diff --git a/backend/__pycache__/app.cpython-312.pyc b/backend/__pycache__/app.cpython-312.pyc
index f4b4dc3..5ae5f35 100644
Binary files a/backend/__pycache__/app.cpython-312.pyc and b/backend/__pycache__/app.cpython-312.pyc differ
diff --git a/backend/app.py b/backend/app.py
index 11168a2..967c5f5 100644
--- a/backend/app.py
+++ b/backend/app.py
@@ -4,6 +4,7 @@ import uuid
 from datetime import datetime
 from functools import wraps
 from pathlib import Path
+from zoneinfo import ZoneInfo, ZoneInfoNotFoundError
 
 from flask import (
     Flask,
@@ -34,6 +35,9 @@ app.config["GOOGLE_MAPS_EMBED_URL"] = os.environ.get(
     "https://www.google.com/maps/embed?pb=!1m18!1m12!1m3!1d0",
 )
 app.config["WEDDING_DATE"] = os.environ.get("WEDDING_DATE", "")
+app.config["WEDDING_COUNTDOWN_ISO"] = os.environ.get("WEDDING_COUNTDOWN_ISO", "")
+app.config["WEDDING_COUNTDOWN_LOCAL"] = os.environ.get("WEDDING_COUNTDOWN_LOCAL", "2026-09-04 15:00")
+app.config["WEDDING_TIMEZONE"] = os.environ.get("WEDDING_TIMEZONE", "Europe/Berlin")
 app.config["HERO_IMAGE_FILENAME"] = os.environ.get("HERO_IMAGE_FILENAME")
 
 ALLOWED_EXTENSIONS = {"jpg", "jpeg", "png", "heic", "heif"}
@@ -280,6 +284,14 @@ TEXTS = {
         "flash_admin_only": "Dieser Bereich ist nur für Admins verfügbar.",
         "dashboard": "Dashboard",
         "back": "Zurück",
+        "countdown_button_label": "Countdown bis zur Hochzeit",
+        "countdown_until": "Noch",
+        "countdown_started": "Die Feier hat begonnen",
+        "countdown_days": "Tage",
+        "countdown_hours": "Std",
+        "countdown_minutes": "Min",
+        "countdown_seconds": "Sek",
+        "countdown_subline": "bis zur Hochzeit",
     },
     "en": {
         "brand": "Svenja & Dominic",
@@ -361,6 +373,14 @@ TEXTS = {
         "flash_admin_only": "This area is available to admins only.",
         "dashboard": "Dashboard",
         "back": "Back",
+        "countdown_button_label": "Wedding countdown",
+        "countdown_until": "Starts in",
+        "countdown_started": "The celebration has started",
+        "countdown_days": "Days",
+        "countdown_hours": "Hrs",
+        "countdown_minutes": "Min",
+        "countdown_seconds": "Sec",
+        "countdown_subline": "until the wedding",
     },
 }
 
@@ -390,6 +410,39 @@ def get_hero_image_asset() -> str:
     return "assets/hero.jpg"
 
 
+def get_wedding_countdown_iso() -> str:
+    configured_iso = str(app.config.get("WEDDING_COUNTDOWN_ISO", "") or "").strip()
+    if configured_iso:
+        try:
+            datetime.fromisoformat(configured_iso.replace("Z", "+00:00"))
+            return configured_iso
+        except ValueError:
+            pass
+
+    local_value = str(app.config.get("WEDDING_COUNTDOWN_LOCAL", "") or "").strip()
+    timezone_name = str(app.config.get("WEDDING_TIMEZONE", "Europe/Berlin") or "Europe/Berlin").strip()
+    if not local_value:
+        return "2026-09-04T15:00:00+02:00"
+
+    parsed_local = None
+    for fmt in ("%Y-%m-%d %H:%M", "%Y-%m-%dT%H:%M", "%Y-%m-%d %H:%M:%S", "%Y-%m-%dT%H:%M:%S"):
+        try:
+            parsed_local = datetime.strptime(local_value, fmt)
+            break
+        except ValueError:
+            continue
+
+    if parsed_local is None:
+        return "2026-09-04T15:00:00+02:00"
+
+    try:
+        tz = ZoneInfo(timezone_name)
+    except ZoneInfoNotFoundError:
+        tz = ZoneInfo("Europe/Berlin")
+
+    return parsed_local.replace(tzinfo=tz).isoformat()
+
+
 @app.context_processor
 def inject_common() -> dict:
     role = session.get("role", "guest")
@@ -408,6 +461,7 @@ def inject_common() -> dict:
         "location_website_url": app.config["LOCATION_WEBSITE_URL"],
         "google_maps_embed_url": app.config["GOOGLE_MAPS_EMBED_URL"],
         "wedding_date": app.config["WEDDING_DATE"],
+        "wedding_countdown_iso": get_wedding_countdown_iso(),
         "hero_image_url": url_for("static", filename=get_hero_image_asset()),
     }
 
