What is a realistic timeline for a wedding?

Short answer

A realistic wedding timeline usually starts with the ceremony at 1 or 2 PM, followed by drinks and photos for an hour, then a meal, speeches, and dancing into the evening. Allow about 6 to 8 hours total, from ceremony to last dance.

A typical UK wedding timeline looks like this. Aim to have everyone ready and at the venue by 12:30 PM for a 1 PM ceremony. The ceremony itself often lasts 20 to 30 minutes. After that, allow 60 to 90 minutes for drinks, canapés and photographs. This gives guests time to mingle and you time for photos without feeling rushed.

Around 3 PM, move to the wedding breakfast, which usually takes about two hours for a three-course meal. Speeches often happen during or just after the meal, around 4:30 to 5 PM. Then comes the cake cutting and the evening reception. Evening guests usually arrive around 7 PM, and the first dance often happens at 7:30 or 8 PM. Dancing can carry on until 11 PM or midnight, depending on your venue's licence.

Build in buffer time for everything, especially photos and speeches. Things always take longer than planned. Also, remember that legal formalities like giving notice need to happen well before the day. Check with your venue and registrar for their exact timings, as these can vary. A timeline that feels calm is better than one that is packed.