Want to know what a typical wedding day timeline looks like? Here’s the rundown of how to plan your wedding day timing from a New Jersey wedding photographer‘s point of view so that you’re not feeling rushed but get to enjoy each and every moment.
For ease, we’re going to work with a 6pm typical start time for the reception and go from there, but if yours starts at 5pm, just adjust everything to an hour early. Don’t have travel time? You can adjust that too.
First Look Wedding
1:30pm – Photographer Arrives for Getting Ready Pictures
2:30pm – Everyone Dressed for Pre-Ceremony Photos
3:30pm – Leave for First Look
— 15 mins travel time —
3:45pm – 4:45pm – Bride and Groom First Look / Bridal Party Photos
4:45pm – Family Photos (typically at venue)
5:30pm – Ceremony
6pm – 7pm – Cocktail Hour
7pm – 7:15pm – Guests Seated in Dining Area
7:15pm – 8:15pm – Introductions / First Dance / Parent Dances / Toasts / First Course
8:15pm – 8:45pm – Dancing / Ceremonial Photography Coverage Ends
8:45pm – 9:30pm – Dinner
9:30pm – 10pm – Dancing
10pm – Cake Cutting / Bouquet + Garter / Viennese Hour Begins / Extended Photography Coverage Ends
11pm – Reception Ends
Traditional Ceremony First
12:30pm – Photographer Arrives for Getting Ready Pictures
1:30pm – Everyone Dressed for Pre-Ceremony Photos
2:30pm – Leave for Ceremony
3pm – Ceremony
4pm – Family Photos (typically at ceremony location)
— 15 mins travel time —
4:30pm – 5:30pm – Bride and Groom / Bridal Party Photos
— 30 mins travel time —
6pm – 7pm – Cocktail Hour
7pm – 7:15pm – Guests Seated in Dining Area
7:15pm – 8:15pm – Introductions / First Dance / Parent Dances / Toasts / First Course
8:15pm – 8:45pm – Dancing / Ceremonial Photography Coverage Ends
8:45pm – 9:30pm – Dinner
9:30pm – 10pm – Dancing
10pm – Cake Cutting / Bouquet + Garter / Viennese Hour Begins / Extended Photography Coverage Ends
11pm – Reception Ends
