Your wedding will be one of the most important days in your life. You want to ensure everything is perfect. There is no room for error. There is no second chance. Don’t assume that just because you had a conversation with a vendor, that he/she will remember. They will not.  Write everything down and leave nothing to memory.

There are so many different things to consider when creating a wedding day timeline.  From the time you wake up in the morning and begin getting ready with your bridesmaids to having your photos taken, making it through the ceremony, reception, speeches, first dance and partying all night at what will be one of the most memorable days of your life.

Having a well-organized and detailed timeline can impact essentially every aspect of your wedding day. When done properly, your wedding day is infinitely better, it runs smoothly and your vendors are able to do their job in the best way possible.

Creating a timeline doesn’t have to be overwhelming. Your wedding planner will go through every detail with you. Before you start, however, you should answer a few important questions:

  • How many people will be getting their hair and make-up done? Speak to your make-up artist and hairdresser and find out how much time they will need for each person.
  • Will you have a reveal/first look? If so, where?
  • What time will your ceremony start? What time will your reception start?
  • How long will it take to get from the place you are getting ready to the location of photos or the place of ceremony (depending on which you are doing first)?
  • How long will it take to get from the place of photos to the place of ceremony? Or, from the place of ceremony to the place of reception (assuming they are not the same)?
  • How long do you have your reception venue? How many hours will the photographer be working?  How long will the band/DJ play?

Once you know the answers to these questions, you can begin creating your timeline. The best way to start is with the ceremony time and work backwards. Start with obvious things such as time for hair, makeup and photos and then go back and add detail. Once you’ve worked your way to the start of your day, you’ll know what time you need to wake up. Then, go back to your ceremony time and work forward to the end of the evening. Add in all major events such as grand entrance, toasts, speeches, dances, dinner, cake cutting, sweet table, etc. Once completed, take a closer look and include more detail, if necessary. Don’t forget to factor in extra time for transportation. Travelling from one location to another should be noted on the timeline.

If photos start at 1:00pm, you will need to make sure that the florist delivers all the flowers including the bridal bouquet and boutonnieres well in advance of that time. You will also need to ensure that hair and makeup are completed by approximately 12 noon to allow you time to get dressed and travel to where you will be having your photos taken.

If you want photography coverage from the time you begin to get ready until your last dance and send-off, make sure you have enough coverage hours. Check the contract you signed with the photographer and ensure you have sufficient coverage for what you want.  Timing is very important.

Don’t forget to add buffer times to the timeline. If you expect your ceremony to last 20 minutes, round that up to 30 minutes. If Google maps says that transportation from one location to another will take 10 minutes, round that up to 15 minutes. Expect delays. They are inevitable.

Ensure that photos are completed 30 minutes prior to the ceremony. This allows you time to breathe and absorb the minutes before your marriage but also allows for possible delays in the schedule. There’s nothing worse than starting your ceremony late (a few minutes late is acceptable – anything more is not). Don’t time things to the minute. Allow yourself extra time, just in case.

Your timeline is a work in progress. As information becomes available to you, send it to your wedding planner so she can begin creating the timeline. There will be many changes along the way, but that’s ok!  In the end, you will have the perfect timeline for your wedding day.

Raquel Sananes Grad is the principal event planner at RSG Events, a leader in the event planning industry. As a Toronto party planner, corporate planner and wedding planner, Raquel has planned a variety of events for all occasions. Contact Raquel for a free, no obligation consultation. 416-398-0217 or raquel@rsgevents.ca