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From getting dressed to saying “I Do” under the sunset, I have got you covered with a 5pm wedding day itinerary timeline that will help you to easily plan how you want each hour of your wedding day to go!!
A 5pm wedding is the most popular time for most couples due to it having the perfect balance between daylight, sunset, and nighttime.
This 5pm wedding day itinerary will guide you through developing your own personal wedding itinerary that you will want to use to ensure your special day plays out smoothly.
So grab a piece of paper, your wedding binder, or your phone and get ready to create a 5pm wedding timeline that will bring your dream wedding to life!
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5pm Wedding Day Itinerary Timeline
Getting Ready Timeline
1:00 PM – 3:00 PM:
~ You and your bridal party get your hair and makeup done.
~ The groom and the groomsmen get dressed and ready.
~ You and your bridesmaids get dressed and ready.
~ The photographers and videographers capture these getting ready moments.
Pre-Ceremony Photos
3:00 PM – 4:00 PM:
~ The first look occurs and the pre-wedding photos are taken (If you don’t want to do a first look, just skip this section!)
~ The bridal party has their photos taken.
~ The family photos are taken.
Pre-Ceremony Refreshments
4:00 PM – 4:30 PM:
~ Wedding guests start to arrive at your wedding ceremony venue.
~ Pre-ceremony refreshments and mingling began to happen.
~ The ushers start to distribute your wedding programs or ceremony booklets.
~ Final touch-ups occur for you and the groom.
Seating and Prelude Music
4:30 PM – 5:00 PM:
~ Prelude music plays as guests start to take their seats.
~ The ushers assist the wedding guests as needed.
~ All of the wedding guests are completely seated.
Wedding Ceremony Timeline
5:00 PM – 5:30 PM:
~ The processional starts with your parents, the groom’s parents, the groom, and your wedding party.
~ You make your entrance.
~ The exchange of vows and rings between you and the groom.
~ Any special readings or performances you want to have.
~ The pronouncement of marriage.
~ Then the recessional of your wedding ceremony.
Cocktail Hour Timeline
5:30 PM – 6:30 PM:
~ After the wedding ceremony, your wedding guests move to the cocktail hour area or the wedding reception area.
~ Your wedding guests start to have a cocktail hour with drinks and appetizers while you, your now husband, and your close friends and families start to take wedding photos!
~ You can take additional photos or if you didn’t want to do a first look, then this would be the time you would take the photos listed above.
Wedding Reception Intro
6:30 PM – 7:00 PM:
~ Guests are then invited into the wedding reception area.
~ The grand entrance of the wedding couple and the wedding party.
~ The first dance as a married couple.
~ Then a welcome speech or toast by the couple or the host.
Dinner and Toasts Timeline
7:00 PM – 8:30 PM:
~ Dinner service begins (buffet, plated, or stations).
~ The speeches and toasts are done by the wedding party and any close family.
~ The wedding cake gets cut.
~ Any special dances you want to have (father daughter dance, mother son dance, etc.).
Dancing and Celebration Timeline
8:30 PM – 10:00 PM:
~ Open dance floor for guests.
~ DJ or band plays a mix of music.
~ Bouquet and garter toss (if desired).
~ Late night snacks or dessert stations.
~ Then you can have candid and group photos with your wedding guests.
Final Moments of the Wedding Night
10:00 PM – 10:30 PM:
~ Have the last dance of the evening.
~ Say a farewell and thank you to your wedding guests.
~ Then to conclude your wedding night have a sparkler or confetti send-off (if desired)!
Etsy Wedding Itinerary Timelines:
Similar wedding itinerary checklists that are already made for you, can be printed or used digitally, have great customer reviews from other brides, and would be perfect for a bride who needs help with the wedding planning process!!
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