The smoothest of wedding days do not just happen! The ones which flow easily, one moment after another, are meticulously planned, prepared, and organized down to the final detail and minute. 

A meticulously planned wedding day has several moving parts to it – the venue, photographer, planner, catering, florals, design, and the often overlooked day-of timeline.

A timeline may not sound as glamorous and fun as picking out florals, or attending cake tastings, but it’s the secret key to a perfect wedding day. It’s the difference between your day going from a chaotic celebration, to one that is smooth, and seamless.

Let’s break down the reasons why you need a wedding day timeline, and why you must stick to it!

It allows you to picture your day from start to finish before it happens.
If weddings are new territory for you, as they are for most brides, it can be hard to picture exactly how the day will flow. Sure, you know there’s a ceremony, but what comes next when that is finished? How do photos get taken? Where do they get taken? When are you coming, and going, and where, through the day? Creating a detailed timeline with everything included beyond just a basic list of events in order gives you peace of mind before the day even happens. You’ll know that everything is taken care of, and feel prepared and calm knowing what comes next. 

You’ll stay on track without watching the clock all day.
Imagine you’ve just gotten dressed, and a member of your wedding party asks you what time the cake cutting is. With a timeline ready, you can hand it to whoever has questions and stay in the moment without needing to memorize your entire day. You’ll stay on track without worrying about what time it is, or what is happening next because you’ve planned everything ahead of time hopefully with me by your side.

It reduces stress for you and your vendors.
Every wedding vendor loves a good timeline! It helps everyone do their jobs more efficiently. On your wedding day, your vendor team works together like different parts of a well oiled machine. When everyone is on the same page, hiccups and missteps are less likely to take place.

It allows you to get the most out of the investment you’ve made in your day, without going over budget.
Time, and money are two of the biggest investments you’ll make in planning your wedding. A timeline ensures your vendors have what they need to give you everything you’ve invested in – from photographers, to catering, to your entertainment. Without making sure each part of your day has the properly allocated time blocked off, you can accidentally under estimate how long dinner or photos will take, and run into extra (and pricey) fees when the catering team needs to stay two hours later than planned.

It makes sure you experience all the important moments, big and small.
A well-planned timeline doesn’t just ensure the essential moments like your walk down the aisle happens—it also gives you space to breathe. Want a few quiet minutes with your new spouse before the reception kicks off? Planning for it makes sure you get that. Want to hit the dance floor before dinner? Slot it in! A timeline helps balance structured moments with spontaneous fun, ensuring you get to enjoy every bit of your day.

You’ll avoid overlaps and chaos.
Ever been to a wedding where two things seem to happen at once, or back to back to one another, and you have no idea where to go, or what’s happening? A timeline prevents that. Whether it’s the first look photos, the ceremony, or the toasts, your guests won’t have to guess where they should be or what they should be doing. Everything will flow seamlessly from one event to the next, making the day feel effortless and enjoyable for everyone.

Your VIPs will stay in the loop.
From your wedding party to close family members, key people need to know where they should be and when. A timeline ensures that your VIPs are always in the right place at the right time. It can include things like when your bridesmaids need to be dressed and ready, when family photos are happening, and when it’s time to hit the dance floor for that epic group dance. Most importantly, they’ll know where to be, and when to be there without asking you on the day of.

A wedding day timeline can seem like another to-do list task, but it’s essential. By creating a detailed timeline, you’ll experience a wedding day that not only runs smoothly, but allows you to enjoy every precious moment.

If you need help building your day of timeline, connect with us today. Trust me, your future stress free self will thank you!

Photography by Taylor Ehman Photography