
A timeline is essential to planning a stress-free wedding. An intricate itinerary ensures every detail will be attended to before, during and after you walk down the aisle. It’ll keep you punctual, help your vendors understand where they need to be, and eliminate any last-minute surprises.
While there is no “right” way to create a wedding day itinerary, it is useful for you to contemplate how you envision the day unfolding before you begin crafting your timeline. Think about the traditions you’d like to incorporate or forgo, the kind of vibe you’d like to create for your celebrations and the time of sunset if you’re hosting an outdoor affair.
Our timeline templates for a 5 pm wedding will help you consider what kind of itinerary works best based on your vision for your wedding day. The frameworks will also enable you to create your perfect timeline for a special day.

A Wedding Ceremony With a Traditional Reception
There are several reasons why 5 pm is an ideal time to host a wedding ceremony. You can wake up late and have a relaxing start to the day before the afternoon preparations. The evening ceremony also means you can smoothly transition into your reception, just in time for dinner and lots of dancing.
Pro-tip: If the end of cocktail hour coincides with sunset (which it might with a 5 p.m. ceremony start), be sure to take some couple portraits during the golden hour before it gets too dark.

5pm ceremony timeline followed by a dinner and dancing reception
Our 5 p.m. timeline for a wedding ceremony and dinner reception will give you insight into how the day might unravel for you.
- 1 p.m. — Bride and bridal party arrive for hair and make-up
- 1:30 p.m. — Photographer arrives for candid photos of the bridal party
- 2 p.m. — Groom and groomsmen get ready
- 2:30 p.m. — Photographer gets candid shots of the groom and groomsmen
- 3 p.m. — Bride puts on wedding dress
- 3 p.m. — Bouquet delivered to the bride
- 3 p.m. — Groom and groomsmen take photos
- 3:15 p.m. — First look with father (or other family members)
- 3:30 p.m. — Bride and bridal party official photos (bride and groom to avoid seeing each other)
- 3:45 p.m. — Bride and family photos
- 4:15 p.m. — Groom and family photos (bride and groom to avoid seeing each other)
- 4:30 p.m. — Bride and bridal party freshen up hair and make-up
- 4:30 p.m. — Photographer takes pictures of venue and guests arriving
- 5 p.m. — Ceremony begins
- 5:30 p.m. — Hugs and congratulations after the ceremony (formal reception line, if you choose to have one).
- 6 p.m. — Cocktail and hors d’oeuvres to be served to guests
- 6 p.m. — Couple takes photos
- 6:30 p.m. — Wedding party and family photos
- 7 p.m. — Bride touches up and bustles dress with help from mother or maid of honor
- 7 p.m. — Reception starts, and guests find their seats
- 7:05 p.m. — Wedding party makes their entrance
- 7:10 p.m. — Bride and groom make a grand entrance
- 7:15 p.m. — Welcome speech (by couple or family member)
- 7:20 p.m. — Dinner is served
- 8 p.m. — Toasts and/or speeches
- 8:15 p.m. — Cut the cake and serve dessert
- 8:30 p.m. — Couple’s first dance
- 8:35 p.m. — Parent dances
- 8:40 p.m. — Dance floor opens to guests
- 10:30 p.m. — Last call for drinks
- 11 p.m. — Bridal couple leave (special send-off).
- 11:15 p.m. — Guests start to leave
- 12:15 a.m. — Vendors finish packing up and leave

A Wedding Ceremony With a Cocktail Reception (With First Look)
If you envision a more casual and relaxed reception, there is no reason you can’t have one.
You can consider replacing a formal course meal with a cocktail reception where you serve plenty of hors d’oeuvres instead. If you create a menu with various easy-to-eat bites, guests will get to eat while they mingle in a relaxed celebration. Conclude the evening with cake and champagne and everyone will be merry.
Be sure to convey your cocktail reception plans in your invite. Guests will know what to expect and can make late dinner plans for after your celebration (if they still have room to eat).

