Stone House  /  Planning Library

Your Wedding Day Timeline

Hour-by-hour sample schedules customized for Stone House. Three formats to match your celebration — from intimate to full-day.

Full Day Wedding

10-Hour Celebration

The complete Stone House experience — getting ready on-site through a late-night sendoff. Based on a summer wedding with an 8:30pm sunset.

12:00 PM
Venue Access & Setup
Vendors arrive for setup. Florist, DJ/band, and caterer begin preparing the spaces. Your coordinator manages the flow.
1:00 PM
Getting Ready
Bridal party and groomsmen arrive to get ready on-site. Hair, makeup, and pre-ceremony photos in separate suites.
The Parlor (bridal) · The Penthouse (groom)
3:00 PM
First Look (Optional)
Private first look between partners, followed by bridal party portraits. The Courtyard and stone walls make a stunning backdrop.
The Courtyard
3:30 PM
Pre-Ceremony Portraits
Family formals and bridal party photos while the light is soft and warm. Getting these done early means you go straight to cocktails after the ceremony.
4:30 PM
Ceremony
Guests seated by 4:15. Ceremony begins at 4:30 — typically 20–30 minutes. The afternoon light is warm and flattering.
The Courtyard or The Great Hall
5:00 PM
Cocktail Hour
Guests enjoy craft cocktails, passed appetizers, and live music while the space flips for dinner. Couples steal away for a few sunset portraits.
The Showroom · The Cavern
6:00 PM
Reception — Dinner
Grand entrance, first dance, welcome toasts, and a seated dinner featuring Stone House's seed-oil-free, locally sourced cuisine.
The Great Hall
7:30 PM
Golden Hour Portraits
Slip away for 15 minutes of golden-hour magic while guests finish dessert. This light is what photographers dream about.
7:45 PM
Toasts & Cake
Best man, maid of honor, and parent toasts followed by cake cutting.
8:15 PM
Dancing
The floor opens. DJ or live band takes the energy up. First dances transition into open dancing for all guests.
The Great Hall
9:30 PM
Late-Night Bites
A second wind of food for the dance crowd — sliders, fries, or dessert bar to keep the energy going.
10:00 PM
Grand Exit
Sparkler sendoff, vintage car departure, or a quiet exit — whatever fits your style. Guests walk back to their nearby Nevada City hotels.
Standard Wedding

8-Hour Celebration

The most popular format — covers everything from getting ready through dancing without the late-night extension.

1:00 PM
Venue Access & Getting Ready
Vendors begin setup. Bridal party arrives for hair, makeup, and getting-ready photos on-site.
3:00 PM
First Look & Portraits
First look, family formals, and bridal party photos. Knocking these out early means a relaxed ceremony-to-cocktails flow.
4:30 PM
Ceremony
Guests arrive at 4:15, ceremony begins at 4:30. Typically 20–30 minutes.
The Courtyard or The Great Hall
5:00 PM
Cocktail Hour
Cocktails, appetizers, and music while the space transitions for dinner.
6:00 PM
Dinner & Toasts
Seated dinner, toasts, and cake cutting.
7:30 PM
Dancing
First dance and open dancing through the evening.
9:00 PM
Sendoff
Last song, grand exit, guests walk to downtown Nevada City lodging.
Intimate Wedding

6-Hour Celebration

Perfect for smaller guest lists or couples who want a focused, intentional celebration.

2:00 PM
Arrive & Settle In
Final touches on setup. Couple and close family arrive. Quick touch-up and a moment of calm before the ceremony.
3:00 PM
First Look & Portraits
Intimate first look followed by couple and family portraits in the Courtyard and stone archways.
4:00 PM
Ceremony
Close friends and family gather. A meaningful, personal ceremony — typically 20–30 minutes.
The Courtyard or The Cavern
4:30 PM
Cocktails & Mingling
Casual cocktail flow with appetizers. Smaller guest count means you actually get to talk to everyone.
5:30 PM
Dinner
Family-style or plated dinner. Toasts during the meal for an organic, relaxed flow.
The Parlor or The Great Hall
7:00 PM
Cake, Dancing & Wrap-up
Cake cutting, a few dances, and a warm, joyful close to the evening. Guests stroll into downtown Nevada City for nightcaps.
8:00 PM
Evening Ends
Intimate exit with your closest people.
Timing Tip: These timelines are based on summer (June–September) sunset windows. For spring, fall, or winter weddings, shift the ceremony earlier to catch the best natural light. See our Weather & Seasonal Guide for sunset times by month.
Stone House Advantage: With six distinct spaces under one roof, there's no gap between ceremony, cocktails, and reception. Your guests flow naturally from one space to the next without shuttles, car rides, or downtime.

Check Sunset Times →

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