Wedding timeline

5 PM Ceremony Wedding Timeline without a First Look

A full eight hour day around a 5 PM ceremony with no first look, all formals after the ceremony. Enter your date to pull your exact sunset.

Spring · sunset 7:30 PM

US average, varies by latitude

1:30 PM – 2:15 PM
Detail photosPreparation
Rings, shoes, invitation suite, florals. Set aside in a box on arrival.
2:20 PM – 3:35 PM
Getting readyPreparation
Bride into dress, groom prep, parent and party candids.
5:00 PM – 5:30 PM
CeremonyCeremony
Allow 60 to 90 minutes for a full Mass or a longer service.
5:35 PM – 6:05 PM
Family formalsPost-ceremony
With no first look, all formals land here while everyone is together.
6:10 PM – 6:40 PM
Wedding party portraitsPost-ceremony
Runs into cocktail hour. Build buffer.
6:30 PM – 9:30 PM
ReceptionReception
Entrances, first dance, toasts, cake, open dancing.
9:35 PM – 10:20 PM
Couple portraitsPost-ceremony
The main couple session when there is no first look.
6:50 PM – 7:10 PM
Golden hour portraitsGolden hour
Anchored to sunset, not the ceremony. Pull earlier for tree lines or hills.

longest golden hour of the year

1:30 PM – 2:15 PM
Detail photosPreparation
Rings, shoes, invitation suite, florals. Set aside in a box on arrival.
2:20 PM – 3:35 PM
Getting readyPreparation
Bride into dress, groom prep, parent and party candids.
5:00 PM – 5:30 PM
CeremonyCeremony
Allow 60 to 90 minutes for a full Mass or a longer service.
5:35 PM – 6:05 PM
Family formalsPost-ceremony
With no first look, all formals land here while everyone is together.
6:10 PM – 6:40 PM
Wedding party portraitsPost-ceremony
Runs into cocktail hour. Build buffer.
6:30 PM – 9:30 PM
ReceptionReception
Entrances, first dance, toasts, cake, open dancing.
9:35 PM – 10:20 PM
Couple portraitsPost-ceremony
The main couple session when there is no first look.
7:45 PM – 8:05 PM
Golden hour portraitsGolden hour
Anchored to sunset, not the ceremony. Pull earlier for tree lines or hills.

popular season, light fades fast

1:30 PM – 2:15 PM
Detail photosPreparation
Rings, shoes, invitation suite, florals. Set aside in a box on arrival.
2:20 PM – 3:35 PM
Getting readyPreparation
Bride into dress, groom prep, parent and party candids.
5:00 PM – 5:30 PM
CeremonyCeremony
Allow 60 to 90 minutes for a full Mass or a longer service.
5:35 PM – 6:05 PM
Family formalsPost-ceremony
With no first look, all formals land here while everyone is together.
5:40 PM – 6:00 PM
Golden hour portraitsGolden hour
Anchored to sunset, not the ceremony. Pull earlier for tree lines or hills.
6:05 PM – 6:35 PM
Wedding party portraitsPost-ceremony
Runs into cocktail hour. Build buffer.
6:30 PM – 9:30 PM
ReceptionReception
Entrances, first dance, toasts, cake, open dancing.
9:35 PM – 10:20 PM
Couple portraitsPost-ceremony
The main couple session when there is no first look.

sun sets early, prioritize daylight or a first look

1:30 PM – 2:15 PM
Detail photosPreparation
Rings, shoes, invitation suite, florals. Set aside in a box on arrival.
2:20 PM – 3:35 PM
Getting readyPreparation
Bride into dress, groom prep, parent and party candids.
4:05 PM – 4:25 PM
Golden hour portraitsGolden hour
Anchored to sunset, not the ceremony. Pull earlier for tree lines or hills.
5:00 PM – 5:30 PM
CeremonyCeremony
Allow 60 to 90 minutes for a full Mass or a longer service.
5:35 PM – 6:05 PM
Family formalsPost-ceremony
With no first look, all formals land here while everyone is together.
6:10 PM – 6:40 PM
Wedding party portraitsPost-ceremony
Runs into cocktail hour. Build buffer.
6:30 PM – 9:30 PM
ReceptionReception
Entrances, first dance, toasts, cake, open dancing.
9:35 PM – 10:20 PM
Couple portraitsPost-ceremony
The main couple session when there is no first look.

These are the computed defaults. Vela turns them into your exact day — ceremony time, first look, family formals, and crew briefing in minutes.