A successful wedding has been properly thought out and planned. When you do this, everything will run smoothly and you can have peace of mind. This is the ultimate goal for a wedding. This is because you want to be able to relax on your special day, be present and enjoy it all. If you are planning a wedding and you are going to be stressed the entire day, wondering who is showing up when and checking everyone is in the right places, it will take away from the magic of the day. This is why a timeline is a really important tool for your wedding day. This will help you make a very specific plan, that ensures everyone knows their roles and responsibilities for the day, and everything can stay on track. The timeline should be as detailed as possible, including getting ready in the morning, all the way up to the last song of the reception. To help you on your journey, here are some important things when creating a wedding timeline to assist in planning your big day.
Photo by Terje Sollie
Consider what you want to include in the day
Do you want to include photoshoots, fireworks, confetti throwing, entertainment or anything that would make it unique and special? If so, make sure you consider this and how it would fit into the day. Make a list and write down all the non-negotiable aspects of your big day. This will help you when you write a timeline.
Consider how long it will take you to get ready
The great thing about a plan is you can work backwards from it. It will enable you to see what kind of dresses you might want your bridal party to wear, as the dresses will play a role in how quickly and easily they can get ready, how comfortable they will be throughout the day, and more. You will also need to know whether you want to include the mother of the groom, and the mother of the bride, what role they will play, how they can help you, and what they will wear. There are great dresses in The Wedding Shop to help you with the planning.
Consider the weather
The weather may play a role in how the timeline plays out. Make sure you consider the season you are hosting your wedding and plan accordingly.
Example of a wedding timeline
8:00 am: shower and breakfast
10:00 am: hair and makeup for the bride and bridal party, groom and groomsmen get ready
12.30 pm: bride and bridal party get dressed, groom and groomsmen photos
1:00 pm: photos of the bride and bridal party
1:30 pm final preparations, groom and groomsmen arrive at the ceremony, bride and bridal party leave to go to the ceremony
2.00 pm: the ceremony
2:45 pm: the ceremony ends, followed by the chosen exit
4:30 pm: guests begin to arrive for pre-dinner drinks
5:00 pm: guests are seated for dinner
5:15 pm: dinner is served
6:30 pm: speeches
7:00 pm: reception guests arrive
7:00 pm: cake cutting and photoshoot
7:45 pm: first dance
8:00 pm: evening food is put out for guests
10:00 pm sparklers and fireworks
With these tips and this example, you should be well on your way to creating your own perfect timeline and working backwards to make a successful plan for your special day!
