The Best Wedding Day Timeline

The Best Wedding Day Timeline

What is the key to a wedding day that runs smoothly with little to no stress? A wedding day timeline! Wedding day timelines are important to keep everything on track for your wedding day. It’s a useful piece of information that we like to encourage all of our couples to share with their wedding party and family who will be part of the “getting ready part” of their day. This means that everyone will know when and where they are needed and how the day will unfold.

Keep in mind that the start time on your invitations is really just for guests, for everyone else who is involved, say the couple, the wedding party and parents (as well as many of the vendors) the big day begins a long time before what’s been indicated on the invitation.

Head Planner and Creative Director, Natalia Roldan helped us create a sample modern wedding timeline for destination weddings in Punta Cana, Dominican Republic based on a wedding that starts at 4:30 pm. 

Please note that this wedding day timeline is suited to those who are having their ceremony and reception in the one location. If you are moving between locations for your ceremony and  reception, it’s best to allocate a longer amount of time for guests to travel between the two (always accounting for traffic and latecomers!)

What time does the wedding day timeline start?

While it might seem early, 10 am is the usual start time for our weddings at Huracan Cafe. At this time, the Bride and bridal party will begin getting their hair and make up done. However, if you have a large bridal party or a smaller one this may take up more or less time. Simply let your wedding planner know how many people are in your bridal party and we can help coordinate this with you and your hair and make up artists before the day. 

Pro wedding tip: The Bridesmaids and Mother of the Bride should be ready and dressed by the time the Bride’s hair and make up is finished. This allows for photos of everyone standing around the Bride as she’s getting ready – helping her put on her veil, shoes and buttoning her dress.

Does it include time for a First Look?

A first look is a popular option that’s not included in this specific timeline. If you would like to do a first look, allowing at least 30 minutes before your ceremony is necessary. You can talk to your wedding planner before the day to ensure that you and your partner have adequate time to do this – it’s a really intimate and private moment together and it’s not one that you want to rush!

Pro wedding tip for the Groom: It’s important that the Groom is at the ceremony at least 30 minutes before guests arrive so that he can be there to meet and greet them. All of your guests play an important role in settling his nerves before you arrive!

What time does the wedding day timeline finish?

At Natalia Roldan Weddings at Huracan Cafe we do have the option to extend your wedding reception. As you have exclusive access to the venue, we can arrange for the party to go all night long! Ask your wedding planner on enquiry about the options to do so. That way we can allocate it into your wedding budget.

If you are planning a destination wedding in Punta Cana, Dominican Republic this wedding day timeline is for you:

10am – Hair and makeup for the Bride and bridal party

1 pm – Groom and groomsmen get ready

2 pm – Bride puts on wedding dress

2:30 pm – Photos of the bride and groom getting ready

3:30 pm – Guests arrive for the wedding ceremony

4 pm – Pre-wedding drinks and canapés are served

4:30 pm – Wedding ceremony

5 pm – Guests travel to the reception area and cocktail hour begins

5:15 pm – Photos of the bride and groom, family photos and wedding party photos

6 pm – Guests enter the reception

6:15 pm – Bridal party entrance

6: 20 pm – Bride and Groom entrance

6:30 pm – Entree served

7:00 pm – Best Man and Maid of Honour speeches

7:15 pm – Main served

7:30 pm – Bride and Groom speeches

8:00 pm – Cutting of the cake and dessert served

8:15 pm – Father/Daughter and Mother/Son first dance

8:30 pm – The dance floor and party begins

12 am – Bride and Groom exit

At Natalia Roldan Weddings, we have planned hundreds of weddings at Huracan Cafe in Punta Cana and are experts in planning and organisation. We take complete responsibility for ensuring that everything is planned right down to the minute for our couples – not just on the day but in the lead up to the day as well. This allows our couples to focus on what’s most important – marrying the love of their life.

For all luxury destination wedding enquiries, you can contact Punta Cana Weddings by Natalia Roldan at Huracan Cafe here. To learn more about destination weddings in Punta Cana and to see real weddings that have recently taken place, visit our website here.