Managing time on your wedding day can be a frustrating experience. However, with a proper pre-planning consideration, it is possible to manage your timeline in a way that will ensure you, your spouse and your guests enjoy the day.
In most instances, weddings occur in the afternoon (can be mid-morning, afternoon or late in the evening). Regardless of the time, you need a wedding day timeline draft that acts as a guideline for you, your guests, the coordinator and those involved.
The afternoon wedding timeline is a favourite for most people because of a number of reasons:
1. The time is kid-friendly if you have kids attending the wedding
2. The afternoon wedding timeline leaves enough room for preparations or last-minute fixes.
3. The afternoon timeline creates room for your guests to arrive on time.
The Example of a Wedding Day Timeline:
When you prepare for your wedding, it is important to plan the time generously and add 10-15 minutes to each important event during the day to avoid unpredictable delays. This schedule is just a sample of a wedding schedule and is the best if you wish to start the celebrations early. Preparation starts at 10.00am and extends all the way to midnight. Also, it creates for celebrations that extend all the way to the late evening.
10.00 – 12.30 Morning preparation and the first look. During this time, the photographer may be scheduled to come at 11 a.m. when the bride and the brides’ maids are almost ready to take some photos in the photojournalistic style. Furthermore, the photographer can take pictures of the details that you never want to forget, e.g. the dress, the shoes.
13.00 – 14.30 Couple photography session. It is better to do this at this time so as to avoid leaving your guests alone after the ceremony. However, you can make the adjustment depending on your needs and desires.
15.00 – 16.00 The Ceremony.
16.30- 17.30 Wedding reception cocktail hour. In most cases, the cocktail session may be so exciting and fun that it goes on beyond 5:30 p.m. This is why it is important to have the photography session before all the fun starts to avoid the conflict of having to leave your guests.
from 18:00 Wedding party
19.00 – 19.15 The first dance
20.00- 20.15 Wedding bouquet toss
21.00 – 21.30 Cake cutting
from 21:30 Entertainment Program
It is important to communicate your wedding schedule with your vendors (e.g. caterer, photographer) early enough before your wedding day. This way, you can avoid the frustrations of delays and excuses. Secondly, put someone else in charge of the schedule. This way, you can enjoy your day without feeling the pressure of poor coordination. Be comfortable with the reality that there may be delays in certain parts of the event. However, with a committed photographer, a great events planner and a strong support from friends and family, the delays may not be all that crazy (we are talking 20 to 45 minutes).
Have a photograph checker soon enough before the wedding jitters set in. It is better to plan a portrait session with your mum and friends for the morning preparation or straight after the ceremony. You may have an extended family and you want to give everyone a chance to get a picture with you and your spouse. Photographer should manage to take pictures of the deco before the guests arrive. All these factors will affect your schedule as they may require more time allocated to the photo session. Communication is key! Reach out to your photographer and communicate about what you want for your big day and the timeline.
Overall, remember the most important time of all is the day. The entire 24-hour schedule is your time to celebrate the culmination of your love. Plan for it, prepare for it and enjoy it. Assign enough time for pictures. That’s how memories live on.