diff --git a/backend/static/countdown.js b/backend/static/countdown.js
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..6f3a4a5
--- /dev/null
+++ b/backend/static/countdown.js
@@ -0,0 +1,109 @@
+(() => {
+  function pad2(value) {
+    return String(value).padStart(2, "0");
+  }
+
+  function splitCountdown(ms) {
+    const totalSeconds = Math.max(0, Math.floor(ms / 1000));
+    const days = Math.floor(totalSeconds / 86400);
+    const hours = Math.floor((totalSeconds % 86400) / 3600);
+    const minutes = Math.floor((totalSeconds % 3600) / 60);
+    const seconds = totalSeconds % 60;
+    return { days, hours, minutes, seconds };
+  }
+
+  function setAnimatedValue(node, nextValue) {
+    if (!node) {
+      return;
+    }
+    if (node.textContent === nextValue) {
+      return;
+    }
+    node.textContent = nextValue;
+    node.classList.remove("is-updated");
+    void node.offsetWidth;
+    node.classList.add("is-updated");
+  }
+
+  function initTimer(widget) {
+    const targetIso = widget.dataset.countdownTarget;
+    const startedLabel = widget.dataset.countdownStarted || "";
+    const toggle = widget.querySelector("[data-countdown-toggle]");
+    const popover = widget.querySelector("[data-countdown-popover]");
+    const subline = widget.querySelector("[data-countdown-subline]");
+    const daysNode = widget.querySelector("[data-countdown-days]");
+    const hoursNode = widget.querySelector("[data-countdown-hours]");
+    const minutesNode = widget.querySelector("[data-countdown-minutes]");
+    const secondsNode = widget.querySelector("[data-countdown-seconds]");
+
+    if (!targetIso || !toggle || !popover || !subline || !daysNode || !hoursNode || !minutesNode || !secondsNode) {
+      return;
+    }
+
+    const targetMs = Date.parse(targetIso);
+    if (Number.isNaN(targetMs)) {
+      subline.textContent = "--";
+      return;
+    }
+
+    const update = () => {
+      const now = Date.now();
+      const delta = targetMs - now;
+
+      if (delta <= 0) {
+        setAnimatedValue(daysNode, "0");
+        setAnimatedValue(hoursNode, "00");
+        setAnimatedValue(minutesNode, "00");
+        setAnimatedValue(secondsNode, "00");
+        subline.textContent = startedLabel;
+        return;
+      }
+
+      const parts = splitCountdown(delta);
+      setAnimatedValue(daysNode, String(parts.days));
+      setAnimatedValue(hoursNode, pad2(parts.hours));
+      setAnimatedValue(minutesNode, pad2(parts.minutes));
+      setAnimatedValue(secondsNode, pad2(parts.seconds));
+    };
+
+    const close = () => {
+      popover.hidden = true;
+      toggle.setAttribute("aria-expanded", "false");
+    };
+
+    const open = () => {
+      popover.hidden = false;
+      toggle.setAttribute("aria-expanded", "true");
+      update();
+    };
+
+    toggle.addEventListener("click", (event) => {
+      event.preventDefault();
+      if (popover.hidden) {
+        open();
+      } else {
+        close();
+      }
+    });
+
+    document.addEventListener("click", (event) => {
+      if (!widget.contains(event.target)) {
+        close();
+      }
+    });
+
+    document.addEventListener("keydown", (event) => {
+      if (event.key === "Escape") {
+        close();
+      }
+    });
+
+    update();
+    window.setInterval(update, 1000);
+  }
+
+  document.addEventListener("DOMContentLoaded", () => {
+    const widgets = document.querySelectorAll(".toolbar-timer");
+    widgets.forEach(initTimer);
+  });
+})();
diff --git a/backend/static/dashboard-transition.js b/backend/static/dashboard-transition.js
index df82879..2cd2fb1 100644
--- a/backend/static/dashboard-transition.js
+++ b/backend/static/dashboard-transition.js
@@ -1,87 +1,31 @@
 (() => {
-  const OPENING_MS = 420;
-
-  document.addEventListener("DOMContentLoaded", () => {
+  function setupDashboardAnimations() {
     const dashboardGrid = document.querySelector(".dashboard-grid");
-    const dashboardLinks = document.querySelectorAll(".dashboard-link-card[href]");
-
-    if (dashboardGrid) {
-      dashboardLinks.forEach((link, index) => {
-        link.style.setProperty("--stagger-delay", `${index * 55}ms`);
-      });
-
-      dashboardGrid.classList.add("is-ready");
-      window.requestAnimationFrame(() => {
-        dashboardGrid.classList.add("is-animated");
-      });
+    if (!dashboardGrid) {
+      return;
     }
 
