You’ve booked your venue and now you have to start planning the timescale, so how should you time your day? If booking your wedding with us we give all couples access to an online portal that is personalised with their event schedule, we even create a timeline for you to work with based on your booked ceremony time.
Morning Preparations
(8:00 AM – 12:00 PM):
Start the day with a relaxed morning. Ensure hair and makeup sessions are completed with enough time for any unexpected delays (warning: sometimes this does require a 6am start!). Make sure the photographer is booked to start early to capture those precious pre-wedding moments with your bridal party and family.
Ceremony (12:00 PM – 2:00 PM):
We recommend having your ceremony between 12 and 2pm which allows the perfect amount of time between the ceremony and wedding breakfast. If the weather is on your side, and you are able to take advantage of an outdoor ceremony, consider providing shade or hand fans for guests.
Cocktail Hour and Photos (2:00 PM – 4:00 PM):
Following the ceremony, this is where the fun really begins. This time provides an opportunity for guests to mingle, enjoy some welcome drinks and games, while you and your wedding party capture those all important photos.
Wedding Breakfast (4:00 PM – 6:00 PM):
Try not to leave too much time between the ceremony finishing and the wedding breakfast, if it’s 3+ hours we recommend having some canapés for guests in the meantime. Be mindful of the sunset time, ensuring there’s ample natural light during this portion of your celebration.
Speeches and Toasts (6:00 PM – 7:00 PM):
Traditionally speeches and toasts take place after the wedding breakfast, however more couples are doing these at the start to get the nerves out the way. Use the fading daylight to your advantage for heartfelt moments captured in the golden hour. Ensure all speakers and your Wedding Coordinator are briefed on the timeline to maintain a smooth flow.
Evening Guests, Cutting the Cake & First Dance (7:00 PM – 7:30 PM):
Evening guests tend to arrive at 7pm, where you can then carry out the tradition of cutting the cake and then whisking to the dance floor for the all important first dance. Your Wedding Coordinator will then cut the cake into portions and serve for your guests.
Evening Entertainment (7:30 PM – 11:00 PM):
As the day transitions into the evening, kick off the entertainment. Whether it’s a live band, DJ, or a mix of both, ensure your chosen entertainment keeps the energy high and the dance floor full. Consider room and outdoor lighting to enhance the ambiance as the night progresses. A good idea once the sun has set is to do a sparkler tunnel outside with all your guests, this makes for wonderful photos!
Late-Night Snacks and Send-Off (11:30 PM Onward):
Conclude the evening with late-night snacks and a memorable send-off (pasties are the number one favourite). Then you can retire to your evening accommodation for a night to remember!
