Searches for “wedding day timeline for a 4pm ceremony” (and 3, 5 and 6 p.m.) are among the most common planning questions. Here are adaptable examples.
4 p.m. ceremony (first look)
| Time | Moment |
|---|---|
| 10:00 | Hair and makeup begin |
| 12:30 | Photographer arrives |
| 2:00 | Get dressed |
| 2:30 | First look and couple portraits |
| 3:00 | Wedding party and family photos |
| 3:30 | Couple out of sight; guests arrive |
| 4:00 | Ceremony |
| 4:30 | Cocktail hour |
| 5:30 | Reception |
| 10:00 | Send-off |
Other start times
- 2 p.m.: hair and makeup from about 8 a.m.; reception 3:30–8:30.
- 3 p.m.: start around 9 a.m.; reception 4:30–9:30.
- 5 p.m.: start around 11 a.m.; reception 6:30–11:30.
- 6 p.m.: start around noon; consider a first look, as light may fade before the cocktail hour.
5 p.m. ceremony (no first look)
| Time | Moment |
|---|---|
| 11:00 | Hair and makeup begin |
| 2:00 | Photographer arrives |
| 3:30 | Get dressed |
| 4:30 | Couple out of sight; guests arrive |
| 5:00 | Ceremony |
| 5:30 | Family photos, then wedding party and couple portraits |
| 5:30–6:45 | Cocktail hour (75 minutes) |
| 6:45 | Reception |
| 11:00 | Send-off |
Without a first look
Move couple and wedding-party portraits to cocktail hour, and consider lengthening it to 75–90 minutes.
Buffers
Getting dressed, travel between locations, family photos and the reception entrance always take longer than planned. The timeline builder adds buffers automatically.
Timeline mistakes to avoid
- Starting hair and makeup too late for the number of people.
- Forgetting travel time between getting ready, ceremony and reception.
- Scheduling portraits after sunset.
- Leaving no time to eat, for you or your vendors.
- Sharing different versions of the timeline with different people.
General information, not legal, medical or financial advice. Confirm details with your vendors, venue, officiant and local authorities.
Questions people ask
What time should a wedding start?
Many start between 3 and 5 p.m., which allows golden-hour photos and a full reception.
How long before the ceremony should we be ready?
About 30 minutes before guests arrive, so you’re out of sight and calm.
How long is a typical wedding day?
From the start of hair and makeup to the send-off, often 12–14 hours, with a ceremony of 20–60 minutes and a reception of four to five hours.
