From ‘I Do’ To Last Dance: A Wedding Timeline for the Big Day
They finally popped the question, and now you need to plan a wedding. You have no idea where to start, and the clock is forever ticking.
You have so many questions: Should the ceremony be short and sweet or long and traditional? Does dinner start immediately after “I do,” or should there be a cocktail hour? How long do photos take, and when’s the best time to take them?
Below, we’ve provided a simple breakdown of the events on your big day. Keep reading to find out the what, when, and where of your most important day.
Table of Contents
What Is a Typical Wedding Timeline for the Day?
To ensure your wedding day runs smoothly, a set schedule is essential. Wedding day timelines serve as your wedding party's roadmaps for when and where things will happen.
Some couples even create personalized schedule cards for each member, giving them specific times and locations where they’ll be needed. You could include things like their scheduled hair and makeup times or when and where they will be needed for photos.
These cards are not only practical, they can also be beautiful keepsakes.
Here’s a list of typical events to include in your wedding day timeline:
Getting Ready
“First Look” and Photos
Ceremony
Cocktail Hour
Grand Entrance & First Dance
Dinner & Toasts
Cake Cutting
Dancing
These events aren’t absolute. Your timeline depends on your personal preferences and style and can be adapted to help create your perfect day.
Wedding timelines can be as detailed as specifying when the florist and baker will drop off your orders, that the DJ arrives 30 minutes before the start of the ceremony and stays for eight hours, and when the catering staff will arrive and depart after dinner.
At Twenty Mile House, we canpersonalize your wedding day experience to reflect who you are and what’s important to you as a couple. We can easily adapt traditional ceremony conventions to create an experience that is authentically you. And most importantly, we take the wedding planning stress off your shoulders.
Before the Ceremony
Getting Ready
This is when the magic begins. It starts off with a flurry of makeup brushes, curling irons, and camera clicks.
Start the Day:
It’s important to start your morning with some exercise to help relieve stress, a shower to refresh yourself, and then follow that up with a group breakfast to fuel up for the morning of preparation.
Be sure to schedule something for lunch as well. You’ll get hungry long before the reception. But avoid greasy foods like burgers and fries because they can leave you feeling bloated and uncomfortable.
According to Beauty Icon NYC, it could take as long as two and a half hours for a full bridal look. Just remember, the larger the party, the more time will be needed.
Each service should last about 30 minutes per person, but it’s best to talk to the team beforehand and schedule based on their recommendations.
If you’re using individual schedule cards, be sure to include the name of each person’s stylist and their scheduled times for services.
Photographer Arrives:
Wedding photographers are there to capture all the best moments of the day and leave you with the story of your wedding day told in pictures. Most couples choose to have the cameras click while the bride is getting ready, and end about the first hour of dancing. Twenty Mile House’s all-inclusive wedding packages each come with their own photography vendor.
They’ll be with you from the getting-dressed photos through the first hour of dancing. The photography team will arrive about 30 minutes before the couples get dressed. That’s when they’ll capture stunning images of the gown, party members, and the wedding couple preparing for their ceremony.
“First Look” and Photos
“First Look” and Photos
The first time you see each other, or your “First Look,” is a special moment that deserves to be caught on camera. Our photographers know all the best locations to capture the perfect reveal.
Sharing your vows privately is becoming increasingly popular, and now would be the ideal time to exchange them. This can be a special and intimate moment between the two of you before sharing it with your friends and family.
Take some of the family and wedding party shots during this time. This cuts down on the time and number of photos needed after the ceremony.
Put someone who knows the family in charge of organizing and naming those who need to be photographed. Having a shot list would also be incredibly helpful for the photography team.
The “First Look” and photos should take on average 30-60 minutes.
Immediately before the ceremony, get a drink, eat a small snack, and use the restroom. Once the ceremony is underway, you won’t be able to leave. And we don’t think you’ll want to!
During & Immediately Following the Ceremony
Ceremony
Guests Arrive
As your guests arrive, they’ll be greeted with peaceful and melodious music as they admire your spectacular ceremony space. They might hear the rushing river or the wind through the trees. They’ll take in the ambiance and atmosphere of your choosing.
A guest book table is where your friends and family can leave a note that they were here to celebrate your special day with you. You can request other personalized stations as well.
It’s a good idea to leave about 30 minutes between when guests arrive and the start of the ceremony.
Ceremony
The main event should start 10-15 minutes after the time written on the invitations. This gives your guests a buffer for any unforeseen circumstances.
