Is your wedding day mostly waiting around?

Oh man, I had absolutely no free time the day of my wedding and we didn't have a first look so didn't have to be ready until 2:00. I mean, not a second. We were up at 8 and had breakfast and showered but hair and makeup started at 10 and from then on it was a whirlwind. I thought I would have time to tear out and set up escort cards and little stuff like that but I didn't. It was crazy! Thankfully I had tons of people to help out. I wouldn't try to plan anything honestly, as it'll just add more stress/stuff to do. It really is crazy how fast the time flies by. We did have drinks and music and snacks at the place where we were getting ready, but other than that we were all just focused on getting everything (and ourselves) ready. Good luck!

Our ceremony is at 4:30 pm and we need to be ready at 2 pm for our first look. Our schedule is already packed with everyone getting ready, so I can't imagine being ready by 11:30 am for a 4:30 pm wedding! But anyway, we're waiting until the morning of to give our parents and bridal party their gifts, so that will be a nice start to the day. We're also catering in breakfast and mimosas for everyone to enjoy while waiting their turn. I made a wedding day playlist that I'm super excited to jam to while we get ready. We didn't want to pack anything else into our already busy day, we're both really just looking forward to hanging out and spending time with our nearest and dearest.

Oh no. From the moment you wake up, you will be going until you crash! It is a whirlwind of crazy that will fly by!

Our wedding was at 4pm and I needed to get in my dress at 130 to begin pictures. Hair and makeup began for everyone at 7am and I spent the morning hanging out with all my bridesmaids, watching football, eating some food and drinking mimosas, and practicing our first dance with my fiancé haha. It was a mostly calm morning and I loved just hanging out with everyone that I don’t get to see often.

This actually just made me think!!! Our ceremony us not until 7pm!!! We planned on doing first look and pics starting 5pm. But what the heck will I do the rest of the day? Lol

This is exactly why we had a noon wedding and only spent 2.5 hours getting ready. I wanted to spend the day celebrating and with my husband, not just getting ready all day 🤷🏻‍♀️ I’m sure you could find something fun to do with your bridesmaids though!

Honestly it sounds like it's waiting around but when the day comes it's so busy aha and time doesn't always be on schedule so things may be later or take longer than expected

I had a VERY chill day before the wedding, but we deliberately planned it that way. I spent time in the morning with my parents, had the limo pick us up with my MOH at 1PM, got to the venue around 2PM. The rest of my BP was already there, and nearly ready.

My HMUA (also a friend) was able to just take her time, her husband ran and got us all pizza (my parents paid), and we just laughed and chilled out. This was really good for *me*, because other wise I can get very keyed up.

By the time 5PM rolled around, I was relaxed but super ready to go.

After the ceremony started, we just rolled. Ceremony, pictures, reception. Not a lot of "waiting around," and what little there was - really - needed.

Our ceremony will start at 14:30 so we get to have a super long reception and get to spend time with all of our guests !

We ran ahead of schedule on my wedding day so we had a lot of downtime and it was the BEST. I felt so calm and relaxed all day.

Well with that timeline I do see you waiting around.. Do you want pictures that early or is there some reason they are at 11:30 when the ceremony is at 4:30? We didn't wait around at all for our wedding at 4:30. We aimed to be ready at 2 and that wasn't even accurate. I was done a little after 2:45 and we did pictures of separate bridal parties then. We waited all of maybe 15 mins before the ceremony started.

Our wedding was at 5:00 PM, we didn't do a first look. I slept in until 8AM, got up & showered (did a moisturizing face & hair mask). Had room service breakfast. Left at 9:30 AM for the venue bridal room with all the bridesmaids & moms, we got ready until 4:00 PM. We had breakfast & lunch from Panera at the venue, and a chair masseuse came to give massages while people waited. We played music & talked & hung out. There wasn't a lot of "waiting", I felt like the day went by rather quickly. I did a first look with my dad & normal getting ready pictures.

What you're saying is exactly why we flipped around our wedding. Our photos started at 8am, first look, family portraita all happened before everyone went to the venue and the wedding began at 11:30am.

Right as people showed, beverages and food were available. And the bride and groom were on site as the party began. An hour later the whole brunch buffet was open. We soaked it all in, ate and drank with our friends and family in an open no reserved seating. After an hour and a half of chatting and eating we met up with my dad, his mom, my best friend, and his brother in a back room.
Once the music hit we reentered in the same room, high giving as people hooted and hollered as we made our way to the center of the room.
We had our officiant introduce us and my best friend and his brother, who gave toasts, as part of our ceremony. We said our vows and kissed. Instantly we transitioned to our parent dances, first dance, and the dance party began.
We are both designers so we overplanned the heck out of our wedding.
The best thing from our wedding I think was that we made time for people. Our rehearsal lunch the day before got everyone on schedule, broke the ice and many had had a chance to talk before the actual wedding itself. We prioritized the wedding guest's experience (which selfishly aligned with our favorite things): 1. Eating 2. Dancing 3. hanging out with the couple. So, really, #3 encapsulates what the whole thing boils down to for us.
We were both in the moment, and were told throughout the day that it was the most relaxed and in the moment the vendors have ever seen a couple.
Slow the day down if you can and really soak it all in.