Your wedding day is a carefully orchestrated event, and a solid timeline ensures everything flows smoothly. This template is a great starting point, but remember—your DJ, venue, makeup artist, florist, and other key vendors will all have valuable input when it comes to timing. Be sure to coordinate with them to fine-tune your final schedule!

This timeline assumes a 4:00 PM ceremony and starts the reception entrances at 7:00 PM. Adjust times based on your wedding schedule.

💍 Getting Ready (9:30 AM – 1:30 PM) | 4 Hours

📍 Location: [Insert Location]

• 9:30 AM – 11:30 AM | Hair & makeup (Bride & Bridesmaids)

• 10:30 AM | Photographer arrives & captures detail shots (dress, rings, bouquet, invitations)

• 11:00 AM | Candids of bride & bridesmaids getting ready

• 11:30 AM | Groom & groomsmen getting ready photos

• 12:00 PM | Bride gets into dress (assisted by family or bridal party)

• 12:30 PM | First look with bridesmaids/parents (Optional)

• 12:45 PM | Travel time (if needed)

📌 Talk to your makeup artist & hairstylist – They’ll help you determine the best start time for getting ready.

📸 First Look & Portraits (1:30 PM – 3:15 PM) | 1 Hour 45 Minutes (Optional)

📍 Location: [Insert Location]

• 1:30 PM | First Look with the groom (Optional)

• 1:45 PM – 2:15 PM | Bride & groom portraits

• 2:15 PM – 2:45 PM | Wedding party photos (bridesmaids, groomsmen, full group)

• 2:45 PM – 3:15 PM | Immediate family portraits

📌 If skipping the first look, add an extra hour between the ceremony and cocktail hour for portraits.

📌 Check with your florist – Bouquets and boutonnieres should be delivered before photos begin.

⛪ Ceremony (4:00 PM – 4:45 PM) | 45 Minutes

📍 Location: [Insert Location]

• 3:30 PM – 4:00 PM | Guests arrive & are seated

• 4:00 PM – 4:45 PM | Ceremony begins

• 4:45 PM – 4:50 PM | First kiss & recessional

• 4:50 PM – 5:20 PM | Family formals (If not done before)

📌 Check with your venue – They will have specific setup and guest arrival guidelines to factor into your timeline.

📌 Travel Time: If the ceremony and reception are in different locations, add time here.

🍸 Cocktail Hour (5:30 PM – 6:30 PM) | 1 Hour

📍 Location: [Insert Location]

• 5:30 PM – 6:30 PM | Guests enjoy cocktails & hors d’oeuvres

• 5:45 PM – 6:15 PM | Bride & groom take sunset or golden hour portraits (Optional)

• 6:00 PM – 6:30 PM | Candid guest photos & venue details captured

• 6:30 PM – 6:45 PM | Grand entrance lineup

📌 Coordinate with your DJ & venue – They’ll help you time the reception entrance & music cues perfectly.

📌 If skipping the first look, use this time for all portraits!

🍽️ Reception & Dancing (7:00 PM – 11:00 PM) | 4 Hours

📍 Location: [Insert Location]

• 7:00 PM | Grand entrance & first dance

• 7:10 PM | Welcome speech / toast

• 7:15 PM – 8:00 PM | Dinner service begins

• 8:00 PM – 8:10 PM | Parent dances (father-daughter, mother-son)

• 8:15 PM – 8:30 PM | Speeches & toasts

• 8:30 PM – 8:40 PM | Cake cutting

• 8:45 PM – 10:45 PM | Open dance floor begins

• 9:30 PM | Fun moments: bouquet toss, garter toss, or special performances (Optional)

• 10:15 PM – 10:30 PM | Night portraits / sparkler exit (Optional)

• 10:45 PM | Final dance & couple’s grand exit

📌 Work with your DJ – They’ll structure the reception timeline to keep the energy flowing.

📌 Talk to your venue – They may have a cutoff time or sound restrictions that affect your schedule.

Wedding Timeline Notes & Tips

✔ Talk to your vendors – Your DJ, venue coordinator, makeup artist, and florist all have key insights that can help refine your schedule.

✔ Adjust for ceremony timing – If your ceremony is earlier or later, shift everything accordingly.

✔ Golden hour portraits – Schedule sunset photos for the best natural lighting.

✔ Buffer time – Leave extra time for unexpected delays (traffic, makeup touch-ups, weather, etc.).

✔ Talk with your photographer – They can help you fine-tune your timeline based on experience.

Need a Wedding Photographer in NJ?

At Timeline Visuals, we specialize in NJ wedding photography, capturing stunning, timeless images for couples throughout Morris County, NJ, and beyond.