A good timeline is the difference between a day that flows and one that feels rushed. Below is a sample UK wedding day timeline, with the music moments marked, plus tips on where things usually slip. Every wedding is different, so use it as a starting point and adjust it with your venue.
A sample wedding day timeline
Based on a 1pm ceremony and a midnight finish.
| Time | What’s happening | Music |
|---|---|---|
| 1:00pm | Ceremony | Processional, signing and recessional music |
| 1:45pm | Drinks reception and photos | Background music or a cocktail hour playlist |
| 3:30pm | Guests called to the wedding breakfast | Background music while guests find their seats |
| 3:45pm | Couple’s entrance | Your entrance song, with an announcement |
| 4:00pm | Wedding breakfast | Relaxed background music |
| 5:45pm | Speeches | Microphones set up and tested beforehand |
| 6:30pm | Room turnaround | A break while the venue resets the room |
| 7:30pm | Evening guests arrive | Party background music |
| 8:00pm | Cake cutting | A short song for the moment |
| 8:15pm | First dance | Your song with our First Dance Lightshow |
| 8:20pm | Dance floor opens | The party starts |
| 9:30pm | Evening food | Keep the music going for those dancing |
| 11:55pm | Last song | One last singalong or slow dance |
| 12:00am | Carriages |
The music moments to plan
- Your entrance. A song for walking into the wedding breakfast. See our wedding entrance songs.
- The wedding breakfast. Background music that suits the mood without drowning out conversation. See our wedding breakfast songs.
- The first dance. The big one. See our first dance songs.
- The first song after the first dance. Pick something that gets everyone straight onto the dance floor.
- The last song. See our last songs of the night.
Tips for keeping the day on time
- Photos always take longer than planned. Give your photographer a list of group shots and someone to round people up.
- Time the speeches. Ask speakers to aim for around five to ten minutes each.
- Leave a buffer. Ten to fifteen minutes of slack between key moments takes the pressure off.
- Share one timeline. Your venue, photographer and DJ should all work from the same timings. We’ll speak to your venue before the day to make sure we’re all on the same page.
- Let your DJ keep things moving. We’ll make the announcements and coordinate with your venue team on the day.
Want help planning your timings?
Tell us your date and venue and we’ll check we’re free. Once you’ve booked, we’ll help you plan the music for every part of the day.
Check your dateWedding timeline FAQs
How long is a typical wedding reception?
Most receptions run from the end of the drinks reception to around midnight, so roughly seven to nine hours including the wedding breakfast and evening party.
Should speeches be before or after the meal?
Both work. Speeches before the meal help nervous speakers relax and enjoy their food. Speeches after the meal keep the flow into the evening. Talk to your venue about what suits their kitchen.
When should evening guests arrive?
Usually around 7pm to 7:30pm, after the wedding breakfast and speeches, so they arrive in time for the cake cutting and first dance.