Timeline Of Wedding Day

If you've ever wondered timeline of a wedding day looks like - wonder no more. If you're like me, and the first thing you do in the morning is write a 15-point To Do List for the day, then wanting to know the nitty-gritty of your nuptial schedule is going to be a priority. Even if you're more of a 'go with the flow' kind of person, knowing in what order in the day various things happen is a plus. It means you'll have a good idea of what is about to happen, what's coming next, and whether you have time for a big deep breath before your confetti exit or the wedding speeches. That's why we thought we'd compile a timeline, so you can get a better idea of a skeleton of the wedding day itself. Speaking of which - if you're in the market for a very helpful downloadable PDF of the timeline of your wedding day, then you're in luck. 

As a gentle reminder, this is of course a generalised version of a wedding timeline. Every couple is different. And you know what that means! Every wedding day is different, too. There's no pressure to stick to this timeline at all. We're just here to give a bit of inspiration, and a look into the more traditional order of events at weddings here in the UK. Ok, reminder over. Let's get into that timeline! 

Timeline of a wedding day - from waking up to your sparkler exit! 

1. Rise and shine

Huzzah! Your wedding day is finally here. Now it's time to start your day, your way. You should wake up early enough to give yourself time to get ready and relax before the ceremony. Take some time to have a hearty breakfast, enjoy some coffee (or a mimosa), and take a big deep breath. You and your party can get into some comfy getting ready robes, pop a feel good playlist on, and get excited. It's going to be a big day - and a fantastic day at that. 

2. Hair and makeup

It's time to get your hair and makeup game on. Now of course, the way you get your hair and makeup done is going to differ massively from person to person. You might be getting it done at a salon, or getting it done at home with a makeup artist, or at the venue. Maybe you're a pro at doing makeup and want to do it yourself. Or maybe your mum, sister, brother, cousin or best friend are great at hair. However you decide to go about your hair and makeup, all that matters is it's done, and fairly early on. Setting spray at the ready, folks!

3. Getting dressed - timeline of wedding day 

Next up, it's time to get your glad rags on. Pop on your wedding dress/wedding outfit and all your accessories. Again, the amount of time this will take depends on what your outfit is like, how many accessories you have, and what shoes you're rocking. If you're going for a gown, ensure that your wedding dress is steamed and pressed, and that you have all the accessories you need. Remember to take a few deep breaths and enjoy the moment.

4. Ceremony

At this point, your photographer and videographer will be there, snapping up a storm. You and your bridal party/groomsmen will be suited up and ready to go. You're in the venue, soaking up the incredible energy. So, you know what that means. It's ceremony time.  Ensure that you arrive at least 30 minutes before the ceremony to take some pre-ceremony photos - if you so desire. During the ceremony, take some deep breaths (take a shot every time we tell you to take a breath) and enjoy the moment. Exchange your vows, your rings, rings and seal the deal with a kiss. HOORAY! The walking-down-the-aisle-and-not-falling-over section is over, and you've got yourself a life partner. Congratulations - what a day! 

5. Confetti exit/smoke bombs/group shots/fun!

Now that the ceremony is over, it's time to grab your photographer, videographer and their accumulative cameras, and get some fun shots. Leaving the ceremony room is the perfect opportunity for some gorgeous confetti exit photos. After that, grab your wedding party and take some group shots. This could be in the form of a champagne bottle pop, a smoke bomb photoshoot, or anything that your heart desires. Let your hair loose, and take in the magical energy around you. 

6. cocktail hour, games and drinks - timeline of wedding day 

After you've had some fun with confetti and smoke (out of context, sounds a little odd) it's time for my personal favourite part of the day. What is that, I hear you ask? Cocktail hour, I swiftly answer! Whether you choose to supply alcohol or not (and if you don't, no worries - non-alcoholic weddings are equally as fun) this is the time to get your cocktails or mocktails circling. It's also a brilliant time for some wedding games and delicious canapés. This is a great time for you and your guests to wind down after the ceremony with some delectable food and drink. 

7. Reception

Sorry, I can't hear you - I haven't got any reception! Haha... Ignore that. The next part of your big day is the reception. This is the part of the day where you can celebrate with your friends and family - hooray! The reception is quite a widespread term and can include your wedding breakfast, your wedding meal, and of course the all-important wedding speeches. It's also a great time to cut your cake and toss the bouquet. Revel in the beauty of your wedding venue, your nearest and dearest being around you, and most of all, your love story. 

8. Party time

Get your dancing shoes on, because it's time to party. The night is slowly nearing an end, so what better way to celebrate the incredible day you've just had than with some dancing? Maybe you want a little ceremony to reception outfit change - now is the time to do it. You've got for your first dance as a married couple, which is always an enormous crowd pleaser. Get up close with your new beau and have a boogie - whether that's a slow dance or the robot. Then you can invite your guests onto the floor to dance the night away with either fabulous music, a live band, or something else of your choosing. Just remember to snap up those all-important mid-dance photos to look back on for years to come. Trust me - they're golden. 

9. Farewell

And so, the end is near. And so I face... my final curtain... Sorry, I couldn't resist a bit of Frank Sinatra. Anywho, it's time to say goodbye to your guests and leave, whether that's for your honeymoon, your home, your on-site or off-site accommodation... Whatever your plan is, the night (sadly) does have to come to an end at some point or another. Ensure that you have someone to help you collect your belongings, and say your final goodbyes. We at Rock My Wedding really love a sparkler exit at weddings - one final hurrah before you all leave. Take some time to reflect on your momentous day, and remember all the wonderful memories you created. 

Whatever timeline of wedding day you go for - your big day is going to be incredible, from start to finish

Whilst the timeline of a wedding day might seem a little daunting at first, it's essential to plan it out to ensure that everything runs smoothly. You want to be feeling calm and collected before you walk down the aisle - and this kind of list is going to help. But, as we said, this is just a skeleton of a timeline - and you can and should personalise it how you see fit on your wedding day. Speaking of, if you've been looking for some good wedding readings, On Your Wedding Day by Anon is a pretty excellent choice, in our humble opinion. If you're at the start of your planning journey and wondering how you can save up some cash, our article on how to save for your wedding is the place to be.