The exchange of vows between the bride and groom during the ceremony is one of…
How it works the wedding timing
One of the most common questions of g our couples is: How does the timing of a wedding work? When each thing is done and how long it takes every part of the wedding.
We solve all the doubts about the wedding timing to help you define the perfect timing for your wedding.
What is the timing of a wedding?
The timing of a wedding is timeline or schedule where all wedding times and events are specified.
Wedding timing usually begins with groom and bride preparation (hairdressing, makeup, pre-ceremony photos, etc.), following with the arrival of the guests, the ceremony, the cocktail, the photos with guests, the banquet (lunch/dinner) and it ends with the party.
Having a well-detailed and organized timing will be essential in order all the moments and events of the wedding are coordinated: suppliers, catering/kitchen, music, photographer, etc.
Wedding schedule
Although each wedding is unique and has its special moments, most weddings share this schedule with these 10 main parts or moments:
- Getting ready of the bride and groom
- Arrival of the guests
- Ceremony
- Appetizer
- Couple pictures
- Photos with guests
- Banquet
- Cut of the wedding cake
- First dance
- Party
Let’s look in detail at each of these parts of the wedding:
1. Getting ready of the bride and groom
The timing of a wedding usually begins with the getting ready of the bride, as usually requires more time: hairstyle, makeup, dress, photos of the process, etc.
It is recommended that the bride starts her preparation between 5 and 3 hours before the ceremony to have enough time and in order the photographer can take some photos before the ceremony.
Groom preparation usually begins about 3 or 2 hours before the ceremony so that it is ready between 1 hour and 30 minutes before the ceremony to receive the guests.
It will be important to know if the bride and groom get ready at the same place as the wedding, otherwise we will have to increase the timing for the transport.
2. Arrival of the guests
Guests arrive at the venue or church 30 minutes before the ceremony. In this part of the wedding, the groom usually receives the guests and welcomes them.
For the reception of the guests, it is a good idea to place a corner with drinks, juices or water and also some welcome sign as decoration.
During this time before the ceremony, guests can chat, have a drink, take pictures… And when it is time to begin the ceremony and the bride is ready, the wedding venue staff, coordinator or Wedding Planner, will inform the guests that they can take seat.
3. Ceremony
The most important moment of the wedding begins, the ceremony.
Once all the guests are seated, the ceremony starts with the bride and groom entrances.
The first entry is usually the entry of the groom, traditionally accompanied by his mother. At many weddings the groom does not enter and waits directly for the bride at the altar.
After the entry of the groom, there may be the entry of bridesmaids and groomsman. At some weddings, bridesmaids may go after the bride.
Also, before the bride or together with the bride’s entrance, there can be the entrance of the child with the rings or flower girl.
Finally, it is the turn of the bride’s entrance, traditionally accompanied by her father.
For the ceremony entrances a special song is usually chosen.
Once the bride and groom meet at the altar, the ceremony begins.
Although there are many types of ceremony, this could be the structure of a civil ceremony:
- Groom entrance
- Bride entrance
- Officiant introduction
- History of the couple
- Readings from friends and family
- Reading of the articles of the civil code
- Couple’s vows
- I do
- Ring ritual
- Kiss
- Signing of the marriage certificate
- Petal throwing
A wedding ceremony usually lasts between 30 minutes and 1 hour.
4. Couple pictures
Right after the ceremony, the couple usually goes with the photographer to do the bride and groom pictures. Meanwhile, the guests begin the appetizers.
The couple’s pictures usually last between 15 and 30 minutes, so that the bride and groom do not miss much time of the wedding and can enjoy with the guests.
5. Cocktail
While the bride and groom are taking pictures right after the ceremony, the guests start to eat the appetizers.
Once the bride and groom have finished their report, they usually make an entrance together with a special song to join the cocktail with the guests.
During the cocktail, appetizers and tapas are usually served and there are different buffets. It is an ideal time for guests to enjoy of a relaxed atmosphere, interact, taste different appetizers and talk and congratulate the bride and groom.
The appetizer time or cocktail usually lasts between 1 and a half or 2 hours.
