48 Studio believes that the key to a smooth wedding day isn't military precision, but giving yourself enough time to ensure that everything goes as planned throughout the day of the wedding. And it is the timeline that will be your best medicine for the headache.
Having a well-organized wedding timetable, there will be no schedule problems or confusion, and everyone will be on the same page. It's important to strike a balance between giving yourself enough time to plan and complete your tasks and having suppliers arrive later than you anticipated. Here are a few ideas for the order of events on the big day:
Source: To Have and to Hire Events, Sussex
How To Plan The Perfect Wedding Day Timeline?
Perhaps you’ve heard the phrase, “Timing is everything.” When it comes to executing an organized event, it couldn’t be more true! Timing is key when it comes to your wedding. The importance of a wedding day timetable cannot be overstated – even a few minutes of delay may put the whole event off course (and annoy your guests). It's important to keep in mind, however, that each couple has a different set of variables to consider when creating their own wedding day timeline. This includes the suppliers, venues, family members, and more.
More than likely, you’ve never planned an event with so many moving parts. With so many different pieces at play, one small issue could cause a domino effect of problems in your wedding day timeline, so it’s important to be prepared. This post outlines absolutely everything you need to know to put together a professional wedding day timeline for your big day!
4Ws Rule For Your Wedding Timeline
Source: Etsy
It is critical to check all of your bases and plan for your best day. Acknowledging the 5 W’s of your event can make the day run more smoothly and give you something to trace back to if you lose sight of where you’re going.
Who
All of the individuals who play significant roles in your wedding should be included on your guest list, along with remarks and contact information for each of them.
Your wedding vendors, your wedding party, and any family members that need to be kept informed should all be included on this one list. Remember to have a conversation with your parents early to know how many people they want to invite. This also assists you in breaking down your budget, since certain expenditures are highly dependent on the number of guests you’re inviting.
What/Where
Make a list of the significant particulars that should not be overlooked, such as the locations of the ceremony, the celebration, and your lodgings for the wedding night.
It is essential to have a list of the deliveries that are scheduled to be delivered on that particular day.
When
Final results should try to define the event timeline in time order, starting at the earliest moment and moving to the last. When creating your wedding timeline, it is possible that you may want to mention particular line items at 15-minute intervals throughout the most critical periods of your day. Having a detailed schedule is helpful, so don't hesitate to share it with your vendors…
Write Down All The Timelines From Scratch
Source: LiveAbout
Request that your crew give their arrival and departure timings in an email to you. You need this information in order to help pave the way for your schedule, and it's also critical to double-check the information they offer with the data specified in their contracts. Check to see whether they are identical! In the event that they don't, the moment has come to speak out.
Make sure you have a copy of the hair and makeup artists' schedules if you're working with them. This can help you plan your wedding day, as well as give you an idea of when your bridesmaids and family members are scheduled to meet. Doing so will ensure that everyone involved in the hair and make-up process is aware of the schedule and on time.
Ask for a copy of your photographer's timeline! Most wedding photographers begin planning their schedules at least two to four weeks before the big day. In addition, their knowledge will help you build a clearer picture as you put in more elements.
Sample For Your Wedding Timeline
Getting Ready: 2 hours
There is no such thing as beginning the getting-ready process too early, especially if you intend on shooting photographs before your ceremony. Let's face it, your wedding day will be lengthy (but fantastic!). To ensure you're ready for your ceremony by 4 p.m., we suggest beginning your preparations as early as 9 a.m. For an evening wedding, it may seem crazy to start the preparations so early, but remember that it might take up to 90 minutes for a woman to have her hair and makeup done. Even more time is needed if you're having your bridesmaids' hair and cosmetics done by a professional artist. In addition, a full-length picture session, which includes both individual portraits and shots of the whole family, would likely go for well over an hour.
The First Look: 30 minutes
When it comes to shooting the first look, you just need a few minutes. If you want to get some pictures of the wedding party before the ceremony, you may use the remaining time for that purpose. “At the most, it takes 15 minutes to complete the operation. The rest of the time will be spent capturing the wedding party as a whole. The couple's worries are also soothed by this.”
Arrival/Departure Time: 30 minutes
This isn't essential if you're getting ready at the ceremony location. However, if you want to travel to the ceremony location, make sure to leave yourself enough of time in order to prevent any potential travel issues.
Cocktail Hour: 1 hour
If your wedding ceremony and reception are held at the same location, cocktail hour may begin right after the ceremony or up to 30 minutes later, depending on the schedule. At least one hour should be given for the cocktail hour. It's customary at this time for the caterers and bartenders to provide handed hors d'oeuvres and beverages to get people talking and in a festive mood. It's also a perfect time to get some sunset shots with your photographer or with your family and friends.
