6 Wedding Day Timeline Tips
Alright Alright! Let’s talk wedding day timelines! (I hope you didn’t roll your eyes, cringe or hide under a pillow from being overwhelmed). I want to give you a few pointers for you to think about if you don’t currently have someone helping you with this. I do highly recommend a wedding planner or month-of coordinator because they are WORTH every penny if you are looking to have a shred of sanity when the big day comes.
Personally, I offer help in this area for all my couples because a smooth timeline makes for the perfect wedding + portraits!
So here are a few tips when putting that timeline together:
1. Hair & Makeup shouldn’t take more than 3 hours. Discuss these times with your hair and makeup artist so everyone is on the same page and they can bring enough artists for your bridal party and let them know you are on this schedule.
2. Bridesmaids should be dressed at least thirty minutes prior to the Bride.
All bridesmaids and mothers should be ready by the time the Bride puts on her dress. Added note: Consider asking mom and your maid of honor to assist with putting on your wedding dress. Then, reveal your final look to bridesmaids once you are in your Bridal Gown. This can alleviate too many cooks in the kitchen and make for a special moment between mom and daughter.
3. Photographers do not need to be present for the entire duration of hair and makeup.
Work with your photographer to coordinate their arrival and departure and what they can do to maximize their time with you and getting the most coverage of your day! While you are getting ready, they can be working on detail shots and documenting all the decor and little things.
4. First Look or No First Look?
If your ceremony is an afternoon ceremony, First Looks are not always necessary. If your ceremony is in late afternoon or evening, a First Look, Bridal Party Photos and Formal Photos should occur prior to the Ceremony. This maximizes the time for the couple to spend TOGETHER while also not rushing photos post-Ceremony. Wouldn’t you like to maximize the time you actually have together on your wedding day!?!
5. Formal Photos: Create a list of must have photos with your fiance, your mother and their mother with exact names of who is in the photo.
Creating a formal photography shot list and assigning someone from each family (someone who know who everyone is) to round up those members will aid your photographer in focusing on taking the photos and not yelling out and trying to find Uncle Bob. Request family that is part of these photos know where and when they need to be present for these photos. If the photos are not on the list, they will not be taken. Formal Family photos should not take longer than 30min.
6. Reception: Schedule activities in a consecutive order.
Consider the following for your reception timeline: Grand Entrance, Cut Cake, First Dance, Welcome by Father of the Bride, Blessing, Dinner, Toasts, Remaining Formal Dances, Open Dance Floor. Guest experience and engagement is KEY. Keeping a timely flow of the reception maximizes guest’s attention span keeping them at reception for as long as possible! If cake cutting takes place earlier upon Grand Entrance, the caterer can cut and serve cake during toasts. Dinner service could take approximately 30-45 minutes pending if salads are pre-set or served or buffet service style are chosen. Toasts can begin right after the last guest receives their meal. This helps the flow and keep the evening going at a good pace.
Lastly, don’t forget to ENJOY your day to the absolute FULLEST! Be present with your spouse and all the lovely people you chose to invite and celebrate with!
Cheers!