The Ultimate Wedding Day Timeline: A Real-Life Sample from Avonlea Farms
- Jess Williams
- Jul 24
- 3 min read
When it comes to weddings, timing is everything. A well-thought-out timeline is the backbone of a smooth, stress-free day. At Avonlea Farms, we've seen hundreds of weddings and worked hand-in-hand with couples to make their vision come to life without a hitch. Today, we're sharing a real-life example of a wedding timeline to help you plan your own day with confidence, precision, and a touch of that Avonlea magic.

Whether you're newly engaged or finalizing the details for your fast-approaching wedding day, this comprehensive timeline will show you how everything can fall into place beautifully—with the right planning and the right team.

9:00 AM – Getting the Party Started
Bridal party arrives at Avonlea Farms via the Long Long Weekend bus
Hair and Makeup Artists begin work on four people
Mini rehearsal for bridesmaids
MOB (Mother of the bride)Â picks up breakfast
FOB (Father of the bride) and bride's uncles drop off décor
9:30 AM
Avonlea staff begins decorating the ceremony and reception areas
10:00 AM
Florist arrives to begin arrangements
11:30 AM
Groomsmen arrive via the Long Long Weekend bus
Mini rehearsal for the groomsmen
12:00 PM
All reception decor and details completed
12:00 PM
MOG (mother of the groom)Â deliver lunch for both wedding parties
12:30 PM – Lights, Camera, Action!
Photographer arrives for detail shots, getting-ready moments, and venue shots
1:00 PM
Bell-ringing lesson and custom carving with the venue manager
Photographer captures this unique moment
1:15 PM
Groom's candid getting-ready photos
1:45 PM
Bride's candid getting-ready photos
2:00 PM – Vendor Arrival Rush
Caterer, DJ, and Bartenders arrive and begins setup
2:15 PM
Hair and Makeup wraps up
Bridesmaids get dressed
2:30 PM
Bride gets into her dress
MOB and MOG need to be fully ready
Groom and groomsmen suit up
Boutonniere pinning for Groom with MOG
2:45 PM – First Looks
Bride's first look with bridesmaids in Anne’s Suite
Boutonniere pinning in Gilbert's Cottage for Groomsmen
2:50 PM
Bridal portraits begin
Groomsmen portraits begin with second shooter
3:10 PM
First look between Bride and Groom along the wooded aisle
Newlywed photos
3:30 PM
Wedding party portraits start
4:00 PM
Portraits shift to the front of the farmhouse
Pre-ceremony music begins
Guests begin arriving and are ushered to ceremony site
4:15 PM – Final Prep Before "I Do"
Downtime for couple to relax and prepare
4:30 PM – Ceremony
Officiant welcomes guests and makes an unplugged announcement
Processional Music:
"Concerning Hobbits"
FOG and StepMOG
MOG, StepFOG, and the couple's dog Willow
Groom
"Wildest Dreams (Bridgerton Version)"
Wedding party walks down wooded aisle
"River Flows in You"
Bride walks down the aisle with both parents
5:00 PM – Cocktail Hour & Photos
Ceremony concludes with recessional to "Still the One"
Family photos (15 minutes)
Unbury the bourbon (10 minutes)
Wedding party heads to cocktail hour
6:00 PM – Let the Reception Begin!
Guests gather around the pavilion's dance floor
Wedding party assembles at the bell
6:10 PM – Grand Entrance
Song: "As It Was" by Harry Styles
Groomsmen and bridesmaids enter in groups
Bride and Groom enter with a bell ring and grand intro
6:15 PM
Dinner begins (1 hour and 20 minutes)
7:30 PM
Toasts by Brother of the Groom and Sister of the Bride
7:45 PM
Dance floor opens
8:15 PM – Sweet Treats
Bundtinis set out
8:30 PM
Cake cutting (no formal announcement)
Song: "Better Together"
10:00 PM
Bar closes
10:10 PM
Bridal party prepares for departure
10:15 PM
Shuttle arrives
10:20 PM – Private Last Dance
Song: "All Your'n" by Tyler Childers
10:25 PM – Sparkler Exit
Song: "This Will Be (An Everlasting Love)"
10:30 PM
Bridal party departs
Family begins light cleanup
Post-Wedding Organization
Cards and gifts: MOB and FOB
Leftovers: Handled by FOB and caterer
Décor collection: Managed by wedding party and family
Floral arrangements: Bridesmaid
Bathroom baskets, coolers, and vases: MOB and FOB

Wrapping It All Up
Planning a wedding timeline this detailed might feel intimidating, but with the right guidance and the expert team at Avonlea Farms, it becomes a seamless, enjoyable part of the wedding journey. Our experienced coordinators, venue staff, and preferred vendor network work in harmony to ensure everything runs exactly as planned—and when it doesn't, we're there to fix it before you even notice.

We hope this real-life timeline has sparked inspiration and shown you how achievable a stress-free wedding day can be. Interested in making Avonlea Farms the setting for your wedding story? [Book a tour with us today!]

#WeddingDayTimeline #VirginiaWeddings #DMVWeddings #RichmondWeddingVenue #CharlottesvilleWeddings #GreenhouseWedding #OutdoorWeddingInspiration #WeddingPlanningTip #WeddingVenuesVA #TopWeddingVenue #WeddingSchedule #StressFreeWedding #WeddingDetailsMatter #GardenWeddingVenue #AvonleaFarms #WeddingExperts #2025Weddings #2026Weddings #BridalSuiteGoals #GroomsmenStyle