Perfect Order of Events for a Wedding: Your Ultimate Guide

Saying “I do” might be the easiest part of a wedding. But before saying those two words on the altar you need to plan the order of events for a wedding ceremony. From stunning venues, and first dances to delicious menus, the details can feel endless. That’s why you need a well-crafted timeline to account for everything. Fortunately, Unity Entertainment is here to help you plan your special day, we have various wedding agenda types made just for you.

Timing with Photos

At some point in the day, you will be disappearing from the crowd to do your portrait photos. This might be just the two of you, or possibly some with family and/ or the wedding party members. This will usually take up 1-2 hours of your day, so it’s a smart move to shape the rest of your timeline around this. 

Typically, the best time for these photos is ‘Golden hour’, which is the hour before sunset when the lighting is perfect. The light takes on a warm tone, and is gentle enough to avoid any harsh brightness and shadows. 

Golden hour varies with your location and time of year, so in Winter you would have the sun setting by 5pm, And in Daylight Savings in Summer, the sun can be out well past 8pm. 

You may prefer some night time couple’s photos under the fairy lights or some other artificial light source, but these are often supplementary to the main shots done in natural light. That’s about the extent of my knowledge on this as a DJ! Your photographer will likely take the lead on this, so listen to their input and recommendations.

Timing with Food

Your venue or caterer may have minimal flexibility when it comes to food timings, so other than the sunset time, this is often the other aspect that cannot be altered. It’s very common practice when building out your timeline to start with the food timings, and work everything else around that. Reach out to your venue or caterer to see if they have set times for serving each course, and go from there. 

Timing with the Seasons

Depending on where you are and the time of year, it could get very dark very early, and with comes a sudden drop in temperature. In which case you wouldn’t want your guests in their cocktail attire outside during Winter after sunset. 

Conversely, you wouldn’t want your guests standing in sweltering heat for a ceremony at high noon, so a later start is preferable in the warmer months if you are planning on having it outdoors. 

Choose a Timeline For Your Wedding

As we covered earlier, these timelines can be shifted forward or backward depending on the location, food and time of year to ensure the guests are comfortable, couple’s photos line up with golden hour and don’t clash with food service.

Casual Destination Weddings

Destination weddings evoke a relaxed, intimate atmosphere. This type of wedding is perfect for couples who want a celebration that feels like a getaway. The timeline for this type of wedding might go like this:

TIME	ITEM
3:00 pm	CEREMONY BEGINS
4:00 pm	CANAPES ARE SERVED, AND BAR SERVICE COMMENCESCOUPLE / BRIDAL PARTY PHOTOS
5:00 pm	GUESTS ARE SEATED / ENTER RECEPTION AREA
5:10 pm	OFFICIAL WELCOME BY MC
5:15 pm	DINNER SERVED
5:45 pm	SPEECHES / TOASTS
6:40 pm	DINNER CLEARED, CAKE TABLE SET
6:50 pm	CAKE CUTTING
7:00 pm	CAKE & DESSERT SERVED
7:25 pm	FIRST DANCE
7:30 pm	DANCE FLOOR COMMENCESDESSERT CLEARED
10:00 pm	RECEPTION CONCLUDES

Casual destination weddings have a relaxed and intimate atmosphere. It starts with a short and sweet ceremony. This is followed by an extended cocktail hour, while a single-course buffet, food station, or family-style dinner adds to the laid-back vibe. The MC keeps things light with brief toasts, followed by a cake cutting and lively open dance floor.

Ballroom Weddings

Ballroom weddings are ideal for couples who envision a classic, sophisticated affair where the focus is on timeless romance. A sample timeline might look like this:

TIME	ITEM
2:00 pm	CEREMONY BEGINS
3:00 pm	COUPLE / BRIDAL PARTY PHOTOS
5:00 pm	GUESTS ARRIVING TO RECEPTION
5:20 pm	MC WELCOME, BRIDAL PARTY GRAND ENTRANCE
5:25 pm	ENTREES SERVED
6:00 pm	ENTREES CLEARED
6:05 pm	1ST ROUND SPEECHES / TOASTS
6:20 pm	DINNER  SERVED
6:40 pm	2ND ROUND OF SPEECHES / TOASTS
7:00 pm	DINNER CLEAREDCAKE TABLE SET
7:10 pm	CAKE CUTTING
7:25 pm	CAKE & DESSERT SERVED
7:55 pm	FORMAL DANCES
8:00 pm	DANCE FLOOR COMMENCES
9:30 pm	BOUQUET & GARTER TOSS
9:45 pm	BRIDE & GROOM FAREWELL
10:00 pm	RECEPTION CONCLUDES

Ballroom weddings are elegant and traditional. A beautiful ceremony sets the tone for the luxurious celebration that follows. Guests mingle over drinks and hors d’oeuvres during cocktail hour. 

