Wedding Day Timeline, Roles & Tipping Guide

Bride in her wedding dress in Charlotte NC

Sample Timeline (5:00 PM Ceremony)

• 9:30 AM Hair & makeup start; detail flatlays.

• 12:30 PM Lunch + steam/press.

• 1:30 PM Get dressed; bridal portraits.

• 2:30 PM First look + couple portraits.

• 3:30 PM Wedding party & family photos.

• 4:30 PM Hide guests/retouch.

• 5:00 PM Ceremony (30 min).

• 5:45 PM Cocktail hour photos or enjoy with guests.

• 6:30 PM Reception entrances & dinner.

• 8:00 PM Toasts/dances/cake.

• 10:30 PM Last dance/exit.

  
  

Roles (assign backups)

• Planner/Coordinator: master timeline, vendor wrangling, emergencies.

• MOH/Best Man: dress bustle, rings/license, speeches, couple care.

• Parents: family wrangling, special moments.

• Venue Captain: load-in/out, floor plan, facilities.

• Point of Contact for Tips/Payments: trusted friend or planner.

  
  

Tipping (typical ranges; adjust by market/contract)

• Planner/Coordinator: $100–$500 or gift.

• Photo/Video: $50–$200 each (lead/second).

• HMUA: 18–25% of service total.

• Band: $25–$50 per musician; DJ: $100–$200.

• Catering/Waitstaff: often included; if not, 15–20%.

• Delivery/Setup (florals, rentals): $10–$30 per person.

• Transportation: 10–15%.Prepare labeled envelopes in advance.

  
  

Want a personalized timeline to match your dress/accessories? Book your fitting and we’ll map bustle and photo buffers.