Trying to figure out what time everything needs to happen on your wedding day for your destination wedding? Use our handy wedding day timeline template to get your started.
For this template we're going to use 3 assumptions:
- Your wedding is at an all inclusive resort in Mexico
- You have an 11pm hard stop for your outdoor reception
- You have an 8 hour photography package
Why have an 8 hour time frame for photos? Because this is the minimum time you’ll need to capture a majority of your wedding day activities. You can always add more time if desired.

Bride/Groom Wedding Suggested Timeline Template
- 12:30PM Bride hair and make up begins
- 2PM Groom & his party Begin Getting Ready
- 3PM Photo Team Begins
- 3PM Bride Gets Dressed
- 3:30PM First Look
- 3:50PM Wedding Party Photos Begin
- 4:20PM Wedding Party Walks to meet all other guests
- 4:30PM All guests walk to Ceremony site. Bride & her person stay in room.
- 4:50PM Wedding Coordinator walk Bride to ceremony site
- 5PM Ceremony Begins
- Wedding Processional
- 5:30PM Ceremony Ends
- Final Wedding Party Photos
- Family Photos
- Couple Photos
- 6PM Guests Walk to the Cocktail Hour Location
- Couple finishes up Personal & Sunset Photos
- 6:30PM Entrance & Announcement of the Couple into Cocktail Hour
- Couple First Dance
- Couple welcomes guests
- 7pm Guests move to the Reception Location and Seat for Dinner
- 7:15PM Dinner Begins
- 8:30/8:45 PM Dinner is typically winding down and time will vary depending on if you have plated service or buffet
- 8:30/8:45PM Toasts – we love these to start as dinner is finishing up
- 9PM Family Dances
- 9:10PM Dance Floor Opens for all Guests
- 11PM Reception Ends
- 11:10PM Guests Arrive at Cantina Los Faroles for after party fun
Same Sex Wedding Brides Getting Ready Timeline Adjustment
- 12:30PM Brides hair and make up begins – typically in separate locations
- 3PM Photo Team Begins
- 3PM Brides Get Dress
- 3:30PM First Look
- 3:50PM Wedding Party Photos Begin
- 4:20PM Wedding Party Walks to meet all other guests
- 4:30PM All guests walk to Ceremony site
- Brides & their person stay in room
- 4:50PM Wedding Coordinators walks Brides to ceremony site
Same Sex Wedding Grooms Getting Ready Timeline Adjustment
- 2PM Grooms Begin Getting Ready – typically in separate locations
- 3PM Photo Team Begins
- 3:30PM First Look
- 3:50PM Wedding Party Photos Begin
- 4:20PM Wedding Party Walks to meet all other guests
- 4:30PM All guests walk to Ceremony site / Grooms & their person stay in room
- 4:50PM Wedding Coordinators walk Grooms to ceremony site

This is a great starting point for a wedding day timeline with an 8 hour photo window and an 11pm end time. You can make any adjustments to this timeline that make sense for you and your wedding? Have a photo package for 9 hours? Amazing; you’ll have more flexibility with getting ready photos and more time with your significant other for non rushed First Look photos. Having your reception in a ballroom and plan to party until 1AM? Awesome; you’ll have more dance party and entertainment time! You get the point; this is your day and you can adjust this to work for you.
What's missing from the timeline template?
