kgossman As you embark on the exciting journey toward your dream wedding day, you’ll quickly discover that crafting the perfect wedding timeline is no small feat! It’s the delicate dance of coordinating every moment, from your morning preparations to the late-night dance party, with seamless precision. A well-thought-out wedding timeline isn’t just a schedule; it’s the key to ensuring your special day unfolds smoothly, leaving you and your guests with cherished memories that last a lifetime.
Decide on a First Look
The first step to creating your wedding timeline is to decide whether you’re having a first look on your big day. A first look is a scheduled, private moment to see your partner for the first time before the wedding ceremony. It’s usually captured by your photographers but is a private moment with just the two of you. You’ll need to decide this first as it dictates how long you’ll need for photos before and after the ceremony.
Check with your photography contract
Make sure when you’re planning your wedding day events, they align with your photography contract. Most contracts are for 8 hours of photos, unless you paid for extra. You’ll need to coordinate the arrival time of your photographer and the last photos you want taken. If you want your sendoff captured, you’ll need to plan on starting pictures (including getting ready) 8 hours before sendoff. Or you can do a fake sendoff in the middle of dancing time for pictures and then go back to more dancing afterwards and your photographer can leave then. There’s lots of ways to finagle it, it just takes some planning.
Include buffer time
Include extra time for photos, dinner, and special moments than what you think. It’s easier to be a little ahead of schedule (no one will know) than to get behind and have to make up for it later. Give yourself plenty of time for photos before your ceremony so you’re not rushed, running around, or don’t get all the shots you want.
Include time for logistics
The most common thing people leave out of their timeline is the time it takes to move people around. It doesn’t seem like a lot, but if your guests are going outside or down the hall for the ceremony or cocktail hour, it will take about 10-15 minutes for everyone to move into the room and find their seats (estimated for 150 people). This is less time if your venue is one big room and not separated or if you’re having a smaller event. Ballpark this based on your event setup, but make sure you include this time in your timeline.
Send to your photographer
Each photographer is different and takes different amounts of time for photos. You don’t want to rush your photographer and not get all the shots you want or hinder their creativity. I always send the timeline to the photographer when it’s still in the tweaking phase and have them review it. You want to make sure their comfortable with the times allotted.
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Be flexible on your big day
I know it seems counterintuitive, but you should be flexible with your timeline on your big day. This is a (well-thought-out) guideline but it’s not the be-all-end-all. Put someone in charge to oversee your timeline and keeps vendors updated and on track. It’s more important to read the room at your event and adjust accordingly so everything flows smoothly for guests. For instance, if guests are done with dinner earlier than expected, go ahead and begin cake cutting instead of keeping guests waiting another 15 minutes. Guests get very antsy at weddings! When one thing is done, they are eager to move on to the next thing. If you notice dinner service or photographer is taking longer than planned, let it finish out naturally and make up for it in the dancing time later.
Flexibility is key. Unexpected surprises may arise, but with a well-structured timeline and a calm attitude, you’ll be able to handle anything that comes your way. Embrace the magic of the day, cherish the memories, and allow yourself to be fully present in every moment.
To learn more about creating your timeline, join my FREE Wedding Timeline Masterclass. We’ll go over all the intricacies of the wedding timeline and I’ll share with you my sample timelines and how long all your moments should take. Remember, your wedding timeline is more than just a list of events; it’s a roadmap to help you and your guests navigate the day with ease, ensuring that every moment is filled with joy and love!
Happy Planning!
