Creating a wedding timeline may seem pretty simple, right? However, if you forget to include time for portraits or the odd occasion when a bridesmaid or groomsmen is late due to traffic, it can bring about confusion and stress on the wedding day. Here are ten ways to create a timeline that really works.

It is a part of every girls dream to have a magical wedding day and it may not seem like it but having a practical timeline is really important. It is more than just estimates of when things may happen but creates the stable flow for everyone throughout the entire day.

So once you decide on your wedding date it is time to figure out the timing of each event during the day.

Tip #1

Plan a leisurely getting ready period with at least 30 minutes between finishing your hair and make-up to the start of photos.

Adding in the extra 30 minutes will give you plenty of time to get into your dresses which is usually something that is skipped when the timeline is put together. If it is it will create a timeline that is a bit stressed and rushed during a time which should be filled with the sweet moments of your mom and best friends helping you into your dress! Also, this is a time of emotion between the Bride and her girls which will be allowed if there is time for it in the timeline.

Tip #2

Plan to be done with photos and tucked away at least 30 minutes before your guests arrive.

Part of the wedding day is surprise for the guests when they see the Bride for the first time walking down the aisle. If there is no time between photos and the ceremony it is a sure thing that you would be seen by your guests - almost always the guests arrive up to 30 minutes early! Another plus is it will give you some down time before you jump into the flurry of the rest of the day.

Tip #3

Plan a ceremony that is later in the afternoon.

The majority of couples plan ceremonies at 3pm in the summer time which is the hottest part of the day and the harshest lighting for photography. I recommend to schedule your ceremony about 2 hours before sunset to have more romantic lighting and a more comfortable experience for your guests. Imagine how hot it could be in a suit and tie with the sun beaming down on you - pretty warm, huh!

Tip #4

Try to get your cake cutting, speeches and formal dancing done before 9pm.

There will be variety of guests at your wedding from older family to parents with young children so planning for the main activities a little earlier in the evening allows everyone to enjoy them. It allows them to get home at a decent hour without the fear of missing out on a big part of the wedding day.

Tip #5

Plan a “faux” exit.

You can save a little money on your photography by planning a faux exit a little earlier in the evening and not keeping your photographer there till 10pm for the exit. You can get your bridal party together and whatever send off you are doing - sparklers, bubbles, petals, etc - and do it right around dusk so you get gorgeous exit photos that are not too dark and you can still party all night long! It would be pretty quick, your guests would never know that you were gone!

Tip #6

Hire a DJ who is personable and good on the mic.

The reception timeline is run completely by the DJ and your Dj will be announcing the times of all the various reception activities. With that in mind choosing someone who has a fun, friendly personality will really help make those announcements exciting and organized instead of a little awkward.

Tip #7

Add in 10 minute buffers.

10 minute buffers throughout your timelines can be very helpful! For example, adding in 10 minutes of extra time between the completion of the bridal portraits and the beginning of wedding party portraits gives you some time to round up the crew. Or planning for an extra 10 minutes during family photos to accommodate a family member who may need to run to the rest room and removes any stress if the family member is not there when it is their turn.

Tip #8

Make a list of all the family portrait combinations which are important to you.

After the ceremony there will be the family formal portraits and having a list of every combination (actual names like “John, Sam and Mike”) will make this process smooth and easy for all your family. People respond quickly to their names as opposed to their title, i.e. John’s brother, and the photographer can work from this list calling each family members name, saving time and confusion.

(Here is a little unknown tip for you, a little extra just because I want you to have an amazing day: check with your parents regarding any combinations of family portraits they are hoping for. It is not every day all your family is in one place and can be some of the most important photos for your parents!)

Tip #9

Schedule in an extra 15 minutes for the guys to get ready.

Guys are infamous for saying they only need about 20 minutes to get ready. Little do they know that they will be putting on special garments they have usually never used before - pocket squares, bow ties, and even boutonnieres. When was the last time they folded a pocket square or tied a bow tie? 9 times out of 10 YouTube is resorted to for help or someone is called to pin the boutonnieres and all this can take longer than 20 minutes.

Tip #10

Schedule in 10 minutes to bustle the dress.

This is often an overlooked part of the day and can turn into a moment of stress if time is not scheduled for it. The dress is usually bustled after the ceremony and before the reception where guests are waiting because the DJ just announced your grand entrance. Ah, without that ten minutes everyone is freaking out trying to find those tiny and almost invisible clips in the threads of your gorgeous wedding dress. I promise you would not regret it!

I hope these timeline tips help you in planning a relaxed wedding which leaves you ample time to enjoy your day to it’s fullest! If you are still on the search for a photographer who will help build a custom timeline that fits your day perfectly I invite you to drop me a note and we’ll set up a time for a video chat to see if we’re a good fit!