A Guide to Your Perfect Wedding Day Timeline
Planning your wedding day timeline is crucial for ensuring everything runs seamlessly, allowing you to savour every moment of your special day. From getting ready in the morning to dancing late into the night, a well-structured schedule not only minimises stress but also maximises the joy of your celebration. Drawing from our experience of hosting weddings at Camel Studio, this guide provides a detailed wedding day timeline alongside practical tips to help you plan your perfect day.
For this guide, we’ve assumed a 2pm ceremony start time, as it’s one of the most popular choices for couples. However, your wedding day should reflect your vision - so use this as a guide and tailor your timeline to suit your style and preferences.
Morning Wedding Prep: How to Start Your Day Right (7:30 AM – 1:30 PM)
The morning of your wedding is all about setting the tone for the day. Starting early and staying organised can make all the difference.
7:30am: Fuel your day with a light breakfast - think pastries, granola, fresh fruit, yoghurt, and perhaps a little Prosecco for celebratory Buck’s Fizz.
8:30am: Hair and makeup begins. As a guide, allow 2.5 hours for the couple getting married and about 1.5 hours for each member of the wedding party.
Pro Tip: Create a playlist to keep the mood upbeat and fun while everyone gets ready.
11:30am: Your photographer arrives. He/she will capture candid moments, such as final hair and makeup touches, the wedding dress reveal, and your venue being prepped by your suppliers.
12:30pm: Final preparations, including dressing and exchanging gifts or letters with your partner and/or wedding party.
Pro Tip: Allow for an hour to get dressed and final touch-ups to ensure you don’t feel rushed.
1:30pm: Take a moment of calm before your ceremony - breathe, relax, and soak in the excitement.
Wedding Ceremony Tips & Timeline (2:00 PM – 2:30 PM)
A 2:00 PM ceremony is ideal for a relaxed wedding day while giving guests time to enjoy a pre-ceremony meal or snack before their arrival.
2:00pm: The ceremony begins. Whether you’re saying “I do” overlooking the sea or surrounded by Cornish countryside, your ceremony marks the heart of your day.
2:30pm: Celebrate with a confetti toss, and your first photos as newlyweds.
Pro Tip: Consider a ‘staged confetti’ shot after your ceremony. This way, your photographer can ensure everyone is in the right place and knows exactly what to do for great images.
Drinks Reception & Wedding Photography (2:30 PM – 4:30 PM)
This is a time for mingling, laughter, and creating memories.
2:45pm: Guests enjoy drinks and canapés while catching up. Offering canapés ensures no one gets too hungry before the wedding breakfast.
Pro Tip: Consider skipping a starter during the wedding breakfast if you serve canapés—this can save time and money.
3:30pm: Sneak away with your photographer for couple portraits after your group photos have concluded.
4:15pm: A quick refresh and time for your guests to find their seats and room reveal (see Bonus Tip).
4:30pm: You’re announced into the room as newlyweds.
Pro Tip: Think about taking your seat to one of your favourite tracks - it helps heighten the mood of this special moment.
Bonus Tip: Before it’s time for your guests to take their seats, take 5 minutes with your photographer for a ‘room reveal.’ This special moment allows you to appreciate your creation - seeing all the flowers, stationery, and personalised items you’ve chosen come together.
Wedding Breakfast & Speeches Timeline (4:30 PM – 6:30 PM)
This is your chance to relax, enjoy delicious food, and soak in the joy of being surrounded by your loved ones.
4:30pm: The wedding breakfast begins.
6:00pm: Speeches and toasts begin, marking one of the most emotional and entertaining parts of the day.
Pro Tip: Schedule speeches at the beginning or end of the meal so your photographer and/or videographer can take a break during the meal. They will definitely thank you for it!
Bonus Tip: Serve the toast drink during the drinks reception and have guests fill their glasses with wine or other chosen beverage. Toast drinks often go to waste, and this approach offers an additional drink at a point in the day when it will be most enjoyed.
6:30pm: Guests enjoy coffee or after-dinner drinks while stretching their legs.
Pro Tip: Use this downtime for garden games, a fun quiz, or setting up a guest book station to keep the energy flowing.
Evening Wedding Reception Timeline (7:00 PM – 12:00 AM)
The evening reception is where the celebration truly comes alive with music, dancing, and unforgettable moments.
7:00pm: Evening guests arrive. Consider a signature cocktail on arrival.
7:30pm: First dance. This magical moment kicks off the evening celebrations.
Pro Tip: Before your first dance, gather everyone for a group photo or cake cutting to bring your guests together.
8:30pm: Evening food is served. Popular options include wood-fired pizzas, Cornish pasties, or a charcuterie spread.
9:30pm: Serve your wedding cake to ensure guests enjoy it before the night winds down.
12:00am: Close out the evening with a sparkler send-off or a special farewell moment.
Expert Tips for Planning a Smooth Wedding Day Timeline
Build in Buffer Time: Allow extra time if you’re planning to have hair, makeup, or any unforeseen delays. It’s always better to be ahead of schedule than behind.
Communicate Clearly: Share your timeline with suppliers and your wedding party so everyone knows what’s happening and when.
Stay Flexible: Don’t stress if things run a little over. The best moments are often the unplanned ones.
Plan a Private Moment: Schedule 10–15 minutes alone with your partner during the day to reflect and enjoy the moment. Ideal times might be before your wedding breakfast or before evening celebrations kick off.
Leverage Natural Light: If you’re planning sunset portraits, check the sunset time and coordinate with your photographer to capture those golden-hour shots.
Delegate Tasks: Assign trusted friends or family members to handle small responsibilities.
Why a Wedding Day Timeline is Essential
Your wedding day will be a whirlwind of emotions and excitement. A carefully crafted wedding day schedule ensures you can focus on the joy of the moment rather than worrying about what’s next. With these wedding day tips and a well-planned timeline, you can create a stress-free day full of love, laughter, and unforgettable memories.
Planning your dream wedding in Cornwall? Take a look at our carefully curated list of venues and suppliers to help make your plans a reality.
Credits:
Photo 1: Karen Fenner Makeup | Photographer: TBC
Photo 2: Photographer: Katie Goff
Photo 3: Photographer: Mark Shaw
Photo 4: Venue: Camel Studio | Photographer: Josh Harkon
Photo 5: Photographer: Sofie Michelle
Photo 6: Photographer: Grant Lampard
Photo 7: Photographer: Verity Westcott