6. Pictures with guests
Once the appetizers are finished and before the banquet begins, it will be time for photos with guests. The most formal photos where the couple takes pictures with all the guests by groups or couples. These photos can also be made after the ceremony, before the couple pictures and appetizers.
It is recommended to make a list of group photos for the photographer, to make easier the process. Photos with guests usually last between 15 minutes and half an hour, depending on the number of wedding guests.
7. Banquet (lunch or dinner)
It’s time for the banquet. After the photos with guests or the cocktail, the guests will check the sitting plan (board or corner with the distribution of tables), and they can enter at the dinning room to start the seated lunch or dinner.
The bride and groom are usually the last to enter at the dining room and they do an entrance with music, walk around all the tables, and take a seat at the presidential table. Once the bride and groom are seated, the service begins.
During the banquet the dishes of the wedding menu are served and at the end, the wedding cake is cut and the cake is served. After the cake, before the dance, coffee is served and usually a liquor cup.
At the banquet, it is usually also the time when the bride and groom give some presents to some guests (grandparents, parents, maid of honor, etc.) or there can be some speeches. It will be important to inform your wedding coordinator of everything you would like to in order everything is well coordinated.
The wedding banquet usually lasts between 2 and 3 hours.
Currently, there are also cocktail weddings, more informal, where there is no “seated” banquet but there are a lot of appetizers and then you go directly to the dance.
8. Wedding cake cut
As we mentioned in the previous point, at the end of the banquet the wedding cake is cut and the cake is served. Although cutting the wedding cake is completely optional, it is a special moment awaited for the guests.
For the wedding cake cut, the chosen cake will be presented with a song and the bride and groom will stand up to cut the cake.
The cut of the cake usually lasts between 10 and 15 minutes.
You can read in our blog the article about how to choose the perfect wedding cake with more information about the wedding cake cut.
9. First dance
After the banquet, before the party begins, the couple dance together their first dance as a marriage. This moment will change the rhythm of the wedding as it ends the banquet and begins the party.
The guests usually make a circle or semicircle around the couple and the couple dances the choreography they have prepared.
The first dance usually begins with a ballad-like song and can change until it ends with an animated song that starts the party and open bar.
The bridal dance can sometimes start with the groom dancing with his mother and the bride with her father, and then couples are exchanged and bride and groom dance together.
The first dance usually lasts between 1 and 5 minutes.
Before the first dance is usually the time when the bride throws the bouquet, if she wishes to throw it. You can also give it as a present in the banquet or throw it before the banquet.
10. Party
After the first dance the party begins. Disco lights, DJ, open bar and fun! It is the moment where protocol is left behind and it is time to relax, dance and enjoy.
For the party, it is a good idea to offer some snacks (mini-sandwiches, mini pizzas, tequeños, etc.) or Candy bar to keep the energy of the guests all night.
You can also liven up the party with a wedding photocall, photo booth, glitter bar or hire a Hora loca show.
The party usually lasts between 2 and 3 hours.
Example of wedding timing
Finally, we share with you an example of day wedding timing and an example of and evening wedding timing:
Day wedding timing
- Start of the bride getting ready: 10h
- Start of the groom getting ready: 11h
- Arrival of guests: 12:30h
- Ceremony: 13:00h to 14:00h
- Couple pictures: 14:00h to 14:30h
- Cocktail: 14:00h to 16:00h
- Photos with guests: 16:00h to 16:30h
- Banquet: 16:30h to 19:00h
- Cake cut: 18:15h to 18:30h
- First dance: 19:00h to 19:15h
- Party: 19:00h to 21:00h
Evening wedding timing
- Start of the bride getting ready:15h
- Start of the groom getting ready: 16h
- Arrival of guests: 17:30h
- Ceremony: 18:00h to 19:00h
- Couple pictures: 19:00h to 19:30h
- Cocktail: 19:00h to 20:30h
- Photos with guests: 20:30h to 21:00h
- Banquet: 21:00 to 00:00
- Cake cut: 23:15h to 23:30h
- First dance: 00:00h to 00:15h
- Party: 00:00h to 02:00h
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