Your wedding day is one of the most important days of your life. With so many things to consider, you have to make sure everything is in order for a stress-free celebration. Enter: the wedding checklist. Creating a timeline that accounts for everything step by step guarantees that nothing will be forgotten and no steps will be missed. This wedding planning checklist ensures a smooth flow for your big day, and is something that you should never forgo.
Morning Preparations
Morning preps usually begin with a smile and a satisfying stretch before the chaos begins. Here’s the ideal timeline, but before any of this, make sure you get breakfast – and make it a heavy one! Most couples don’t get to eat until the reception so make sure you’ve got enough food in you to last until your next meal. Now back to the list:
HMU: Allow 60-90 minutes per person. Make sure everyone’s ready to get dolled up but still allow some breaks in between for the wedding party and the artists.
Getting Dressed: Factor in time for buttoning up dresses, attaching veils, or fixing bow ties. Ideally, you should allocate at least 30 minutes for the bridal party and at least an hour for the bride.
Photographer Arrival: The photographer needs to be at the venue 30 minutes before the bride and groom are fully dressed so they can capture candid “getting ready” shots.
Including hair, makeup, and spa treatments in your bridal beauty timeline is essential for starting your day on the right note and looking your best. Consider scheduling hair and makeup services at least 4-6 months before the wedding to try different styles and ensure your final look matches your vision. Incorporate spa days leading up to the wedding to rejuvenate your skin and help you feel relaxed. As part of your morning preparations, setting aside time for a final touch-up is crucial to maintain your flawless look throughout the day. This strategic approach ensures you step into your dress feeling refreshed and confident, ready for the day’s events.
Capturing the Emotional Moments on the First Look
If you’re planning a “first look” (the moment when the couple sees each other before the ceremony), this is a special moment to account for in your timeline.
Private First Look: 20-30 minutes should be enough to capture the moment without feeling rushed.
Pre-Ceremony Photos: This is the best time to take photos with the bridal party, family, or even just the couple long before the commotion begins. Budget 30-60 minutes according to the group size.
Reminder: Allow a buffer of 10-15 minutes for unexpected delays.
Ceremony
This is the moment everybody is waiting for so make sure no one misses it by having guests arrive on time.
Guest Arrival: Ideally, people should start arriving 30-45 minutes before the ceremony begins and everybody should be settled 10 minutes before it starts.
Ceremony Start: Most ceremonies last 20-35 minutes, but this will depend on the couple’s choice. It could be shorter or longer based on the type of service.
Reminder: Run the ceremony through with the officiant several times (provide them a guide if necessary) to make sure they don’t overlook any step.
Reception
Now that all the formalities are over, it’s time to party! Here’s a timeline you can use.
Grand Entrance: Typically 30-45 minutes after the ceremony, announce the newlyweds. This time could be longer depending on the area’s distance from the ceremony venue. So when choosing a wedding venue, make sure you have the option to have the ceremony and the reception around the same location.
Dinner Service: Depending on the number of guests, 90 minutes should be sufficient for a sit-down dinner or 60 minutes for buffet-style.
Speeches: Don’t let the crowd get bored! Budget 15-20 minutes max for toasts and spread them out between dinner courses.
Dances: First dances and parent dances take about 15-20 minutes.
Cake Cutting: Allow 10 minutes for this event, which usually takes place after the meal.
Party Proper: Allot 1 – 2 hours for dancing and complete relaxation. To wrap up the reception, have someone announce the last song.
Reminder: Make a list of the events in order and cross reference everything to spot overlapping and avoid confusion. Remember not to crowd the entrance area for better management.
Final Send-Off
End your wedding day with a blast. Whether you do it with a fireworks display or a bonfire to quiet down the noise, this part is where your photographers can capture the final moments of a perfect day.
Farewell: Allocate time for last goodbyes and ensure any remaining items are gathered by your team or a designated person.
Stay Flexible, Stay Calm With the Right Team
Planning a seamless wedding day timeline takes coordination, but it doesn’t have to be stressful. The key is to keep your wedding checklist flexible enough to accommodate small delays and allow for moments of spontaneity. South Pacific Bridal’s wedding planner create flawless timelines so that all of your big moments happen seamlessly. Remember, the goal is to stay present and enjoy the journey, knowing that every detail has been considered.
If you’re feeling overwhelmed, you can always use a free wedding planning checklist or find a wedding checklist template that works for you. This way, you can focus on what really matters—celebrating your love and making memories with the people who matter most.
