Many couples wonder where to begin with their wedding day itinerary, especially if they don’t have the assistance of a day-of coordinator. While in all likelihood your exact times and events may be a bit different, the sample wedding day timeline below provides a wonderful example of the timing and execution of many traditional wedding day activities.

10:00am: DAY OF COORDINATOR ARRIVES TO THE VENUE FOR SET-UP

10:00 am: TABLES ARE READY FOR LINEN PLACEMENT
• Verify floor plan is executed
• Chair count completed
• Verify Head Table

10:30am: LINENS ARE SET FOR CENTERPIECES AND PLACE SETTINGS
Linen count- SEE FLOOR PLAN

10:45am: BRIDE AND BRIDESMAIDS ARRIVE AT VENUE

11:00am: LUNCH DELIVERED for any family and bridal party

12:30pm FLORIST ARRIVES FOR SET-UP

1:00pm: PHOTOGRAPHY COVERAGE BEGINS
Have details ready for photographer
Dress, veil, shoes, garter, jewelry, wedding bands, engagement bands, perfume, invitation, suite, any paper goods, vows, something old, new, borrowed, blue, marriage license.

1:00pm: VIDEOGRAPHY COVERAGE BEGINS

2:30pm: GROOMSMEN ARRIVE AT VENUE **DRESSED AND READY
FOR PHOTOS**

2:30pm: CATERING STAFF ARRIVES FOR SET-UP
Please check in with day of coordinator to verify head count of guests and also Vendor meals needed (coordinator, assistant, police officers, DJ, photographers,
videographers, photo booth attendant, etc. as needed)

2:30pm COORDINATING ASSISTANT ARRIVES TO THE VENUE

2:30pm: CAKE DELIVERY

3:00pm REHEARSAL (if needed)

3:20pm BRIDESMAIDS ARE DRESSED AND READY FOR PHOTOS
3:20 pm: MOTHER OF THE BRIDE IS DRESSED AND READY FOR PHOTOS

3:30pm: HAIR AND MAKEUP COMPLETE
3:30pm: BRIDE GETS INTO HER DRESS

3:30pm: DJ ARRIVES FOR SET-UP AND SOUND CHECK

3:45pm: FIRST LOOK WITH DAD

4:00pm: FIRST LOOK WITH GROOM

4:30pm: OFFICIANT ARRIVES TO THE VENUE

5:00pm: BRIDE IS TUCKED AWAY
5:00pm: ALL CEREMONY DETAILS ARE SET FOR EARLY GUEST ARRIVAL. MUSIC BEGINS PLAYING
5:00pm: EARLY GUEST ARRIVAL

5:25pm: SEND UNSEATED GUESTS TO CEREMONY SITE
5:25pm: WEDDING PARTY LINE UP FOR THE CEREMONY

5:30pm: CEREMONY BEGINS

5:30pm: CEREMONY PROCESSIONAL
• Woman are typically on the left side of the man when being escorted
• Indicate which song you would like played:
• Officiant enters
• Groom Enters (with parents if applicable)
• Parent(s) of the bride enter
• Groomsmen with Bridesmaidsenter
• Flower girl and ring bearer enter
• Bridal March Song (crowd stands, guided by officiant)
• Bride and Father of the Bride (if applicable) enter
• Officiant performs/guides ceremony
• Recessional Song, then couple exits followed by wedding party and officiant

POST-CEREMONY FAMILY PHOTOS (optional)
*Let all family members know to stay behind in ceremony space for formal family
portraits*

5:50pm: COCKTAIL HOUR ON THE PATIO/Bar Opens

6:25pm: BEGIN INVITING GUESTS INTO THE RECEPTION SPACE

6:30pm: SECURITY ARRIVES TO THE VENUE

6:35pm: GRAND ENTRANCE
DJ asks guests to take their seats
Bridal party is introduced (please provide names in order of introduction)
Bride and Groom enter and are introduced as "Mr. & Mrs. …"

6:40pm: SPECIAL DANCES
• Bride & Groom
• Father/Daughter
• Mother/Son

6:50pm: WELCOME & BLESSING
• Welcome- Bride & Groom
• Blessing of the food

6:55pm: DINNER SERVICE BEGINS
DJ instructs guests how they will be served (table by table, etc)

7:00pm: PHOTO BOOTH ARRIVES FOR SET-UP

7:25pm: PULL BRIDE AND GROOM FOR SUNSET PHOTOS (varies by time of year)

7:50pm: CAKE CUTTING
• Save the top tier?

7:55pm: TOASTS

8:30pm: DANCE FLOOR OPENS

9:30pm: BOUQUET AND GARTER TOSS

10:25pm: LAST GROUP SONG

10:30pm: BAR CLOSES

10:30pm: DJ ASKS GUEST TO HEAD OUTSIDE TO LINE UP FOR SEND OFF
10:30pm: GETAWAY VEHICLE IN PLACE
• Getaway vehicle should arrive 20 minutes prior to exit
• Have bags clearly labeled Bride and Groom for exit vehicle (phones, chargers and
wallets in these bags)*

10:45pm: COUPLE HAS THEIR PRIVATE LAST DANCE

10:50pm: NEWLYWED SEND-OFF

11:00pm: BREAKDOWN BEGINS