Can you give me a sample wedding day timeline for a 4pm ceremony?

Here is a practical timeline for a 4pm ceremony, which works well for a late-afternoon or early-evening wedding.

• 4pm: Ceremony at your venue or place of worship.
• 4.30pm: Confetti, group photos and a chance for guests to mingle.
• 5pm: Drinks reception with canapés, while you and your partner have a few quiet moments or join the photos.
• 6pm: Wedding breakfast (the main meal) is served. Keep it to two or three courses so you are not eating too late.
• 7.30pm: Speeches and toasts, usually after the meal or between courses. Keep them short and warm.
• 8.30pm: Cake cutting, then the evening guests may arrive if you have invited them separately.
• 9pm: First dance, then the dance floor opens for everyone.
• 9.30pm to midnight: Dancing, with a late-night snack around 11pm if you like, and the reception winds down at midnight.

This timeline gives you a relaxed pace. If you want more time for dancing, you could serve a lighter meal or ask your photographer to take fewer formal photos. If you have evening guests, tell them to arrive at 8pm so they are ready for the cake cutting and first dance. Check with your venue about the latest time for music and any curfews, and build in a buffer of 15 minutes for each part, as weddings often run a little late.