Creating a timeline for your wedding day is absolutely crucial in ensuring that the day runs smoothly.  There are a lot of moving parts for this important day, and you will want to make sure that your time is allotted correctly so that you can relax and enjoy, while ensuring that nothing is missed. 

Here’s a general guide on how to create your timeline!

1. Ceremony

The first item on your timeline should be the start time of your ceremony.  There are a lot of factors that will determine the time you choose, such as whether your reception is at the same place and when it starts, whether it is a religious ceremony, and how close together your venues are. 

A general rule can be 4pm start time if the ceremony and reception venue are at the same location, and 1pm if they are separate, but there are a lot of factors at play.  Ensure you take transportation time into account (with extra padding!), and that you have at least 1.5 hours for photography between your ceremony and reception.

2. First Look

Having a first look helps you to enjoy your day by uniting you with your partner sooner, and allowing you to join your guests through their journey after the ceremony.  This does mean being ready earlier, which often means starting hair and makeup early.  You will need to determine an ideal location for the first look which is picturesque and private.  Consider transportation time to and from the first look site.  A first look at your getting ready or ceremony location is ideal.

3. Getting Ready

You will now work backwards from your ceremony start time to determine the flow of your morning.  Consider how long it will take to get to your ceremony or first look, time for putting on your dress or attire, and photos with your family and bridal party.  Ideally, you want hair and makeup completed 1.5 to 2 hours before you need to leave for your ceremony or first look.

4. Beauty

Reach out to your beauty team to let them know when you need to be ready, and find out what time they need to start to provide services to your bridal party.  Add this to your timeline.

5. Reception

Work with your venue and caterer to determine how long meals will take, and ensure that there is time for speeches, first dances, cake cutting, and any other activities you have planned.  Make note of the time your dance floor is open.

6. Photography

Photography is a huge part of your wedding day, and you will need to determine how many hours of coverage you need.  If you want photos of the “getting ready” portion of your day, you will have your photographer arrive when beauty is finishing or just before, so that they have time to settle in, take pictures of your details (dress, jewelry, stationery, etc) and then be available to take photos of you debuting your wedding attire, and hanging out as a group.

To determine your photography end time, look at when your dance floor opens.  You will likely want at least fifteen minutes of coverage here.  This will determine how many hours of photography coverage you need.

Creating a wedding timeline can be complicated, and having professional help is key to ensuring that your day unfolds as you hope it will! 

We offer full planning and coordination services that can help.  Reach out for your consultation today!