-    dashboardLinks.forEach((link) => {
-      link.addEventListener("click", (event) => {
-        if (link.classList.contains("is-opening")) {
-          event.preventDefault();
-          return;
-        }
-
-        if (
-          event.defaultPrevented ||
-          event.button !== 0 ||
-          event.metaKey ||
-          event.ctrlKey ||
-          event.shiftKey ||
-          event.altKey
-        ) {
-          return;
-        }
-
-        const href = link.getAttribute("href");
-        if (!href || href.startsWith("http")) {
-          return;
-        }
-
-        event.preventDefault();
-        if (dashboardGrid) {
-          dashboardGrid.classList.add("is-focusing");
-        }
-        link.classList.add("is-opening");
-
-        // Force layout before running the exit animation for consistent playback.
-        void link.offsetWidth;
-
-        let hasNavigated = false;
-        const navigate = () => {
-          if (hasNavigated) {
-            return;
-          }
-          hasNavigated = true;
-          window.location.href = href;
-        };
-
-        if (typeof link.animate === "function") {
-          const animation = link.animate(
-            [
-              { opacity: 1, transform: "translateY(-6px) scale(1)", filter: "blur(0px)" },
-              { opacity: 0, transform: "translateY(-42px) scale(0.982)", filter: "blur(2px)" },
-            ],
-            {
-              duration: OPENING_MS,
-              easing: "cubic-bezier(0.22, 0.61, 0.36, 1)",
-              fill: "forwards",
-            }
-          );
-          animation.finished.then(navigate).catch(navigate);
-        } else {
-          // Fallback if WAAPI is unavailable.
-          link.style.transition = `transform ${OPENING_MS}ms cubic-bezier(0.22, 0.61, 0.36, 1), opacity ${OPENING_MS}ms cubic-bezier(0.22, 0.61, 0.36, 1), filter ${OPENING_MS}ms cubic-bezier(0.22, 0.61, 0.36, 1)`;
-          requestAnimationFrame(() => {
-            link.style.transform = "translateY(-42px) scale(0.982)";
-            link.style.opacity = "0";
-            link.style.filter = "blur(2px)";
-          });
-        }
-
-        window.setTimeout(navigate, OPENING_MS + 240);
-      });
+    const dashboardLinks = document.querySelectorAll(".dashboard-link-card[href]");
+    dashboardLinks.forEach((link, index) => {
+      link.style.setProperty("--stagger-delay", `${index * 45}ms`);
     });
-  });
+
+    dashboardGrid.classList.remove("is-ready", "is-animated", "is-focusing");
+    dashboardLinks.forEach((link) => {
+      link.classList.remove("is-opening");
+      link.style.removeProperty("transition");
+      link.style.removeProperty("transform");
+      link.style.removeProperty("opacity");
+      link.style.removeProperty("filter");
+      link.style.removeProperty("pointer-events");
+    });
+
+    dashboardGrid.classList.add("is-ready");
+    window.requestAnimationFrame(() => {
+      dashboardGrid.classList.add("is-animated");
+    });
+  }
+
+  document.addEventListener("DOMContentLoaded", setupDashboardAnimations);
+  window.addEventListener("pageshow", setupDashboardAnimations);
 })();
diff --git a/backend/static/styles.css b/backend/static/styles.css
index 366cca6..c335e47 100644
--- a/backend/static/styles.css
+++ b/backend/static/styles.css
@@ -57,6 +57,7 @@ h3 {
   gap: 0.4rem;
   flex-wrap: wrap;
   justify-content: flex-end;
+  align-items: center;
 }
 
