MODULE 08
Timelines
Welcome to Timelines
All you need to know about wedding timings on your special day.
Ceremony Planning
In England, the only individuals who can legally marry you are registrars, unless you choose to be married in a church.
If you would prefer a more personalised approach, you may opt for a celebrant; however, this will not constitute a legal marriage. In this case, you would need to sign the legal documents at the registry office either before or after the wedding ceremony itself. if you do decide to opt for a legal wedding ceremony in the UK the ceremony typically follows this order:
• The registrars arrive and meet with Person 1 (usually the groom); this meeting lasts no longer than 15 minutes.
• The registrars then meet with Person 2 (usually the bride); again, this takes a maximum of 15 minutes.
Guests take their seats in the ceremony area.
• Person 1 stands at the top of the aisle with the best man or wedding party and waits. During this time, the photographer is usually present capturing photos.
• Once the registrars have completed both meetings, they enter the ceremony area and make a few announcements.
• Guests are then asked to be upstanding.
• The music begins
The flower girls or page boys walk down the aisle first, followed by the bridesmaids.
Person 2 walks down the aisle with whoever is giving them away.
• The ceremony typically lasts around 30 minutes, during which the rings are exchanged, any readings are delivered, and the couple share their first kiss as newlyweds.
• Upon exiting the aisle, a confetti shot can take place.
While the ceremony follows a fairly structured order, there is still plenty of room to make it feel personal and meaningful. Understanding the flow simply helps everything run smoothly on the day, allowing you to be fully present and enjoy every moment.
Wedding Day Timings
This little guide will help you with timings around your wedding. The timings are based approximately on 100 people attending.
Morning Preparations:
Hair (1 person): 1 hour
Makeup (1 person): 1 hour
Getting dressed (1 person): 20 minutes
Ceremony:
Getting 100 guests seated: 25 minutes
Ceremony Registrar Interviews: 15 minutes per person
Ceremony: 30 minutes in total
Signing the register: 5–10 minutes
Post-Ceremony:
Confetti shower: 15 minutes
Sparkler shower: 20 minutes
Drinks Reception:
Without canapés: 1 hour 30 minutes
With canapés: 2 hours
Transition into the Wedding Breakfast:
Welcoming guests to take their seats: 25 minutes
Receiving line with parents: 1 hour
Receiving line just as a couple: 40 minutes
3 speeches: 30 minutes
4 speeches: 45 minutes
Room turnaround for the evening: 30–60 minutes
Cake cutting: 10 minutes
End-of-night sparkler exit: 10 minutes
Supplier pack-down: 1–2 hours
Use this as a starting point when building your own wedding day timeline.
Once your key moments are mapped out, you can adjust timings to suit your guest numbers, suppliers, and overall flow of the day.
The First Look
Have you considered doing a first look with your partner? A First Look is a private moment between you and your partner before the ceremony begins — it’s usually just the two of you and your photographer to capture the moment of you both seeing each other for the very first time on your wedding day.
It can be an incredibly emotional, calming, and intimate way to start your celebration, but it’s also a very personal choice. Here’s a little guidance to help you decide as to whether it’s for you or not…
Pros of a First Look
• If you’re both feeling anxious, seeing each other beforehand can settle your emotions.
• You may get to share a private, meaningful moment that’s just for the two of you.
• If you’re having an evening ceremony, a First Look ensures you can still capture your couple portraits in natural daylight.
• Your hair & makeup is at its absolute best earlier in the day, which can make for stunning photos.
Cons of a First Look
• If you’ve always imagined the ‘aisle moment’ as the very first time you see each other, a First Look may not feel right for you.
• Some couples prefer the magic of that reveal and first look emotion happening in front of loved ones.
• A First Look means starting your preparations slightly earlier to keep the scheduled timeline on track.
There’s no right or wrong answer — it’s all about what feels most natural and meaningful to you as a couple.
Lulls
Starting to wedding plan? Congratulations! Here’s where to start and what to focus on first…
Top Tip…
The groom and grooms party should arrive 90 minutes before the ceremony start time.
Their role during this time is to meet the wedding coordinator, check the decor and seating plan, pop to the toilet and be on hand to welcome the first guests.
A step-by-step guide to your perfect wedding day timeline
Your Guide To Your Wedding Timeline
Your wedding week made simple with this step-by-step action plan.