Timings

If your ceremony is at 2 then you will be done by 2.30, normally have an hour/1.5 hours for photos and then drinks reception, so if you are having sit down meal I would say schedule for 4.15 onwards. This takes a couple of hours with speeches so evening could start at 7 as it gives the venue time to turn room around and guests a bit of chill time to freshen up and relax. To be honest, timing's are normally guided by your venue so I would ask them and your photographer what they think as they will know the logistic timings better.

As above your venue should guide. It also depends on your type of ceremony. I am having a church wedding, so my ceremony is 45mins. Just to give you an idea, here are my timings:

1pm - 1.45pm Ceremony

1.45pm-2.15pm - Photos at church

2.30pm - 3pm - Canapé reception at reception venue

3pm-3.45pm - group photos

3.45pm-4.15pm - Couples photos

4.15pm-6.15pm - Wedding breakfast

6.15pm-6.45pm - Speeches

7.15pm - Cake cutting followed by first dance

Obviously this is just a guide as rarely does a wedding actually stick exactly to schedule.

Charlotte has given the same timings that I would suggest which covers 90% of wedding timings.

I can usually expect 1.5 hours after the ceremony - allow 1/2 hour for that if it is a civil one not church. During this 1.5 hours you will be mingling chatting as well as this being the main section of the day for photos. But in most cases it will be your venue that will be deciding how long this section will be and it is 1.5 hours in 90% of weddings, if it is longer - up to 2 hours then in my view it takes a little of the pressure away from trying to do everything - especially if you are dodging rain showers.

Yes the ceremony is 40-45 mins = out at 1.45 but it only takes for you to be 10 mins late - which is easily done despite your best efforts to be on time. So then we are looking at walking up the isle at 1.55 but that is just you and the guests will still have to come out in order to start any photos - other than informal candid.

But when they are out you have to leave time for people to say hello and congratulate you- its now 2.15 and if you are wanting any "official photos at the church other than informal then most of the time at a Church the only place available is that entrance area which will need to be cleared of other people before you can start.

After clearing and just a just 15 mins of official shots at the church its now 2.35 and you head for the Church gate for confetti but by the time guests have let you go after wanting pictures of you with the car it will be 2.40 at best before you are on your way to the reception.

Then if you have a 15 min travel time so arrive at 2.55 but by the time the rest of the guests have arrived it could be 3.10 before any groups can start.

(Kirsty you will need to add at least 15 mins I think to these times as you are allowing 30 mins at the church for photos ) So for you your photos at the venue will start at 3.25 which is almost 1/2 hour later than you are planning.

1pm - 1.45pm Ceremony 1.45pm-2.15pm - Photos at church

Typically, the ceremony will last 1.5 hours; if it is a civil ceremony rather than a religious service, allow an additional half-hour. You will be socialising and conversing throughout these 1.5 hours, and this is also when most of the day's images will be taken .