*The time the church and/or reception hall, ballroom, or event space opens. Your set-up team and any vendors making deliveries will need to know what time they are allowed to start decorating or drop off rental items.
*The time the linens will be placed on tables and chairs. While the chair covers have a little more leeway (and if you are using them, plan for installation to take longer than you expect!), the rest of the table cannot be set until the linens are in place. Make sure that the linens are being delivered early enough in the day so that everything can get set correctly and on time.
*Floral delivery time. Centerpieces generally need to be set prior to your tableware. Also make sure that you arrange for your flowers to be delivered before your photos begin so that you have your personal bouquets, corsages and bouts for your pictures.
*The time the reception tables will be set.
*Hair and makeup times for you and your attendants. Be sure to include the location of the salon and stylists if being done off-site.
*When photos and video begin. Many photographers and videographers now offer packages which range from 5-10 hours of event coverage. If you have opted for fewer hours, choose which end of your wedding you want more memories of and adjust their arrival times accordingly. For example, you may decide you want them to arrive earlier to capture more getting ready shots and leave the crazy dance photos for your friends' point and shoots, or you may want to skip the prep photos and have your photographer snapping shots of you and your groom making your grand exit instead.
*Time you leave for the ceremony from the location you are getting ready in. Pro planning tip: do not make your timeline driving estimates based on how long it takes you personally to drive from one location to the other. Look it up on Google maps and pad the time it says by at least another 5-10 minutes. Yes, you may arrive earlier, as many do with online map times, but it is better to be early on your wedding day than to have your entire wedding party stuck in unexpected traffic.
*The time the prelude music begins.
*The time guests will begin to arrive. Plan for the first guest to arrive about 30 minutes early, sometimes more. Some people are prompt, and it is better to have everything ready before then.
*The time the ceremony begins.
*The time the ceremony ends.
*Cocktail hour start time.
*The time the doors for the reception open, if in a different location than the cocktail hour.
*The reception grand entrance and introductions.
*The times the formal dances will take place.
*The times the toasts will take place. I prefer to schedule the toasts earlier in the reception as opposed to later on because it allows your best man, maid of honor and whomever else may be speaking to relax sooner. During the salad course or between the salad and main course can be a great time because it doesn't keep your guests waiting on being fed (something that turn a wedding reception into a sour experience really fast!) and it doesn't reduce the flow of the evening into choppy segments.
*The time meal service will begin. This ensures that food is served hot - again, one area that can make or break a reception.
*The time of the cake cutting.
*The time you and your fiance make your grand exit.
*Last dance and the time your guests must leave.
*And finally the time that all vendors must be packed up and have left in order to avoid any overtime charges from the venue.
These are some major points to include, and with these on the timeline, the other events will be able to fall into place more naturally.
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Very concise, but important list. Thanks Liene, this is getting saved in the Skills library.
Great list Liene, it's so easy for brides to forget all of the little details that need to be scheduled out! A great one to remember is the hair and make up times for everyone and leaving enough buffer time to fit it all in.
We appreciate your constant insight and tidbits! You are a charge behind Dynamite Weddings! Blue Orchid is explosive. Thanks Liene. http://dynamiteweddings.blogspot.com/2009/01/award-winning.html
This is so helpful for brides, and very thorough-- great post!
sweet! thanks for the heads up!
That is a great schedule there Liene!
It's always a good idea to spread things out so you're able to enjoy the day as well. The day will go in a blur and the last thing you want is to be constantly under pressure to meet the next appointment.
Don't forget to allow time for your photography, you're paying good money for him/her to be there so make sure you can get your pictures as a couple. It's also a chance to escape the hustle & bustle for a while ;-)
At least that's what I advice my couples in the UK but I'm sure you have the same issues in the US :-)
PatB Wedding Photography Suffolk
Thanks this was very helpful. Exactly what I was searching for.