A 5:00 PM wedding strikes the perfect balance between elegance and ease. It gives you the gift of a slower morning and creates a beautiful golden-hour setting for your vows. Whether you’re a bride, groom, or planner, having a thoughtful timeline ensures your day flows smoothly from start to finish.

As a previous wedding day coordinator and wedding planner, I can speak from experience that giving yourself a wedding coordinator and/or wedding planner is the absolute best investment you can ever give yourself for your wedding day. At the end of the day, my brides would say, “I don’t know how I could have done this without you!!!” or “you took care of things I didn’t even think of!!!”. Having a wedding coordinator/planner will give you peace of mind and a huge weight will be lifted off of your shoulders. Not to mention staying on top of your vendors on your wedding day and making sure your vision comes to life. It’s one less headache for you to worry about so you can truly be present and soak in all the wedding day bliss without wondering when everyone is coming, if they are coming and if everything is set the way you wanted it to be. It’s okay to be treated like a princess for your big day! So do this for yourself so you can enjoy the wedding process from start to finish.

Here’s an ideal wedding day timeline centered around a 5 PM ceremony, with tips to keep everything running effortlessly.

8:00 AM – Wake Up & Light Breakfast

Start your day with water, a nourishing breakfast, and a moment to reflect, stretch, or pray. Today is a day to savor—not rush.

Tip: Be sure to eat and drink water throughout the morning and afternoon so you don’t get light headed or dehydrate.

9:00 AM – Hair & Makeup Begins

Your beauty team arrives to start glamming up the bride, bridesmaids, and any moms or aunties involved.

Tip: Build in buffer time. Aim for the bride to be ready 1–1.5 hours before photos. If your venue says you can’t come on site until 10 am, you’ll need more than two makeup artists depending on the size of your bridal party.

1:30 PM – Get Dressed

Once everyone is glammed up, it’s time to put on the dress or suit. Make sure your photographer is present to capture these intimate, emotional moments.

2:00 PM – First Look & Couple Portraits

If you’re planning a first look, now is a great time. It gives you a private moment together and helps knock out most portraits before guests arrive.

Tip: If you’re planning a first look with your father do this right before your first look with the groom.

2:30 PM – Wedding Party Photos

Take bridal party and groomsmen photos now, so everyone is free to enjoy the cocktail hour later.

3:30 PM – Break, Touch-Ups & Hidden Away

Grab a small bite, hydrate, touch up your makeup, and take 15–20 minutes to breathe and reset before the ceremony. Guests will start arriving soon, so this is also a good time to be tucked away.

5:00 PM – Ceremony Begins

The moment you’ve been waiting for! Most ceremonies last between 20 and 45 minutes, depending on whether you include readings, music, or special traditions.

5:45 PM – Cocktail Hour

Guests mingle and enjoy drinks and appetizers while you wrap up any remaining family portraits or sneak off for “just married” golden hour photos.

7:00 PM – Reception Begins

Make your grand entrance, followed by your first dance, a welcome toast, and the start of dinner service.

7:45 PM – Toasts & Speeches

After dinner begins, sprinkle in a few heartfelt toasts. Limit speeches to 3–5 minutes each to keep the energy flowing.

8:15 PM – Dessert & Dancing Begins

Kick off the fun! Cut the cake (or enjoy dessert), then open the dance floor with your DJ or band leading the party.

Tip: This is so crucial!!! Your DJ or live band will lead the reception so make sure they know how to keep the party going.

8:45 PM – Late-Night Snacks

Offer some fun, casual snacks for the guests who’ve danced up an appetite—think mini burgers, fries, churros, barista coffee bar or tacos.

10:00 PM – Grand Exit

Wrap up the night with a sparkler exit, fireworks, confetti/flower toss, bubbles or a romantic getaway under the stars.

A 5:00 PM ceremony is perfect for couples who want a slower morning, golden hour portraits, and a more elegant evening reception. Now, if you’re getting married in the Fall this ceremony time will need to be sooner because it gets darker sooner. Regardless, the key is giving each part of the day enough time so you never feel rushed—and you’re free to soak in the joy of every moment on your wedding day. Cheers!