Wedding Day Timeline!

Do you have a venue, caterer, DJ, or photographer? These vendors will usually help with the timeline or have examples of how they’ve worked in the past. Our venue gave us a sample timeline and our photographer gave of some specifics of how much time things would take on her end (first look photos, cocktail hours photos, etc).

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I have the venue (a church), we are doing the food ourselves, DJ and Photographer have both been booked! So I need to talk specifically to our vendors and get times from them? I can certainly do that.

I agree with Liz. Our venue created the timeline for the ceremony and reception. Then I spoke with my photographer. We did a first look and I did a first look with dad. We also did bridesmaids and groomsmen photos prior to the ceremony. Our photographer let us know when we needed to be ready for photos. She told me that my bridesmaids and I needed to be dressed with our hair and makeup done by 2:30 so then I talked with the hair stylist and makeup artist to determine when we needed to start hair and makeup.

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Is it to early to ask all that and nail that all down if our date isn't until November?

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I don't think it would hurt. I would confirm with your girls who plans on having their hair and makeup professionally done then talk with the hair stylist and makeup artist. Mine needed to know when I booked them an approximate number of people. As for the photographer, I would talk with your fiance if you haven't already to determine if you want a first look or other photos you might want then you should talk to the photographer that way the photographer is better able to give you an idea. I will also add that making your own food is going to complicate the timeline and I highly advise against providing your own food because it is an added stress. It also adds sanitary concerns especially with the pandemic.

View Quoted Comment Our wedding is November 21st and my DJ actually gave me a few planning sheets that helped a lot for planning the timing of the reception.
Obviously you need to talk with your vendors (venue first) about when you can come in and start setting up. Ours allows 4 hours prior to the ceremony for setup and then 5 hours for the event.
Once you nail down that info and figure out when you want your ceremony, it’s a matter of communicating with your vendors regarding when they can set up and how much time they will need. Plus keep in mind that some of your vendors are only contracted for so many hours. For instance, our photographer won’t be showing up until 1:30/2 for our 4:30 wedding. Our venue required a DOC so I’m sure she will be in charge of most of those logistics closer to and on the day. I’m just excited that it’s getting closer!

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Thank you! I will ask them!

I agree with everyone else here, but I suggest knowing ahead of time if you want a first look or not. That will change the schedule a lot!

There’s definitely nothing wrong with going on an getting an idea or what it’ll look like. Things may still shift. My wedding is in October and I’ve still got to figure some things out. Unfortunately some things will be down to the last minute figuring things out exactly. Depending on whether my reception venue is booked the Friday before or not, we may be able to set up there Friday night before rehearsal. Because my ceremony will be outside, I won’t set that up until Saturday morning. Both are at the same place and yes it would be nice to not have as much setup Saturday morning, but it can be managed.

My photographer has been a huge help - she's really experienced at weddings and at the venue I'm using. That said, she pretty much told me where we need to be at what time based on our start time.

As for the reception, my caterer is in charge

But since you're doing your own food, I would ask the dj next.