Skip to main content
ARE YOU A VENDOR?

Post content has been hidden

To unblock this content, please click here

Brittany
Super May 2020

Help!! Which Timeline Seems Better?

Brittany, on October 10, 2019 at 11:55 AM

Posted in Planning 32

I made a couple different drafts for our wedding day timeline and I'm stressing because I don't know what one will work better. I was told to do all the main events before dinner to prevent people from leaving during or before. But I thought dinner should be first to get it out of the way. Can...

I made a couple different drafts for our wedding day timeline and I'm stressing because I don't know what one will work better. I was told to do all the main events before dinner to prevent people from leaving during or before. But I thought dinner should be first to get it out of the way. Can someone please help!


Wedding Day Timeline Rough Drafts:

#1

9:00 a.m. – Girls meet to start prep for hair/makeup + mimosas/coffee
10:00 a.m. -Hair and makeup / Getting ready

10:30 a.m. -Guys meet to start prep & breakfast
12:00 p.m – Pre-wedding photos (bride w/ her family, groom w/ his family, bride & bridesmaid, groom & groomsmen)
12:30–2:00 p.m.- Most vendors arrive for setup
3:00 p.m. – Doors open / Room ready for guests / Pre-ceremony music starts

3:00 p.m. -Early bird guests start to arrive
3:30 p.m. -Ceremony starts
4:00 p.m. -Ceremony ends
4:15 p.m. -The receiving line starts

4:45 p.m. -The receiving line ends
5:00 p.m. -Cocktail Hour / Post Ceremony Photos
6:15 p.m. -Introduction of Bride & Groom/First Dance
6:30 p.m. -Father/Daughter & Mother/Son Dances

6:45 p.m. -Bouquet/Garter Toss
7:00 p.m. -Dancing

7:45 p.m. -Buffet opens / Dinner served

7:55 p.m. -Toasts
8:10 p.m. -Cake cutting

8:30 p.m. -Sunset photos!

9:00 p.m -More dancing

10:15 p.m. -Last dance, couple only

10:30 p.m. -Send off
10:45 p.m. -Guests depart
11:00 p.m. -All staff departs

#2

9:00 a.m. - Girls meet to start prep for hair/makeup + mimosas/coffee
10:00 a.m. -Hair and makeup / Getting ready

10:30 a.m. -Guys meet to start prep & breakfast
12:00 p.m – Pre-wedding photos (bride w/ her family, groom w/ his family, bride & bridesmaid, groom & groomsmen)
12:30–2:00 p.m.- Most vendors arrive for setup
3:00 p.m. - Doors open / Room ready for guests / Pre-ceremony music starts

3:00 p.m. -Early bird guests start to arrive
3:30 p.m. -Ceremony starts
4:00 p.m. -Ceremony ends
4:15 p.m. -The receiving line starts

4:45 p.m. -The receiving line ends
5:00 p.m. -Cocktail Hour / Post Ceremony Photos
6:15 p.m. -Buffet opens / Dinner served
6:30 p.m. -Toasts

6:45 p.m. -Cake cutting
7:00 p.m. -Introduction of Bride & Groom/First Dance

7:45 p.m. -Father/Daughter & Mother/Son Dances

7:55 p.m. -Bouquet/Garter Toss
8:10 p.m. -Dancing

8:30 p.m. -Sunset photos!

9:00 p.m. -More dancing

10:15 p.m. -Last dance, couple only

10:30 p.m. -Send off
10:45 p.m. -Guests depart
11:00 p.m. -All staff departs

Show all

32 Comments

  • Brittany
    Super May 2020
    Brittany ·
    • Flag
    • Hide content
    View Quoted Comment

    Thank you!

    • Reply
  • Brittany
    Super May 2020
    Brittany ·
    • Flag
    • Hide content
    View Quoted Comment

    We'll be getting ready from approximately 10am (maybe sooner if breakfast ends sooner) until 2:30ish. So I thought that was plenty of time.

    • Reply
  • Brittany
    Super May 2020
    Brittany ·
    • Flag
    • Hide content
    View Quoted Comment

    We'll be getting ready from approximately 10am (maybe sooner if breakfast ends sooner) until 2:30ish. So I thought that was plenty of time.

    • Reply
  • Brittany
    Super May 2020
    Brittany ·
    • Flag
    • Hide content
    View Quoted Comment

    We'll be getting ready from approximately 10am (maybe sooner if breakfast ends sooner) until 2:30ish. So I thought that was plenty of time, its way more than 2 hours.

    The reason I allowed so much time for pre-ceremony pictures is because we have one photographer who has to go back and forth between my FH and his groomsmen, and me and my girls.

    Thanks for the receiving line confirmation! I was on the fence about when to start that honestly.

    Thanks also for the introduction clarification also! I appreciate it!


    • Reply
  • Sarah
    Devoted November 2021
    Sarah ·
    • Flag
    • Hide content
    I like the second timeline. I feel like having dinner after dancing will feel clunky and you may end up with hangry guests!
    • Reply
  • M
    Legend June 2019
    Melle ·
    • Flag
    • Hide content
    I also vote for timeline two
    • Reply
  • Brittany
    Super May 2020
    Brittany ·
    • Flag
    • Hide content
    View Quoted Comment

    That is very interesting.. I'm shocked because I've been to a number of weddings and never saw it be done like that. Well, I appreciate it. I definitely don't want the cake being cut and photos being taken after dancing all night, I'll look a mess. lol. I think we'll have it cut earlier. Thanks again!!

    • Reply
  • Danielle
    Expert May 2021
    Danielle ·
    • Flag
    • Hide content
    Ppl want to eat. Feed the ppl first then during dinner start other stuff.
    • Reply
  • Erin
    Dedicated October 2019
    Erin ·
    • Flag
    • Hide content
    Mine is more similar to your 1st timeline.
    3 first look and pics w family and bridal party
    4:30 guest arrive
    5 -5:30 ceremony
    5:30-6:30 cocktail hour/ time by ourselves and additional photos
    6:45 introductions
    7:00 first dance
    7:10 father/bride and groom/mom dance
    7:15 dinner
    8:15 toast
    8:30 step dad/bride dance
    8:30-11 dancing
    9 cake cutting
    • Reply
  • Jasmine
    Savvy August 2019
    Jasmine ·
    • Flag
    • Hide content

    I just want to put this out there, your situation may be 100% different than mine was. I had two bridesmaids and both my mom and my fiancé's mom and me (total of 5 people) getting hair and makeup done. we were only provided with one hair and one makeup artist. It ran WAY over the time they gave me. They said if we started by 8 AM that we could be done by noon. We didn't finish until 2 - 2:30 and my wedding was at 4:30. I pretty upset it took so long. people started showing up and 4 or earlier and plenty of people saw me before my wedding. I just want you to know that if you really want to make sure you have time for the before wedding pictures to make sure you give quite a bit of cushion. or at least be very clear with your hair and makeup people.

    • Reply
  • Jasmine
    Savvy August 2019
    Jasmine ·
    • Flag
    • Hide content

    Good luck on the timeline! I think it looks great!

    • Reply
  • Brittany
    Super May 2020
    Brittany ·
    • Flag
    • Hide content
    View Quoted Comment

    I appreciate it but I am the only one having my makeup done by the MUA. All my other girls can either hire their own or do their own. So 4 hours is plenty for me Smiley smile

    • Reply

You voted for . Add a comment 👇

×
WeddingWire celebrates love ...and so does everyone on our site! Learn more

Groups

Show more

WeddingWire article topics