5 things to include in your wedding day timeline
With all of the beautiful details planned, your timeline is the butter to your toast, the marshmallow to your graham cracker or your…okay I won’t go on. It is an important document that will help you get through your day smoothly, while enjoying your day to the fullest. When you are creating your timeline, it may feel that it is strict and provides no sense of, “let’s go with the flow”, however, this is quite the opposite. A detailed timeline will provide appropriate timing with opportunities built in to relax, enjoy each moment and not feel rushed in between each wedding moment. In a timeline you can prioritize these moments and give the right amount of time for each, so you don’t get overwhelmed with one event or feel stressed because something has taken longer, adjust and move forward. When building your timeline here are 5 things not to forget.
Venue Access Time-
When booking your venue determine the following times and restrictions:
Is the venue available for rehearsal the night before? How many hours do you have the venue the night before? Can you bring in decorations and begin to set up the day before?
When can vendors access the venue the day of or prior?
When can you access the bridal suite for hair and makeup?
When do you have to close the bar, stop serving alcohol?
When do you need to turn off the music?
What time does the event need to end and what time does everyone need to be off site, including vendors?
Do you have access to the venue the next day to pick up items?
Hair and Makeup Schedule-
Once you have determined the time you would like to be ready by prior to your first look or ceremony this will provide a guide to work backwards from when setting the schedule for your hair and makeup team. When scheduling your hair and makeup artist ask them to provide you with preparation notes you can share with your wedding party and others that may be getting their hair and makeup done. This may include, arrive with completely dry hair and arrive 30 minutes prior to your appointment time. I like to include 30 minutes prior to each person’s appointment time to allow for arriving, getting settled and most important some time to celebrate with the bride if it is the first moment you are seeing her on her wedding day. Discuss with your hair and makeup artist how much time they need for each person based on their specific hair and makeup style requests. By incorporating the right arrival time, amount of time for each person to have their hair and makeup done and being ready when they arrive this will help the hair and makeup part go smoothly while have a blast with your girls! Pop that champagne!
Sunset Time-
One of my personal favorite moments is sunset and the photos that can be taken during this time. This may be why it is called the “golden hour.” When creating your timeline consider this time and work it into your schedule. This may mean you are sneaking away for 10-15 minutes (that’s all you need) during dinner or dancing or it’s timed right after your ceremony. It’s worth it!
Contingency Plan-
Love your contingency plan just as much as your original. Mother nature can be a beast and we want you to be prepared and also have time to adjust. Whether it be rain, wind, heat or cold, consider these elements when scheduling your wedding day. If you have to make adjustments, how much time will you need to adjust and include this in your timeline or backup timeline to adapt.
Cleanup-
Not the fun and sexy part, but it has to be done. Discuss with your venue to know what the expectations are the night of. What are you responsible for and what is the venue responsible for? Depending on the time that you have to be off site and the amount of cleanup you have to complete the night of it is important to consider this to allow you and vendors enough time to clean up prior. A venue may provide an event end time and a time that the venue is closed that is only an hour apart. This may sound great, but an hour may not be enough time to clean up and you may be charged for additional hours that you are on site. If you have a lot of decor and cleanup that is needed the night of you may need to adjust your end time on your schedule to meet the venues requirements.
Also, don’t forget your personal items in your suite, gifts, wedding cards and decor you worked so hard on. Designate someone to gather each of these items.
Oh, and don’t forget the cake!
Cover Photo Image: Kelsey Burnett Photography