Guide to Your Wedding Day Schedule | Hong Kong Wedding Blog

A wedding is a masterpiece made of important elements and a devoted team that strives to make sure everything pans out as planned. As I have been an attendee of weddings myself, I have always watched in awe as the planner or the the members of the entourage shuffle here and there making sure everything was going right. During those moments, it was clear that the schedule of the day was the key to the completion of the masterpiece. If you’re clueless as to what a wedding day schedule is like, or if you’re planning to have your bridal party take care of it and are in need some guidance, we’re more than happy to assist–today’s feature is just for you! Here are examples of both, traditional and Western wedding day schedules. We’d like to remind that these are samples and the actual wedding day schedule will vary. In this example, the ceremony starts at 3:00 pm.

[Photo: Patrick Photography / From: A Traditional Pink and White Wedding at the J.W. Marriott]

TRADITIONAL CHINESE WEDDING DAY SCHEDULE

00:00 am – The combing hair ceremony takes place. The actual schedule depends on the lucky time.
06:30 am – The bride and bridesmaids start having their makeup done and have simple breakfast at the bride’s place. Bridesmaids can arrive at 07:00 am, at the latest.
08:00 am – The photographer and videographer arrive and take shots of the bride getting ready and the details, i.e. dress, accessories, the venue. The groom and groomsmen get ready at the groom’s place. If the photo and video team have spare crew members, some are sent to the groom to also take shots.

[Photos: Hyvis Tong / From: A Pretty Coral, Peach, and White Wedding]

08:45 am – The groom and groomsmen get ready downstairs, at bride’s place. The photographer and videographer go to take shots.
09:00 am – The pick up bride game takes place.
09:30 am – Time for the tea ceremony and a quick family photoshoot with bride’s side of the family.
10:30 am – The bride’s side wraps up and the couple moves to the groom’s place. Some of the entourage can move to ceremony venue to help in setting up. The stylist or decoration team may also go to the venues and set up. The actual time for setup varies depending on how intricate or grand the setup is. The more intricate and grand, the more time will be needed and the stylist will come earlier.
11:00 am – Tea ceremony takes place at the groom’s place with his family. Some family photos are also taken.

[Photo: Belle & Olive / From: A Classic Romantic Wedding at Gold Coast Hotel with a Blush Color Scheme]

12:00 nn – Lunch is served.
1:00 pm – The bride and groom arrive at the ceremony venue and take some couple portraits.
1:30 pm – The makeup artist retouches the bride’s look. The planner arrives at the ceremony venue and have final check.
3:00 pm – The ceremony begins.
4:00 pm – The ceremony ends. The couple take photos at the ceremony venue. The bouquet toss for the girls is done also during this time.
4:30 pm – The couple and the entourage move to other locations for portraits.
6:00 pm – Everyone moves to the reception venue. Guests also start to arrive.
6:30 pm – Time for group photos with family and friends, and also the tea ceremony, when necessary.
8:00 pm – The bride and groom make their grand march-in during the reception. The reception program starts. The order and contents of the reception program depend on the couple:

Dinner
Cutting of the Cake
Toast
Speeches
Games
Other Performances
Photo and Video SDE
Wine Toasting to each table
Group Photos

10:30 pm – The bride and groom say farewell to the guests and thank them for coming.
11:00 pm – After party!

WESTERN WEDDING DAY SCHEDULE

6:00 am – The event stylist starts setting up at the ceremony and reception venue. This varies depending on how intricate or grand the setup is. The more intricate and grand, the more time will be needed and the stylist will come earlier.
8:00 am – Breakfast time for both the bride and groom. The makeup artist and her team arrive at this time, too.
9:00 am – The bride and bridesmaids start having their makeup and hair done.
10:00 am – The photographer and videographer arrive and take shots of the bride getting ready and the details, i.e. dress, accessories, the venue.

[Photos: Hyvis Tong / From: A Pretty Coral, Peach, and White Wedding]

11: 00 am – The groom gets ready. The photographer and videographer take shots of the groom getting ready.
12:00 nn – Lunch is served to the bride and the groom in their rooms.
1:00 pm – At around this time, the bride portraits, family shots, and shots with the entourage will be taken. This is also the time for the “first look” of the bride and groom that some Western weddings have.
2:00 pm – The makeup artist retouches the bride’s look before proceeding to the ceremony venue. The caterer and DJ also arrive at around this time.
2:30 pm – The wedding planner arrives at the ceremony venue and checks if all the members of the entourage are present and all the necessary materials are present.
3:00 pm – The wedding ceremony begins.
4:00 pm – The wedding ceremony ends. Group photo sessions may be done here.
4:30 pm – The guests start moving to the reception venue where cocktails are served. While the guests settle in the reception venue, the bride and groom take photos and videos in the ceremony and at the reception venues.

[From: The Cablook Fotolab / From: A Glamorous Nature-Inspired Wedding in Phuket]

[Photo: Mambo Photography / From: A Timeless and Tropical Phuket Wedding]

5:30 pm – A little retouch for the bride and groom (and rest!)
6:00 pm – The bride and groom make their grand entrance at the reception. The reception program starts. The contents and order of the reception program depend on the couple: