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As a couple planning your wedding you may be thinking how the schedule and wedding day timeline will work, what time everyone will need to arrive, what time to start hair and makeup and what time to tell the evening guests to arrive.

It can be such a lot to think about so I thought I would offer some tips and advice along with a sample typical wedding day timeline to make planning easier.

Why have a schedule?

The Wedding Day Schedule is important so everyone knows what’s happening and when, this applies to the couple, bridal party, guests and suppliers too. With a well thought out schedule in place the day will flow and any confusion and stress should be eliminated. It shouldn’t be a rigid schedule and should allow room for natural events that pop up and allow time enough that no one feels rushed but equally there isn’t time where people are milling around getting bored. Considering the important events that need to be factored in will lend its hand to the smooth running of the day. 

Things to consider?

Pre wedding preparation –

Hair and makeup for Mother of the bride and or groom, bridesmaids, and bride. Depending on the styles you have chosen and the level of makeup you are having done bridal makeup can take in the region of around 1.5-2 hours to do and bridesmaids and mothers 45 minutes to an hour, if you are having for example 6 bridesmaids this could easily be 8/9 hours prior to the ceremony

Registrar/officiate meetings prior to the ceremony – 

Depending on the type of ceremony you are having there is likely to be a requirement to meet with the registrar/celebrant/religious leader prior to the ceremony around 10/15 minutes each if these are to be held separately to keep the bride and groom apart until the moment of reveal down the aisle. 

Time to eat –

Schedule in time to eat as it can be a long day and the period between the start of the day and the canapés or wedding breakfast can be extensive. No one want’s to feel hungry or have tummy rumbles echoing over the vows!

During the ceremony – 

The start time and length of ceremony needs to be considered. If you are having readings, songs, prayers etc the length of time for these needs to be factored in along with the bridal party procession. 

In your schedule be sure to point out where guests will go after the ceremony and who will be responsible for directing them there for the drinks reception. The length of time for the drinks reception should be long enough for the photographs to be taken comfortably and allow the couple some time to mingle with guests and enjoy some refreshments themselves. Take time to take in your surroundings and the beauty of your day too so it doesn’t all rush by in a blur.

Reception – 

Is the reception at the same place as the ceremony or will people need to travel to get to the reception venue. Will they need to make their own way, waiting for cabs or have you organised transport. Is the reception venue easy to find when leaving the ceremony site or are people likely to get lost?

Will you be having a receiving line? This will vary depending on the number of guests you have. In a wedding with 140 guests giving each guests 30 seconds to greet you will add over an hour to the proceedings. 

Time for speeches if you are having them. Will lots of people want to speak? Will you allow everyone that wants to or will you nominate key relatives and friends? Will you limit speeches to a few minutes or leave it open?

Consider the natural time things need to occur for example sunset if you are having golden hour pictures taken, night fall if you are having fireworks, the arrival of evening guests, cake cutting and first dance. Lastly consider the time the fun has to stop and the amount of time guests are likely to linger after the music stops and the lights are turned up if you need to hand the venue back at a certain time.

When scheduling your day there will always be factors personal to your day that you will want to consider individually but this is a time schedule produced for a 2pm summer wedding with 4 adult bridesmaids, mother of the bride and bride having their hair and makeup done with the ceremony and reception taking place at the same venue. The groom and groomsmen have stayed at an alternative venue overnight.

7am    MUA and hairdresser arrive and begin bridesmaid’s hair and makeup. 

Breakfast and grazing platters are served for those not being seen to   right away.

10am    Florist Arrives

11.30    Photographer and videographer arrive for preparation shots

12.30    Bridal Party get dressed

12.45    Groom and Groomsmen arrive – photos are taken

1.30    Harpist Begins to play while guests arrive

1.15-1.45    Meeting with registrar (separately) 

2.00    Bridal procession enters

2.10    Bride Enters

2.15    Ceremony takes place

2.35    Blessing Takes place

2.45    Ceremony/Blessing ends

2.45    Couple and Bridal party exit followed by guests

2.50    Drinks and canapés are served on the terrace while the couple have   photos taken

           Steel Band Plays as background music

4.35    Guests called in to dine

4.45    Wedding breakfast is served

6.30    Speeches begin

7.30    Speeches End

7.30 – 8.00    Drinks in the lounge

7.30 – 8.00    Room turnaround

8.00    Evening guests arrive

8.15    Golden hour photos

8.30    Cake cutting

8.40    First dance

8.50    Party

8.50    Evening buffet open

11.55    Final song

Midnight  –  Home to bed

As you can see there is a lot to think about but it is easily achieved by considering how much time each event needs to move at a relaxing and realistic pace.

If you would like help putting together your schedule for the day please get in touch and let me help you get organised for a smooth running day.