 .container {
@@ -103,7 +104,7 @@ h3 {
   background: var(--card);
   border: 1px solid rgba(39, 66, 53, 0.1);
   border-radius: 18px;
-  box-shadow: 0 10px 32px rgba(39, 66, 53, 0.08);
+  box-shadow: 0 8px 22px rgba(39, 66, 53, 0.09);
   padding: 1.25rem;
   margin-bottom: 1rem;
 }
@@ -127,6 +128,7 @@ h3 {
   align-items: center;
   justify-content: center;
   min-height: 90px;
+  cursor: pointer;
   transition: transform 0.2s ease, box-shadow 0.2s ease;
 }
 
@@ -145,12 +147,6 @@ h3 {
   animation-delay: var(--stagger-delay, 0ms);
 }
 
-.dashboard-grid.is-focusing .dashboard-link-card:not(.is-opening) {
-  opacity: 0.56;
-  transform: scale(0.975);
-  filter: saturate(0.82);
-}
-
 @keyframes dashboard-card-in {
   from {
     opacity: 0;
@@ -173,28 +169,18 @@ h3 {
   background: #fffdf9;
   border: 1px solid rgba(39, 66, 53, 0.11);
   letter-spacing: 0.01em;
-  box-shadow: 0 12px 30px rgba(39, 66, 53, 0.12);
+  box-shadow: 0 8px 22px rgba(39, 66, 53, 0.09);
   will-change: transform, opacity, filter;
 }
 
-.dashboard-link-card:hover {
-  transform: translateY(-6px);
-  box-shadow: 0 18px 40px rgba(39, 66, 53, 0.18);
-}
-
-.dashboard-link-card.is-opening {
-  box-shadow: 0 20px 44px rgba(39, 66, 53, 0.22);
-  pointer-events: none;
-}
-
 .link-card:hover {
-  transform: translateY(-3px);
-  box-shadow: 0 14px 30px rgba(39, 66, 53, 0.16);
+  transform: translateY(-5px);
+  box-shadow: 0 14px 30px rgba(39, 66, 53, 0.15);
 }
 
-.dashboard-grid .dashboard-link-card:hover {
-  transform: translateY(-6px);
-  box-shadow: 0 18px 40px rgba(39, 66, 53, 0.18);
+.link-card:focus-visible {
+  transform: translateY(-5px);
+  box-shadow: 0 14px 30px rgba(39, 66, 53, 0.15);
 }
 
 .form-card {
@@ -448,10 +434,13 @@ input[type="file"]:focus {
   padding: 0.42rem 0.78rem;
   font-size: 0.98rem;
   font-weight: 600;
+  min-height: 2.35rem;
 }
 
 .toolbar-nav-btn {
-  padding: 0.42rem 0.62rem;
+  width: 2.35rem;
+  padding: 0;
+  flex: 0 0 2.35rem;
 }
 
 .toolbar-nav-btn svg {
@@ -460,6 +449,106 @@ input[type="file"]:focus {
   fill: currentColor;
 }
 
