Your Wedding Day Timeline
I totally understand that wedding planning can be very overwhelming and stressful. Wedding planning is vital to ensure that everything goes according to plan for everyone, including your guests, suppliers, and even the wedding photographer and videographer.
To show you that wedding planning doesn't have to be stressful at all, I have put together your wedding day timeline guide just for you, using a 1 pm ceremony as an example!
Slot in your Key Times
Start your wedding day timeline by writing down all of the non-negotiable details you have already agreed upon, such as the start and end times of the ceremony and reception. This could include the time you have the venue reserved and the deadline for taking everything down at the end of the evening.
These essential components on your wedding day timeline will provide you with a framework for your day, which you can then work around. Now you know when food will be served, what time your hair and makeup are being done, and when guests can arrive for the ceremony and the evening celebrations.
Your Wedding Day Timeline
Assuming you have a 1pm ceremony, here is a timeline you can go by to ensure your day goes smoothly:
8am - Breakfast and showers.
9am - Hair and makeup begins on bridesmaids.
10am - Bride starts hair and makeup. Suppliers begin to set up at the venue. The photographer typically comes toward the last 30-45 minutes of prep. Have all of your details ready in one place (rings, shoes, perfume, jewellery, etc, and save one set of your stationery to be photographed).
11am - Bride gets dressed.
11:45am - Bridal party photos.
12:15pm - First Look. First Look can save time post-ceremony.
12:45pm - Groom and groomsmen arrive for the ceremony and guests begin to arrive.
1pm - Ceremony starts.
1:45 pm - Ceremony ends, confetti shots, and family photos begin.
2:15pm - Cocktail hour begins and appetisers are served.
2:30pm - Couple portraits begin.
3:45pm - Seat guests for dinner.
5pm - Speeches.
6pm - Cutting Cake. Couples depart for sunset photos - golden hour shots.
7pm - First dance.
7:15pm DJ/Live band starts.
10pm - Evening food
Tip: Slot in 30 minutes around golden hour to get some dreamy portraits during the reception. Golden hour is subject to change through the season– Summer will be around 8-8:45pm and winter will be closer to 4pm
Communicate and Slot in your Wedding Suppliers
To start with, you and your partner must discuss what suppliers you require for your wedding; creating a list of wedding suppliers can help you stay organised. Even though you may believe that your wedding suppliers have already done this countless times, which is true, you still need to speak with them so they are aware of your wedding day timeline and expectations.
You must confirm that their availability corresponds to the timeline you have outlined for the wedding day. The makeup artist and hair stylist will need to be with you in the morning to ensure you are prepared for the pictures and the ceremony, and they need to schedule enough time to get you and all of your wedding party ready, so you should let them know.
Add the details
It's time to start adding all of the small touches once you have your wedding day timeline set up and all of your suppliers scheduled! To make it clearer what is happening and who is participating, add notes to each segment.
Knowing when and where each supplier must be present, as well as what they must bring and what specific duties they must perform. Make sure to confirm and record each of these little details so that everyone can see them.
In case someone wants to reach them on the day, be sure to include all of your suppliers' contact information as well. The more information you give, the more smoothly your day will go.
Send out your wedding day timeline
You must share your wedding day timeline and checklist with all of your wedding suppliers and key guests, including the bridal party and anybody else assisting on the day, once everything is planned and agreed.
They will all feel more at ease if you give them this information, and they will know exactly what to do, when to be there, and where to be. You will feel better knowing that everything is prepared and will go according to plan in addition to easing everyone else's concerns.
My Top Tips when Putting Together your Wedding Day Timeline:
Have a First Look or designated time with your partner
A first look is a moment during the wedding day when the Bride and Groom plan to see each other for the first time. Couples can share this beautiful moment in a more intimate setting during the first look. As opposed to a traditional wedding, where the couple sees each other during the ceremony.
If you don’t love the idea of a first look and want to keep your day more traditional, I fully respect that. In that case, I would love to suggest dedicating 20-30 minutes sometime during the day where you and your new spouse can spend some uninterrupted time together to take a breath and revel in one another’s company. The day goes by so quickly that you’ll really treasure this time together.
Golden Hour Portraits
I suggest that you slot 30 minutes into your wedding day timeline around golden hour to get some dreamy portraits during the reception. These portraits are always a favourite because you get warm, golden-lit photos.
Beauty Time
Once you are aware of the scheduling for your transportation and photography, you can then schedule your beauty appointments and inform your stylist of the wedding day timeline.
Schedule the little things
Schedule in the minor things! These may be the specific moments that make your day special for you. Whether that is a first look or touch, or exchanging gifts or letters with your partner first thing in the morning.
Be prepared for the detailed shots
Make the most of your time with the photographer by hanging out your dress and setting aside any sentimental items you want to be photographed.
I also suggest that you save one set of your stationery so it can be photographed by your photographer.
Don’t stress!
Do not worry about it too much. Make the most of, relish, and soak up every moment of your wedding. Everything will come together, but sometimes a few things can be missed- but it is usually minor things that won’t matter as much at the end of the day. Try to keep in mind that what matters most is that you’re getting to spend the rest of your life with your favourite person, and this is a beautiful way to celebrate your love.
Now relax
You can relax knowing that your day will be meticulously planned out in advance of your big day now that you have your wedding day schedule and checklist ready for action. Make sure to grab a coffee and start planning, following my wedding day timeline guide!
If you would like to download this version of a wedding day timeline and edit it in canva, email me and I can send you the link!
