Your Big Day at Bear Brook: Wedding Timeline Overview
Caroline Morris Photography
Creating your wedding day timeline can be a bit overwhelming with a lot of moving parts that affect one another. Below are some things to consider when planning your wedding day timeline, as well as timeline samples from real Bear Brook weddings!
Some things to consider when creating your wedding day timeline:
What time the sun will be setting on your wedding day.
You can check the sunset time here.
If you’re not doing a first look, you’ll need to make sure there is enough daylight after the ceremony for photos.
Your photographer will want to get as many photos as possible outside in the natural light.
How many people will be having hair and makeup services done.
The more people in your wedding party, the longer hair and makeup will take (unless you have multiple hair stylists and makeup artists onsite).
Work with your beauty team to figure out how long it will take you and your wedding party to get ready.
Let them know what time your ceremony is and what time your photographer needs you ready by.
Your photographer will work with you to create a detailed timeline (details, getting ready, first look, wedding party, and family photos).
January Wedding Timeline with a first look
9am - arrive at the venue; begin getting ready
2:15pm - first look, couple, & wedding party portraits
5pm - ceremony (indoor)
5:30 to 7pm - cocktail hour
7 to 10:30pm - reception
Winter Wedding Timeline with an offsite ceremony
12:30pm - offsite ceremony
The time in between your ceremony and your arrival to the venue will depend on how for the ceremony is from the venue.
3:30pm - arrive at venue
Couple, wedding party, and family portraits usually take place at this time.
6:30 to 8pm - cocktail hour
8 to 11:30pm - reception
March Wedding Timeline with an outdoor ceremony
9am - wedding party 1 arrives at the venue; begin getting ready
11am - wedding party 2 arrives at venue
1:30pm - first look, couple portraits, & wedding party photos
4:30pm - ceremony (outdoor)
5 to 6:30pm - cocktail hour
6:30 to 10pm - reception
Spring Wedding with a first look
9am - wedding party 1 arrives at venue; begin getting ready
11am - wedding party 2 arrives at venue
1 to 2:15pm - details, getting ready, candid photos with the respective wedding parties
2:30 - First look & portraits
3:30 to 4:15pm - wedding party and family portraits
4:30 - relax before the ceremony
5pm - ceremony
5:30 to 7pm - cocktail hour
7:00 to 10:30pm - reception
Summer Ceremony Timeline without a first look
9am - wedding party 1 arrives at the venue; begin getting ready
11:30am - wedding party 2 arrives at venue
1pm - rehearsal with parents and wedding party
- wedding party photos (separately)
5:30pm - ceremony
6 to 7:30pm - cocktail hour (couples’ portraits)
7:30pm - reception begins
8:30pm - dinner is served
9pm - cake cutting
10pm - dessert
10:30pm - late night station
11pm - end time
Fall Wedding Timeline with an outdoor ceremony
9am - wedding party 1 arrives and begins getting ready
11:30am - wedding party 2 arrives at venue
2:30pm - first look, couples’ portraits, wedding party photos
3:30pm - family photos
5:30pm - ceremony
6 to 7:30pm - cocktail hour
8pm - dances and speeches
8:45pm - dinner is served
10pm - dessert
10:30pm - late night station
11pm - end time
Wedding Day Timeline with an extended reception
9am - Wedding party 1 arrives at venue
9am - Hair and makeup team arrives
12pm - groom and groomsmen arrive
12pm - Photographers/videographer arrive
12:30pm - Hair and makeup finish
1pm - Pajama pictures
1:20pm - Everyone get dressed
1:45pm - First look with bridal party
2pm - First look with Dad First Look
2:30pm - Bride & groom first look & portraits
3:30pm - Wedding party pictures
4pm - Family pictures
5:30pm - Ceremony
6pm - Cocktail hour begins
7:30pm - Reception begins
7:40pm - Intros, dances, speeches
8pm - Dance set
8:45pm - Dinner is served
12am - Reception ends
Detailed Wedding Day Timeline
1st Look: 2:30pm
Couple portraits while wedding party rehearses ceremony
Wedding party photos
Family photos
Ceremony: 5:00pm-5:30pm
Cocktail Hour: 5:30pm-7:00pm
Intros: 7:15pm
Formal Dances: 7:15pm-7:25pm
Toasts: 7:25pm-7:45pm
DJ's 1st Dance Set: 7:45pm-8:15pm
Dinner Entrees: 8:15-8:35pm
Formalities/Cake Cutting:
After dinner either off to the side with photographer or grand in the middle of the dance floor
DJ's 2nd Dance Set: 8:35pm-10:30pm
Dessert: 9:30pm
Late Night Station Opens: 10:00pm
End Time: 10:30pm