Wedding Day Timeline for a 4 PM Ceremony
For a 4 PM ceremony, start hair and makeup around 10:00 AM, finish portraits about an hour before the ceremony, open doors to guests 30 minutes before, and plan a reception of four to five hours afterwards. The full schedule below works for most weddings with one venue; add travel time if your ceremony and reception are in different places.
Sample timeline: 4 PM ceremony
| Time | What happens |
|---|---|
| 10:00 AM | Hair and makeup begins (45–60 min per person) |
| 12:30 PM | Photographer arrives — dress, rings and detail shots |
| 1:30 PM | Couple gets dressed |
| 2:00 PM | First look and couple portraits (optional) |
| 2:45 PM | Wedding party and family photos |
| 3:30 PM | Guests arrive; ushers seat guests |
| 4:00 PM | Ceremony (20–40 minutes) |
| 4:40 PM | Cocktail hour; remaining family photos |
| 5:45 PM | Guests seated; grand entrance |
| 6:00 PM | Dinner service |
| 7:00 PM | Toasts and speeches |
| 7:30 PM | First dance; dancing opens |
| 8:30 PM | Cake cutting |
| 10:30 PM | Last dance and send-off |
Adjust it for your day
- No first look? Move couple portraits to cocktail hour and start hair and makeup 45 minutes later.
- In autumn and winter, sunset can fall before 5 PM — schedule portraits before the ceremony if you want daylight photos.
- Ceremony and reception at different venues? Add travel time plus 15 minutes of buffer after the ceremony.
- A large wedding party (8+) needs a second hair and makeup artist to keep this schedule.
- Religious ceremonies often run 45–60 minutes; push every later item back accordingly.
Download the printable template
Frequently asked questions
Is 4 PM a good time for a wedding ceremony?
Yes — it is one of the most popular ceremony times. It leaves the morning for getting ready, gives soft late-afternoon light for photos, and lets dinner start around 6 PM.
What time should hair and makeup start for a 4 PM wedding?
Around 10 AM for a bride and several attendants, finishing by about 1:30 PM so there is time to dress before portraits.
What time does a 4 PM wedding end?
Most finish between 10 and 11 PM, after a four-to-five-hour reception.