8 hour timeline!

Let's say you have it from 2-10pm...
2:00 pm Setup
4:00 pm First look, pre-ceremony pictures5:00 pm Ceremony5:30 pm Cocktails and family pictures6:00 pm Reception9:00 pm Cleanup
I don't know what time of day you're planning but 8 hrs seems reasonable to me. I think your venue will also have a good idea for the timeline since they know it's doable. A wedding coordinator would also be a big help.

Eight hours is actually quite a bit of time! I'd start with writing down what all you plan to do at the wedding and then go from there. So for example, are there any specific traditions you plan to do for your ceremony that would make it longer or shorter? During the reception, are you playing any games? Eating a meal?

Candace gave some great advice with connecting with a wedding coordinator! If one is offered through your venue (or you hire one outside of the venue), they should be able to help with things like this as well

View Quoted Comment Thank you! I mostly want time for pictures, dancing and music! We a dj, photobooth, and open bar. So I'm trying to figure out how to to quickly time everything else. I would like the ceremony to be at sunset. We want a first look and Cocktail hour. No religious traditions or games. Buffet style dinner.

Our timeline was about 8 hours (not including getting ourselves ready) and it was very do-able, but we also didn't have to set anything up ourselves - highly recommend a day-of coordinator for help!

3:00pm - set-up begins (and first look and all other group pictures)

5:00pm - prelude music begins for guests' arrivals

5:30pm - ceremony begins

6:00pm - cocktail hour beings

7:00pm - reception begins (introductions, then first dance, then toasts)

7:15pm - dinner service begins

8:15pm - father/daughter and mother/son dances

9:00pm - cake cutting

10:00pm - reception ends

And that leaves 1 hour for clean-up!

View Quoted Comment Very similar to what I had in mind. Thank you! And you really felt like you had enough time to enjoy everything??

View Quoted Comment

I'd say so, yeah, though it's true what everyone says - the day just rushes by! We totally could've kept the party going but it didn't feel rushed by any means.

View Quoted Comment Nice! I've been thinking about an after party as well! Since we'll take our honeymoon a few days after the wedding.