Wedding timeline tool
Enter your ceremony time and build a running order for your wedding day, from morning access to the final send-off.
Build your timeline
Use the time confirmed by your venue and officiant.
Adjusts buffer sizes for moving between rooms and serving dinner.
Assumptions: ceremony length 30 minutes, dinner service 90 minutes, speeches 30 minutes. Buffets and room changes add 15 minutes per move.
How the timeline tool works
It takes two inputs and works backwards and forwards from your ceremony to fill the day.
- Fix the ceremony timeEnter the time your ceremony starts. This is the only immovable point in the day.
- Estimate your guest countThe tool uses this to set sensible buffers around room changes, serving dinner and group photos.
- Review the generated orderCheck each block against your venue access times and supplier requirements, then print or copy it.
What the tool assumes
The tool builds a standard sequence around your ceremony time. It does not know your venue layout, travel distances or supplier setup needs.
- Ceremony length
- 30 minutes, unless your own ceremony is longer.
- Drinks reception
- 60 minutes, including time to gather for group photos.
- Dinner service
- 90 minutes for a plated service; longer for a buffet.
- Speeches
- 30 minutes, including cake cutting.
- Room change buffer
- 15 minutes per move, more if the spaces are in different buildings.
What the generated timeline gives you
Working from the ceremony
Getting-ready times, hair and makeup, photographer arrival and travel are all calculated by working backwards from your ceremony start.
Through to the evening
Cocktails, dinner, speeches, cake, first dance and the final send-off follow the ceremony in a logical order.
A clean running order
The result is a table you can print or copy. Add supplier phone numbers only to the private copy shared with your wedding team.
This is a planning template, not a quote from any venue or supplier. Confirm every time with the people who must be there.
Try the wedding budget spreadsheet next
Put planned and actual costs in one place alongside your timeline.
Wedding timeline questions
Who should receive the wedding day timeline?
Share the final version with the venue, photographer, videographer, caterer, entertainment, transport providers, wedding party and anyone responsible for a key task.
How much spare time should a wedding timeline include?
Add small buffers around travel, getting ready, group photos and room changes. The right amount depends on the venue, guest count and distances involved.
When should we finish the timeline?
Create a draft once the ceremony and reception times are fixed. Confirm it with suppliers in the final weeks, then send the updated version to everyone who needs it.
Can I share the timeline with guests?
Guests usually need only arrival, ceremony, meal, transport and finish times. Suppliers need the full version with setup times and contact names.