This post was originally published in 2020 and updated in June 2025

Have you started to imagine your wedding day yet? How are all of the moments going to play out? Certain things about your wedding timeline are going to be obvious. You’ll get your hair and makeup done before you put on the dress. Then the ceremony will usually be followed by a cocktail hour while you take photos. Once that’s finished, it’s time for dinner and dancing. There are quite a few little details and pro-tips I’ve learned over the years that I’d love to share with you… These are some of my go-to wedding timeline tips to help things run smoothly from start to finish.

Wedding Timeline Tips: Planning Around the Sunset

One key element some people tend to overlook is the timing of sunset in relation to the wedding. If you’ve looked at any photographers so far, you’ve probably noticed that some of the most stunning images are taken right around sunset, or the golden hour, as it’s often referred to.

Why Sunset Timing Matters for Your Wedding Photos

Ideally, you would want the ceremony to end in time to capture as many photos as possible during that magical hour. After that, dinner can begin as the sun sets, creating a natural transition. As the DJ, I provide the perfect playlist for that time for many of my weddings, with your taste taken into account. I often help line up many of the details with the venue and other vendors to help bridge the ceremony and reception. The time for sunset changes depending on the season. It might not work as easily in the middle of summer. But I still recommend planning a moment to sneak away for photos — either before the dance party starts, or after it’s underway for at least 15–20 minutes.

Wedding Timeline Tips: Planning Your Grand Entrance

After cocktail hour, there are a few different ways of organizing the reception events. Typically, after guests find their seats, a grand entrance will re-introduce the newly married couple. It can be as subtle as eliciting some applause for just the couple, or can get rather elaborate with the full bridal party being introduced to a hype song and all gathering on the dance floor.

Wedding Timeline Tips: First Dance

Roughly half of my clients choose to do their first dance after the entrance. The other half prefer to wait until after dinner.

Reasons to Do It Before Dinner

• You will look as fresh as possible for the photos – If you’re a messy eater or drinking red wine, this is definitely something to think about…
• The spotlight and excitement would be high after the entrance
• Some want to get it out of the way early
• Maybe there are a lot of events happening after dinner, and you’d like to chop it up a bit

Reasons to Wait Until After Dinner

• People might be hungry after a long day
• It can be used as an excellent tool to start the dance party
• You have some time to relax a bit during dinner if it’s been a busy day
• Some couples like to combine it with the parent dances so all the spotlight moments happen together…which can be a great way to manage time and energy.

In either case, the next step I often recommend is a quick “Thanks for coming” or “Welcome” speech from the newlyweds. You probably haven’t had much of a chance to speak to everyone yet, and it’s nice to address the room briefly if you feel comfortable with that. Additionally, a family member/parent may want to do that as well, and someone may want to bless the food or say grace.

Pro Tips to Keep Dinner on Track

Dinner will typically be served at this point. Even if it’s a buffet, the caterer will often make it a point to serve the newlyweds first. People will most likely want to come and talk to you, which is great, but I always try to stress to clients the importance of eating. Your adrenaline might be pumping, and you may not feel hungry. But it’s a long day, and if you’re drinking — especially — you’ll be thankful you ate by the end. Once you’ve eaten, it’s common to walk around the room and do some quick table touches. Say hi to everyone individually… it’s a nice way to connect without needing a full conversation at each table. It’s easy to get caught up chatting with your favorite people. If you’re trying to stick to a schedule, setting a quick timer on your phone can help keep things moving. Of course, if you’re more relaxed about the flow, that’s totally fine… just something to keep in mind before the big day. For more tips on how to navigate dinner, check out my blog post on Tips for a smooth wedding dinner.

Wedding Timeline Tips: Toasts, Cake & Speeches

As dinner is winding down, the next item will typically be toasts. Some people like to cut the cake before toasts as well… it’s easy to get pictures if you aren’t looking to make much of a show out of the cake. If champagne is going to be poured, it’s usually best to check with the catering/bar staff and see if they are waiting to pour for everyone until all plates are cleared, or what their strategy is for that. At some weddings, the DJ will just hop on the mic and let everyone know it’s time to raise a glass. It’s a simple way to make sure everyone has something to cheers with while dinner is still happening. For more inspiration and logistics tips, check out my blog post on Wedding toast tips.

Wedding Timeline Tips: Spotlight Dances & Emotions

After the toasts, it will typically be a good time for spotlight dances (first dance/parent dances). The toasts help make sure everyone’s paying attention. They also tend to bring out some emotion… which is perfect right before a sentimental moment.

I think after the spotlight dances is a great time to get a dance floor started. People can begin to get antsy if you hold their attention for too long after dinner. They may need the restroom, a drink, a smoke break, or just to stand up and move around. Beginning the dance party is a perfect way to keep everyone happy and engaged in many cases.

How to Kick Off the Dance Party Right

I usually recommend letting the initial dance party go for 20–45 minutes before proceeding with the other moments of the night. Even a somewhat brief dance party will heighten everyone’s mood and set the tone for the rest of the evening. For more ideas on how to kick things off, check out my blog post on 3 Pro Tips To Get A Fun Wedding Dance Party Started.

Wedding Timeline Tips: When to Do the Traditions

Cake cutting, bouquet toss, garter removal toss, and any other traditions you decide to do will appear much more lively in photos than if everyone just got up from dinner and tried to participate. These should take place early enough to include kids or elderly people who may not be able to stay all night. Also, not all photographers are booked til the end of the wedding, so it might be necessary in that regard as well. I typically recommend finishing this portion of events with the bouquet/garter if possible to get the younger crowd active before transitioning back to open dancing. For thoughts on how trends are changing around this part of the evening, check out my blog post on Is the dollar dance dead?

Bonus: Make Space for Cultural or Niche Music

If the wedding has a niche style of music that needs its own segment, this is a great time to make it happen. Some clients have family from another country, or maybe there are swing dancers, polka fam, or a music style that doesn’t blend well with the rest of the night. This is the perfect time to give that genre a moment to shine.

Every Wedding Timeline Should Fit You

Every event’s different, and there’s no one-size-fits-all formula for open dancing. After you book, we’ll get you set up in our planning app — it’s where you can drop in your must-play songs, note the flow you’re envisioning, and flag anything important. Once that’s filled out, we’ll build a timeline around your vibe… not just a generic template.

 Want help planning the perfect wedding timeline? We’ll help you line up music, moments, and everything in between…without the stress. Click here to reach out or check availability.

Photography by Laura Segall Photography
Instagram: @laurasegallphotography