On-the-Day Timing

There’s something magical about a wedding day unfolding just as it should. No stress, no mad dashes, just a beautiful, flowing celebration where everything feels calm and in sync. The truth is, that kind of magic doesn’t just happen. It takes planning, intention and a little bit of breathing room.

Here’s how to create a smooth, stress-free timeline for your wedding day.

Don’t Rush It

It’s your wedding. You want to enjoy it, not feel like you’re racing from one moment to the next. Give yourself the gift of time. From the moment you wake up, everything will take longer than you think — hair and makeup, getting dressed, greeting family, and having those quiet little emotional moments that you’ll want to remember.

Ask the Experts

Your vendors are a wealth of knowledge. We’ve done this many times before and can offer real, experience-based advice. Ask your photographer how long they’ll need. Ask your hair and makeup team how much buffer time they recommend. Ask your celebrant how long your ceremony will run. Getting these estimates early makes a big difference.

Carve Out Time for the Two of You

One of my favourite pieces of advice? Plan a little window just for the two of you between the ceremony and the reception. Even 10 or 15 minutes to step away, breathe, and soak up the fact that you’re finally married. It’s often one of the most cherished moments of the whole day.

Work Backwards from Your Priorities

Figure out what matters most to you and plan around that. If the dance floor is your happy place, make sure you’re not spending your entire evening doing photos or formalities. If you’re all about food and ambience, make sure your dinner is served on time. Let your priorities lead the plan.

Sunset Photos

If you want those golden, glowy sunset shots, talk to your photographer about when that window is and build it into your timeline. Be clear about how long it will take so it doesn’t eat into the parts of the day that matter most to you.

Keep It Running Smoothly

Someone needs to keep everything on track. If you don’t appoint someone, chances are things will blow out. It doesn’t need to be you. The timing can be managed by your:

  • Wedding planner

  • Venue coordinator

  • Professional MC (like me)

  • Or a super organised, trustworthy guest

Whoever it is, they need to know your run sheet and be confident enough to keep things moving.

Watch the Clock on These Key Moments

  • Ceremony: Let your celebrant know if you want to keep things short and sweet or if you’re happy to settle in. I always tailor ceremonies to your preferences, but it’s good to be clear from the start.

  • Photos: Have a plan for how long you’ll be away from your guests and who will manage the time.

  • Speeches: Let speakers know how long they have and gently stick to it. You don’t want speeches taking over the dance floor.

And please — don’t be late. Being a few minutes behind is one thing, but pushing everything back half an hour or more can have a serious flow-on effect. Venues often have strict finish times due to licensing laws, so starting late doesn’t mean you can finish late.

Build a Run Sheet

Work with your vendors to create a run sheet. Include everything from hair and makeup through to cake cutting and farewell. And don’t forget to build in some buffer time — for traffic, for outfit changes, for last-minute toilet breaks or lipstick touch-ups. It all adds up.

The more breathing room you build in, the more present you’ll be. And that, truly, is what makes a wedding day unforgettable.