If you’ve been planning your wedding for a week or more, we’re sure you’ve already realized that it thrives on organization. To bring all the beautiful pieces of your dream wedding together requires making lots of lists…and then lists for your lists. It means scheduling out the tasks you need to do and crossing them off once you’ve completed them. You look at the whole vision of what you want and then break everything down into bite sized, manageable chunks. This creates a planning timeline.
Likewise, a wedding day timeline is an important part of planning your wedding day. You can put hours of preparation into making sure everything is just right only to have it fall apart without a schedule for your day. This idea may be completely new so let us talk a little bit about it and why it can be incredibly helpful.
What is a wedding day timeline?
A wedding day timeline is a composite of all the pieces of the activities for the big day. It starts with vendor setup, getting ready, pre-wedding photos, and the ceremony through your entire reception and to break down afterwards. Everything that is important for the day should be on the timeline.
Do you want a special moment with Dad and Mom? That goes on the timeline. Is it important that you have time solely to be with your guests? Put that in there. Will the two of you need a few minutes alone after the ceremony to soak it all in (with the photographer hovering very discreetly in the background, of course)? Make sure it’s on the schedule.
Why is a wedding day timeline important?
A wedding day timeline brings all the details together for your bridal party and wedding team. It creates an order for all the activities of the day so everyone knows what will be happening and when. For example, your bridesmaids will know to be ready for pre-wedding photos at 2:00 pm. Your caterer will know to have champagne ready for toasts at 6:15 pm. It puts it on paper so you don’t have to remember it all, yet those myriad details are woven in, one by one.
Mapping out the day allows everything to move along at a good pace. It’s important to note that creating a timeline doesn’t mean that everything will go exactly to plan on the big day. Sometimes little changes need to be made along the way. If that happens, don’t fret. A timeline is meant to help the day flow effortlessly, but that doesn’t mean you can’t adjust it if the timing is different than anticipated. A thoughtfully prepared timeline reduces confusion and facilitates a smooth transition from activity to activity.
Who should have copies of your timeline?
You’ll want to make sure all of the wedding party has a copy, including the parents of your flower girls and ring bearer. Give a copy, also, to all of the wedding professionals that will be there for your wedding ceremony and reception, such as the venue owner, the caterer, photographer, videographer, etc. Ideally, create your timeline about a month before your wedding and send it to everyone as soon as possible. This will give you time to confirm details with your wedding team so everyone will be on the same page the day of your wedding.
As planners and coordinators, we work closely with our clients and their wedding vendors to create a personalized timeline. We also send copies to the vendors who need them and have them available for the bridal party. If this is something you want help with, we’re only a phone call or email away. We’re passionate about helping our clients create a wedding that is a beautiful beginning of their marriage. Part of how we do that is by creating a detailed timeline.
Happy planning!
The Wedding Ladies
Cheryl and Kate
Photo credits: Venue: The Bleak House Photographer: Derek Halkett Photography Florist: Melissa Timm Designs Dress: Wedding Wonderland Tuxedo: Prestige TuxedoWedding Planner: Always Yours Occasions Makeup: Roses and Lace Makeup Artistry Hair: Reflections by Christina Decor: Unique Settings Rentals Jewelry: Jewelry Television Cake Design: Custom Cakes by Gail