An hour-by-hour schedule most couples actually use — with the buffers, first-look math, and dinner service durations coordinators build in behind the scenes.
The template (ceremony at 4:00 PM)
Shift every row by the same offset if your ceremony is earlier or later. Aim for a 15-minute buffer between hair/makeup and getting into attire, and another between portraits and guest arrival — that's where every real wedding day recovers time.
9:00 AM
Hair & makeup begins
Start with the bride/first partner + attendants who need the most time. Add 30 min buffer for anyone with long or thick hair.
12:30 PM
Getting-ready photos
Details first (rings, invitation suite, shoes), then partner-getting-ready photos in natural light near a window.
1:30 PM
Into attire
Allow 30–45 min for gowns with buttons or corsets, 15 min for a suit.
2:15 PM
First look
Optional but frees you to spend cocktail hour with guests. Pick a quiet, framed backdrop away from vendor load-in.
2:45 PM
Wedding-party portraits
Groom's side, bride's side, then combined. Keep to 30 min so nobody misses the ceremony.
30 min for a non-religious ceremony, 45–60 min for a full mass or religious rite.
4:45 PM
Cocktail hour
Family photos and any missing wedding-party photos happen here. Move guests to a separate space if possible.
6:00 PM
Grand entrance + first dance
Enter straight into your first dance — it's the highest-energy way to open the reception.
6:15 PM
Welcome + blessing
Best paired with the meal — guests are seated and attentive.
6:30 PM
Dinner service
Plated: 75–90 min. Buffet: 60 min. Family style: 60–75 min.
7:45 PM
Toasts
Cap total toast time at 15 min. More than 3–4 speakers loses the room.
8:00 PM
Parent dances
Bride/parent, groom/parent, then anniversary dance to open the floor.
8:15 PM
Open dancing
Best photo hour of the night — coordinate with the DJ on the four songs that must play.
9:30 PM
Cake cutting
Time it to a lull — bathroom break for the couple, energy reset for guests.
10:45 PM
Sparkler send-off
Line guests up in two rows outside; do a slow re-walk down the tunnel for photos.
11:00 PM
Reception ends
Coordinator and family collect gifts, personal décor, and any rentals staying overnight.
First look vs no first look
With a first look, the entire wedding-party portrait block moves before the ceremony — meaning you spend cocktail hour with your guests. Without one, family photos happen during cocktail hour and you'll want to add 30 minutes to that block.
Dinner service, honestly
Plated meals take 75–90 minutes end to end for 100+ guests. Buffet is closer to 60 minutes but only if you have two lines. Family style splits the difference. Ask your caterer for their real number — every property has a plating pace they know from experience.
AI-powered adjustments
Generate your own version in Lumière
Static PDF templates don't know your ceremony start, sunset time, or meal style. Lumière's day-of generator takes your inputs once and builds a rehearsal, wedding-day, and day-after schedule with travel buffers, first-look logic, and vendor coverage checks — then lets you regenerate around locked items.