Are you having a formal black-tie wedding with 200 guests or a laid back garden wedding with your nearest and dearest? Maybe something in between? Regardless of the type of wedding you’re having, the timing on your big day can make your day perfect or make it a near-disaster. Emotions and stress will be running high on the day of, so leaving the timing of the day’s events up to fate could cause a mishap. Creating a schedule of events a few weeks in advance is a sure-fire way to ensure the day runs as smooth as possible. We’ve put together a list of some helpful tips to keep your wedding day timeline on schedule.
Include every major event.
Although the wedding toast, first dance, and cake cutting are important chapters in the story of the day, there are other details that should be on the timeline too. Adding in events like getting dressed, hair, makeup, transportation, and gift exchanges will take up valuable time in the day.
Allow ample of time for photos.
One of the biggest mistakes that a couple can make is not allowing enough time for staged photos to be taken of family, friends, and the wedding party. If you have a large wedding party and a lot of family that you would like to be captured in your wedding photos, it can seem like a daunting task to corral everyone together. Giving someone the task of gathering everyone together will help keep things orderly.
Let guests enjoy their meal.
If you have decided to serve a multi-course plated meal at your wedding, allow guests to enjoy the food without them feeling rushed. Each course should be given 20 to 30 minutes before moving on to the next. To cut down on time, allow guests to move to a buffet style dessert table so they can enjoy sweet treats at their leisure.
Give yourself time to relax with your new spouse.
You just got married… now is the time to celebrate as newlyweds! Take time to be alone with your new spouse and enjoy one another’s company at the wedding, even if it is only for 15 or 20 minutes. That alone time after getting married is special.
Your schedule won’t be perfect.
Give yourself a buffer of time in events and understand that delays happen. If you schedule your timeline down to the minute and it doesn’t go according to plan, your stress may go through the roof. Things like traffic and road construction can cause delays so give yourself a little extra time to get from one venue to the next.
Choose a company or professional who will handle it for you.
At EBE, our bandleaders and event captains take pride in their ability to create comprehensive timelines for events. Your photographer and stylist team will also be able to give you timing pointers to fill the rest of the day. If you’re worried about staying on time, a day-of coordinator will be a great option to create (and hold you to) a timeline.
Did these tips help you create the perfect timeline for your wedding? If so, we would love to hear all about it! Contact us today!
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