Wedding day time line

Let’s first think of what time you want to start your ceremony. Some people choose times based on stuff like sunset photos or venue availability, etc. I chose a 5p ceremony because my reception needed to be done by 11p so I figured reception starting at 6p would work best. But also because I wanted weather wise a nicer temperature since it would be a hot day and a more evening time would be cooler. So take such things like that in consideration when deciding when to start your time.

View Quoted Comment Thank you! I have that down a little bit, but my mom just told me she wants us to stand in a line and greet guests and I know that comes after the ceremony, I just have no idea how long people typically stand in line.

View Quoted Comment That's know as a receiving line, but right with the pandemic I probably wouldn't do a receiving line as you normally hug or shake hands with each guest. To limit germs, I would limit how much contact you have with each individual guest. We had a receiving line at our wedding last year and it took about 10-15 minutes, but it depends on how many guests you have.

I wouldn’t participate in a receiving line currently but I think it depends on where you live. The better way is to go to each table instead. The receiving line is so one side of family can meet the other side. (Hi Aunt Mary. Here’s my fiancé and his mom Suzy)

Yeah, I would skip the receiving line, and instead maybe stop by each table. Easier to distance, and less contact-to-contact-to-contact.

If you have a venue coordinator, they should help with this.

We did a 5PM ceremony, immediately did photos while our guests did a cocktail "hour" (was more like an hour and a quarter), then the reception started at 7, when we were introduced. We faked having our first dance, to instead have a swordfight. Then my dad gave a short toast, we ate, the BM did a toast, we did our special dances, and then we had the party. At some point, cake cutting happened, but the venue took care of that.

We had each table come up to take pictures of us during the dinner.

This is our timeline for the day:

Wake up and shower at 9

Brunch delivered to room and start getting ready at 10

Plan for photographers and MUA to arrive around 10

First look and formal portraits at 2

Line up for ceremony at 4

Ceremony at 4:30

Private cocktail hour at 5

Reception at 6 (first dance, parent dances immediately, speech from me and my then spouse; start dinner around 6:20; speeches interspersed between courses of plated dinner)

After party at 10