Wedding timeline for 3 pm ceremony

So you don't have to have a cocktail hour if you don't want to/need to! You could go strait to the dinner portion. The main need for a cocktail hour would be if the ceremony and reception are in the same room so it needs to be reset, or if you need to do formal pictures still (but if you do all pics before then you don't need time during cocktail) anyway, with cocktail hour I would suggest:


3-330 Ceremony330-430 cocktail hour with open bar430-6 dances/speeches/dinner/etc with passes wine, but otherwise cash bar6-9 dancing with open bar, bar closes/last call at 830/845

How long is your ceremony? Is it taking place at the same location as the reception? Which wedding traditions do you plan to include (first dance, parent dances, bouquet/garter tosses, cake cutting, etc.)? I can't give advice about the bar as I'd keep the bar open/free the whole time (vs. a cash bar) even if it meant only providing beer and wine. Here's a timeline suggestion, based off of my wedding's order of events:

3:00pm-3:30pm - ceremony

3:30pm-4:30pm - cocktail hour (this is when you take pictures if you didn't do a first look)

4:30pm-4:45pm - guests find their seats for dinner

4:45pm-5:00pm - reception entrances, first dance, and toasts

5:00pm-6:00pm - dinner service

6:00pm-6:10pm - parent dances, then open dance floor

7:00pm-7:05pm - cake cutting, then reopen dance floor

9:00pm - reception ends

We didn't do bouquet or garter tosses, but I'd add them around 8:00pm if you're having them.

A bunch of our vendors helped us create our timeline, including our photographer, DJ, and venue coordinator, so be sure to reach out to them for their input!

This will be my timeline for our wedding in September

Do you have a photographer? If so, consult with them. My photographer helped me with a wonderful timeline.

I can email you mine if you like… it is very detailed, just scrap what you don’t need