Creating a timeline for your wedding day is a no brainer! It helps ensure everything runs smoothly and everyone stays on schedule from morning preparations to the final send-off.

A wedding day timeline provides a structure, but be sure to adjust it based on your specific needs and traditions and crucially, be prepared for it to change and adapt! Planning extra buffer time between major events can help alleviate any wedding-day stress and keep things flowing smoothly.

It may be that you ask an experienced wedding planner to help you create your wedding timing plan. It’s their job to make sure that all tasks are handled efficiently and that every detail is taken care of on the big day. The wedding planner’s role is to oversee logistics, manage wedding suppliers, and ensure the entire event runs smoothly, so it can be a huge weight off your shoulders especially if you are having a wedding at home. 

That said, for those of you who are choosing to take on wedding planning yourself or if you just love the challenge, here’s a starting point of what to include in your wedding day timeline, assuming an outdoor ceremony at 2pm in the garden followed by a marquee reception.

Wedding Day Timeline for a Marquee Wedding

Ceremony at 2:00 PM

7:00 AM – 8:30 AM: Wake Up and Morning Preparation

• Couple: Wake up early to enjoy a calm morning and have breakfast.
• Bride: Hair and makeup begin (typically with bridal party).
• Groom: Starts getting dressed with his groomsmen.
• Photographer arrives to capture the day’s initial moments, such as the details (dress, shoes, rings, etc.) and candid shots of the couple’s preparations.

8:30 AM – 9:30 AM: Groom and Groomsmen Get Ready

• Groom and groomsmen finish getting dressed.
• Photographer captures some fun or candid shots of the groom and groomsmen.

9:30 AM – 11:00 AM: Bride’s Hair and Makeup Continued

• The bride’s final hair and makeup touches.
• Bridesmaids begin getting ready as well.
• Photographer continues to capture moments, such as getting into dresses and final prep for the bride.

 

11:00 AM – 12:00 PM: Suppliers Arrivals and Final Marquee Touches

• Suppliers arrive to finalise the setup (marquee company, florists, caterers, sound/light team).
• Marquee finishing touches are completed: place settings, floral arrangements and lighting etc.
• Photographer captures the marquee and decor, ensuring they get photos of the marquee before guests arrive.

12:00 PM – 12:30 PM: Lunch and Relaxation

• Light Lunch: Quick, light snacks or lunch for the bridal party and family members. Avoid heavy meals that might make you feel sluggish.
• Time for the bride and groom to relax, take a moment for themselves, and possibly exchange letters or gifts.
• Final checks of outfits, accessories, and rings.

12:30 PM – 1:30 PM: Pre-Ceremony Photos

• First Look (optional): If the couple chooses to do a first look, this is the time for the bride and groom to see each other before the ceremony.
• Bridal Party Photos: Bride with bridesmaids, groom with groomsmen, and couples’ portraits.
• Family Photos: If desired, some family photos can be taken pre-ceremony to avoid taking time away from the reception.
• Photographer can capture the bride’s walk or drive to the ceremony.

1:30 PM – 2:00 PM: Guest Arrival & Final Ceremony Prep

• Guests begin arriving at the marquee and are directed to the welcome drinks or cocktail area.
• Final Checks: The bride and groom make sure everything is ready for the ceremony. Final touches on flowers, seating arrangements, and ceremony setup.
• Officiant and wedding party get in position.
• Photographer is ready for the ceremony to begin.

2:00 PM – 2:45 PM: Wedding Ceremony

• Ceremony Begins: The bride enters, ceremony unfolds with vows, ring exchange, and the pronouncement of marriage.
• First Kiss and recessional (couple exits the ceremony as newlyweds).
• You are officially married!

2:45 PM – 3:45 PM: Post-Ceremony Photos & Reception drinks

• Family and Bridal Party Photos: After the ceremony, take the time to capture formal/informal photos with family and the bridal party.
• Cocktail Hour: Guests enjoy drinks and canapes while the couple finishes their post-ceremony photos.
• Photographer takes candid shots of guests mingling, and the couple enjoys a moment to themselves.

3:45 PM – 4:15 PM: Reception Welcome and Grand Entrance

• Guests move to the marquee
• Couple’s Grand Entrance: The newlyweds enter the reception area to cheers from guests!

4:15 PM – 6:15 PM: Dinner Service

• Dinner Served: Guests are seated, and food is served (whether buffet-style, plated, or family-style).
• Background Music: Soft music plays while guests eat.
• Speeches/Toasts: During or after dinner, speeches are given as planned. Maid of honor, best man, and other important figures give their speeches.

6:15 PM – 8:00 PM: Drinks & Dancing & Entertainment

• First Dance: The couple has their first dance.
• After the couple’s first dance, guests are encouraged to dance or mingle.
• Cake Cutting: The couple cuts the cake.

8:00 PM – Late Night Snacks & More Dancing!

• Late-night snacks are served (e.g., pizza, chips, sliders, or dessert stations).
• Dancing continues, and guests enjoy the late-night offerings.

8:00 PM – 10:00 PM: Last Dance & Send-Off

• Last Dance: The couple has their final dance together as newlyweds.
• Send-Off: The couple is sent off by guests, either with a sparkler exit, bubbles, or confetti.

11:00 PM – 12:00 PM: Guests Begin to Depart

• Guests begin to leave the marquee, with transportation arranged if necessary.
• Couple departs (if not immediately leaving, they can relax and unwind privately).

Additional Tips for Your Marquee Wedding Timeline

1. Morning Prep Timing: Ensure that hair, makeup, and dressing are planned well ahead of time, especially if you’re doing photos beforehand.
2. Transportation: If you have guests arriving from out of town or who need transportation, make sure this is well coordinated and confirmed beforehand.
3. Weather Considerations: If the ceremony or reception is outdoors, have a backup plan (such as a rain cover or indoor ceremony space in the marquee) in case of bad weather and equally, if the weather is hot, make sure someone is on hand to roll up the walls to let the air flow.
4. Order of the day signage: make sure your guests know what’s happening when too with a simplified timeline tailored for just them.
5. Relax and Enjoy: Make sure to take a few moments alone as a couple during the day to reflect and soak in the special moments.

Hopefully this timeline will help keep everything flowing smoothly while allowing you to focus on enjoying your wedding day! If you need any help with planning, do check out our list of brilliant wedding planners in our little black book. If you’d like more information on how a marquee can bring your big day to life or need any other advice – we love to chat about all things weddings! – get in touch here.