Wedding Timeline Calculator
Build your day-of wedding timeline from getting ready through the last dance. Customize based on ceremony type, photography needs, and reception style.
Results
Visualization
How It Works
A typical wedding day runs 8-10 hours from hair and makeup to grand exit. First-look couples gain an extra hour of reception time by completing photos before the ceremony.
The Formula
Timeline = Getting Ready (2-3 hrs) + Photos (1-2 hrs) + Ceremony (30 min) + Cocktails (1 hr) + Reception (4-5 hrs)
Variables
- First Look — Doing photos before ceremony saves 45-60 min of post-ceremony photo time
- Ceremony Length — Religious: 45-60 min. Non-denominational: 20-30 min
Example
4:00 PM ceremony, 30 min, first look at 1:30 PM: Day starts at 11:00 AM, reception at 5:30 PM, ends at 10:30 PM — about 11.5 hours.
Tips
- Build 15-minute buffers between major events
- A first look lets you enjoy cocktail hour with your guests
- Give your photographer a shot list to keep photos on schedule
- Assign a point person to keep the timeline moving
- Share the timeline with all vendors at least 1 week before