Reception/speeches timing

For our wedding, we did our grand entrance then immediately went into our first dance then speeches and a prayer then dinner. A salad course was served immediately prior to our grand entrance so guests weren't starving while they waited for dinner to start.


As for your first look, I would recommend discussing the timeline with your photographer. Our photographer recommended a timeline for all photos.

I'm just working on this now for my wedding next week. I highly recommend you reach out to your photographer or DJ (or both) for their timeline suggestion. Especially your photographer for first look timing. My DJ recommended we have the first dance and then the blessing followed by the speeches because you already have everyone's attention. And then dinner. But your vendors will have the best recommendations! I sent an email to each of them and within a day we had the timeline locked in for the whole day.

Technically, they should be toasts (short and sweet) rather than speeches (which tend to be longer). We had our toasts during dinner, when everyone had their food. Since you have a buffet, I think maybe once everyone is seated you should have the toasts so everyone can eat and listen. As far as first look goes, talk to your photographer. They should be able to help you with the photo timeline. Ours was instrumental in putting together the timeline and estimating how long first look/bridal party/family photos would take.

A couple ppl gave toasts (not speeches, they should be short!!) toward the end of dinner. People were still eating but starting to finish up.

Hi Megan! This was the most stressful part for me too!! I agree with all previous posts to run it all by your photographer and DJ. If I were in your shoes, this is what I would do. I assume your ceremony and reception are at the same location. If not, I was told to double traveling time on timeline to ensure you’re not rushing.


5:00pm - First Look5:30pm - Bride and Groom hidden/Guests begin to arrive/prelude music begins6:00pm - Ceremony begins6:30pm - Ceremony ends/cocktail hour begins/family photos begin7:30pm - guests find seats (rule of thumb it takes 15 minutes per 100 guests to move from one location to next or during transitions such as finding seat)7:45pm - Family and Bridal Party announced 7:55pm: First Dance8:00pm - Prayer/Blessing 8:05pm - buffet begins (depending on guest amount will determine how long this will take)8:35pm - Father of Bride toast8:40pm - Maid of Honor toast8:45pm - Best Man toast*potty break if needed - 😂 9:00pm - Cut the Cake9:05pm - Father/Daughter dance9:10pm - Mother/Son dance9:15pm - Open Dance
Note: if you want sunset photos, we took 15 minutes to do these and I looked up the sunset time for the day of my wedding and marked it in the timeline
Hope this helps and good luck!!! ❤️❤️❤️