+.toolbar-session-actions {
+  display: inline-flex;
+  align-items: center;
+  gap: 0.38rem;
+  flex-wrap: nowrap;
+}
+
+.toolbar-timer {
+  position: relative;
+}
+
+.toolbar-timer-btn {
+  width: 2.35rem;
+  padding: 0;
+  flex: 0 0 2.35rem;
+}
+
+.toolbar-timer-btn svg {
+  width: 0.9rem;
+  height: 0.9rem;
+  fill: currentColor;
+}
+
+.toolbar-timer-popover {
+  position: absolute;
+  top: calc(100% + 0.38rem);
+  right: 0;
+  min-width: 12.4rem;
+  padding: 0.62rem 0.7rem;
+  border-radius: 12px;
+  border: 1px solid rgba(39, 66, 53, 0.14);
+  background: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.98);
+  box-shadow: 0 10px 26px rgba(39, 66, 53, 0.14);
+  z-index: 25;
+}
+
+.toolbar-timer-label {
+  margin: 0 0 0.35rem;
+  color: rgba(31, 31, 31, 0.72);
+  font-size: 0.76rem;
+}
+
+.toolbar-timer-grid {
+  display: grid;
+  grid-template-columns: repeat(4, minmax(0, 1fr));
+  gap: 0.38rem;
+}
+
+.toolbar-timer-unit {
+  background: rgba(39, 66, 53, 0.045);
+  border: 1px solid rgba(39, 66, 53, 0.09);
+  border-radius: 10px;
+  padding: 0.38rem 0.18rem 0.3rem;
+  display: grid;
+  justify-items: center;
+}
+
+.toolbar-timer-value {
+  margin: 0;
+  font-size: 1rem;
+  font-weight: 700;
+  color: var(--forest);
+  line-height: 1.05;
+  letter-spacing: 0.01em;
+  font-variant-numeric: tabular-nums;
+}
+
+.toolbar-timer-value.is-updated {
+  animation: countdown-pop 220ms ease;
+}
+
+.toolbar-timer-unit-label {
+  margin-top: 0.1rem;
+  color: rgba(31, 31, 31, 0.62);
+  font-size: 0.64rem;
+  font-weight: 600;
+  letter-spacing: 0.03em;
+}
+
+.toolbar-timer-subline {
+  margin: 0.42rem 0 0;
+  color: rgba(31, 31, 31, 0.74);
+  font-size: 0.74rem;
+}
+
+@keyframes countdown-pop {
+  0% {
+    transform: translateY(0);
+    opacity: 1;
+  }
+  35% {
+    transform: translateY(-2px);
+    opacity: 0.75;
+  }
+  100% {
+    transform: translateY(0);
+    opacity: 1;
+  }
+}
+
 .flash {
   padding: 0.7rem 0.9rem;
   border-radius: 10px;
@@ -780,6 +869,16 @@ input[type="file"]:focus {
 }
 