Guests will enjoy beverages, light appetizers, and live music while you take family portraits. It's critical to keep in contact with all suppliers involved in the ceremony and reception to ensure a smooth transition. In other words, “create the atmosphere.”
Invite Guest To Dinner: 15 minutes
Make your big entrance as a newlywed after everyone has taken their seats. You'll be pronounced husband and wife once your wedding party entrance. After this, you'll be ready for your first dance!
Hit The Dance Floor: 20 minutes
Make the adjustment to your first dance with your spouse as smooth as possible. You have the option of dancing through the whole song or requesting that the band or DJ fade out after two minutes. After the first song, guests often join the newlyweds on the dance floor. Get your DJ or band involved, or put together a few songs on your own to get the party started. Plan a dancing set of three to five songs following the first dance to get the celebration started before dinner if you believe your guests will be dying to go on the dance floor.
Welcome Toast: 10 minutes
After your first dance, you and your guests should thank everyone for attending and congratulate you on your marriage. At wedding receptions, a member of the couple's or bride and groom's family gives a welcome toast, thanking guests and inviting them to enjoy the meal.
Dinner Time: 2 hours
Time to take a breath—and eat!
Wedding Party Speeches: 20 minutes
This is the final chance your guests will have to sit down together, so plan your wedding party speeches accordingly. The best man and maid of honor are generally the first to speak during a wedding. It's entirely up to you, though, in terms of placing this particular order. If you like, you may stick to the established order of things or put up a unique lineup of speakers totally on your own. The most important thing is that each speech lasts between two and three minutes.
Parents' Dances: 10 minutes
The mother and son/daughter dance is a time-honored tradition, the mother dancing with their children is a wonderful opportunity for the groom or bride to appreciate and honor his mother or any mother figure in her life. You’d be stunned to discover that your mother is the life of the party and has the power to set the dance floor on fire so make sure you have a talk with your photographer in order to capture all the precious moments shared between you and your ‘beloved calling’. According to BRIDES, “Although the first dance is usually a slow down-tempo tune, that doesn’t mean the groom has to waltz with his mother. Uptempo mother-son dances are always a crowd-pleaser!.” So what are you waiting for, settle down and make a special playlist and get ready to ask your mama to have a dance of her life! Put the record on!
Cake Cutting: 10 minutes
After the parent dances are over, it's time to party! Take a break from the festivities to cut the wedding cake. As a bonus, this is the perfect opportunity to play a lighthearted cake-cutting song if that's your thing.). Attendees have the option of returning to their seats for cake, or continuing to dance until the party is over.
Wedding Departure: 15 mintues
Make arrangements in advance with your DJ or band for a closing song, and have someone notify the audience when it is about to begin. Give each other a last embrace before saying farewell. A wedding party member (or members) should be selected to arrange and distribute sparklers and other party favors to guests along your departure route if you want to do so. Make a rush for the finish line as your final song begins!
Example For Timeline
Source: Pinterest
10:00 a.m. Hair and makeup artists arrive / getting ready
11:00 a.m. Vendors arrive for setup
12:00 p.m. Bride begins hair and makeup
1:00 p.m. Photographer arrives; begins shooting getting-ready photos
2:15 p.m. Bride gets into her wedding dress
2:40 p.m. Couples' “first look” and portraits
3:30 p.m. All wedding party members arrive at wedding venue
4:00 p.m. Wedding party and family photos with the couple
4:30 p.m. Guests begin to arrive / pre-ceremony music starts
5:00 p.m. Ceremony start time
6:00 p.m. Ceremony ends / cocktail hour begins
7:00 p.m. Cocktail hour ends / guests are invited into the reception
7:15 p.m. Newlyweds' introduction and first dance
7:20 p.m. All guests invited onto the dance floor
7:45 p.m. Guests return to their seats / first course is served
8:00 p.m. Welcome toast
8:15 p.m. First course is cleared and main course is served
8:45 p.m. Best man and maid of honor toasts
9:00 p.m. Parent dances (father-daughter dance and mother-son dance)
9:10 p.m. All guests invited onto the dance floor
10:00 p.m. Cake cutting / dessert is served
10:55 p.m. Last song
11:00 p.m. Guests depart
You do you! Remember that this is YOUR day. It's crucial that your timetable reflects the plans you and your wedding pros have made. At the end, the goal is that you relax and enjoy your wedding day!