The length of your ceremony depends entirely on your preference. Our secular weddings run about 30 minutes, but if you are looking for a more traditional religious ceremony or one with added elements, it may take longer.
We will accommodate any ceremony requests we can. At Twenty Mile House, we want to make your special day everything you’ve always dreamed about. Your ceremony should be as unique as you are, so tell us any requests you’d like to include, and we will accommodate what we can.
Cocktail Hour
Your cocktail hour will begin immediately after the ceremony ends. Your guests will mingle and explore our expertly maintained grounds while having drinks and hors d'oeuvres. We also provide lawn games to entertain your friends and family, particularly the littlest ones.
You and your wedding party can take advantage of the spectacular natural lighting for the final formal wedding shots.
But before joining the cocktail hour, make sure you take a few minutes with just you and your new spouse. Catch your breath and bask in the knowledge that you just got married!
Dinner
When everyone is in their seats and settled, it’s time for your grand entrance. After your bridal party is announced, you and your new spouse will make your grand entrance. It could be to a fast-tempo song or perhaps to something slower that can lead into your first dance as a married couple.
The parent dances are next. These can be the traditional father-daughter and mother-son dances, or you can choose to break with tradition and do it uniquely your way.
Depending on the number of dances, expect this to take about 15 minutes.
Dinner & Toasts
Next, it’s time for dinner and toasts.
We suggest 90 minutes for dinner with toasts staggered between the meals. This allows your guests time to savor the exquisite meal you selected with our catering vendor, which comes with each of Twenty Mile House’s all-inclusive wedding packages.
This is the time for the maid of honor, best man, and any other of your special ones to share their favorite memories or words of encouragement through their speeches.
However, we suggest the speeches last no more than five minutes each and that they be spread out during the meal, which keeps them from piling on top of one another.
Reception
Cake Cutting
As the reception gets later into the night, it should be time to cut the cake and partake of some divine desserts crafted by our carefully selected baking team. Whether it’s the traditional tiered wedding cake or a variety of indulgent sweets, they’re up to the task.
The cake cutting and dessert ensemble are traditionally the signal that your guests can depart shortly thereafter. They’ve no doubt enjoyed a magical evening celebrating you and your loving union.
Dancing
After dinner is over, it’s time to let your hair down and dance the night away.
Twenty Mile House is in a remote location with no local noise ordinance forcing you to end the party too soon.
We provide outdoor speakers after the DJ leaves at midnight, so you can stay and dance as long and as late as you’d like, even until sunrise.
And when your guests aren’t dancing, they can sit around our propane firepits and enjoy the peace and astonishing beauty of our property.
Common Questions About Creating a Wedding Timeline
How Do I Create a Wedding Timeline?
When you select one of our packages at Twenty Mile House’s all-inclusive wedding venue in Northern California, you’ll have our wedding coordination team to help you create the perfect timeline. Follow this guide to know what to expect and when. Your timeline should reflect your personalized wedding celebration.
Should the Wedding Party Get a Copy of the Timeline?
Yes, absolutely! This ensures that everyone knows where and when they should be there. Personalized schedule cards are also an excellent option.
What Time Should the Ceremony Start?
Ideally, the ceremony starts three hours before sunset. During the summer, this means between 4 pm and 5 pm, and in the fall, between 3 pm and 4 pm.
What’s the Ideal Time Gap Between the Ceremony and Reception?
We suggest no more than 90 minutes. If you decide you need longer, be sure to provide refreshments and entertainment for your guests, like the lawn games we provide.
How Long Should We Allow for Dinner and Toasts?
It’s customary for the dinner service to last from 90 to 120 minutes. This leaves ample time for you and your guests to enjoy your meals and the expected toasts and speeches between courses.
How Much Buffer Time Should We Allow Between Events?
It’s important to add a 10-15 minute buffer between the big events. This leaves room for any possible mishaps or slowdowns.
What Happens if We Fall Behind Schedule?
It’s common for things to fall out of sync with your timeline. This is the reason buffers are so important.
But don’t worry, our staff and vendors are skilled at adapting to changes in real-time.
Clear communication is essential to keep the ball rolling and the party going. Your wedding coordination team has plenty of experience with getting things back on track.
Twenty Mile House: Happily Ever After Begins at Our All-Inclusive Wedding Venue in Northern California
If you’re searching for a picturesque and stress-free all-inclusive wedding venue in the beautiful Sierra Nevada Mountains, Twenty Mile House is what you’re looking for.
Call or email us to schedule your tour today!
We look forward to giving you the wedding you’ve dreamed of.