 @media (max-width: 640px) {
+  .toolbar-timer-popover {
+    right: -0.1rem;
+    min-width: 11.5rem;
+    padding: 0.5rem 0.6rem;
+  }
+
+  .toolbar-timer-value {
+    font-size: 0.9rem;
+  }
+
   .location-actions {
     justify-content: flex-start;
   }
diff --git a/backend/templates/base.html b/backend/templates/base.html
index 0e425eb..6f979dd 100644
--- a/backend/templates/base.html
+++ b/backend/templates/base.html
@@ -22,14 +22,56 @@
         <button class="btn btn-ghost" type="submit">EN</button>
       </form>
       {% if guest_name %}
-      <a class="btn btn-ghost toolbar-nav-btn" href="{{ url_for('guest_area') }}" aria-label="{{ t('dashboard') }}" title="{{ t('dashboard') }}">
-        <svg viewBox="0 0 24 24" aria-hidden="true" focusable="false">
-          <path d="M3 3h8v8H3V3zm10 0h8v5h-8V3zM3 13h5v8H3v-8zm7 0h11v8H10v-8z" />
-        </svg>
-      </a>
-      <form method="post" action="{{ url_for('logout') }}">
-        <button class="btn btn-ghost" type="submit">{{ t('logout') }}</button>
-      </form>
+      <div
+        class="toolbar-timer"
+        data-countdown-target="{{ wedding_countdown_iso }}"
+        data-countdown-started="{{ t('countdown_started') }}"
+      >
+        <button
+          class="btn btn-ghost toolbar-nav-btn toolbar-timer-btn"
+          type="button"
+          aria-label="{{ t('countdown_button_label') }}"
+          title="{{ t('countdown_button_label') }}"
+          data-countdown-toggle
+          aria-expanded="false"
+        >
+          <svg viewBox="0 0 24 24" aria-hidden="true" focusable="false">
+            <path d="M15 2H9v2h6V2zm-3 4a8 8 0 1 0 8 8 8 8 0 0 0-8-8zm3.4 11.4L11 13V8h2v4.2l3.8 3.8z" />
+          </svg>
+        </button>
+        <div class="toolbar-timer-popover" data-countdown-popover hidden>
+          <p class="toolbar-timer-label">{{ t('countdown_until') }}</p>
+          <div class="toolbar-timer-grid" data-countdown-grid>
+            <div class="toolbar-timer-unit">
+              <span class="toolbar-timer-value" data-countdown-days>0</span>
+              <span class="toolbar-timer-unit-label">{{ t('countdown_days') }}</span>
+            </div>
+            <div class="toolbar-timer-unit">
+              <span class="toolbar-timer-value" data-countdown-hours>00</span>
+              <span class="toolbar-timer-unit-label">{{ t('countdown_hours') }}</span>
+            </div>
+            <div class="toolbar-timer-unit">
+              <span class="toolbar-timer-value" data-countdown-minutes>00</span>
+              <span class="toolbar-timer-unit-label">{{ t('countdown_minutes') }}</span>
+            </div>
+            <div class="toolbar-timer-unit">
+              <span class="toolbar-timer-value" data-countdown-seconds>00</span>
+              <span class="toolbar-timer-unit-label">{{ t('countdown_seconds') }}</span>
+            </div>
+          </div>
+          <p class="toolbar-timer-subline" data-countdown-subline>{{ t('countdown_subline') }}</p>
+        </div>
+      </div>
+      <div class="toolbar-session-actions">
+        <a class="btn btn-ghost toolbar-nav-btn" href="{{ url_for('guest_area') }}" aria-label="{{ t('dashboard') }}" title="{{ t('dashboard') }}">
+          <svg viewBox="0 0 24 24" aria-hidden="true" focusable="false">
+            <path d="M3 3h8v8H3V3zm10 0h8v5h-8V3zM3 13h5v8H3v-8zm7 0h11v8H10v-8z" />
+          </svg>
+        </a>
+        <form method="post" action="{{ url_for('logout') }}">
+          <button class="btn btn-ghost" type="submit">{{ t('logout') }}</button>
+        </form>
+      </div>
       {% endif %}
     </div>
   </header>
@@ -51,6 +93,7 @@
     <a href="{{ url_for('datenschutz') }}">{{ t('privacy') }}</a>
     <a href="{{ url_for('impressum') }}">{{ t('imprint') }}</a>
   </footer>
-  <script src="{{ url_for('static', filename='dashboard-transition.js', v='20260302c') }}" defer></script>
+  <script src="{{ url_for('static', filename='dashboard-transition.js', v='20260303a') }}" defer></script>
+  <script src="{{ url_for('static', filename='countdown.js', v='20260303c') }}" defer></script>
 </body>
 </html>
diff --git a/docker-compose.yml b/docker-compose.yml
index 99fab22..1b5a496 100644
--- a/docker-compose.yml
+++ b/docker-compose.yml
@@ -25,6 +25,8 @@ services:
       - EVENT_PASSWORD=${EVENT_PASSWORD:-wedding2026}
       - HOST_PASSWORD=${HOST_PASSWORD:-gastgeber2026}
       - WEDDING_DATE=${WEDDING_DATE:-}
+      - WEDDING_COUNTDOWN_LOCAL=${WEDDING_COUNTDOWN_LOCAL:-2026-09-04 15:00}
+      - WEDDING_TIMEZONE=${WEDDING_TIMEZONE:-Europe/Berlin}
       - SECRET_KEY=${SECRET_KEY:-change-me-in-production}
       - MAX_UPLOAD_BYTES=${MAX_UPLOAD_BYTES:-268435456}
       - LOCATION_NAME=${LOCATION_NAME:-Klostermühle}