The Perfect Wedding Timeline

Start the Day Calm, Not Rushed

One of the biggest differences in how a wedding feels is how the morning begins.

We typically recommend photography starting around 2.5 to 3 hours before the ceremony so that your have had time to settle your nerves and make a head start on getting ready.

This allows time for:

Natural getting ready moments

Details (dress, suit, accessories)

A relaxed atmosphere rather than a rushed one

When the morning feels calm, the rest of the day follows that same energy.

Ceremony Timing Impacts Everything

If you have flexibility, the ceremony time can make a huge difference to how the day flows. In most cases, a ceremony between 1pm and 2pm works really well.

This creates:

A natural flow into the drinks reception

Enough daylight for portraits

A more relaxed pace across the afternoon

Earlier ceremonies can make the day feel long. Later ceremonies can compress everything and create pressure.

Your Drinks Reception Is More Important Than You Think

This is often the most underestimated part of the day. We always recommend allowing a minimum of 2 hours for your drinks reception

Here’s why that matters - Within that time, you’ll naturally fit:

Around 30 minutes of couple portraits

Around 30 minutes of group photos

Confetti and candid moments

Time to actually spend with your guests

If this part of the day is shortened, something has to give.

And usually, it’s: Your time with guests, your time alone or the relaxed feel of the day. But I'm here to remind you that you deserve them all!

So don't compromise and be sure to plan enough time from the start (regardless of what your venue says is 'the norm'). This is one of the biggest factors in whether a wedding feels enjoyable or rushed.

Keep Speeches Engaging

Rather than focusing on exact timings for speeches, what matters more is the overall length and energy.

We usually recommend:

Typically 3 speakers

A maximum time of 8 minutes per speaker

This keeps things:

Engaging for guests

Emotionally impactful

Moving at a natural pace

Longer speeches can slow the day down and affect the overall flow of the evening, so discuss the 8 minute rule from the off and get them to practice. You don't need Shakespeare.

Plan Around Light, Not Just Time

This is one of the most common mistakes couples make. The timing of your first dance should always consider sunset, which in Spring & Autumn can fall between 7:30pm to 8:30pm

Picture this - When your first dance happens before sunset:

You start the evening with your first dance

The dancefloor fills

You then leave for sunset/ photos

Guests follow or lose momentum

The energy drops

The DJ has to restart the party

A better approach is:

Have a gentle start as your evening guests arrive and begin to mingle

You head outside for sunset photos together

Then head inside for your first dance

And let the evening build naturally from there

Once the dancefloor is full, it should stay full. All night long!

Sidenote: If you want someone who keeps the party vibe going - The London DJ