Map Out Your Magical Day with Our Wedding Timeline!
Ever wondered how you can turn your dream wedding into reality without losing your sanity?
The answer lies in a meticulous wedding timeline.
A well-planned wedding timeline is your best ally in orchestrating a memorable event.
It's your roadmap. Your game plan. Your secret to a stress-free wedding. AND the ability for you to set expectations for the others who are helping and participating in your big day.
With it, you can foresee and prevent possible hiccups. You're not just reducing stress, you're elevating enjoyment. Unraveling surprises at your own pace, savoring each moment as it unfolds.
But what makes a good wedding timeline?
Let's dissect a sample wedding day timeline.
Start with the morning preparation. Allocate time for hair and makeup, dressing up, and bridal photoshoot.
Pro Tip: I highly recommend checking with your photographer and understanding when their package starts. You will want to make sure that they are there for YOU getting ready. When you schedule your bridal party, you will want to have them go first and have you be the last to schedule your hair and makeup.
Follow it with the ceremony. The procession, vows, and recessional.
Pro Tip: Ceremony times can vary greatly depending on if you are having a full religious ceremony or a family friend officiating. I would recommend allowing for 20-30 minutes for your ceremony.
Then, the post-ceremony events. Cocktail hour, reception entrance, first dance, dinner, toasts, and so on.
Pro Tip: Cocktail hour does not need to last a full hour. This is a great transition period for bridal party to finish photos and allow guests to mingle prior to a formal dinner.
Dinner times vary depending on your style of catering. I would allow for 60 minutes for a buffet and 90 minutes for a plated services if you have 150 guests.
Remember, a wedding timeline isn’t just a schedule. It's a narrative of your love story, expressed in hours and minutes.
That said, your wedding timeline should reflect you. It should be as unique as your love story.
How do you do that?
Here's some advice:
Start early. The earlier you begin, the better you can plan. This includes adding times when vendors provide you with their contracts.
Keep it flexible. Allow for some wiggle room for unexpected changes.
Communicate. Discuss your timeline with your vendors and bridal party to ensure everyone is on the same page. I recommend having a digital and printed version available on the big day.
Your wedding is one of the most important days of your life. Make it extraordinary by mapping out a magical timeline that's uniquely yours.
Cheers!
Abbey
