Planning your wedding day is exciting – but also, let’s be honest, a bit overwhelming. One of the most important tools you can create to make the day run smoothly is a detailed timeline. Not just for yourself and your suppliers, but especially for your wedding party. They’ll be helping you get ready, keeping the vibes high, and showing up for photos, so they’ll need to know where they’re supposed to be, and when.
Here’s a simple step-by-step guide for building your wedding day timeline, with a focus on where and when your wedding party should be ready to shine.
Step 1: Lock In the Key Events
Before you worry about where your bridesmaids and groomsmen need to be, start with the unmovable elements:
Ceremony (30 mins–1 hour): Confirm the exact length with your celebrant or solemniser.
Sunset photos (20 mins): Chat with your photographer and use a sunset calculator for your date/location in Ireland.
Dinner (1–1.5 hours): Your venue can confirm service duration. Don’t forget to factor in courses, speeches, and potential entertainment.
Reception end time: Many Irish venues have set finish times based on licensing, so check your contract.
Once these are nailed down, you can build everything else around them.
Step 2: Add the Photo Ops (and Who Needs to Be There)
Here’s where your wedding party starts coming into play.
Detail Photos
Who: Mostly just the photographer at this point
When: While the wedding party is still getting ready
Duration: ~20 mins
Getting Ready Photos
Who: Bridesmaids, groomsmen, and you!
When: From about 2–3 hours before the ceremony
Duration: 30–40 mins (longer if only one photographer is covering both parties)
Wedding Party Photos (Round 1)
Who: Entire bridesmaid/groomsman crew, once dressed
When: Just after hair, makeup, and dressing
Duration: ~20 mins
First Look (if you’re doing one)
Who: Couple and photographer
When: 1–1.5 hours before the ceremony
Duration: ~15 mins
Your wedding party might help coordinate or cheer you on in the background!
Family Photos
Who: Couple + extended family
When: Immediately after the ceremony
Duration: 30 mins
Tip: Assign a family member to round people up.
Wedding Party Photos (Round 2)
Who: Full crew (both sides)
When: During cocktail hour
Duration: 15–20 mins
Couple Portraits & Sunset Shots
Who: Couple + photographer
When: Ideal around golden hour
Duration: 20–30 mins
Wedding party can mingle or refresh during this time.
Reception & Party Time
Who: Everyone
When: After dinner
Duration: Ongoing
Formalities like speeches, cake cutting, and first dance often happen during or after dinner.
Formal Exit / Last Dance
Who: Couple + guests
When: End of night
Duration: 10–20 mins for gathering, sparklers, or final dance
Step 3: Fill in the Gaps
Now that your key events and photo ops are sorted, add in traditional moments or personal touches:
First dance
Cake cutting
Bouquet toss
Garter toss
Late-night snacks or games
Step 4: Create Your Timeline (with the Wedding Party in Mind)
Here’s a sample for an Irish summer wedding with ceremony and reception at the same venue:
Morning
7:30 – 8:30 Breakfast and showers
8:30 Hair, makeup, and grooming begins for wedding party
12:45 Photographer arrives for getting ready shots
13:00 Final touches + dress on
13:15 Wedding party group photos
Afternoon
14:00 Groom + groomsmen ready and greeting guests
14:15 Bride + bridesmaids depart for ceremony
14:30 Ceremony begins
15:30 Family photos
16:00 Drinks reception begins
16:15 Wedding party joins cocktail hour or takes photos
Evening
17:30 Dinner call
18:00 Dinner served
18:45 Couple slips out for sunset portraits
19:30 Dessert + speeches
20:30 Cake cutting
21:00 First dance
23:00 DJ + late night food
01:30 Music ends (venue dependent)
Bonus Tip: Check With Your Suppliers
Don’t finalise your timeline without input from your suppliers. Your:
Photographer can tell you how long photos really take
Venue coordinator can confirm meal service timing
Wedding planner will make sure everything flows seamlessly
Featured image credit: Laura and Benny Photography
