8 Secrets to crafting the perfect wedding day timeline.
I know creating a timeline sounds scary but with the right vendors it can be a breeze to create. The timeline can affect your wedding day even more than you think. A lot of vendors will ask for a timeline because otherwise it is just a REALLY expensive free-for-all that just happens to be catered LOL. These secrets I am about to share are things I use every single time I help create a timeline.
What is most important to you?
This should be step number one in creating your wedding timeline. Why you ask, well this is YOUR wedding! This can often times be hard for some couples to remember but try and put yourselves first for just a moment and think about what do I want? Think about do you want photos of everyone getting ready or would you prefer more private time getting ready? Do I want a first look? How much time are we going to spend on family photos? The list goes on and on. Once you figure out what you prioritize most it can be so much easier to set in place how much time you need for each thing.
2. Start your wedding day timeline from scratch.
There are plenty of templates out there but every single wedding day is so unique and different they won’t be very helpful to you. You’re vendors should be able to give you estimates of how long each activity should take. Staring at hair and makeup they will tell you ahead of time each bridesmaid will need at least X amount of time so you can start building your day from there.
3. Start planning EARLY (but don’t over-plan)
Once one wedding vendor is asking for the timeline they will all be asking for it. For all the vendors it’s imperative that the timeline be finalized in advance. This is so all the vendors can coordinate and make the day go by smoothly without any hiccups. BUT sometimes over-planning down to the minute can be stressful and not nescesary. Having a good plan ahead of time can provide some much needed stress relief knowing that you have thought of the what-ifs.
4. CONSULT YOUR PHOTOGRAPHER
This one might be the most important of them all but maybe I am a little biased. Your photographer will know exactly how long certain photo opportunities will take, the other vendors will not. I can’t stress this enough. At the very least if you would like to make your timeline yourself just ask your photographer for how long each photo opportunity will take.
5. Always add some buffer time
This one you will thank me for. Adding some buffer time throughout the day will make sure that you can live in the moment and not be worrying about staying on schedule. I also highly recommend to build in some time for you and your fiancé to really take it in and spend some alone time together. This could just be 10 minutes maybe during the first look or after the ceremony.
6. Account for travel time
If you are getting ready at one location and then getting married at another and then having your reception at another, that’s more travel time than most people would think. Travel to multiple different locations can really eat into the timeline. Sometimes there is no way around it but the key is to make sure to include more travel time than you would think.
7. Don’t plan on being the person in charge of everything, delegate, delegate, delegate!
One way to fully be present for the day is to make sure that you are not personally in charge of everything. Tell people around who you can trust about the things you will need help with, such as setting up tables and chairs, decorating the venue, decorating tables, steaming bridesmaids dresses and the list goes on. You won’t be able to be in charge of everything and also feel fully present and enjoy all the beautiful moments the day will bring. Delegating tasks is a must.
8. Be flexible and enjoy the day!
Don’t sweat the small stuff, be fully present and enjoy your day to the absolute fullest. Give someone else the timeline for the day of the wedding, it can be your planner, your photographer, your mom, or even a bridesmaid. Let them tell you where you need to be next and take that load off your shoulders so that you get to have the full wedding day experience without having to worry about the timeline. You will only get to experience these moments once. They can’t be recreated and they will go by so quick!
And there you have it! 8 of my best kept tricks to creating the perfect timeline. If you want even more tricks let’s chat!