wedding day timeline

This sounds super similar to my day this is all I have planned too! You should also think about if you're doing a first look or not because that changes the logistics

Hi KLee. I've attached a timeline PDF that I give my Brides. Please know that the timeline could change numerous times prior to the wedding day so make copies prior to writing and keep it updated!

Write in those events that are set in stone; when the ceremony site opens, ceremony start time, doors to cocktail hour open, dinner being served. Next, figure out travel between locations. That travel time could only get longer, not shorter.

A few questions to ask and decide on that have a huge impact on time are :

- Pro hair and MU or not. Done on site or not. How many MUA per person?

- First Look or not. The answer to this questions will raise others regarding formal portraits.

- Receiving line or not. If not, when will you say hello individually to your guests?

- travel from ceremony to venue and any stops in between.

- do you want to be there during cocktail hour or use that time for pictures, private time with bridal party, finishing up formals if you don't do a First look?

Is your ceremony and reception at the same place?

Well that timeline is too tiny for use. Sorry about that! It gives you an idea.

I have a wedding planner. There are a few more events that need to be put in, but this is my timeline so far. Photo coverage is 8 hrs, ceremony 4pm, dinner 6pm, first look. We're getting ready at our hotel, in different rooms.

9am - bridesmaids arrive at getting ready location

9:15am - hair/makeup artists arrive

9:30am - hair and makeup begins

10am - venue opens for set-up // equipment rental delivery // floral designer arrives for set up

12pm - groomsmen arrive at getting ready location

1pm - photography coverage begins

1:15pm - hair and makeup complete

1:25pm - bridesmaids dressed & ready

1:30pm - groom & groomsmen dressed and ready // bride gets dressed

2pm - first look // DJ arrives for set-up and sound check

3pm - groom and groomsmen departure for the ceremony // all ceremony details set for guest arrival

3:30pm - bride and bridesmaids departure for ceremony // earliest guest arrival

4pm - ceremony begins

4:30pm - cocktail hour

4:45pm - famiy photos

5pm - second shooter released

5:50pm - guests seated for dinner

6pm - reception begins // welcome address by the emcee

6:05pm - grand entrance

6:15pm - dinner service

8pm - toast by the best man

8:05pm - toast by the maid of honor

8:10pm - thank you by the newlyweds

8:20pm - first dance

8:24pm - father/daughter dance

8:27pm - mother/son dance

8:30pm - open dance floor

9pm - cake cutting // photographer is released

10pm - married couples bouquet dance

12:45am - last call

12:55am - last dance

1am - newlywed send off // breakdown begins

1:30am - all breakdown complete

You can also play around with WW's timeline generator!

http://mktg.weddingwire.com/ideas/wedding-timeline/

Most importantly - I'd ask your hair & makeup team and photographer how much time they need. This will determine a lot of your pre-ceremony timeline! Also don't forget to schedule in all transportation time and food for you and the bridal party!

If you need just the reception planned, talk to your dj, they're the ones who need it most so they know what order you want to do things and what times.

I would look up some ideas on pinterest! I've been able to search sample timelines based on when my ceremony is starting. I had to think about a few things specific to my wedding, because: we're not doing a first look, the ceremony and reception are at two seperate venues, we're doing hors d'oeuvres instead of a full dinner, we're decorating the reception space mostly ourselves, and we're skipping some of the typical reception traditions.

I would think through the timeline in a way that would make you the least stressed. Give yourself more time than you think you might need in some areas, to allow for some breathing room. Anyway, below is what I have so far. My photographer actually outlined a lot of this for me! So any one of your other vendors may be able to give you some guidance, too.

8:00 a.m. Set up tent decorations

10 or 11:00 a.m. Mani/pedi with bridesmaids

12 or 1:00 p.m. Lunch

2:00 Hair and make-up (my sister/MOH is doing our hair)

4:15 or 4:30 Ceremony flowers arrive

4:30 Getting ready pictures

5:00 - 5:15 Travel to church

5:30 p.m. Guests start to arrive for wedding/ pre-ceremony music starts

5:45 p.m. Wedding party line up

6:00 p.m. Ceremony starts

6:20 p.m. Ceremony ends

6:20-6:35 Greeting guests

6:35 p.m. Start taking Pictures (at church)

6:45 p.m. Cocktail hour starts for guests

7:00 p.m. Party and family photos at reception venue

7:10 p.m. Couple photos

7:40 p.m. Enter into the reception

7:45 p.m. First dance

7:50 p.m. Eat and mingle

8:20 p.m. Toasts

8:30 p.m. Cake cutting

8:35 p.m. Daughter/father dance and mother/son dance

8:45 p.m. Dancing

10:30 p.m. Exit

Thanks guys so much!!! This helped me tremendously!!!!

Ditto to what the others have echoed.

The time of the year will help dictate your wedding timeline. During late spring/summer having a later ceremony time will not affect your wedding photos. For a fall or winter wedding, you will run out of daylight. To free up time to spend at your reception or if want many different family/wedding party grouping. You may want to consider a first look or talk to your photographer about photographing yourself and the bridesmaids, groom and groomsmen separately before the ceremony. Having a first look really frees up your time after the ceremony, otherwise it can feel rushed. A pro tip, is to make sure your family and wedding party are aware where they need to be after the ceremony and appointing your MOH or a family member to help wrangle people to be ready for pictures. You can also directly exit your ceremony to start pictures. The moment all your guests start pulling you aside, your timeline is busted unless you have planned to have a receiving line.

During the reception keeping everything upbeat and flowing will keep your guests entertained. A popular trend is to go directly from the grand entrance to the first dance, and to start toasts as the meal is ending. Your coordinator or DJ should help you in creating a timeline that will keep your reception on pace.

Talk with your photographer. I actually do a timeline with everyone of my couples whether they have a planner or not, and mine 98% will end up superseding the planners timeline. Here is why?

For some reason, I am not saying all, but a lot of planners seem to create a timeline around the guests wedding day experience. It leaves the photographer and videographer constantly scrambling with little time for great photos and the bride and groom end up frantic as well. When I do my timeline with my couples we sit down and literally plan every second around the photography. Jeez, your paying thousands for great photos why not right? My timelines end up working to give the bride and groom the most flexibility, myself a little extra time to create beautiful images and everything always falls into place perfectly. My advice is to sit with your photographer and work that timeline out, so he can do something special and beautiful for you!

Good luck.....