5pm ceremony timeline followed by a cocktail reception
Our timeline for a 5 pm wedding followed by a cocktail reception will help you craft your perfect version.
- 12 p.m. — Bride and bridal party arrive for hair and make-up
- 12:30 p.m. — Photographer arrives for candid photos of the bridal party
- 1 p.m. — Groom and groomsmen get ready
- 1:30 p.m. — Photographer gets candid shots of the groom and groomsmen
- 2 p.m. — Bride puts on wedding dress
- 2 p.m. — Bridal bouquet delivery
- 2:15 p.m. — First look with the bride’s father (or other family members)
- 2:30 p.m. — Groom heads to first look location to await his bride
- 2:40 p.m. — Bride heads to the first look location
- 2:45 p.m. — Bride and groom first look and photos
- 3:30 p.m. — Wedding party photos
- 4 p.m. — Family photos
- 4:30 p.m. — Bride touches up hair and make-up
- 4:30 p.m. — Photographer takes pictures of venue and guests arriving
- 5 p.m. — Ceremony begins
- 5:30 p.m. — Hugs and congratulations after the ceremony (formal reception line, if you choose to have one).
- 6 p.m. — Bride touches up and bustles dress with help from her mother or the maid of honor
- 6 p.m. — Reception begins. Cocktails/ champagne and hors d’oeuvres are served
- 6:05 p.m. — Wedding party makes an entrance
- 6:10 p.m. — Bride and groom make an entrance
- 6:15 p.m. — Bride and groom mingle with guests during cocktail hour
- 7 p.m. — Couple’s first dance
- 7:05 p.m. — Parent dances
- 7:10 p.m. — Toasts and/or speeches
- 7:30 p.m. — Cake cutting and dessert to be served
- 7:30 p.m. — Dance floor opens
- 8:30 p.m. — Bridal couple leave (the send-off)
- 8:45 p.m. — Guests begin to leave
- 9:30 p.m. — Vendors finish packing up and leave

A Wedding Ceremony and Reception at Different Venues
A 5 p.m. wedding ceremony provides ample time for a smooth transition to a separate reception venue.
There are many reasons you might choose to host your wedding ceremony and reception at separate venues. Perhaps you’re having your wedding at a place of worship and need to move to a party venue post-ceremony, or you’d like a different feel and vibe for both of your events.
Whatever your reason, it’s imperative you craft a wedding timeline that accounts for the travel time between your wedding and reception locations.
Pro tip: Try to choose a reception venue no further than 20 to 30 minutes away. A longer commute time will not only be inconvenient for everyone but you’ll also risk losing the momentum of your celebration.

5pm ceremony timeline followed by a reception at a separate venue
Check out this timeline to help you plan your day if you’re considering hosting your wedding and reception at separate venues.
- 1 p.m. — Bride and bridal party arrive for hair and make-up
- 1:30 p.m. — Photographer arrives for candid photos of the bridal party
- 2 p.m. — Groom and groomsmen get ready
- 2:30 p.m. — Photographer gets candid shots of the groom and groomsmen
- 3 p.m. — Bride puts on wedding dress
- 3 p.m. — Bouquet delivered to the bride
- 3 p.m. — Groom and groomsmen take photos
- 3:15 p.m. —First look with father (or other family members)
- 3:30 p.m. — Bride and bridal party official photos (bride and groom to avoid seeing each other)
- 3:45 p.m. — Bride and family photos
- 4:15 p.m. — Groom and family photos (bride and groom to avoid seeing each other)
- 4:30 p.m. — Bride and bridal party freshen up hair and make-up
- 4:30 p.m. — Photographer takes pictures of venue and guests arriving
- 5 p.m. — Ceremony begins
- 5:30 p.m. — Hugs and congratulations after the ceremony (formal reception line, if you choose to have one).
- 6 p.m. — Guests leave for the reception venue
- 6 p.m. — Couple takes photos
- 6:30 p.m. — Wedding party and family photos
- 6:30 p.m. — Cocktail hour begins at the reception venue. Hor d’oeuvres to be served
- 6:55 p.m. — Bride bustles dress with help from maid of honor
- 7 p.m — Couple and wedding party leave for reception venue
- 7:20 p.m — Guests find their seats, and reception begins
- 7:25 p.m — Wedding party makes an entrance
- 7:30 p.m — Couple makes a grand entrance
- 7:35 p.m. — Dinner is served
- 8 p.m. — Toasts and/or speeches
- 8:15 p.m. — Cut the cake and serve dessert
- 8:30 p.m. — First dance
- 8:35 p.m. — Parent dances
- 8:40 p.m. — Dance floor opens to guests
- 10:45 p.m. — Last call for drinks
- 11:15 p.m. — Bridal couple leave (special send-off).
- 11:30 p.m. — Guests start to leave
- 12:30 p.m. — Vendors finish packing up and leave
Important Planning Advice
Even the most meticulously planned schedule won’t always go perfectly. Couples who plan the day but are flexible with their timing will still enjoy their celebration and all the big day’s special moments. Once you’ve created your timeline, share it with your key vendors and then make a vow to enjoy your day no matter what.