How should I plan my timeline? What is a good sample timeline?

What time should my ceremony start? And how long does a wedding last?

Start with what time you would like your celebration to end. Would you like to party all the way until midnight? If so, we wouldn’t recommend starting any earlier than 5:30 PM.

Do you want to end at 11pm so people are still energized for an after party? A 5-11 PM wedding would work well.

Sample Timelines

We've put together a few different timelines based on food service style and whether or not you're having your ceremony onsite. Find the timeline that suits your plans best and make adjustments as you see fit. There are many different options to fit in speeches, cake cutting, first dances, etc.- let us know if you are thinking of an alternative and we can provide additional suggestions!

On-Site Ceremony (Buffet) Based off of a 5:30 PM- 12 AM Event, Feel free to shift hours as needed.

5:00 PM Earliest Guest Arrival
5:30 PM Ceremony (Note: most ceremonies start about 5 minutes late)
6:00 PM Cocktail Hour
7:00 PM Curtains Open / Guests Are Seated
7:15 PM Introductions (It takes some time for guests to use the restroom, find their seat, etc.)
7:20 PM Cake Cutting
7:25 PM Short Toast (Often FOB or B&G Thank You) And/Or Blessing
7:30 PM Buffet Opens
8:00 PM Remaining Speeches (MOH + Best Man)- Once All Guests Have Gone Through Buffet
8:30 PM Dessert/Coffee Station Opens (Allow some time for your guests to enjoy dessert)
8:45 PM First Dances (DJ Often invites everyone to create a semi-circle around dance floor)
9:00 PM Open Dance Floor (immediately following the last special dance)
11:00 PM Bar Closes
11:30 PM Event Ends / Vendor Clean- Head to An After Party! :)

On-Site Ceremony (Plated)-Based off of a 5:30 PM- 12 AM Event, Feel free to shift hours as needed

5:00 PM Earliest Guest Arrival
5:30 PM Ceremony (Note: Most Ceremonies Start About 5 Minutes Late)
6:00 PM Cocktail Hour
7:00 PM Curtains Open / Guests Are Seated (Tip: Ask you caterer about a pre-set salad to help keep your timeline moving)
7:15 PM Introductions (It takes some time for guests to use the restroom, find their seat, etc.)
7:20 PM Cake Cutting
7:25 PM Short Toast (Often FOB or B&G Thank You) And/Or Blessing
7:30 PM First Course Served
8:00 PM Main Course Served
8:30 PM Remaining Speeches- MOH + Best Man (Once All Guests Have Been Served)
8:45 PM Dessert/Coffee Station Opens (Allow some time for your guests to enjoy dessert)
9:00 PM First Dances (DJ Often invites everyone to create a semi-circle around dance floor)
9:10 PM Open Dance Floor (Immediately following last special dance)
11:00 PM Bar Closes
11:30 PM Event Ends / Vendor Clean- Head to An After Party! :)

Off-Site Ceremony (Buffet)- Based off of a 2pm Church Ceremony & 5-11 PM Event, Feel free to shift hours as needed

2:00 PM Church Ceremony
3:00 PM Ceremony Ends / Family Photos
3:30 PM Depart Church / Head to The BRIX (time to regroup, take photos, etc. before guest arrival)- Guests often use this time to check into the hotel, grab a drink/snack at a local bar, etc.
5:00 PM Guests Arrive for Cocktail Hour
6:00 PM Curtains Open / Guests Are Seated
6:15 PM Introductions (It takes some time for guests to use the restroom, find their seat, etc.)
6:20 PM Cake Cutting
6:25 PM Short Toast (Often FOB or B&G Thank You) And/Or Blessing
6:30 PM Buffet Opens
7:00 PM Remaining Speeches (MOH + Best Man)- Once All Guests Have Gone Through Buffet
7:30 PM Dessert/Coffee Station Opens (Allow some time for your guests to enjoy dessert)
7:45 PM First Dances (DJ Often invites everyone to create a semi-circle around dance floor)
8:00 PM Open Dance Floor (Immediately following last special dance)
10:30 PM Bar Closes
11:00 PM Event Ends / Vendor Clean- Head to An After Party! :)

Off-Site Ceremony (Plated)- Based off of a 2pm Church Ceremony & 5-11 PM Event, Feel free to shift hours as needed!

2:00 PM Church Ceremony
3:00 PM Ceremony Ends / Family Photos
3:30 PM Depart Church / Head to The BRIX (time to regroup, take photos, etc. before guest arrival)- Guests often use this time to check into the hotel, grab a drink/snack at a local bar, etc.
5:00 PM Guests Arrive for Cocktail Hour
6:00 PM Curtains Open / Guests Are Seated (Tip: Ask you caterer about a pre-set salad to help keep your timeline moving)
6:15 PM Introductions (It takes some time for guests to use the restroom, find their seat, etc.)
6:20 PM Cake Cutting
6:25 PM Short Toast (Often FOB or B&G Thank You) And/Or Blessing
6:30 PM First Course Served
7:00 PM Main Course Served
7:30 PM Remaining Speeches- MOH + Best Man (Once all guests have been served)
7:45 PM Dessert/Coffee Station Opens (Allow some time for your guests to enjoy dessert)
8:00 PM First Dances (DJ often invites everyone to create a semi-circle around dance floor)
8:10 PM Open Dance Floor (Immediately following last special dance)
10:30 PM Bar Closes
11:00 PM Event Ends / Vendor Clean- Head to An After Party! :)