Why You Need a Wedding Day Timeline

The creation of a timeline is one of the key components of a perfect wedding day. A well thought out timeline can lead the way to a day of less stress for family, bridal party, and vendors alike.

A timeline looks something like this:

10:00am- Hair and make up stylists arrive at bride’s house.

12:00pm- Flowers arrive

1:00pm- Limo arrives. Transport to garden for first look.

The timeline will go on to list key components of your wedding day and the proposed time they will happen. This list is typically distributed to the immediate family members and all vendors, including the venue coordinator, photographer, and DJ. Katherine’s Daughter Events (KDE) will typically involve the photographer and DJ in the creation of a wedding day timeline to insure all important points are covered.

What makes a good timeline? Here are some of our tried and true questions to ask yourself when planning your big day.

1. What time will your day begin? Are you having hair and make up done? If so, where? Maybe you’ll be at your parent’s house or possibly a hotel. Perhaps you’ll go to a salon. Your make up and hair stylists will want to know what time you wish to get started. They can also help you determine what the total time will be for your entire bridal party.
2. Some couples choose to do a “first look.” If you choose this option, you and your fiance will meet before the wedding ceremony and have a solitary moment when you will meet each other. Your photographer should be there to capture every bit of this wonderful moment. If you have a first look, this needs to be on the timeline.
3. What time is the ceremony and where? Be sure to (again) include travel time and ideally, you should be at the ceremony location no later than 30 minutes before start time.
4. How long is the ceremony? Note this on the timeline.
5. Will you take photography after the ceremony? Where? Add travel time again and make sure you keep your guests occupied with cocktails and appetizers during this time.
6. When you reach your reception destination, plan on 20-30 minutes for announcements, first dance, cake cutting, and toasts.
7. Dinner will be depend on your choice of either a sit down or buffet meal. Ask your caterer how long it will take for everyone to get through the serving line.
8. The mother/son and father/daughter dances can be scheduled before or after dinner, whatever is your preference.
9. Other things to consider- when is your cookie table, photo booth, or any other activities scheduled to begin? KDE coordinates set up times so no vendors are loading in during your ceremony (if onsite and same location as reception). Writing this into the timeline will greatly help your venue coordinator know when vendors are arriving and setting up.
10. Do you have an ending planned to the evening? Any grand finale? Perhaps you have a slow song or even a sparkler exit? Whatever your plans, include this in the timeline.

We have learned that the timeline is one of the greatest tools for a less stressful wedding day. It also ensures that nothing is forgotten. Ask your venue coordinator if he/she will help you with a timeline. If this is not one of the services offered, please use our contact tab and let us help you with your timeline.