Your grand entrance marks the official start of the reception. Later on, a multi-course plated dinner provides a sophisticated experience, followed by formal toasts.  

Classic dances create cherished moments, while optional traditions like the bouquet/garter toss add a playful touch. Extended dance time with a mix of classic and modern hits guarantees a packed dance floor all night long.

Weekday Weddings

Weekday weddings are perfect for couples with tight schedules or who want a close-knit celebration. This style is also suitable for couples who want to focus on the party or who might have a smaller budget, as weekday venue rates are often lower. You can adjust your timeline like this:

TIME	ITEM
2:00 pm	CEREMONY BEGINS
3:00 pm	COUPLE / BRIDAL PARTY PHOTOS, CANAPES
5:00 pm	GUESTS ARRIVING TO RECEPTION
5:20 pm	MC WELCOMEBRIDAL PARTY GRAND ENTRANCE
6:00 pm	DINNER  SERVED
6:30 pm	SPEECHES / TOASTS
7:00 pm	DINNER CLEAREDCAKE TABLE SET
7:20 pm	CAKE CUTTING
7:30 pm	FORMAL DANCES
7:35 pm	DANCE FLOOR COMMENCES
9:30 pm	RECEPTION CONCLUDES

For a weekday wedding, opt for a late afternoon ceremony so guests can wrap up their workdays. You can also combine cocktail hour and dinner or offer plentiful appetisers. 

Keep toasts brief to maintain a lively pace, then cut the cake to signal the start of the celebration. Share your special dances, and then pack the dance floor with a high-energy playlist to get your guests dancing.

Late-Start Weddings

Late-start weddings are all about a party-centred vibe. This approach suits couples who love to dance and want an out-of-the-box celebration with a nightclub feel. A late-start wedding timeline might look like this:

TIME	ITEM
5:00 pm	CEREMONY BEGINS
5:40 pm	COUPLE / BRIDAL PARTY PHOTOS, CANAPES
6:40 pm	GUESTS ARRIVING TO RECEPTION
7:00 pm	MC WELCOMEBRIDAL PARTY GRAND ENTRANCE
7:15 pm	DINNER  SERVED
8:00 pm	SPEECHES / TOASTS
8:30 pm	DINNER CLEAREDCAKE TABLE SET
8:40 pm	CAKE CUTTING
9:00 pm	FORMAL DANCES
9:05 pm	DANCE FLOOR COMMENCES
11:30 pm	RECEPTION CONCLUDES

Your late-start ceremony is followed immediately by dinner. The MC kicks things off with a lively welcome and sets the tone for heartfelt toasts. Cut the cake for a touch of tradition before ramping up the energy with a non-stop dance party that lasts all night.

Additional Considerations For Your Wedding

Wedding Party Expectations

Define your wedding party’s roles. This includes attending pre-wedding events, giving toasts, and helping with setup. Open communication prevents confusion and shows your appreciation. 

Additionally, giving them a clear order of events for a wedding ceremony ensures everyone knows their part.

Bachelor/Bachelorette Themes

Choose themes that match the couple’s personalities and wedding style. Consider an adventurous getaway for outdoorsy couples or a relaxing spa weekend for those who prefer a low-key celebration.

Speech Content

Encourage speakers to focus on positive stories about the couple and keep speeches brief (2-3 minutes is ideal). Provide online resources for those who are nervous about public speaking.

Wedding Music

The right music shapes the mood of your reception. Work with your DJ to create a personalised playlist that mixes crowd favourites with meaningful songs. Play upbeat tunes to get guests dancing and slower tracks to create a romantic atmosphere.