Wedding Timings

Working Out Wedding Timings: A Guide to Planning Your Perfect Day

One of the most overlooked aspects of wedding planning is how timings affect the flow of the day. It’s easy to assume everything will fall into place, but even small changes—like moving your ceremony time—can have a big impact on everything from your evening party to when you get to eat!

At Tyn Dwr Hall, we’ve helped hundreds of couples bring their perfect wedding day to life, so we know what works best. Here’s our guide to working out your wedding timings, ensuring you have a relaxed, joyful, and perfectly paced day.

The Morning Preparations

Dressing Room Access:
If there is no wedding the day before, you can access the Dressing Room from 8:00am.
If there is a wedding the day before, access will be available from 10:00am (but don’t worry, you can start hair and makeup elsewhere beforehand!).
If your ceremony is at 1:00pm, this gives you five hours for preparations.

Getting Ready: How Long Does It Take?
Main hair & makeup: 60–90 minutes (more for intricate styles).
Bridesmaids & other party members: 30–45 minutes each.
Mothers, flower girls, or additional guests: Allow extra time if they’ll need styling too!

Top Tip: Speak with your stylist in advance about how many professionals you’ll need to ensure everything runs smoothly and on time!

Guest Arrivals & Ceremony Timings

When Should Guests Arrive?
Guests should arrive an hour before the ceremony. This gives them time to settle, grab a drink from our Dickens Bar, and socialise, rather than wandering and potentially seeing surprises before they’re meant to!

Ceremony Time Options:
At Tyn Dwr Hall, ceremonies can take place between 1:00pm and 3:00pm (subject to registrar availability).
We recommend 1:00pm for the perfect flow into the rest of the day.

How Long Does a Ceremony Last?
Registry Office Ceremony: 10–15 minutes
Civil Ceremony at a Venue: 20–30 minutes
Celebrant Ceremony: 30–45 minutes
Church Ceremony: 1–2 hours (consider travel time back to the venue!)

Top Tip: The later your ceremony, the shorter your evening party will feel, so think carefully about timings to make the most of your celebration.

Drinks Reception & Photography

How Long?
A drinks reception typically lasts 90 minutes to 2 hours, allowing time for guests to mingle, enjoy canapés and drinks, and for your photographer to capture those stunning moments.If your ceremony finishes at 1:30pm, your drinks reception will run until 3:00pm, when guests will be invited to take their seats for the wedding breakfast.

Wedding Breakfast & Speeches

Dining Time:
A three-course wedding breakfast takes around 2 hours, giving you time to enjoy your meal, relax, and soak in the atmosphere.
A 1:00pm ceremony would mean the meal runs from 3:15pm to 5:15pm.

Speeches & Cake Cutting:
We suggest allowing 10–15 minutes per speech (Father of the Bride, Groom, and Best Man).
Cake cutting is a lovely moment for guests to take photos and can be combined with speeches to keep everything running smoothly.
Total time: Up to 1 hour 15 minutes → Finishing around 6:30pm

Top Tip: We always suggest speeches are after the meal. Your guests will be hungry and you’re likely to get a better reception from full and watered guests. 

Evening Party & First Dance

Evening Reception Timings:
7:00pm – Evening party officially begins! Guests rejoin after freshening up.
8:00pm – First dance (the perfect time to get everyone onto the dance floor!).
9:00pm – Evening food is served, keeping energy levels high for dancing!

Top Tip: If you have entertainment planned (band, DJ, photo booth, etc.), discuss the ideal timings with them to keep everything running seamlessly.

Carriages & Winding Down

Carriages Home:
The formal wedding day ends at midnight.
Guests staying off-site will head home or to their hotels.
Residents staying at Tyn Dwr Hall can retire to their rooms or relax in the Hall until 2:00am, unwinding with a nightcap and sharing stories of the day.

Final Thoughts: Making the Most of Your Day

Why Timings Matter

• Small adjustments (like moving your ceremony time) can impact how long you have for speeches, food, and dancing—so plan carefully!
• Factor in travel time if you’re marrying at a church.
• Speak with suppliers (stylists, photographers, DJs, caterers) to make sure everything runs smoothly.
• Don’t rush! A well-paced day feels more relaxed, enjoyable, and natural.

Our Promise at Tyn Dwr Hall

From calming pre-ceremony nerves to keeping your evening celebrations lively, our team is on hand to guide and support you throughout the day. Your wedding should feel effortless and joyful, and with a little planning, you’ll make the most of every magical moment.

Need more advice? We’re always happy to chat through your wedding timeline and help you tailor your day to perfection. Get in touch—we can’t wait to bring your vision to life!