While every religious tradition and personal preference can change the length of a marriage ceremony, there are some core components that are quite common in a typical wedding in the United States. Clearly, you can add and subtract items based on what you want for your ceremony, but here’s a wedding timeline that can flexibly expand and contract. With this structure, you can expect your ceremony to take between 25 and 35 minutes, including more time if you have religious or other ceremonial rites to accomplish, and less time if you cut some of the elements for simplicity.
Music Before and During the Processional (5 Minutes)

Often, one of the cues that the wedding ceremony is about to start is that the ushers will seat the mothers or other important women in the lives of the bride and groom, and the groom and officiant will step out in the front of the assembled guests. At this point, special music will often play while bridesmaids, flower girls, and ring bearers process into the room. This time can be shorter if only the bride will walk down the aisle, or only the bride and one attendant. Officiant Welcome and/or Prayer (3 Minutes)
Usually, the officiant will welcome guests, generally remark on how important and wonderful the occasion is, and often offer a prayer of hope and positivity for the couple. If prayer isn’t part of your ceremony, this time can be devoted to the officiant talking briefly about what he or she knows about the bride and groom, what makes...