How To Build Your Wedding Timeline

Wedding days can be the most exciting time for the bride and groom! You both have been working months, maybe even years on your dream wedding day and now it is finally time to tie the knot. With all that your planning, it is ideal to have a timeline so nothing is missed, miscommunicated, or becomes out of place! A Wedding Timeline can also help answer questions like:

• What time should the ceremony start?

• When should I do my makeup?

• What time do the family photos need to happen?

So, what exactly is a Wedding Timeline? It is your lifeline and personal to-do list for not only you, but everyone else! A perfect wedding timeline ensures all of your vendors are on the same page you are. It provides clear communication, sets expectations, and helps with any questions someone may have. The last thing you want is your caterer thinking arrival time is 5:00 when it’s actually 2:00.

I want to break down what a typical wedding day looks like. Now, this timeline may not work for everyone so feel free to adjust, add, and change! Let’s get started shall we?

How To Build Your Wedding Timeline

1. You have your pen and paper, ready to start, but you don’t know where to begin. Building a timeline can be little overwhelming, but it is always easiest to start with your ceremony time! When choosing a ceremony time, planning around the sunset time can make for gorgeous photos. A rule of thumb is to have your ceremony two hours before sunset.

2. Your next step is to set your exit time. What time do you plan to leave the venue? Will you have a grand or faux exit? What time will your transportation arrive? From there, it’s easiest to work backwards.

3. A majority of weddings share a similar time of events: ceremony, cocktail hour, then reception. Ceremonies can range from 15 minutes to up to an hour. After the ceremony, is the cocktail hour (which is normally just an hour). Then, the reception lasts until you are ready to leave or whenever your contracted time with the venue is up.

4. We have now your timeline from ceremony to exit finished! So, we will continue to work backwards. Before the ceremony you may opt for a first look. If you do a first look, you will want to plan for family photos right after. This can typically take 1-2 hours. If you are not wanting a first look, family photos normally take 30 minutes.

5. Before your first look, if you have any detailed/fun photos you want to take now is the time! This could look like matching robes with your bridal party, a bridal party first look, and more. I would allot one hour for this!

6. Continuing working backwards, you will now plan getting your hair and makeup done, eating breakfast, and anything you want to add to make sure you have a peaceful morning!

And just like that you have created your own Wedding Timeline! You have the freedom to add wedding games, speeches, a longer cocktail hour, and more. The sky’s the limit, but this basic setup will help you with ultimate success on your big day!

When you book with me, I will send you an in-depth guide on how to build the perfect wedding timeline. My typical wedding coverage timeline is 8 hours long, but we will adjust to make sure you are happy! You and I will work together to coordinate around your venue, vendors, and more to make sure you are prepared for your big day! If you would like more information you can either send me an e-mail, an online inquiry, or a DM!

Talk soon!

xo-

Sarah