Bride Guide #22 is invaluable! It’s all about building the perfect timeline with a free wedding timeline template!

 

Have you ever been to one of those weddings that drug on all day with tons of breaks? Or one where everything is behind? The structure of your wedding day is super important. You want to make sure you’re not rushed but also that you don’t have so many breaks that it’s drawn out and exhausting for you and everyone. 

 

It’s important to create  a timeline that works for you. But more than timing everything just right, make every moment of this day special. From breakfast in the morning to getting ready to your exit at the end. Plan every, single moment to be meaningful.

 

 

Here are five easy steps to building the perfect timeline:

 

1. Make the timeline first.

I see lots of couples choose the day and time of their wedding, book their venue, and then build the timeline. I would always recommend you plan your timeline first and then find a day and venue that works with your timeline. Here’s why. You won’t have awkward breaks. Your pictures will have better lighting. You won’t be rushed. And most important, your day will flow better and be more relaxing. 

 

2. Group it together.

I don’t approve of catering to others’ expectations. But I do recommend being considerate of others. Having a ceremony at eight in the morning, a lunch at two in the afternoon, and a celebration at seven in the evening is not very considerate to you or your guests. Guests don’t want to hang out all day with lots of long breaks in-between each segment of the day. And neither do you! Give yourself wiggle room but keep everything close together.

 

3. Think about your pictures.

You are paying a lot for professional photos. Don’t let that go to waste! Ask your photographer what time would be best for pictures of the two of you. The best time is usually around sunset or sunrise. Make getting stunning photos a priority.

 

 

4. Make your timeline detailed and generous.

Plan out every detail. Include driving time, eating time, and any little details. Check and double check. When are you supposed to arrive? How far away is it? Will there be traffic? How long will your sealing/ceremony be? How far away is your venue? And always be more generous than you think you need to be. Things are late, ceremonies go over, traffic is bad, and you need to eat! Be generous.

 

5. Make it meaningful.

Go figure, right? Include every little gem you can to make this day special! And definitely make time for just you and your groom to have a moment together. Think about things you can add to your day to make it more meaningful. Maybe you’ll want to go to brunch with your groom, have your mom and bridesmaids help you get ready, exit to sparklers. Whatever it is, include moments that will be meaningful and memorable.

 

Keep in mind…

You want to keep where you get ready, the temple, the venue all pretty close together in terms of distance. This way you spend less of your day in transit.

 

For temple weddings…

When you book your sealing time first and then try to plan around that, it can be very difficult to make your timeline flow well. Focus first on making your timeline. Then choose the day and sealing time that works best. Remember, it’s more important that you love your day and it flows well than that you get married on a Saturday. Sometimes weekdays work best!

 

 

I recommend that every timeline include:

• Time with your groom – 1-2 hours 
• Getting ready – 2-3 hours
• Temple/ceremony – 1-2 hours
• Pictures – 1.5-2 hours
• Dinner or Lunch, and a Celebration – 2-3 hours
• Pictures of you two – 1-2 hours
  • Bride and groom pictures before the sealing/ceremony – either do a formal session before your wedding day or bride and groom pictures on the day of
  • Husband and wife pictures after the sealing/ceremony – either take these right after the sealing/ceremony or wait until the gorgeous sunset lighting
• And remember travel time!

 

Tip:

Honestly, ask your photographer to help you create a timeline. Photographers see all sorts of different timelines and usually have a pretty good idea of what works best.

 

You can get my free wedding timeline template here!