The middle of winter is prime engagement season. For those already engaged, it’s the time to figure out all the details before spring and summer appear. Many couples struggle with one main thing: timeline planning. What time do you have your ceremony? How much time do you allow for bridal party pictures? What time should dinner be?
The timeline for any Special Day is often the most important part of the whole planning process. Without it, you won’t know when vendors are setting up, when your caterer can start serving food or when you have to end the whole event. Take a look at some steps to help in the timeline planning process and some examples of times to hold certain aspects of that Special Day:
- What “sub events” are you going to have? These may include the salon appointments, getting dressed, first looks, separate bridal party pictures, the ceremony, receiving line, reception, introductions/speeches, first dance and much more. Once you have a list of what “events” you’re going to have, then you can better plan a timeline for them.
- How long will each event take? It’s important to know that every “subevent” takes a different amount of time during the wedding and that each one will not be like the last. For instance, one ceremony may be 30 minutes long, another an hour and a half. It’s important to discuss that with each vendor you’re having as they will be able to accurately estimate those times for you!
- Putting together the puzzle: Now it’s time for the hardest part, putting a timeline together for your Special Day. Take the events above, put them into an “order”, the allocate the appropriate times for each of them.
Here’s an example wedding timeline that I see very often:
9:00 AM Girls start getting ready at a salon or hotel room (hair & makeup time)
10:00 AM As girls finish getting ready, they finalize the details for the day. (Putting down the aisle runner, making sure they all have their dress, shoes, etc.)
11:00 AM Guys arrive to location to get ready (often a hotel room or someone’s house). The guys use this time to talk, celebrate and often will play some games or have a drink while waiting for the girls to get ready.
Vendors also start arriving for the day and check-in with the onsite coordinator for the day.
11:30 AM All “important” people are accounted for and in attendance to receive their flowers. Often the time that the groom gets his flower from his mother, etc.
The girls use this time to get dressed and do some pre-wedding bridesmaid/bride pictures.
12:00 PM The guys hang out and take some pre-wedding pictures while the girls do the “Father-Daughter First Look”.
This is often a timeframe that the ceremony space is open to guests to start choosing their seats.
12:15 PM Prayers for other “gifts” are given before the ceremony. Often, the bride has one for her groom and he has one for her. These are given while getting ready for the ceremony on the day of the wedding, but not too far apart from the ceremony.
12:30 PM Bride and Groom usually get some time with their parents before the ceremony starts to talk and have a short celebration. It’s also the time that the future Father & Mother-in-laws talk with their new Daughter or Son.
12:45 PM At this time, anyone who isn’t a wedding vendor or wedding party member takes their seat in the ceremony space.
1:00 PM Ceremony begins. The ushers escort the parents down the aisle (or other family). Then the bridal party enters, followed by the Flower Girl/Ring Bearer and finally the Bride.
*This is the time to estimate the time it will take for the ceremony to take place. We’re giving this ceremony 45 minutes*
1:45 PM Ceremony Ends. Wedding party exits and stands in line to be greeted by the guests.
2:15 PM Wedding party gathers their items and heads off for bridal party pictures. At this time, guests have the option to do numerous things dependent on what the couple decides. Sometimes reception halls are opened earlier, guests are sent to enjoy snacks and a slideshow, there’s games to play or they can choose to use the time as they wish. (It’s often a good idea to have some kind of pre-wedding food in this timeframe for guests!)
4:00 PM Hosted & Cash Bars open at the reception site. Sometimes the couple hosts items for an hour, sometimes all night. It all depends on the couple and the venue they’ve chosen.
5:00 PM Hosted bar ends. Bridal party arrives at the reception site.
5:25 PM Prayer or other pre-dinner announcements. Some couples also choose to have the Grand March in this timeframe as it introduces the wedding party before the dinner and other evening events.
5:30 PM Dinner starts. (Some couples choose buffet, family or plated style… remember, it’s what YOU want)
6:15 PM Toasts & Slideshow. Toasts are mainly given by the Maid of Honor & Best Man, but all of the wedding party can give them if you want. The slideshow is normally made by the Maid of Honor or the Bride’s personal attendant.
6:30 PM Dancing Starts.
7:00 PM First Dances. (Bride & Groom, Father & Daughter, Mother & Son)
*Dancing, drinking and mingling take place all night*
9:30 PM Late Night Food. The most common thing that I’ve seen would be Late Night Pizzas. They’re provided by the couple for all guests who are still at the wedding and are often a major hit!
*More dancing*
11:30 PM Last call for drinks at the bar. This is also the time where tips are handed out to the vendors and/or any final payments that are due.
11:59 PM Conclude.
This is one of my longest blog posts, but it’s an important one! Timeline planning is a crucial step in the process and something that can always be adjusted!
If you need timeline help, don’t hesitate to reach out! We’re always willing to help!
As always, Happy Planning!
