Once all the wedding plans are set up and ready to go, you can’t believe how easy it is to get off track! Naturally, the excitement and anticipation of making your love official are at fault. Still, staying on schedule is important, ensuring that you go through each aspect of your celebration seamlessly. For that reason, making your wedding day timeline as detailed as possible is essential.
Of course, every celebration is different, meaning there’s no concrete timeline set in place you should follow to the T. However, you should allocate enough time for everything and stick to the schedule so you don’t stray off course. To help you out, we’ve gathered a few tips you should consider when planning your wedding day timeline, paving the way for a stress-free (and timely!) experience.
What Time Do Weddings Start in France?
Before we jump into specifics of the day of the wedding timeline, you should know that celebrations of love in France usually start very early in the morning. In fact, you’d be surprised to find out that the timeline of French weddings is entirely different from the “norm”. If you’re going for a fully traditional experience, the French host two ceremonies instead of one, which happen in two consecutive days or one after another in the same day! Ensure you are eligible for one – check with your wedding planner for more guidance.
With that, you should first consider what route you are going for, and only then you can start planning your day of the wedding timeline. As a rule of thumb, we suggest the symbolic ceremony begin around 4 PM, giving you enough time to prepare fully while avoiding the hottest part of the day.
Wedding Day Timeline – Before The Ceremony
Once you’ve set a specific time for your ceremony, you can slowly start to develop your wedding day timeline. Firstly, you should allocate about two hours to get ready and ensure that your photographer and videographer arrive two hours before you’re entirely done so they can capture some magnificent shots of the process.
The next step is bridal images, followed by group shots with your family and wedding party, but you can also include a first look. We strongly recommend that you opt for one, as the following events can be quite hectic, leaving no time for intimate moments just between the two of you. The first look shouldn’t take more than ten minutes, but you can use this time to capture some portraits of just the two of you.
We cannot stress enough how important it is to leave plenty of time for photography in your day of the wedding timeline, which is why we emphasize the importance of starting early. However, make sure you’re well-rested before the big day and try (no matter how hard it gets) not to let the stress overwhelm you.
Wedding Day Timeline – During & After The Ceremony
1. The Ceremony (4:30 PM – 5 PM)
While you ask your guests to arrive at 4:00 PM, the ceremony will only start half an hour later at 4:30 PM, allowing any latecomers to arrive in time. The ceremony usually takes up half an hour of your wedding day timeline. In some cases, especially during the hottest time of the year, the ceremony might start even later, around 5:00 PM. The duration of the ceremony will also vary depending on the type you’re going for. Non-religious ceremonies can wrap up in about 20 minutes, while religious ones can last up to an hour.
2. Cocktail Hour (5 PM – 7:00 PM)
After your love is crowned official, the event that ensues is the cocktail hour . This will last for an hour tops in typical wedding day timelines. But that’s not the case with French celebrations! Namely, the cocktail “vin d’honneur” in the country can last for much longer, as this is one of the most significant moments of a French wedding. With that in mind, you should include great drinks (champagne is your best bet) and food during this time, and consider adding entertainment to keep your guests on their feet. Cocktail hour in France usually lasts about 2 hours, so plan your timeline accordingly.
3. Couple’s Golden Hour Portraits (8:00 PM – 8:30 PM)
As your guests are mingling, this is the perfect time for you to capture some couple’s portraits. In France, sunlight can last very late, especially during the summer. The golden hour, which offers the most beautiful light for photos, typically occurs around 8:00 PM. Be sure to plan your couple’s portraits during this time to capture that perfect glow.
4. Grand Entrance & Dinner/Reception (8:30 PM – 11:00 PM)
After your couple’s photo session, it’s time for the grand entrance into the dinner/reception area. This marks the official start of the evening festivities. Like cocktail hour, dinner in France typically takes longer, so give your guests more than enough time to revel in the dining experience, as French food is unlike anything you’ve ever tasted before. Wedding toasts should be scheduled during dinner, allowing for heartfelt speeches to complement the meal.
5. Cake Cutting & The Party Begins (11:00 PM – 1:00 AM)
At 11:00 PM, the cake cutting ceremony kicks off the evening festivities. Afterward, it’s time for the party to begin officially! Naturally, you’ll start with a by the first dance, but if you’re going for the fully traditional route, be aware that it’s performed between the bride and her father and then the spouse. These dances shouldn’t take more than 5-10 minutes.
Is 12 AM Too Early To End A Wedding?
The beauty of weddings is that you can start and end them whenever you like, so to answer your question – no, it’s not too early. However, you should be aware that French weddings typically last until the early morning hours, sometimes until 7 AM! With that in mind, consider what suits you best, but since most wedding chateaux don’t have a curfew set, we recommend you use it to your advantage!
These were a handful of our helpful tips for organizing your wedding day timeline. Remember – there’s not one that’s ideal, but you must adhere to it down to the minute if you want a stress-free experience!
If you’re looking for fabulous locations for your French wedding, we invite you to check out our directory. In the meantime, check out the rest of our blogs for even more tips!
