:30pm Family Pictures, Bridal Party Pictures, Couple Pictures