Wedding Timeline Calculator
Plan your perfect wedding day timeline. This calculator helps you create a detailed schedule for your ceremony, photos, cocktail hour, dinner, and reception. Share this timeline with your vendors, wedding party, and coordinator to ensure everything runs smoothly on your special day.
What time does your ceremony start? (e.g., 3:00 PM)
How long will the ceremony last?
Duration of cocktail hour/reception gap
How long for dinner service?
Duration of dancing and party time
Time for couple/family photos (can overlap with cocktail hour)
How long should a wedding ceremony be?
Most wedding ceremonies last 20-30 minutes for traditional ceremonies and 30-45 minutes for religious ceremonies. Keep it concise to maintain guest attention and stay on schedule.
What is the ideal timeline for a wedding reception?
A typical reception runs 4-5 hours: 1 hour cocktail, 1.5 hours dinner, and 2-3 hours dancing. This gives enough time for all events without being too long for guests.
When should we take couple photos?
Most couples take photos during cocktail hour (after ceremony, before reception). Alternatively, do a "first look" before the ceremony to take photos beforehand and enjoy cocktail hour with guests.
How do I keep my wedding on schedule?
Share your timeline with your wedding coordinator, DJ/band, photographer, and key family members. Build in 15-minute buffers between major events. Assign someone to keep you on track throughout the day.
What time should a wedding start?
Popular start times are 3-5 PM for afternoon weddings or 6-7 PM for evening weddings. Consider season (sunset time), venue availability, and whether you want a daytime or nighttime celebration.