A wedding has many activities that make it colorful. From showing up in style to getting your venue perfect, lively programs, photos, foods, etc., there’s plenty to do. You’re only but one person, and even with a planner, things could go south. Hence, it’s important to work with a wedding day timeline for your event. A wedding day schedule timeline will help you break tasks into bits while working within the right timeframe. The key to a wedding day timeline that runs smoothly is planning ahead. Breaking down your entire wedding day into an organized timeline helps to keep everything on track when the big day finally arrives. The more detailed you can make the plan, the better.
10+ Wedding Timeline Checklist Samples
1. Wedding Timeline Checklist
2. Wedding Planning Checklist and Timeline
3. Sample Wedding Timeline Checklist
4. Bride’s Wedding Planning Timeline Checklist
5. Simple Wedding Timeline Checklist
6. Basic Wedding Timeline Checklist
7. Wedding Preparation Timeline Checklist
8. Formal Wedding Timeline Checklist
9. Wedding Timeline Checklist Format
10. Professional Wedding Timeline Checklist
11. Printable Wedding Timeline Checklist
Sample Wedding Timeline
The wedding day schedule timeline is a whole event. From your waking up to the last dance, see potential time frames and buffers
- Getting ready
Wake up at least 5 hours before the ceremony because you and your gang will need at least three hours to get ready. Rock your party robes, enjoy some wine and music, and then get ready for the day. Take the make-up, hair, and other factors into consideration. - Bride gets wedding attire
This will take at least twenty minutes especially if it’s custom-made. Also, put the accessories and shoes into consideration. - Solo portraits and wedding party photos
Getting the solo portraits and posing with your wedding party will last an hour at least. This is also the time to include parents in your shots while they still look fresh. - First look and couple of photos
You want to preserve a fresh first look with your beloved before you hit full throttle. It will take a maximum of thirty minutes because you’re already in the mood. - Arrive at the ceremony place
If you’re getting ready at the ceremony venue, then this time can be put to other use. However, if you’d be coming to the venue, set the timer for thirty minutes together with the guests. - Ceremony
For a huge ceremony with rituals and readings, it will take about an hour. If it’s small and intimate, it would last for fifteen to twenty minutes. - Family photos
This would take a minimum of one hour. Get these shots immediately after you get to the reception. Give the photographer a list to work with. - Cocktail Hour
This is a crucial transition between the ceremony and reception. Keep the music on and the bar ready to serve guests as they arrive and mix up. Leaving the guests without music or drinks while they wait feels awkward. - Reception
This will take between two to three hours. Introduction and guests getting seated will take about twenty minutes. Speeches will take about fifteen minutes, meal and dance will take about forty minutes each. Cake cutting will take about ten minutes, while other minor activities may pop up. - Wedding exit
Once the whole fun winds down, the exit will take about ten to twenty minutes depending on how grand. Confetti throwing, dancing, getaway car, smoke bombs may add to this time.
Things to Keep in Mind When Making a Wedding Timeline
A typical wedding day timeline involves working forward, from the most important to the least important. Check out this priority arrangement of rules.
Think About Your Wedding’s Logistics
An important part of your wedding planning schedules is the logistics. Depending on your venues, activities, and their proximities to each other; reliable transportation must be available. Get separate transport for the couple so that they can arrive early at the ceremony, reception, and after-party if the venues differ. Help the guests navigate the city by creating alternative transport for them from all your venues to their hotels.
Start Early
It is important to start your wedding early enough. This will help your spend more time having fun with your guests. There will also be more time for quality photos in good time with everyone, dances, and other activities. A good way to save some time is by being in bed early enough or cutting down activities at the rehearsal dinner. You can also skip clubbing and nightcaps.
Don’t forget your videographer and photographer
Photographers and videographers are two of the most essential vendors on your big day. They help catch and preserve beautiful memories. They would normally charge by the hour, so if you want them for a full day, choose a package that suits your wedding duration. Prioritize by doing all photoshoots immediately before the reception. If you don’t want them all through, give them time to show up. Have them work with a list for easier navigation.
Don’t make guests wait to eat
Keep your photographs, speeches, and dances as brief as possible. Better still, you can move the meal hour up, just after the cutting of the cake and before the dance. This will give you ample time to do other activities knowing that your guests are rejuvenated.
Share Your Wedding Day Timeline
The final wedding step is sending out your timeline to everyone involved in pulling your wedding off. Your vendors, maid of honor, and planners should have it two-three weeks before the wedding in case of adjustments. Make the document and simple as possible that everyone can understand.
FAQs
Should a wedding have an extended reception?
While most wedding receptions are four to five hours long, some couples may opt for an extended reception to allow for more toasts, speeches, and of course, dancing! If you’re having a big wedding with a large guest count, have several speeches planned, or just know that your crowd is fully of party people, an extended reception may be the way to go. But, be sure that it’s really necessary and solidify a plan to keep your guests entertained the entire time.
What are the parts of a traditional wedding ceremony in order?
- Seating of Guests
- Seating of Parents
- The Processional
- The Officiant’s Remarks
- The Vows
- The Ring Exchange
- The Pronouncement of Marriage
- The First Kiss
Keep in mind though that each couple’s wedding timeline will be unique to their own wedding day, and is dependent on vendors and venues and families and more, so be sure to work from scratch when creating your own wedding day timeline. Make it as simple as possible for everyone to understand so information isn’t mixed up. Create miscellaneous time remnants in cases of unforeseen circumstances. For instance, you may encounter traffic on your way to the venue. If there are items to be delivered to your venue, incorporate them into your timeline schedule. If you’re not working with a planner for your wedding, have reliable emergency contacts to keep things grounded
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