Our advice for the timing of the Big Day!

At Portes des Iris where every year for the past 20 years many weddings are celebrated, it is one of the questions that the future bride and groom ask us most often!
What are the schedules? How long for each step?

How can we best manage so that it is not a rush and the wait is not long for the guests?
Even if the bride and groom want this day to be endless, it is important that it doesn’t become a marathon, neither for them nor for their guests!

Here are a few ideas to help you best plan for D-Day.

Makeup & Hair: 1h30 to 2h00 in total depending on complexity
Dressing: 15-30 minutes
Ceremony: 45 – 60 minutes
Congratulations at the end of a ceremony: 30 minutes
Aperitif: 1h30 – 2h00 (depending on the season)
Couple photos: 0h45 – 1h00
Family and group photos: 0h30-01h00
Sitting at the tables and finding your place: 0h30 (for 100 people)

These schedules do not include travel if everything is not done at the same place!

At Portes des Iris, it is possible to experience all the different stages we describe above, on site, which lightens the timing and reduces stress. If this is your choice, here is what we recommend, to plan by starting with the meal schedule and working backwards through time.

13h00

Arrival of the bride, her witnesses, her relatives, preparations

Photo : Christelle Naville Photograhie

14h00

Snack & drinks. Provide staff or extra time if the bridesmaids are doing their hair and make-up on site.

Photo : TLook

14h30

Groom’s preparation

Photo : Christelle Naville Photographie

15h00

Arrival of the photographer, 30 minutes before the bride is ready.

16h00

Ceremony

17h00 – 19h00

Aperitif, group photos, couple photos

19h30

Transition to the dinner tables

Photo: Diana Baccini

19h50

Entry of the bride and groom

Photo : Diana Baccini

20h00

Beginning of the dinner or first speech

Photo : Christelle Naville Photographie

23h00

First dance!

Photo : Samuel Monot

02h00

Snack

Good planning is important, but allow time for the unexpected and extensions. It’s hot and beautiful, extend the aperitif by 30 minutes! The light is beautiful and you want to enjoy taking pictures, start your meal a little later! Last little tip: take advantage of the aperitif to take your pictures, avoid doing it at the exit of the church so the guests can enjoy the cocktail reception while admiring you!

Photo : TLook

The great plus of Portes des Iris :

We gladly manage the timing of the different service providers (setting up the caterer, delivery of the florist or decorator, installation of the DJ, …) and we make sure that yours is respected at best!