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Just Said Yes October 2021

Outdoor Wedding Timeline/start Time

Taylor, on October 31, 2019 at 10:55 AM Posted in Planning 0 5

We finally have all of our main vendors planned, so now I'm starting to attempt finalizing our schedule.

We are having a tented backyard wedding, October 2, 2020 (Friday wedding), about 150-170 guests. Our ceremony and reception will be in the same location. The Groom and I will do first look and all bridal party pictures taken before the ceremony.

My dilemma is this - since it's a Friday wedding, I'm leaning towards starting later so people don't have to take a full day off work. On the other hand, since it's early October in IL, I'm thinking starting earlier so we get more day light during the cocktail hour and some of the reception (sunset will be around 6:30-6:45).

Any suggestions or advice? How did others schedule their day-of timeline for outdoor weddings?

Thank you!

5 Comments

Latest activity by Melle, on October 31, 2019 at 11:56 AM
  • M
    Expert September 2020
    Marcia ·
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    Ours will be September 19, 2020. We are starting at 5.
    • Reply
  • D
    Dedicated December 2019
    Decemberbride ·
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    Our timeline is roughly:
    3:30 guests picked up at hotel
    3:45 guests arrive
    4p ceremony
    4:30-6p cocktails & canapés & pics
    4:30-6p guitarist
    6p DJ starts
    6p Seating guests for reception
    6:15p dinner & toasts/speeches
    7:15p wedding cake & dance floor opens
    7:30-10:30 photobooth
    8:30-10:30 gelato & ice cream bar
    10:30-11:30 bonfire
    12am midnight meal
    1:30 last shuttles back to hotel
    • Reply
  • Sabrina
    Devoted April 2020
    Sabrina ·
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    Its not outdoors, but it will be on a Friday and we are starting at 5PM. People will most likely leave work early to get ready and beautify themselves to attend the wedding anyways, but it will be their call how early they want to leave.

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  • N
    Master January 2015
    null ·
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    I would probably start at 6 if I were in your shoes. That way people could just leave work an hour early at 4 to get ready, I did that for a Wednesday wedding at 6:30 a couple of weeks ago. Plus then the sun would be setting right as your ceremony finishes up!

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  • M
    Legend June 2019
    Melle ·
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    Mine was in June but I did it starting at 5p outdoors
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