On the biggest day of your life, you want everything to run smoothly, and having a timeline makes sure that happens! But there’s more to it than just guesstimating times. Follow these steps to create a smooth timeline that will keep your wedding on track, your guests happy, and you feeling stress-free!
Talk to Your Wedding Planner
Before you dive into writing up your timeline or using one that you find online, talk to your wedding planner first if you choose to have one. She or he will be able to walk you through a general idea of how long the steps take. Most importantly, your planner will remember steps that you might not think about like you taking time to eat breakfast or lunch, traveling from the ceremony site to the reception location, or factoring in the amount of time you have booked for your photographer.
If you’re not using a wedding planner, get information from your vendors about how long they need to set up, prepare, and take down as that will factor into your timeline, too. Plus, take to heart their advice as they’ve done this countless times!
Know Your Logistics
There are so many variables and logistics in a wedding that you have to break down to craft a timeline that will be as accurate as possible. Here are some factors you will want to consider:
- Professional styling and makeup: Factor in at least 90 minutes for you and 45 minutes for each bridesmaid.
- Travel time from where you will get ready for the ceremony; travel time from the ceremony to the reception
- Typically, a ceremony is 30 minutes to include music and the procession but verify with your officiant.
- Will you be having a cocktail hour or a reception line that can push back the reception dinner starting time?
- Do you have several special dances, toasts, or speeches planned?
Add in Buffers to Your Schedule
Assume that most things will take a bit longer than they “should” and factor that into your schedule accordingly. For example, if Google Maps says the drive from your ceremony site to your reception site takes 20 minutes, factor in that traffic, relatives getting lost, or some other variable will happen, and include 45 minutes for travel time from the ceremony to the reception. For every step of your timeline, it’s okay to add a few extra minutes to account for things like signing the marriage license, the family being hard to gather for photos, or fixing a smudge to your makeup.
Customize Timeline Templates to Meet Your Needs
It can be easy to just use a ready-made timeline, but unless you’re doing the exact steps as what is listed, it won’t be accurate! Use a template as a guideline – we love the wedding day timelines from The Knot – but factor in your unique needs and wants for your wedding day.
Be Flexible at Your Wedding
The only things that have to be set in stone are your ceremony times and your vendor schedules. Otherwise, if things are moving faster than planned like everyone finished dinner earlier, talk to your planner about starting the dancing or toasts a few minutes early so guests aren’t just sitting around. The most important thing to remember is to have fun, enjoy your day, and know that if there are a few hiccups, it’s probably not the end of the world!
Capture the Moment with Mag-Nificent Photo Booth Services!
With Mag-Nificent photo services, our professional photographers can capture every amazing moment, from family group shots to fun, candid moments on the dance floor. Enjoy an onsite photo booth or green screen to allow your guests to take their own shots and make great memories, and with the Mag-nificent App, you and your guests can print and upload pictures in real time!
Contact us today to learn more about our photography options for your wedding and reception!
