Day of Timeline Help

I know you are on a limited timeline, but depending on how many people you have, is 35 minutes enough to get food and sit and eat comfortably? People usually eat slower at weddings/gatherings because they are talking as well. Maybe guests can still eat during the dances? Also, you leave VERY little wiggle room in case something takes longer. I would make sure to confirm length of speeches and the like. Maybe be prepared to cut something like the garter/bouquet toss if you are running behind schedule. Also, it looks like you have it go 2pm and then 1:50pm, so just flip those on the list so everything is chronological. I can't imagine trying to fit all that in to a shorter window, so kudos to you!

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We have around 80 people. A close friend of mine said she just got married and had a buffet line for around 150 people and she said it took all of 30 minutes for people to get through the line and sit and eat. That is the only reason I only gave 35 minutes, but I assumed people would continue to eat during the dances if they so wish. And thanks!! We are trying our best to make it work the best we can!

Ok, that makes more sense. I would just remove the "meal over" after entirely if people can keep eating. Anyone who sees the timeline may interpret that as it's time to clear the tables at 12:45. Overall, I would probably omit anything that is not a set task to just make it more stream-lined and easy to follow. But, if it works for you, then that's all that matters.

Have fun, and congratulations!

I agree with Hannah. Maybe having the first dance and ending of meal overlap so people done feel like they have to rush through their food. While making my timeline I was told not to put times because 9/10 it wont work out that way. So I have a day of timeline and the reception is just an order of events. Also, maybe having all of the dances at once, this way guests dont have to leave the dance floor in the middle of the reception so many times.

I would group your first dance, father/daughter dance, mother/son dance, cake cutting, and bouquet/garter toss together, instead of doing one then "dance party," then another one then "dance party." As a guest, I'd be annoyed if the dancing kept stopping and starting.

I free with PP that doing all the dances and cake cutting at once. I’ve been to weddings like this and honestly it works out the best for everyone because there is less choppiness to the timeline. Then maybe at the end before the exit you can do the bouquet toss and have a “last dance” to let people know that is the end. Congrats!

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I would agree with this. People are going to just want to dance once the dancing starts. If it stops too many times people will not get up and dance I think

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Agree with this, that is what we are doing!

I would try to overlap things and do the open dance the entire time with cake cutting etc that way people can dance longer if they choose.

This all looks good! If you want to save some time and let your wedding party get to cocktail hour on time (which will make your entrance a few minute later more dramatic ) you can take all of your photos after the rehearsal, as long as you are in a part of the venue where the guests who come early can’t see you. Congrats and good luck! It sounds like a wonderful day.

I wouldn't do a meal over. People will sit and eat while others dance. They may not even be through the line in 35 minutes. I'd just take that line out and only keep the things you'll be doing list (like first dance, toasts, cake cutting) the rest is a given dance time. Also, I'd give yourself a little more time to clean up unless you have several people cleaning. I'm giving my timeline about an hour to be sure everything is cleaned up.

Your procession won't start on time. It's just a wedding thing. If 10:30am is the invitation start time people will start to arrive at 10:20, and will continue to arrive and be "late" until about 5 mins after the start time. If you don't want people seeing you as they arrive late and you are already lined up at 10:20, I would push it back to line up at 10:30 and start at 10:35. I know you are on a tight schedule but people are always late. This was the advice from my planner.

It makes sense but I agree it seems rushed with the food. You can set it up so some things overlap to make more time and to ease the stress. For example, doing the couples/MD/FS dances once you finish eating and while others eat so people don't feel so rushed? It is just a suggestion. Also, congratulations!

Thank you all for the wonderful suggestions!! I truly appreciate it!!

So, I made some changes to my timeline and here is the new reception timeline, so it is not so choppy and there is no end time for eating. This way people do not feel rushed to eat. I also grouped all of the dances, cake cutting and such together

12:05 PM - welcome speech/blessing of the meal

12:10 PM - buffet line start

12:40 PM - maid of honor & best man speeches

12:50 PM - first dance

12:55 PM - father/daughter & mother/son dances

1:05 PM - bouquet & garter toss

1:10 PM - cake cutting

1:15 PM - dance party!

1:45 PM - bubble send off

2:00 PM - guests out

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So, we are not actually the ones cleaning up. My venue does all the set up and clean up. They only thing we all do is take our stuff and decor that ours. They do the rest, but thank you! I understand your point!

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Oh, thank you! I haven't been to many weddings myself, so I was entirely sure. So, I truly appreciate that! I made that change on my timeline to reflect the times you suggested. Thanks!

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Totally understand that! Thank you! I grouped all of those dances, cake cutting, bouquet/garter toss together and then just ended with dancing to end the reception. I appreciate the suggestion, thank you!

View Quoted Comment Congrats! Don't stress to much if you don't stay right on time. Make sure your DJ or MOH has the timeline so they can keep you on track without you you worrying too much!

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Thanks!! Appreciate it!!