Your evening reception schedule
Guests arrive at 5 PM and the celebration ends at 11 PM. This template begins at the reception, without ceremony or preparation blocks.
| Time | Wedding day | Length |
|---|---|---|
| 5:00 PM | Guest arrival | 30 min |
| 5:30 PM | Cocktail hour | 30 min |
| 6:00 PM | Guest seating | 10 min |
| 6:10 PM | Grand entrance | 10 min |
| 6:20 PM | Welcome / blessing | 5 min |
| 6:25 PM | Dinner | 75 min |
| 7:40 PM | Speeches / toasts | 15 min |
| 7:55 PM | First dance | 10 min |
| 8:05 PM | Parent dances | 10 min |
| 8:15 PM | Cake cutting | 10 min |
| 8:25 PM | Open dance floor | 145 min |
| 10:50 PM | Last dance / grand exit | 10 min |
| 11:00 PM | Reception ends | — |
Suggested timings, not fixed rules. Confirm them with your venue and vendors before sharing.
Make the schedule work for your wedding
Make the arrival time explicit
Tell guests when doors open and when food is served. If you are already married or held a private ceremony earlier, make clear that their invitation begins with the reception.
Build dinner around the service
This draft gives plated dinner 75 minutes. Ask the venue about guest count, courses and service pace before changing it. Keep speeches short enough to avoid delaying the kitchen or the next event.
Protect the dancing time
The open dance floor fills the time left before the send-off. If you add performances or longer speeches, check how much dancing remains and keep the venue closing time fixed.
Reception-only timeline questions
What goes in a reception-only wedding timeline?
Include arrival, drinks, seating, dinner, speeches, any dances or traditions you want, and the finish. This template includes those reception moments and omits the ceremony, preparation and portraits.
Can I use this after a courthouse or private ceremony?
Yes. The reception schedule stands on its own. Adjust the arrival time and events in the editor to fit the celebration you are inviting guests to.
Can I remove parent dances or cake cutting?
Yes. Those are optional moments. Remove them in the editor and review the recalculated schedule before sharing it with the venue and guests.
Can I download or print this template for free?
Yes. Download CSV provides the schedule as a spreadsheet file. Print / Save PDF opens your browser’s print dialog. Neither requires creating a timeline. To edit the schedule, choose your wedding date and select Create my timeline.
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