Wedding planning, help!

I would start a pnterest board about this so you can get ideas from other weddings. Typically MOH and the best man gives a speech. You can have a bridal party or groomsmen. Plan for venue and photography asap and decide which them you want. Ceremony happens first then the reception. May want to plan for a cocktail hour if you plan to take pics after the ceremony. Decide if you want to do a first look with the groom or not. Look for a dress at least 8-10 months out. At the reception once the the wedding party is introduced and you come in you can either go straight to dinner then do the dances later or right as you are announced in.

I did my first dance right after we entered the reception since all eyes were on us and we waited til a bit after the dinner to do speeches but in hindsight I wish I did them sooner too but my crowd was too rowdy to listen to the speeches

We’re having an outdoor ceremony at the reception location. We we write our own vows -which I’m totally nervous about- and afterwards, we will have receding line. That is so that we can say hello to our guests, thank them for coming and introduce them to our new spouse. ( people who’ve never met your fiancé usually). Traditionally your parents stand with you and the bridal party but we’re skipping that part.

After is a cocktail hour with appetizers. We will be taking pictures with bridal party, family, honored guests. I will give me photographer list with names so we don’t miss them.

We then will go into the main reception area, introducing the bridal party, and the grand entrance (drumroll please) of the new Mr. & Mrs. yeah 🥂 cheers! We would thank everyone for coming then the maid of honor and best man each give a little toast. We sit to start dinner. We may cut the cake first or between salad and dinner. After dinner, you have your first dance. Then invite your wedding party to join, or have dad/daughter son/mother dance if you prefer. Everyone dances after you invite them to join you. You can do garter removal and toss, and throw bouquets ( usually a smaller throw bouquet).

You might consider a day of coordinator if you can afford it and they will help you.

View Quoted Comment Thank you! This was very helpful!

Sounds like you need helping building the timeline of the day. A day of coordinator would be the most helpful.


Also, you can google to look at examples of other people’s ceremony and reception timelines to see how the day flow. The most “typical” wedding would be getting ready, first look, Ceremony, recessional and 1 hour sunset portrait session while guests move to cocktail hour, receiving line and/or grand entrance into reception, welcome toast by bride and groom, other toasts interspersed with different courses, cake cutting, ceremonial dances (1st dance, parent dances). But the specifics of in what order can be be changed to your liking. Your day of coordinator will handle all of the vendors and also making sure the timeline is followed and hustling people along, like telling your vendors when to eat, reminding you portraits are done, handing people the mic when it’s time for their toast, etc etc. If you don’t want to hire a day of coordinator, designate a friend or family member who’s good at project management and directing events to make things flow smoothly.