In this blog post, we’ll discuss how to create a wedding timeline that leads to a day filled with joy, laughter, and unforgettable memories. Whether you don’t know where to start, or you are fine-tuning the finishing details consider these tips to ensure no detail is forgotten!

“Where do I even start when creating a wedding timeline?”

Note Solidified Times: The first thing to do is note down any solidified times that cannot be changed. This may be the time you have reserved the church for the ceremony, or the time of night the reception space closes down. It also includes noting any venue times and hours you have specific vendors for. If there is a solidified time for your ceremony, I recommend starting there and working backwards to craft a timeline for the morning. The beauty of YOUR wedding is that it is YOURS! While it is common for a ceremony to take place between 4-6 pm, there are also many brides who opt for a brunch wedding, or an early afternoon ceremony too!
Many factors can affect ceremony timing, here are a few common ones to consider:
-Day of the Week: Weekdays vs. weekends
-Time of Year: If you are having an outdoor ceremony or want golden hour photos but no first look, you may need to consider an earlier ceremony to accommodate earlier sunset in the winter months
-Availability: Sometimes you do not have any say in your ceremony time due to venue restrictions or availability
-If You Do a First Look: If you choose to have your first sighting of each other be at the ceremony, you may need to accommodate an earlier ceremony to leave room to capture all of the photos you want afterward
Inquire with vendors: Next, ask all of your vendors how long they need to complete their tasks. Then you can use these times to build the rest of your schedule around. For example, my hair and makeup artist noted that they would need four hours to complete the hair and makeup for myself, the maid of honor, five bridesmaids, and both moms. Knowing this, I was able to work backward to know when the day needed to start. Other examples include: asking the caterers how long you should set aside for dinner given your guest count and number of courses, and asking your pastor/officiant how long the ceremonies typically last. Some photographers may offer sample timelines or advice based on the order of your day too!
Ask your venue for a rough timeline: It can be helpful to ask your venue lead for a sample timeline to go off of, especially if they are coordinating certain elements such as catering.

Once you have the answers to these questions, you can begin customizing your timeline to fit your needs! Although every timeline will vary based on where you are getting ready in the morning, if your ceremony is at the same location as your reception, and whether you are doing a first look; here are some general rules I found when doing research for crafting my own timeline:

Photos: as a general rule, allot about 30 minutes for each set of photos: immediate family photos, wedding party photos, and couple photos. If you have a larger party or family you may need to set aside more time, and if it is smaller you may need less. Also keep in mind if you need to move to multiple photo locations to capture the shots you want. It is always helpful to inquire with your photographer on their recommendations as they have first-hand experience on how long it will take them to complete certain tasks and timing may vary if they have a second shooter.
Wedding speeches: can be as long or as short as you want them to be, as a general rule you can set aside about 2-4 minutes per speaker with a small amount of buffer in between.

Once you have your first draft of your timeline, be sure to discuss it with each of your vendors during your next meetings. Your vendors can give you helpful insight into if you designated too much or too little time to their parts of the day. They also have most likely attended dozens- or hundreds- of weddings and can give you a good idea of what to expect!

SEE MORE TIPS BELOW!

Wedding Day Timeline Tips

Make sure to add in hydration, snacks, and bathroom breaks for yourself into the timeline. Getting in and out of the special dress can take time and extra help.
Add in 15-minute "Buffers" to the schedule. This helps to recoup time in case anyone is running behind or a task takes longer than anticipated.
If your dress has to be bustled, don't forget to schedule time to make it happen after the ceremony so there is no rush!
If you are required to have your rehearsal on the morning of your wedding, decide whether or not you want to have your hair and makeup done before or after. Personally, I chose after so the first look was more of a surprise.
Add vendor start and stop times into the main schedule, so everyone is on the same page
If you intend on having “extended” family photos with grandparents, godparents, etc. after the ceremony, delegate bridesmaids/groomsmen to find and round up those family members while you and your new spouse sign your marriage license so no time is wasted!

Use your overall wedding day timeline to create separate timelines for those who may ask for one ie. bridesmaids, groomsmen, parents, etc. So you can easily copy + paste to text or email them out to your wedding party and family leading up to the wedding. As a bride and as a wedding party member it is SO helpful to know where you have to be and when!

Wedding Ceremony Tips

Assign people (we had the groomsmen do it) to check the seats right before the ceremony and make sure the aisle seats are filled and not left empty. This ensures the photographer captures a full crowd rather than empty seats.
When you reach the end of the aisle have one of your girls hold your bouquet while another fluffs your dress and veil.
Share the ceremony schedule with everyone involved- pastor, vendors, parents, groomsmen, bridesmaids, and parents of the flower girl / ring bearer so everyone is on the same page and knows what to expect.
Keep an extra copy of your vows in your day of binder, just in case.
If timing the processional song for your entrance is important to you, time yourself walking down the aisle when you tour the venue so you know how long it takes and when to start and stop. This way you can time the song right with your DJ/Band.

Find the Perfect Wedding Day of Binder Template to Fit Your Big Day Below: