Arrival at 1:30. Ceremony 2:00–2:30. Photos/cocktail 2:30–3:30. Dinner 3:30–5:00. Speeches 5:00–5:20. Activities 5:20–5:50. Dancing 5:50–7:50. Send-off 8:05.

2Evening 5 PM Wedding (Civil, Extended Photos)

Inputs

Ceremony Start5:00 PM

Ceremony TypeCivil (15 min)

Photo SessionExtended (90 min)

Cocktail Hour75 min

Dinner90 min

Result

Total Duration7.2 hrs

Guest Arrival4:30 PM

Ceremony5:00 PM

Reception End~11:00 PM

Events11

Arrival at 4:30. Ceremony 5:00–5:15. Photos/cocktail 5:15–6:45. Dinner 6:45–8:15. Speeches 8:15–8:35. Activities 8:35–9:05. Dancing 9:05–10:35. Send-off 10:50.

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Frequently Asked Questions

How long does a typical wedding last?

A typical wedding lasts 5–6.5 hours from guest arrival to send-off. The ceremony is 20–30 minutes, cocktail hour is 60 minutes, dinner is 60–90 minutes, and dancing runs 1.5–2.5 hours. With photo sessions and special events (first dance, cake cutting), total time is usually 5.5–7 hours.

Guest arrival: 30 minutes before ceremony
Ceremony: 20–30 minutes (religious may be longer)
Photo session: 30–90 minutes
Cocktail hour: 45–75 minutes (runs during photo session)
Dinner + speeches: 90–120 minutes combined
Dancing: 1.5–2.5 hours until last dance

Event Phase	Short Wedding	Average	Long Wedding
Ceremony	15 min	25 min	45 min
Photos	30 min	60 min	120 min
Cocktail Hour	45 min	60 min	75 min
Dinner + Speeches	75 min	110 min	150 min
Dancing	90 min	120 min	180 min

What time should a wedding ceremony start?

Most wedding ceremonies start between 2:00 PM and 5:00 PM. A 2:00 PM start allows plenty of daylight for photos, a full cocktail hour, and an evening reception ending around 9:00 PM. A 4:00–5:00 PM ceremony pushes the reception later, often ending at 11:00 PM or midnight.

Morning (10–11 AM): brunch wedding, early end around 3–4 PM
Early afternoon (1–2 PM): classic timing, ends around 8–9 PM
Late afternoon (4–5 PM): golden hour photos, ends 10–11 PM
Evening (6+ PM): intimate ceremony, reception runs until midnight

How long should cocktail hour last?

Cocktail hour typically runs 45–75 minutes. Sixty minutes is standard and gives enough time for guests to mingle, enjoy appetizers, and visit the bar. It also overlaps with the bridal party photo session. If photos run longer than 90 minutes, extend cocktail hour to 75 minutes to avoid bored guests.

Minimum: 45 minutes (just enough for 1–2 drinks and appetizers)
Standard: 60 minutes (most common, well-paced)
Extended: 75 minutes (if photo session runs long)
Include 4–6 passed appetizer varieties for a 60-minute cocktail hour

When should the first dance happen?

The first dance traditionally happens right after the couple's grand entrance into the reception, before dinner. However, many modern couples do the first dance after dinner and speeches, as a transition to the dancing portion of the evening. Both options work well — choose based on your comfort level.

Before dinner: creates a natural transition from grand entrance to meal
After speeches: builds momentum into the dancing portion
Allow 5–10 minutes for the first dance plus parent dances
If doing parent dances, add another 5–10 minutes

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Last Updated: Jun 18, 2026

This calculator is provided for informational and educational purposes only. Results are estimates and should not be considered professional financial, medical, legal, or other advice. Always consult a qualified professional before making important decisions. UseCalcPro is not responsible for any actions taken based on calculator results.

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