Wedding Planner Central

Day-of guide

Wedding day timeline template (hour by hour)

Most wedding-day timelines you find online are too tight. Real planners build in 15–20 minutes of slack between every block. Here are two complete templates — first-look and traditional — that actually hold up on the day.

The 5 rules planners follow

  1. Add a 15-minute buffer between every block.
  2. Start hair and makeup 30 minutes earlier than the artist quotes.
  3. Build the timeline backwards from sunset for photos.
  4. Allow 45 minutes for travel between locations even if it's "15 minutes."
  5. The first dance happens within 15 minutes of guests entering the reception.

Version A: With a first-look (4pm ceremony)

  • 9:00am — Hair & makeup begins
  • 1:00pm — Photographer arrives, detail shots
  • 1:30pm — Get dressed
  • 2:00pm — First look + couple portraits
  • 2:30pm — Wedding party photos
  • 3:00pm — Family formals
  • 3:30pm — Hide; guests arrive
  • 4:00pm — Ceremony (30 min)
  • 4:30pm — Cocktail hour
  • 5:30pm — Reception entrance + first dance
  • 5:45pm — Dinner served
  • 6:45pm — Toasts
  • 7:15pm — Parent dances → open dance floor
  • 8:30pm — Cake cutting
  • 10:30pm — Last call, sparkler exit prep
  • 11:00pm — Grand exit

Version B: Traditional, no first-look (4pm ceremony)

  • 9:00am — Hair & makeup begins
  • 1:00pm — Photographer arrives, getting-ready shots
  • 2:30pm — Each partner dresses separately
  • 3:00pm — Travel to venue / hide
  • 4:00pm — Ceremony (30 min)
  • 4:30pm — Cocktail hour begins
  • 4:35pm — Family formals (20 min)
  • 4:55pm — Wedding party photos (20 min)
  • 5:15pm — Couple portraits (30 min)
  • 5:45pm — Reception entrance + first dance
  • 6:00pm — Dinner served
  • 7:00pm — Toasts → parent dances → open dance floor
  • 8:30pm — Cake cutting
  • 10:30pm — Grand exit prep
  • 11:00pm — Exit

What to print and hand out

  • Full version → planner, photographer, videographer, venue coordinator
  • Abridged version → wedding party (only their moments)
  • Vendor version → DJ, caterer, florist (only their cues)

Build yours in Wedding Planner Central

Editable wedding-day timeline, shareable with vendors, baked into the dashboard. Start free → · or grab the 12-month planning timeline.